BOGOTÁ | COFFEE TRIANGLE | MEDELLÍN | CARTAGENA

DAY 1 | Bogotá

Arrival to El Dorado airport in Bogotá on an intercontinental flight. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

MEALS: – / – / –

DAY 2 | Bogotá – Half Day City Tour

After breakfast, half day visit to the historic centre known as La Candelaria. This antiquated barrio is of great architectural and cultural heritage and is made up of old “stately homes” or large Spanish colonial buildings with iron windows, thick and sturdy wooden doors, balconies and internal patios with beautiful yet hidden gardens. Visit the Plaza de Bolivar, where a statue of the great liberator Simon Bolivar is located. This Plaza, originally called the Plaza Mayor, was used for civil and military purposes, as a marketplace, at one time a bullring and a gallows. The Cathedral, on the eastern side of the plaza, is constructed on the remains of the first church built in Bogotá in 1539 and houses an important collection of religious artefacts such as textiles and artwork that has collected over four centuries. The Capitol, built between 1847 and 1926, shows its renaissance and neoclassical influences with its carved stonework and tall columns and, it is the first republican piece of civil architecture. Around the Plaza de Bolivar are the Palacio de Justicia, the Mayor of Bogotá’s offices called the Edificio Liévano, the oldest school in the county called San Bartolome and the Casa de los Comuneros, so called to honour one of the earliest movements for independence from Spain towards the end of the XVII Century.

The visit continues with the Museo Botero, a colonial house filled with works of art done by and donated by Fernando Botero in addition to artwork from his own personal collection that includes pieces by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí Matisse, Monet and Giacometti. Next is the Museo del Oro which has a permanent exhibition of some 32,000 pieces of gold, 20,000 stones, ceramics and textiles all precious to the Quimbaya, Calima, Tayrona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco and Magdalena cultures. The Museo del Oro is considered as one of the most important museums of its type internationally and it has been functioning since 1939. In 2007 it underwent a complete overhaul to make this an interactive museum that would awake senses to the objects on display. Free afternoon for individual activities (we recommend visit several museums in the city). Overnight stay. 

MEALS: B / – / –

Note: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and the Botero Museum is closed on Tuesday.

DAY 3 | Bogotá – Pereira – Buenavista – San Alberto Plantation and Coffee Processing – Pereira

Transfer to the airport and flight to Pereira. Arrival, transfer and hotel check-in.

Half day visiting the coffee plantations along the steep hills typical of this area. On a secondary pathway view the green carpet of coffee plants that spread out as far as the horizon interrupted only by fincas and heliconia flowers

Visit to Hacienda San Alberto one of the coffee estates typical of the region and located near the town of Buenavista Quindío. The tour begins with an introductory talk about coffee, its preparation, toasting, the characteristics of quality and the properties that allows for such a variety of coffees in the world. The route continues through the plantations, appreciating the work of the coffee pickers as well as understanding the famous humid coffee that is characteristic of Colombian coffee. Walk through the coffee plantations and learn about the production system in minute detail, including the harvest, the drying to the sun and treatment in this land of volcanic terrain along the Central Andes Mountain Range which has been declared a world Heritage site by UNESCO and that offers the perfect climatic conditions for coffee growing.

The harvest in Colombia takes around a year, although the main period is between October and May/June. Most of the plantations in Colombia produce Arabica beans which produce a delicate and light tasting coffee which is widely recognized and consumed. The process begins from when the bean is planted and takes approximately 75 days to germination. The seedling is then placed in a plastic bag and placed in partial sunlight until its base dries. Two years after plantation the tree bears its first fruit which is harvested when the bean is red in color and dry and ripe. Once the fruit has been picked, the pulp is stripped away, and the bean is cleaned and dried in the sun (the big haciendas now use a special machinery to strip and dry the beans in a short period of time). The beans are exported or dried in preparation for sale, before being ground up and made ready for human consumption.  Free remainder of the afternoon for individual activities. 

Overnight stay.

MEALS: B / – / –

DAY 4 | Pereira – Valle del Cocora & Filandia – Pereira

After breakfast, leave for the Valle de Cocora which is located in the central mountains of the department of Quindío. This makes part of the Parque Nacional de los Nevados and is the ideal place to marvel at the “Quindian wax palm” (Ceroxylon quincense), the national tree of Colombia. This tree can reach a staggering height of 60m. Around here a great number of species of birds live, in particular some types of hummingbird and the orejíamarillo or the palm parrot (Ognorhynchus icteroti) which is endangered. 

Upon arrival in the valley, either hiking or on horseback (not included), head into the cloud forest to enjoy the biodiversity of flora and fauna. On the return journey, cross the River Quindío while walking along an ecological pathway which takes one past the tallest wax palms in the world. Learn why the indigenous people here worshipped this tree. Then you can have a typical lunch (not included) and enjoy some free time here.

In the afternoon, continue 10km towards the traditional town of Salento to enjoy a city tour that visits the Plaza de Bolívar with its colorful balconies, the Calle Real, the handicrafts shops and the Cocora viewpoint.

Then, transfer to the traditional village of Filandia to enjoy a city tour that includes the viewpoint, the colonial homes, the Plaza de Bolivar and the coffee shops. Here, enjoy some time soaking up the regional atmosphere and perhaps some local spirits before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay.

