A Really Magical Colombian Journey.
Visit the places that inspired Gabriel Garcia Marquez to create his special literary brand of magical realism.
The Lowdown.
Explore the remarkable Caribbean towns and villages that inspired him to pen his poetic version of Colombian history and discover the peculiar version of reality that gave birth to his magic.
Besides, work your way through Gabo’s body of work with a very different adventure every day. Each of your days are named after one of his Nobel-prize winning books
What We Love
Being fully submerged into the world of Magical Realism - Colombia’s Caribbean coast with its creative inhabitants and remarkable history
The level of thoughtful insight into the cultural stimulus that inspired Gabriel Garcia Marquez to put pen to paper
Staying at some wonderful places along the way
Culinary highlights almost as magical as the literary treats in Gabo’s books
Daily activities that transport you to another world
A special boat trip through the Rosario Islands – a day you’ll never forget
Travel the right way, by having a positive impact on the local population
Your Itinerary at a Glance.
Day 1 — Love and Other Demons.
Arrive in Cartagena, the Caribbean’s most romantic city, walk the narrow streets and meet the colorful characters that run through each of Gabo’s works.
Enjoy drinks at a picturesque bar before indulging yourself with a sensational, 10-course meal prepared by Jaime Camacho and Sebastian Giraldo, the game-changing chefs behind Restaurante Celele by Proyecto Caribe.
Includes:
Private transfer to your city retreat.
Stay /
Fine Dining / Experiment the Caribbean gastronomy with Jaime Camacho and Sebastian Giraldo.
Day 2 — Love in the Time of Cholera
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Meet enigmatic locals, delve beneath the bedazzling beauty of Cartagena’s pretty streets and discover the remarkable tales that lie behind Cartagena’s picturesque doors and balconies on an inspirational walking tour with a local literary historian.
Enjoy lunch at Gabo’s favorite restaurant, La Cocina de Pepina, lift your spirits with a coffee tasting ritual at Café del Mural and finish a wonderful day dining at Demente in hip and happening Getsemaní.
Includes:
Activity /
Eat /
Day 3 — The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor.
Let the Caribbean be your world-class oyster, a place filled with seductive opportunities to snorkel, relax and indulge your senses.
Hop from one island to another with your own luxury boat, savor a fantastic lunch and cocktails at one of our favorite beach clubs whilst soaking up tales of pirate and Colombian shenanigans.
Includes:
Activity /
Day 4 — Chronicle of a Death Foretold.
Transport yourself back in time on a voyage to sleepy Mompox, a village that Gabo wrote “doesn’t exist”.
Perched on the banks of the River Magdalena, this is a magical town where the lazy flow of the river makes it feel like you are going backwards in time.
We’ll stop and meet some contemporary characters that would fit comfortably in a Nobel prize-winning novel.
Day 5 — The General in his Labyrinth
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Explore one of Colombia’s most mystical colonial villages. Learn how the inhabitants helped Simon Bolivar overthrow Colombia’s Spanish rulers and how the city was forgotten after the River Magdalena set off in a different direction.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote in his book about Bolivar’s last days, The General in His Labyrinth “Mompox doesn't exist. We sometimes dream about her, but she doesn't exist.”
It’s still true. Wander the streets, soak up the history, savor the peace and tranquility.
Includes:
Activity /
Day 6 — None Writes to the Colonel.
Enjoy a trip along the river on a chalupa (small boat) and admire the abundant flora and fauna, including colorful kingfishers that play along the river’s banks.
Includes:
Activity / Cocktail and ceviche tour
Day 7 — One Hundred Years of Solitude
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Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ birthplace and home to his highly influential grandfather inspired the Nobel Laureate’s masterpiece One Hundred Years of Solitude.
The house has been converted into a museum celebrating the birthplace of Magical Realism, the literary movement that placed Colombia at the center of the written world.
Finish the journey in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the center of the universe, according to its native inhabitants.
Includes:
Activity /
Day 8 — Leaf Storm
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Re-connect with the universe on the rugged nature trails that weave through the jewel of Colombia's national parks, Parque Tayrona.
The gentle treks through the lush rainforest and unspoiled beaches are as close as it comes to meditating with one of the Kogi spiritual leaders that believe (and who are we to argue) that this is the center of the universe.
Includes:
Activity /
Activity /
Day 9 — The Solitude of Latin America.
Through deep meditations, ritual offerings, songs and prayers carried out along a network of interconnected sacred sites that link the snowy peaks to the river deltas and estuaries to the Sea, the Kogi and Arhuaco priests, known as Mamos, follow the great mother's law of caring for and nurturing the Sierra Nevada maintaining the equilibrium of life not only for their sacred mountains but for the entire world.
Includes:
Activity /
Day 10 — Living to Tell the Tale.
This 4x4 climb up the mountains of the Sierra Nevada will bring you into contact with some wonderful wildlife, coffee plantations, craft breweries and some spectacular scenery.
Wind your way through an incredible variety of eco-systems in one very special day. From the rugged beaches that surround Parque Tayrona to a glimpse of the Sierra’s snow-capped peaks.
Includes:
Activity /
Day 11 — An End to Your Magical Realism
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It’s time to say hasta luego to Colombia’s Caribbean coast and the real world of Magical Realism.
Includes:
Transfer / To the airport
FAQs
What’s Included on this journey?
10 nights’ accommodation at top hotels in Cartagena, Mompox and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
A tasting menu at a top restaurant in Cartagena
Two days on a boat. One in the islands and the other on the River Magdalena
Historic walking tours with Gabriel Garcia Marquez specialists
A Colombian coffee tasting ritual
Cultural encounters that are good for you and the people you meet
What’s not included on this journey?
Tips and gratuities.
International flights.
Who will enjoy this journey?
For curious travelers that want to see the country that inspired Gabriel Garcia Marquez to create a new style of literature, Magical Realism.
Is this a private or shared journey?
This is a private journey organized for you and your group.
What time does the journey depart and return?
Subject to your availability.
Let’s Get Planning.
All of our signature Colombian journeys have been designed for the most demanding of international travelers. That said our team loves to rip up the script and get to work on a 100% tailor-made journey that will take your visit to Colombia to the next level.
With a little more information about your travel needs, we’ll be happy to draw up a bespoke vacation for you and your loved ones. All of our Colombian journeys start with a free consultation with one of our talented travel advisors.
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