WONDERS OF COLOMBIA 2028

January 26-February 2, 2028

ESCORTED BY SHELLEY

*Optional pre-cruise extension January 24-26

This river cruise starts in the vibrant city of Cartagena, Colombia. Explore the colonial streets of this charming coastal city full of culture and history. From here, embark on your seven-night journey from Cartagena to Barranquilla, tracing the Caribbean coast and the Magdalena River through Colombia's living culture and extraordinary biodiversity. Visit historical villages along the way, such as Palenque, the first free African town in the Americas. Journey through flourishing wetlands and take in untamed nature and wildlife. In the town of Mompox, you will learn from local artists and enjoy a traditional Cumbia performance. In the remote town of Santa Barbara de Pinto, observe skilled craftspeople, stroll through the streets, and take in lush surroundings. The journey ends in Barranquilla with an exclusive Carnaval performance. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, vivid costumes and spirited music and dance of Carnaval on your final night is Colombia!

Itinerary

Welcome to Colombia!

Welcome to Colombia! This tour begins with two optional* nights in Cartagena before the river cruise begins.

Day 1: Arrive in Cartagena, a sun-drenched city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast where colonial charm and coastal beauty intertwine. Stroll through streets steeped in history, admire centuries-old fortifications, and discover the vibrant spirit that shaped this port city into a cultural treasure.

Afternoon: Walled City Walking Tour

A walking tour introduces Cartagena's walled city center, framed by 11 kilometers of stone fortifications built after Sir Francis Drake's 1586 raid. Among the best-preserved defenses in the world, the walls have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.

Evening: Welcome Reception

Meet fellow travelers and your local hosts at a relaxed welcome reception. Enjoy light refreshments, receive an overview of the journey ahead, and connect with the group in a comfortable setting before the adventure begins.

Hotel: TBD world-class 4-5* hotel

*2 pre-cruise nights in Cartagena are optional and priced separately. See Pricing section below

Cartagena

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Calamar, Colombia

Step into the story of Palenque, the first “free town” in the Americas, where music, language, and traditions tell a tale of resilience and pride. Experience the rhythm of Afro-Colombian culture through vibrant performances and heartfelt encounters. Later, journey to Calamar to admire its historic charm, from graceful churches to colorful streets best explored by paola, a local bicycle taxi built for two.

Morning: Drum Rhythms and Freedom

A walking tour traces Palenque's history, founded around 1600 by Benkos Biohó and other escaped enslaved people, and recognized by royal decree as the first free town in the Americas in 1713. Now a UNESCO heritage site home to Palenquero, a unique language, the town also welcomes visitors with a local musical performance.

Afternoon: Historic Calamar by Paola

Calamar sits at the entrance to the Canal del Dique, a Spanish colonial waterway, and was first settled in 1840. A tour by paola, a local bicycle taxi, offers an up-close look at sites like the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción.

Palenque

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Cartagena (Embarkation)

Begin your Colombian adventure in Cartagena, the jewel of the Caribbean coast. Wander through the lively Getsemaní neighborhood, where colonial walls burst with color, local art fills every corner, and the scent of coastal cuisine fills the air. After an evening of exploration, settle aboard your luxurious ship and set sail on the legendary Magdalena River.

Afternoon: Embarkation/Getsemani Tour

Explore Getsemaní, a neighborhood once home to dockworkers, artisans and freed and enslaved people, including Pedro Romero, who led local support for the city's 1811 declaration of independence. The neighborhood is now known for colorful street art lining Calle de la Sierpe.

Getsemani

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Meganague, Colombia

Board a small boat and drift through the emerald wetlands of Boca de Tacaloa, where vibrant birdlife and untamed nature create a living sanctuary. As evening falls, arrive in Mompox and feel the streets come alive with an exclusive open-air jazz performance.

Morning: Nature Activity

Board our custom excursion boats alongside a local expert and venture through the river's smaller waterways near Magangué, keeping an eye out for monkeys, native birds and fish along the way.

Afternoon: Exclusive Jazz Street Performance

Mompox greets arriving guests with a street jazz performance from local musicians, a small taste of the tradition behind Colombia's nickname: the Land of a Thousand Rhythms, home to more than 1,025 documented folk rhythms nationwide.

Boca de Tacaloa

Mompox

Boca de Tacaloa

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Mompox, Colombia

Step into the timeless rhythm of Mompox, where riverside streets and artisan workshops seem untouched by time. Glide through quiet corners and watch delicate filigree craftsmanship come to life, feeling the enduring spirit and vibrant culture of this storied town.

Morning: Early Nature Experience

An early start brings you out to see migratory and native birds gathering as the sun comes up, with your local expert pointing out species found only in this stretch of the Magdalena.

Mompox City Tour

Mompox declared full independence from Spain on August 6, 1810, and later became a base for Simón Bolívar's military campaign. A walking tour traces its preserved colonial streets, blending Spanish and indigenous styles.

Filigree Workshop

Mompox's filigree tradition traces back to Spanish colonial rule, when the city handled the quintaje, sending one-fifth of all gold collected to the Spanish Crown. At a local workshop, you'll try your hand at the craft, once worked in gold and now mostly silver, and create a piece to take home.

Afternoon: Sunset Nature Experience

As the sun sets over the wetlands, a different set of birds takes over from the ones spotted at sunrise, with your local expert on hand to point out who's who along this stretch of the Magdalena.

Mompox

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Santa Barbara de Pinto, Colombia

Experience life in the riverside town of Santa Bárbara de Pinto, where local artisans keep generations-old traditions alive. Watch fishermen weave nets by hand, tobacco rollers at work, and skilled craftspeople create intricate handmade wares. Whether you choose to stroll the pastel streets or explore the lush surrounding landscapes on a guided hike, the spirit of Colombia’s heartland awaits.

Morning: Hike Exploration

This active hike departs from the river port at Santa Bárbara de Pinto, following paths through the countryside towards a charming town nearby.

Santa Barbara de Pinto City Tour

Your walking tour of Santa Bárbara de Pinto takes in the Santa Barbara Church and Parque la Concepción, then continues to the edge of Ciénaga de Papelillo, a nearby nature preserve. Along the way, browse handmade wares from local artisans amid the town's pastel-toned Spanish architecture.

Santa Barbara de Pinto

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Mompox, Colombia

Journey through the tranquil La Mojana region, a landscape alive with the pulse of Colombian culture. Here, the story of cumbia unfolds–a dance that bridges continents and generations, carrying the spirit of joy and connection. End the day immersed in its rhythm during an exclusive performance by local musicians and dancers.

Afternoon: Drum Class & Performance

Learn the rhythms behind Colombia's cumbia tradition in this onboard workshop, trying your hand at the tambora, alegre and llamador drums that anchor the country's music. A live performance follows, with plenty of room to dance.

Cumbia Class & Performance

El Banco is considered the birthplace of cumbia, home to composer José Barros and the annual Festival Nacional de la Cumbia he founded in 1970. Representatives from 20 local families join you on board to teach the rhythms and share the music, stories and dance behind this tradition.

Cumbia

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Sabanagrande, Colombia

Sail toward the Caribbean as you visit a charming village and witness everyday Colombian life before arriving in the vibrant city of Barranquilla. Discover the energy of this coastal hub, where art, music, and joy fill the air. As your journey nears its end, celebrate with a private Carnaval celebration–a dazzling evening of color and rhythm.

Morning: Sabanagrande Village Tour

Iraca palm weaving has supported daily life across Colombia's Atlántico department for generations, turning dried palm fibers into bags, baskets and other handwoven pieces. You'll have the chance to browse local workshops and purchase directly from the artisans at village prices.

Afternoon: Exclusive "Carnaval" Excursion

Barranquilla hosts the world's second-largest Carnaval, a UNESCO-designated celebration of Colombian music, dance and culture. Though the citywide festival runs just four days a year, our guests can take part in an exclusive Carnaval performance staged just for this visit.

Barranquilla

Carnaval Barranquilla

Barranquilla

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Cartagena, Colombia

Day 2: Delve into Cartagena’s fascinating past as you explore its fortresses, museums, and storied streets. From the UNESCO-designated San Felipe Castle to the glittering world of emeralds and indigenous gold artifacts, uncover the treasures and tales that have defined this Caribbean gem.

Morning: Gold Musuem and Caribbean Naval Museum

The Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Zenú) displays centuries-old gold artifacts crafted by the pre-Hispanic Zenú people, whose metalwork first drew Spanish colonial interest to the region. Then visit the Caribbean Naval Museum, covering Cartagena's naval history from Francis Drake's 1586 raid through Colombia's fight for independence.

San Felipe Castle Visit

An expert-led visit introduces you to Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fortress perched above Cartagena since 1536. Its best-known moment came in 1741, when Spanish commander Blas de Lezo, already missing an eye, an arm and a leg from earlier battles, defeated a British force of 186 ships and over 20,000 troops with fewer than 4,000 defenders.

Day 3: Before boarding your ship, discover the historic vaults of Cartagena, once Spanish headquarters and a prison, now alive with art, shops, and culture.

Hotel: TBD world-class 4-5* hotel

*2 pre-cruise nights in Cartagena are optional and priced separately. See Pricing section below