What private tours actually go up to and explore the fort?

I don't want to just take pics from the bottom. I've contacted both Claudia and Dora's companies and neither will go up the fort. I saw an excursion thru X that says it explores the fort and goes to Old Town for $59 and 4.5 hrs approx. I read on FRMPEI's trip report that he did this tour and they do in fact explore inside the fort.

If I don't find a private tour company that does what I am looking for, I will book the ship's tour, but usually like to not do a ship's tour whenever possible. Any recs?

I also read Caribbeanbound's report of going to the fort, and seems pricewise is about the same to do it all on our own, which I would rather not, as I've never been to Cartegena before.

Try trip advisor.

We have been on private tours but through our agent and they took us to the fort. If you can do private you can also walk the tunnels which usually the ships tour does not.

Keith

What were the names of the tour companies? There is one Celebrity tour that goes inside the fort.

Ours were through A&K and I am not sure if you can book directly with them or need a TA to assist.

Keith

ok thanks.

That's why I would take a look at trip advisor.com

It's a gerat source for finding excursions.

Keith

I just wrote to them for our upcoming port stop.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297476-d4556304-Reviews-Duran_Duran_s_Tour_Private_Day_Tour-Cartagena_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Departme.html

Hope this helps!

Which review if yours? I checked their site but didn't see prices. How much was your tour? Did you go into the fort?

On X there was a tour of the fort on my cruise. I talked to people who took it and it is very strenuous. They said they never sweated so much in their lives! They were pleased with their tour. I took a different tour through X and it was excellent as well. The pricing for the tours X offered in this port were the same or cheaper than private companies. Old town is quite nice as well. You could do it on your own with taxis and a guide you engage at the port but from posts I have read you need to make sure you get a guide with good English. The guide in Cartagena on the X excursion was great with superb English and he was very knowledgeable. I would not hesitate to book that port with X. On a cruise I often do private excursions but do mix it up with cruise line offerings and I find the guides are usually good to great with the cruise line (I had 1 problem in Grand Cayman).

I don't want to just take pics from the bottom. I've contacted both Claudia and Dora's companies and neither will go up the fort. I saw an excursion thru X that says it explores the fort and goes to Old Town for $59 and 4.5 hrs approx. I read on FRMPEI's trip report that he did this tour and they do in fact explore inside the fort.

 

If I don't find a private tour company that does what I am looking for, I will book the ship's tour, but usually like to not do a ship's tour whenever possible. Any recs?

 

I also read Caribbeanbound's report of going to the fort, and seems pricewise is about the same to do it all on our own, which I would rather not, as I've never been to Cartegena before.

Just take a cab. There isn't that much "exploring" to do at the Fort. We hired a cab at the port and he waited for us then went to other places as well.

I don't want to just take pics from the bottom. I've contacted both Claudia and Dora's companies and neither will go up the fort. I saw an excursion thru X that says it explores the fort and goes to Old Town for $59 and 4.5 hrs approx. I read on FRMPEI's trip report that he did this tour and they do in fact explore inside the fort.

 

If I don't find a private tour company that does what I am looking for, I will book the ship's tour, but usually like to not do a ship's tour whenever possible. Any recs?

 

I also read Caribbeanbound's report of going to the fort, and seems pricewise is about the same to do it all on our own, which I would rather not, as I've never been to Cartegena before.

Hi,

My guide took us up to San Felipe, he charges a little bit more but the fact is that he does not work with huge groups, i think it is a matter of finding the right person to show you around and someone who would make you have a nice time at port of call.

I found mine on TA also: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g297476-d4154451-Reviews-Cartagena_Tour_Guide-Cartagena_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Department.html

Or check his web page: http://www.cartagenatourguide.com, his name is Martin, really nice guy.

:)