Explore Colombia on a New National Geographic Expeditions Signature Land Trip

National Geographic Expeditions introduced a nine-day Colombia: Connections to the Land and the Past itinerary for 2024, covering Bogota's markets and museums, a UNESCO-recognized coffee farm, the biodiverse Cocora Valley and Tayrona National Park, and the historic Caribbean coast cities of Cartagena and Barranquilla. The Signature Land trip is guided by a dedicated National Geographic Expert and includes three expert talks throughout the journey. Every booking also supports the work of the nonprofit National Geographic Society.

National Geographic Expeditions launched a new Signature Land itinerary — Colombia: Connections to the Land and the Past — taking guests on a nine-day, eight-night journey through the country's capital, coffee-growing region, biodiverse national parks, Caribbean coast, and historic Cartagena. Led by a dedicated National Geographic Expert, the trip blends cultural immersion, culinary exploration, and ecological discovery across one of the world's most biodiverse countries. Departures began in 2024.

Starting in Bogota: Markets, Museums, and Expert Insights

The itinerary opens in Colombia's capital, Bogota, with a private guided tour of Paloquemao Market — one of the city's largest food markets — where guests sample fresh fruits and learn about the diversity of local flowers. The day continues with a walking tour of Bogota's historic plazas and landmarks, followed by a visit to the Museo del Oro, home to an extraordinary collection of pre-Columbian gold relics from the indigenous Muisca people. The first of three National Geographic Expert talks takes place that evening, setting the stage for the days ahead.

Colombia's Coffee Country: Farm to Cup at a UNESCO Heritage Site

A visit to a fourth-generation, family-owned coffee farm in the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — gives guests a firsthand look at coffee production from growing to roasting. Colombia is among the world's top coffee-producing nations, and the farm visit provides context rarely available to independent travelers.

Biodiversity in the Cocora Valley and Tayrona National Park

The expedition moves into Colombia's extraordinary natural landscapes with a visit to the Cocora Valley, a lush green expanse home to towering 125-foot wax palms — Colombia's national tree. From there, guests explore Tayrona National Park with a naturalist guide, keeping watch for endemic cotton-top tamarins and over 280 bird species. Nearby, Taironaka Village offers a look at the ruins of a historic indigenous community and the chance to meet members of the Kogi community, descendants of the Tairona culture.

Caribbean Culture: Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Palenque

The itinerary's cultural depth continues on Colombia's Caribbean coast. In Barranquilla, guests tour the Carnaval Museum, dedicated to the city's legendary carnival — recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The historic city of Cartagena follows, with a walking tour of the Walled City and explorations tied to the life and work of Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Márquez.

The final full day takes guests to San Basilio de Palenque, recognized as the first free town for enslaved people in the Americas. Here, guests engage with the community's rich African roots through music, regional food, and a stop at a local boxing studio — one of the town's most distinctive cultural traditions.

What This Means for Cultural Travelers

The Colombia: Connections to the Land and the Past itinerary represents National Geographic Expeditions' commitment to combining wildlife, history, and living culture in a single journey. From the biodiversity of Tayrona to the UNESCO-recognized coffee landscapes and the heritage of Palenque, this nine-day program offers a far deeper engagement with Colombia than standard tourism allows. Travelers can browse itineraries and book at NationalGeographicExpeditions.com or by calling 888-732-2379.