Highlights of Northern Trail

Below are some of the major travel highlights for Northern Trail. For more in-depth attractions of each country on this route, click on the country names below or select a route to see the highlights on this section of the journey. Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).

In-depth highlights: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Historical attractions of Quito - Caracas

Bogota
Colombia's capital is set at an altitude of 2,600 metres and is a city of impressive colonial architecture, interesting museums and a vibrant cultural scene. The colonial part of the city is known as 'La Candelaria' and is characterised by colourful old buildings, some fine museums, restaurants and ‘chocolaterias’. Some of the most impressive historical structures are located around the vast Plaza de Bolivar including the Catedral Primada de Colombia, San Bartolome College, the Chapel of El Sagrario, the Cardinal's Palace, the Congress Building and the Presidential Palace. The Gold Museum has a fine collection of pre-Hispanic handcrafted gold items. A cable car up to Mount Monserrate provides fantastic views of the city and is the site of a 17th century church and place of pilgrimage.

Bogota

Colombia's capital is set at an altitude of 2,600 metres and is a city of impressive colonial architecture, interesting museums and a vibrant cultural scene. The colonial part of the city is known as 'La Candelaria' and is characterised by colourful old buildings, some fine museums, restaurants and ‘chocolaterias’. Some of the most impressive historical structures are located around the vast Plaza de Bolivar including the Catedral Primada de Colombia, San Bartolome College, the Chapel of El Sagrario, the Cardinal's Palace, the Congress Building and the Presidential Palace. The Gold Museum has a fine collection of pre-Hispanic handcrafted gold items. A cable car up to Mount Monserrate provides fantastic views of the city and is the site of a 17th century church and place of pilgrimage.

Cartagena
Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia and soon became one of the three most important Spanish ports in the West Indies along with La Habana and San Juan de Puerto Rico. It was used to export gold and silver from the mines in New Granada and Peru back to Europe and import goods and slaves - the only city along with Veracruz in Mexico authorised to trade in slaves. To protect the city from attack by pirates, a vast system of fortifications was developed in the 17th century which today surround the old city and constitute the most complete example of this type of military architecture in the New World. The historic attractions in the San Pedro quarter include the Church of Santo Domingo and the Convent of San Pedro Claver, in addition to the imposing Castle of San Felipe de Barajas Fortress and the Convent of La Popa, built on a hilltop overlooking the city. Elsewhere in town, the narrow streets have colonial buildings characterised by heavy wooden doors and balconies while Los Bovedas, previously a row of old dungeon cells, today house charming boutiques and tourist shops. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena

Cartagena

Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia and soon became one of the three most important Spanish ports in the West Indies along with La Habana and San Juan de Puerto Rico. It was used to export gold and silver from the mines in New Granada and Peru back to Europe and import goods and slaves - the only city along with Veracruz in Mexico authorised to trade in slaves. To protect the city from attack by pirates, a vast system of fortifications was developed in the 17th century which today surround the old city and constitute the most complete example of this type of military architecture in the New World. The historic attractions in the San Pedro quarter include the Church of Santo Domingo and the Convent of San Pedro Claver, in addition to the imposing Castle of San Felipe de Barajas Fortress and the Convent of La Popa, built on a hilltop overlooking the city. Elsewhere in town, the narrow streets have colonial buildings characterised by heavy wooden doors and balconies while Los Bovedas, previously a row of old dungeon cells, today house charming boutiques and tourist shops.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena