Discover ancient traditions, art, and culture on a round-trip river cruise in Colombia.
On a river cruise aboard the new 32-cabin AmaMelodia, enjoy an in-depth look at Colombia along its most storied river, the Magdalena, guided by local experts, artisans, and naturalists. As you travel round-trip from Cartagena, meet artisans and master silversmiths for hands-on workshops and join baristas and culinary experts for tastings of Colombian coffee, chocolate, and rum.
Visit the Loros Foundation, which rehabilitates rescued parrots and other birds across 1,300 acres of tropical dry forest. Meet residents of UNESCO-listed towns such as San Basilio de Palenque, the first free African town in the Americas, and Santa Cruz de Mompox. Enjoy a guided walk through one of Latin America’s largest bird sanctuaries, or go behind the scenes of a pioneering art school empowering young people through Afro-Caribbean music and dance. Follow in the footsteps of Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez through the Cartagena neighborhood that inspired his novels.
Highlights
- Cruise aboard the 32-cabin AmaMelodia, the first luxury vessel to sail the Magdalena, enjoying its twin-balcony staterooms, sun deck pool, and regional cuisine.
- Walk Cartagena’s Getsemaní neighborhood on a guided literary tour tracing the life and inspirations of Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez.
- Meet community hosts for a tour of San Basilio de Palenque, the first free African town in the Americas, participating in workshops illuminating traditional dance, music, and Palenquero, South America’s only extant Spanish-based creole language.
- Tour a private colonial residence (pending final confirmation) during a full-day inside look at UNESCO-listed Santa Cruz de Mompox.
- Join a private artisan workshop in filigrana momposina, crafting your own filigree piece alongside master silversmiths in Mompox.
- Experience a guided look at the Loros Foundation’s 1,300 acres of dry tropical rainforest, meeting biologists who rehabilitate rescued parrots and macaws.
- Participate in one of the optional early-morning naturalist-led birdwatching excursions by small boat.
- Go behind the scenes at a pioneering Cartagena institution that has given free arts education to over 10,000 vulnerable youth, watching young dancers trained in Afro-Colombian movement rehearse works to be performed internationally.
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