Colombia

8 days Jewish Tours to Colombia

Incomparable Colombia

Colombia is a country blessed with friendly people, natural splendor (including flowers, fruits, and legendary emeralds), majestic mountains, and magnificent coastlines along both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Considered to be El Dorado – “the Golden” – by Spain, it is located below the southernmost Caribbean islands. These Jewish Tours to Colombia are including the country’s highlights and history.

This UNESCO World Heritage gateway between the Americas boasts an ethnic blend of indigenous, Iberian, and African heritage. Colombia also possesses a surprising Jewish thread, almost hidden. Most of our ancestors came as Marranos in the 1500s, many others arriving in the late 19^th century. Their true spiritual identity is re-emerging powerfully now. Today’s Colombian Jews describe this reclamation as “soul memory.”

Taste exotic fruits like uchuvas, pitahaya (dragon fruit), cherimoya, mangosteen, carambola, and curubas (banana passion fruit). Experience mountains, seashores, colorful, cobblestoned Spanish-style cities, and abundant flower farms, and drink what some consider to be the world’s best coffee — all this, while witnessing and supporting a unique revival of our Jewish spirit on these Jewish tours to Colombia

Day 1 Sunday Arrival in Bogota

Welcome to friendly, colorful Colombia! When you arrive, meet your guide and transfer from the airport to the hotel, located in the Candelaria district in the heart of the capital, Bogota. Hotel de la Opera.

Day 2 Monday Bogota

Today, begin exploring fascinating Bogota, the largest city in Colombia. Ascend Monserrate Peak (via funicular or cable car) for a panoramic view of the city’s landscape – at 10,000 feet above sea level. Descend to the city and continue on a walking tour in the historic Candelaria district, with its narrow, Spanish colonial streets and houses and the Plaza Bolivar, named after the country’s great liberator from Spain. Lunch. Next, enjoy the Botero Art Museum — Fernando Botero’s mammoth, often amusing sculptures are renowned and exhibited worldwide, including two massive nudes which greet you inside New York’s Time Warner center. Next, embark on a tour of Bogota’s surprising and unique Jewish architecture. Dinner. Hotel de la Opera.

Day 3 Tuesday Bogota – Cartagena  

This morning, visit the impressive Bogota Gold Museum (the largest gold museum in the world), a tribute to Colombia’s vast natural resources and the artwork of its vital indigenous cultures. Their legacy is also reflected in the large number of “mestizos,” or mixed Spanish-indigenous people, thriving in this country. Then, transfer to the airport for a short (90 minute) flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in the center of the city. Dinner. Ananda Boutique Hotel.

Day 4 Wednesday Cartagena

Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains centuries of history, including Jewish history.  Located on the Caribbean coast, it is Spain’s very first colony in the Americas. Today, experience a richly varied day of touring in Cartagena, also known as the Walled City (these ramparts were built to protect Cartagena’s treasures from roving pirates). See the Palace of the Inquisition, which was unfortunately exported to all the Spanish colonies in the Americas. Later, you have an option to visit one of the small local Jewish communities (converts, Chabad, Traditional) – many of the members young and energetic – many of whose ancestors were forcibly converted centuries ago by Spain. Lunch is served during the tour. You will also enjoy strolling the lively streets with traditional fruit vendors (Palenqueras) – colorful women carrying baskets on their heads. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore this beautiful place on your own. Ananda Boutique Hotel.

Day 5 Thursday Cartagena – Medellin 

Today features a visit to Cartagena’s Spanish Fortress (Castillo De San Felipe de Barajas), which offers panoramic views of the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Later, transfer to the airport for the short flight to Medellin. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in the El Poblado district. Diez or Dann Carlton Hotel.

Day 6 Friday Medellin

This day is devoted to the magical city of Medellin – temperate, mountainous and uniquely beautiful even for Colombia (natives call it “the City of Eternal Spring”). Visit Plaza Botero, with its amusing sculptures of fat cats and chubby, mounted soldiers, then take the Metroline Cable Car to the city’s former “slums” area (now clean, cheerful and friendly) for a fun and diverting Graffiti Tour. Lunch. Next, visit the home of notorious criminal Pablo Escobar, a drug cartel kingpin whose legendary life is a source of folklore and fascination even 30 years after his death. Afterwards, enjoy a fascinating tour of the “Convert Community” of Bello, where the persistence of the Jewish soul will inspire you, revived and reclaimed after hundreds of years. Dinner. Diez or Dann Carlton Hotel.

Day 7 Saturday Medellin

Today is at leisure to explore Medellin. You may choose to enjoy an excursion to the lake country and the Andean resort town of Guatape. En route, stop at the Piedra el Peñol Rock (a granite formation that can be climbed by the energetic via steps). Crown the day with a visit to a gorgeous flower farm, attesting to the Eden-like quality of this area. Farewell Dinner. Diez or Dann Carlton Hotel.

Day 8 Sunday Medellin – Home flights

This morning, transfer to the airport and check-in for flights to the USA.

Adios, Colombia!