From the cobbled lanes and beautiful colonial buildings in Cartagena, to the highly-elevated capital city of Bogota and the gothic-style cathedral of Santuario de Las Lajas, Colombia is a country full of must-see attractions. Thanks to sites such as Cano Cristales, Providencia Island and Tayrona National Park, nature lovers also enjoy coming to the country to explore the incredible countryside and see the many species of flora and fauna. It’s for this reason that AMAWaterways have created two unique packages that take their guests along the Magdalena River.
The Magdalena River
The Magdalena River is the main river of Colombia, flowing approximately 1,528 kilometers through the western half of the country. It’s the cultural and natural heart of Colombia, and was named after Mary Magdalene in 1501 by Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas. The river starts in the La Magdalena lagoon, travelling all the way to the Caribbean Sea, running through 11 Departments of Colombia, including 128 towns.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways cruise lines was founded in 2002, and is known for offering luxurious river cruises throughout Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa. For their river cruise packages in Colombia, they are building two new luxury river cruise ships that are premier floating boutique hotels. Known as the AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia, each ship features spacious staterooms with balconies, a main restaurant, a fitness center with three spa treatment rooms and a sun deck with a relaxing whirlpool. They are meant to exhibit the warmth and exotic nature of the country. One can accommodate 64 guests, while the other only 60. The Colombia river cruises are both set to launch in 2024, and with space being limited, guests are encouraged to book as soon as possible if they don’t want to miss out on the maiden voyages.
The Wonders of Colombia
Each cruise runs for seven nights, with their own unique Itinerary. The first of the new river cruises, the Wonders of Colombia, embarks on March 30, 2024. It runs from Cartagena to Barranquilla. After beginning their trip in Cartagena, and taking the day to explore the breathtaking Getsemani neighbourhood, guests will start their journey down the Magdalena River. The journey begins in Palenque, the first “free town” in the Americas. The town’s culture and traditions have been declared a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Next up, a morning spent in Santa Barbara de Pinto and a walking tour where guests can see such landmarks as the Santa Barbara Church. Later that day guests will arrive in Mompox, where they will spend an entire day. Mompox is a remote village seemingly frozen in time, giving guests the opportunity to discover what communities looked like during colonial times. Bird watchers will enjoy spending the day in Magangue, where they will get the chance to see birds only found in that part of the country. On the last day, AmaWaterways guests will get to enjoy a special Carnaval celebration in Barranquilla with live performances exclusively for them.
The Magic of Colombia
The Magic of Colombia is the second of the new itineraries AmaWaterways is offering, and it sets sail on April 6, 2024, heading the opposite direction. Many of the stops are the same, including the floating village of Neuva Venecia, the traditional town of Santa Barbara de Pinto, Mompox, and Magangue. On the final day of The Magic of Colombia however, guests will visit the coastal city of Cartagena, and have a chance to see such iconic landmarks as the Catedral de Cartagena to the stone walls that were built to protect the city from pirates.
Contact Us
Colombia is a beautiful country that offers a little bit of everything. From exploring new cultures, to visiting historical sites, enjoying natural beauty, eating traditional food, bird watching and more, AmaWaterways will make sure their guests get what they need out of their vacation on board their two new ships. To find out more about the Magdalena river cruises in Colombia, or to book your spot for 2024, contact Henry today at henry@talkofthetowntravel.com or (416) 818-1423.