MEALS: B / L / –

DAY 5 | Pereira – Orchids Farm La Romelia – Medellín

After breakfast, transfer to the city of Medellin, which is 6 hours from Pereira. On the route visit Finca Romelia, just outside of La Cabaña – close to Manizales, to observe their wonderful collection of orchids. The owners, José and Maria have dedicated the vast majority of their lives to the agriculture, collection and preservation of orchids (amongst other plants), coupled with the conservation and preservation of the flora and fauna of the region.  They have over 6,000 orchids and 832 different species as well as a variety of carnivorous plants, bonsais and have seen 165 different species of wild birds on the grounds.

The tour begins with a walk around the grounds of the Finca where visitors can observe cultivation of avocados and citrus plants and enjoy the native forests of this beautiful part of the coffee region. Guests are then taken around the orchid nursery and farmhouse where the cultivation process is explained as well as an explanation of the Finca’s contribution to preservation projects. Visitors will then have a chance to try some of the produce grown on the farm. Continue towards Medellín. Upon arrival, transfer and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

MEALS: B / – / –

DAY 6 | Medellín – Half Day Medellín’s Social Transformation Tour

After breakfast, half day tour to visit those places that best represent the social transformation that has taken place in Medellín. The tour will show the symbolic areas of Medellín from the 1980s, when the city was one of the most dangerous in the world, up to today many projects that fostered the city’s change. 

Enjoy an exciting tour through the history and present of Medellin and learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metropolis. 20 years ago, Medellin was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Back in the early 90s, when the hunt for Pablo Escobar took place, the head of Medellin’s drug cartel was at its peak. Thus, the reign of “El Patrón” came to its end. Until the turn of the millennium the struggles about Escobar’s successor continued, but since 2002 Medellin began to change. Intelligent local politicians started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education. Today the “City of Eternal Spring” is one of the most innovative metropolises in the world.

Visit the barrio San Javier, which used to be one of the most unsafe suburbs of Medellín Located some 7km from the city centre, it is a clear example of the social transformation that has taken place in the last few years. Arrive here by the metrocable car that joins the north-east area with the city centre, which has been life changing to many of the inhabitants of Medellín.  Learn more about the city’s transformation after the death of Pablo Escobar and also get to know the innovative transport-system in the poorer neighborhoods at first hand. Explore Medellin’s newest invention: the electric stairways of the district Comuna 13, discover stories about its past by visiting the most important places marked by historical events and see some graffiti that symbolizes a form of expression of the community. Here it is possible to have a beautiful view over the city from the balconies of San Javier. 

Then, go on to La Plazoleta located in the city centre, in an area that fell into decline in the 1980s and today houses 23 sculptures of Fernando Botero, donated by this famous local artist in year 2000. Since that time, the city has undergone a social and cultural transformation around these works placed in a public space. Back to the hotel. Free afternoon. Overnight stay.

MEALS: B / – / –

DAY 7 | Medellín – Full Day El Peñol Rock and Guatapé – Medellín

Leaving Medellín and heading to the town of Guatapé in order to visit the enormous rock. Guatapé is located in the outskirts of Medellín and has a reservoir created by the Colombian government for a hydro-electric dam, in the middle of the reservoir it is the Peñol Rock. The Peñol Rock is possibly a meteorite due to its size.

From the top by foot up the stairs if you are full of energy (there are 654 steps to get to the top), the whole Guatapé reservation can be seen, this is an optional activity. Visit the picturesque village of Guatapé where all of the houses are painted in quaint pastel colours. 

The way to El Peñol takes around two hours, during which passengers can appreciate the outstanding landscape of Antioquia. After lunch, visit to the Guatapé reservoir, which tour of 30 minutes is made by boat. Return to Medellín. Overnight stay.

MEALS: B / L / –

DAY 8 | Medellín – Cartagena

After breakfast, transfer to Medellín airport for departure by direct flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival, transfer and hotel check-in. 

Overnight stay.

MEALS: B / – / –

DAY 9 | Cartagena – Half Day Panoramic City Tour

Start with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio and Iglesia de La Popa. Formerly known as the “Popa del Galeon” and famous for resembling the stern of a galleon. Constructed in 1606 this church and monastery are located at a height of 140masl from where one can enjoy 360º views of the city and the sea as well as the port zone, one of the most important in the Caribbean. Continuing to the San Felipe fortress, erected in honor of the poet from Cartagena, Don Luis Carlos López, made famous for his sonnet “A mi ciudad nativa”. It was built on San Lázaro hill to defend the city from pirate attacks. Walk around the fortress and learn about how the castle was constructed, the engineering feats, the tunnels, underground galleries and passageways. Then, go on to the Ciudad Vieja (old city) to visit the Convent and Church of the San Pedro Claver compound which was built in the middle of the XVII century and owes its name to the “apóstol de los esclavos”. Lastly, follow to the handicrafts zone of the Bovedas, a collection of archways built into the city wall of Cartagena and that were used until the end of the 1700s to house armaments and then later as a prison in the XIX century. Nowadays it’s an artisan center to appreciate local handcraft. Free afternoon for individual activities. 

Overnight stay.

MEALS: B / – / –

DAY 10 | Cartagena

Free day for individual activities. A full day tour to the Archipiélago del Rosario is recommended. Overnight stay.

MEALS: B / – / –

DAY 11 | Cartagena – Bogotá

Breakfast and transfer to the airport for flight to Bogotá.

MEALS: B / – / –