Explore Longer with our Optional Land & Cruise Program!

Colombia River Cruise on AmaWaterways

Emerging Medical & Dental Healthcare Issues in Colombia
Cartagena to Barranquilla on AmaMagdalena

April 27–May 4, 2024

Embark on the journey of a lifetime with PES through the “Land of a Thousand Rhythms.” Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and deeply rooted heritage of Colombia while sailing for 7 nights aboard the brand new, 60-guest AmaMagdalena. Plus, add a 5-night pre-cruise land package for added Colombian exploration!

CME/CE Overview

River Cruise Highlights:

  • Optional 5-night pre-cruise land package in Medellín & Cartagena with 5-star accommodations and daily immersive tours
  • Ride an authentic paola bicycle through the town of Calamar
  • Be welcomed by a local band as you take a historic walking tour through Mompox, a UNESCO Site preserved in colonial charm
  • Be treated to a special cumbia performance in El Banco
  • Discover the colorful stilt houses of Nueva Venicia, or “New Venice”
  • Go birdwatching and search for beautiful Cianeguo hummingbirds as well as the Chauna chavaria – only found in this region
  • Attend an exclusive Carnaval celebration in Barranquilla featuring vibrant live performances

All-Inclusive Cruise Package:

  • 7-night river cruise in elegantly appointed accommodations
  • All fine dining on board inspired by the Colombian Caribbean coast, plus a special dinner on shore in El Banco
  • Wine, beer, and soft drinks included during lunch and dinner
  • Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
  • Daily included excursions, including birdwatching and boat tours
  • Nightly entertainment
  • 24/7 Colombian coffee and tea station
  • High-quality Wi-Fi onboard
Brochure

Brief Itinerary

Optional 5-Night Pre-Cruise Itinerary:

Arrive at Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) in Medellín, the second largest city in Colombia. Named the most innovative city in the world by the Urban Land Institute in 2013, Medellín combines modern conveniences with colonial history.

Check in to our 5-star hotel (to be announced) for the remainder of the day at leisure and enjoy your first night in this unique city.

After breakfast at the hotel, set out on a coffee tour with tastings. The region’s ideal climate and soil conditions, combined with the skill and passion of local farmers, make for a unique and delicious coffee experience, which you can learn about and enjoy for yourself during our guided excursion today. Before the majority of coffee farms moved south, the state of Antioquia was where coffee growth in Colombia first began, planting the seed of tradition and culture strongly in this region. The coffee beans grown in Medellín are known for their rich and complex flavor profiles, with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and berries. This delightful coffee is also certified by organizations such as the Rainforest Alliance, which ensures that the coffee is grown in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

Lunch is included on tour. Return to the hotel for the remainder of the evening at leisure.

(B, L)

This morning after breakfast at the hotel, set out on a tour of Comuna 13, an area that traded a past of criminality and danger for a future of diversity and positivity. Though the city was once known for violent campaigns, Medellín has undergone impressive social transformations, and you will get to examine the drastic differences as you tour Comuna 13. This colorful area has been elevated to a place of strengthened community, music, and art. Ride a cable car through this unique area and see its vibrant graffiti and street food culture.

Return to the hotel for the remainder of the day at leisure.

(B)

This morning after breakfast at the hotel, check out and fly as a group to Cartagena, the beautiful capital of the Bolivar region located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Delight in all Cartagena has to offer as you tour the city. Many Spaniards flocked to this location when they heard tales of gold found in the tombs of indigenous leaders, expanding this small port into a thriving city. Witness iconic landmarks such as the Catedral de Cartagena or the stone walls built to protect the city from the plundering of pirates, although they did not stop Sir Francis Drake from holding the city for ransom in 1586.

Check in to the 5-star Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena or similar. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

(B)

Following breakfast at the hotel, start your day by exploring the incredible UNESCO-designated San Felipe Castle, the fortress that defended Cartagena from French and British attacks. In the afternoon, delve deeper into the enriching history of this Caribbean city as you visit the Gold Museum, which features ancient gold artifacts from the indigenous cultures found in this region. You will also visit the Caribbean Naval Museum. Follow the story of this fascinating country and its incredible naval history from pre-Hispanic times until the present.

Return to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.

(B)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Before checking out, tour the famous vaults of Cartagena. These vaults have gone through many transformations – from being Spanish headquarters to a prison for those seeking independence from Spain to the art galleries, restaurants, and shops you witness today.

Following the tour, transfer as a group to the AmaMagdalena and begin our Magdalena river cruise.

(B)

7-Night River Cruise Itinerary:

If not joining the optional pre-cruise tour, fly in to the Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) and transfer to the ship in Cartagena. Embark the AmaMagdalena. After settling into your stateroom, enjoy a tour through the breathtaking neighborhood of Getsemani. With the vibrant colors of the homes and street art as well as the mouthwatering local delicacies that can be found throughout the area, this historic neighborhood will delight all your senses.

In the evening, watch the sun set on Cartagena during a special cruise excursion. Upon returning to your ship, set out on your journey along the magical Magdalena River.

(B,D)

In the morning, experience the town of Palenque, the first “free town” in the Americas. Founded by those who fled a life of slavery during colonial times, the spirit and appearance of this town has been preserved through time. In 1713, the Spanish crown issued a Royal Decree that officially freed the people of Palenque from slavery. Immerse yourself in the town’s deeply rooted culture and traditions, which are so distinct that UNESCO declared Palenque to be a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. An important piece of their heritage is the music and rhythmic style that was developed in this city, which you will enjoy during a special performance by local musicians.

Later in the day, visit Calamar. Located at the entrance of the Canal del Dique, this town was first settled in 1840. See historic sites such as the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Conception as you tour this beautiful destination by paola (a bicycle taxi for two).

