Colombia’s River of Dreams – Cartagena to Barranquilla

DEPARTURE / CARTAGENA / EMBARK AMAMAGDALENA

Arrive in Cartagena, founded in 1533 on a peninsula already home to Mocana villages dating back to 4000 B.C. The city’s role as Spain’s gateway to the Americas made it one of the wealthiest ports of the colonial world, and its cobblestoned streets still hold that aura of power and intrigue. Board AmaMagdalena and settle into your stateroom overlooking the river. Relax onboard in the pool or enjoy the riverboat’s many amenities, or choose the optional private Colombian coffee tasting, where a master roaster explains the country’s growing regions, brewing rituals, and tasting etiquette. Sample single-origin beans, compare flavor notes, and prepare a bag of coffee to take home. This evening, after a safety briefing and opening remarks, enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner as the ship sets the stage for your journey.

CARTAGENA / ISLA BARÚ

Option A: At dawn, depart Cartagena for the approximately 1.5-hour drive to Aviario Nacional Colombia on Isla Barú, one of the largest and most biodiverse bird sanctuaries in Latin America. Upon arrival, join a private guided tour through its expansive open-air ecosystems, observing more than 190 species in their natural habitats—from striking scarlet ibis and elegant flamingos to colorful toucans and the elusive harpy eagle. Along the way, learn about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and the behaviors, migrations, and unique characteristics of the region’s remarkable avian population, making this a truly immersive and unforgettable wildlife experience.

Option B: Enjoy a guided tour of Cartagena’s UNESCO listed historic center, protected by formidable walls that once made it militarily impregnable. Your private walking tour begins at the Museo del Oro Zenú, housed in a colonial building, where gold ornaments and pottery reveal the sophisticated Zenú civilization that flourished here more than 2,000 years ago. Continue to the Santuario de San Pedro Claver, built between 1580 and 1654 in honor of Saint Peter Claver, the Jesuit missionary who dedicated his life to caring for enslaved Africans. His remains rest in an urn on the high altar. A curator-led tour of the Museo de Arte Moderno completes today’s cultural immersion. This 17th-century colonial building houses pivotal works, including Alejandro Obregón’s vibrant Condor (1959), Enrique Grau’s figurative drawings, and a bronze sculpture by the beloved Fernando Botero. After lunch aboard and leisure time, join an exclusive rum and chocolate tasting led by a brand ambassador. Sample Reserva Familiar and Serie Experimental rums paired with Colombian single-origin chocolates, taking home a personalized engraved bottle.

As we count down to the New Year, cruise Cartagena’s harbor for views of the illuminated ramparts and terracotta rooftops, followed by a festive barbecue dinner on deck as you sail toward Mahates.

MAHATES / LOROS FOUNDATION (VILLANUEVA)

Your morning visit to the Loros Foundation in Villanueva connects you directly to Colombia’s most pressing conservation challenges. This non-profit organization focuses on rehabilitating and protecting psittacines—parrots, macaws, and parakeets—while restoring the country’s vanishing tropical dry forest. An expert-led tour takes you through regenerated forest habitats, where you will observe these magnificent birds in their natural environment, learning how the foundation’s work combats illegal trafficking and habitat destruction. The experience extends beyond wildlife observation to community engagement. Meet local artisans whose craftwork creates sustainable livelihoods while supporting the foundation’s mission, a partnership that transforms conservation into economic opportunity for rural families. Return to AmaMagdalena for lunch as you sail upstream along the Magdalena. The afternoon’s onboard lectures provide deeper context for your morning encounters, exploring Colombia’s biodiversity challenges and conservation successes.

SANTA CRUZ DE MOMPOX

Early this morning, you may rise for an optional birdwatching excursion to Ciénaga de Pijiño, where skiffs navigate swampy canals alive with herons, kingfishers, and toucans. Gigantic iguanas sun themselves on the banks while local fishermen work the waters in this rich ecosystem. Later, travel by tuk tuk into UNESCO-listed Santa Cruz de Mompox, founded in 1537 by Alonso de Heredia on lands inhabited by the Malibu people. Mompox owes its exceptional preservation to a 19th-century geological shift: When the Magdalena River changed course, commerce bypassed the town, leaving its colonial architecture frozen in time. On a guided town tour, visit the Casa de la Cultura, housed in the historic Residencia Peñas Alvarado, which preserves local traditions including the town’s renowned filigree craft. At the Iglesia de Santa Bárbara, completed sometime between 1630 and 1733, admire the octagonal bell tower with its second-story balcony—the only church in Colombia featuring this architectural element. Stop at the Cementerio Central, established in 1829, which houses the tombs of General Hermógenes Maza, hero of the Independence Wars, and poet Candelario Obeso, pioneer of Afro-Colombian literature. Then, enjoy a private tour of Casa Frank, guided by its owner. This late 16th or early 17th-century mansion was one of only two houses in Mompox with its own private port on the Magdalena River. After lunch, join a filigree silver workshop with local artisans, learning the delicate technique of twisting and soldering fine threads that has defined Mompox craftsmanship for centuries. Create your own piece while master silversmiths share skills passed down through generations.
This evening, attend a folkloric performance in the plaza, attended by distinguished local guests.

CALAMAR / SAN BASILIO DE PALENQUE

Dawn offers optional birdwatching at Reserva Natural Calamar, where a local naturalist leads you through riverside and forest trails. Herons, kingfishers, and toucans inhabit this ecosystem, one of the region’s richest avian habitats along the Magdalena. Later, arrive in Calamar, a 19th-century riverside town whose colonial architecture reflects the river’s former commercial importance. Join a local guide for a tour by bicitaxi (cycle rickshaw) through streets that once bustled with merchants and travelers. During lunch aboard AmaMagdalena, sail to San Basilio de Palenque, founded in 1603 by Captain Benkos Biohó and escaped enslaved Africans. When the Spanish Crown granted its inhabitants freedom in 1691, Palenque became the first free African town in the Americas. In 2005, UNESCO declared it a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage. Accompanied by local community hosts, learn traditional herbal medicine practices, participate in drumming and dance workshops rooted in West African traditions, and discover Palenquero, the only Spanish-based creole language spoken in South America. Home visits provide glimpses into daily life, traditional cooking, and storytelling traditions.

CARTAGENA

Upon return to Cartagena, choose from two morning options:
Morning Option 1: Trace the footsteps of Gabriel García Márquez on a literary and culinary walking tour through the cobblestone streets that inspired his magical realism. Visit 13 sites connected to the 1982 Nobel Prize winner, including the Hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, the former convent that inspired Of Love and Other Demons, and the Claustro de la Merced, where his ashes rest. You will also taste nine traditional Caribbean dishes from Márquez’s novels while hearing stories from locals who knew the master personally.
Morning Option 2: Enjoy a guided exploration of the Cartagena Botanical Garden, which houses over 350 species of tropical flora in 33 acres. Wander themed collections of orchids, palms, and medicinal plants that preserve Colombia’s botanical diversity.

After lunch aboard AmaMagdalena, choose from two afternoon options:
Afternoon Option 1: El Colegio del Cuerpo welcomes you for a guided tour and cocktail reception, followed by a special performance of Afro-Colombian music and dance. This innovative school, founded in 1997, transforms young lives through artistic expression. Meet the founders and participate in an optional dance workshop.
Afternoon Option 2: Delight in a VIP private visit to a renowned sculptor’s family home in Manga, access unavailable to the public. Family members will present personal collections and artworks in their residence.

This evening, all guests will reconvene for cocktails and a festive farewell dinner aboard AmaMagdalena. A highlight will be an exclusive conversation with a special guest connected to Gabriel García Márquez’s legacy, providing personal perspectives on the Nobel laureate’s life and creative process.

CARTAGENA / DISEMBARK / RETURN

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home.