(B,L,D)

Spend your morning in Santa Barbara de Pinto, located on the banks of the Mompox arm of the Magdalena River. Enjoy a walking tour through this traditional town, where you may see local landmarks such as the Santa Barbara Church and enjoy intricate hand-made crafts created in the town.

In the afternoon, arrive in island town of Mompox, where you will be welcomed with open arms and lively music during an exclusive jazz performance played by local musicians.

(B,L,D)

A town frozen in time, Mompox embodies the appearance of what many villages looked like during colonial times. Founded in 1540, this remote village became an important Spanish trading post. Some Spaniards found Mompox to be a haven for keeping gold and other treasure protected from the pirates that pillaged coastal cities like Cartagena, and with this precious metal and the work of skilled artisans from Spain came beautifully crafted artifacts. Since then, the town has become famous for its incredible filigree jewelry.

While visiting this unique island, journey through the incredible ecological Cienega Pijiño region, exploring the massive lake that is home to a variety of native flora and fauna. In the afternoon, take a stroll through this storied town on a guided walking tour. With stunning colonial churches, breathtaking nature surrounding the town, and delicious local delights such as capa cheese and butifarra, Mompox is sure to be a highlight of your journey along the magnificent Magdalena River.

(B,L,D)

Bid farewell to in Mompox before embarking on a scenic cruise down one of the most breathtaking stretches of the Magdalena River – La Mojana Region – and reaching the town of El Banco, nestled at the intersection of the Magdalena and César rivers. Founded in a location strategic for both the native people and the Spaniards, the town was repeatedly destroyed in their struggles and then rebuilt atop its ashes. In 1749, a freed black slave named José Domingo Ortiz led a group of settlers to this special location, carrying with him a statue of the Virgin Mary, staking this place as their new home. Because of this connection, the Virgin of Candelaria, a special invocation of the Virgin Mary, is specially venerated in this region.

Embark on a guided walking of this incredible destination and learn more about its history as the birthplace of cumbia, an iconic genre of music and dance that has now been popularized around the world. What began as a courtship dance practiced by African slaves later incorporated American steps and European and African instruments has become a world-wide sensation, which is especially popular in the Andean region of Colombia. In the evening, enjoy an exclusive dinner in town and witness an incredible cumbia performance by locals.

(B,L,D)

Witness the sights, hear the bird calls, and watch the wildlife around you as spend the day in Magangue. Immerse yourself in the presence of Colombian nature surrounding this city on a birdwatching tour, giving you a unique opportunity to see birds only found in this specific part of the country. You can also take a hiking tour through the picturesque Cienega, a town teeming with Colombian heritage.

(B,L,D)

In the morning, visit the Floating Village of Nueva Venecia. A charming town filled with inviting locals, Nueva Venecia, or “New Venice,” can only be navigated by boat. With its beautiful colonial houses, vivid architecture and local sanctuary protecting the native flora and fauna, this town highlights the beauty and warmth of Colombia. Witness its splendor as you tour the village. Enjoy the traditional crafts and art that is on display, learn about the techniques the fishermen of Nueva Venecia use, and taste the local delicacies as you embrace this village and its unique culture.

Later in the day, venture to the beautiful seaside city of Barranquilla, a vibrant destination home to notable musicians, writers, and artists. Immerse yourself in the warmth and culture of the city’s atmosphere as you venture through this magnificent location, where you may visit famous landmarks such as the bocas de cenizas, the point at which the magical Magdalena River meets the breathtaking Caribbean Sea, and the “Carnaval” Museum, which showcases the unique history of this incredible festival. In the evening, enjoy an exclusive “Carnaval” celebration just for AmaWaterways guests for a full traditional experience year-round.

(B,L,D)

Disembark the AmaMagdalena and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

(B)

AmaMagdalena Deck Plan & Stateroom Descriptions

PES Stateroom Rates:

Rates do not include port taxes of $210 per person.

Double pricing is based on double occupancy or two people per stateroom.

Single pricing is based on one person per stateroom and is capacity-controlled by AmaWaterways and subject to change.

Reservation Booking Terms and Conditions:

Required Deposit: $1,250 per person and a non-refundable Global Tracks administration fee of $100 per person

Final Payment: Thursday, December 21, 2023

Airfare is not included. PES will book your air arrangements for a $100 per person ticketing fee, or you may choose to handle your own reservation.

Airport Transfers: Guests purchasing airfare through AmaWaterways may qualify for complimentary group airport transfers for a scheduled arrival between the airport and the ship or hotel and on a scheduled departure between the hotel or the ship and the airport.

Prices Do Not Include: Package rates do not include airfare, baggage fees, passport fees, travel insurance, laundry, additional food and beverages, optional excursions, gratuities, items or services of a personal nature, and possible vessel fuel surcharges.

Passports: Passports are required for all guests and must be valid for six months after of the cruise, or November 4, 2024.

Pre- and Post-Hotels: If you would like to arrange additional hotel stays before or after your trip, please contact your PES Travel coordinator.

PES offers optional travel insurance. Travel insurance is strongly suggested and will give you the opportunity to recover monies lost through cancellations. We offer Allianz Travel Insurance as an option. Premiums vary depending on your age and the cost of your trip. Purchase within 15 days of deposit for additional benefits.

Cancellation Penalties: All cancellations must be made in writing to Global Tracks. Travel insurance and airfare are non-refundable once purchased. Any payment to Global Tracks constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set herein, including but not limited to the cancellation terms. All cancellations are subject to the Global Tracks administration fee of $100 per person paid at deposit in addition to the below schedule:

From time of deposit until October 25, 2023 $450 per person
From October 26, 2023 to December 21, 2023 $1,250 per person
After December 21, 2023 100% of the total package
View Brochure