Coast, Coffee & Culture in Colombia

On arrival into Bogota, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of your day is at leisure.

The tour starts with an early morning visit to the Paloquemao's Market. This is one of the largest and most important markets in the country. Paloquemao presents the perfect mix of the old and new Bogota and offers a great insight into the life and customs of the people from Bogota. You will find a large variety of flowers, exotic fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, cheese, medicinal herbs as well as typical food. Everything is fresh and arrives daily to Bogota from all regions of Colombia. You will have the opportunity to live a unique cultural experience, tasting some exotic fruits and enjoying a small snack during the visit.

Afterwards visit the famous and well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. Steeped in history, this area is a must for photographers with its splendid colonial architecture; you will want to take the opportunity to capture the sights and sounds of this fascinating part of Bogota. Walk through the streets permeating with the heady atmosphere of the past, as revealed by the library of Luis Angel Arango and down to the prominent Plaza de Bolivar, the heart of Bogota, where locals and visitors mingle amongst the magnificent and foreboding structures. You will want to discover the history of this old part of the city by visiting the Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal's Palace, the colonial churches of El Sagrario and San Agustin, the Independence House, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall which are all located in this impressive square.

Continuing to the east, on top of the forested mountains, you will find the Monserrate Hill. This mountain has a white catholic church located at the top and has been a site of worship since 1657. On a clear day you will have the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular view of the city. You also might see snowcap of "Nevado del Tolima" on the far west side.

The tour then follows with a visit to the Gold Museum, the most important gold museum in the world and a "must see" when traveling to Bogota. This museum displays one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold. Galleries on three levels display exquisitely crafted pieces dating back nearly 2.500 years. Visit the vault-like room on the top floor where the most treasured pieces are displayed, as well as the Offering Room, where passengers enter a black circular area that is gradually illuminated with indigenous music playing in the background; the light begins to dawn, and finally a remarkable display of gold offering collection is discovered.

The tour ends with a visit to the Botero Museum, housed in a renovated colonial mansion. The works on display are all donated by Fernando Botero, Colombia's most famous contemporary artist. Around 120 pieces of his own work are displayed at the museum including his famous sculptures, paintings and drawings. His work is well-known for the 'proportionally exaggerated' fat figures. In addition to his work, his personal collection by Picasso, Renoir, Dali, Degas, Chagall, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti are also exhibited.

Lunch is included during the tour at a local restaurant with a set menu.

This visit begins with a panoramic view of the city and the vast plateau of the northern area of Bogota. You will arrive to the small town of Zipaquira where you will take an underground tour to discover the famous Salt Cathedral. There you will have the opportunity to experience the extraordinary architecture and engineer of this remarkable underground mine. This cathedral was carved inside an active salt mine formed 250 million years ago, under the Halite Mountains. Here you will find 14 small chapels that represent the Stations of the Cross and Jesus Christ's crucifixion, a sanctuary and a main cathedral. Although this is a popular tourist destination to be visited, this is also a place of pilgrimage for the local community.

Afterwards continue to visit the town of Zipaquira which was founded on 1600 and still conserves its colonial heritage. Stop at the main square, where you will find whitewashed houses decorated with olive-green trim and base as well as the most important municipal buildings.

Finally enjoy a visit to Usaquen. This ancient village was founded in the XVI century. However, Usaquen has since been swallowed up by the expanding city of Bogota. Located in the northeast, this old colonial district conserves its essence and style and throughout the years has become a popular attraction for local and foreign tourists.

You will have the opportunity to walk through the narrow cobbled streets and observe the beautiful houses with exceptional architectural value, multicolored facades and gardens. Feel embraced by the bohemian atmosphere of this neighborhood full of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and local handcrafts.

If you are lucky enough to visit Usaquen on a Sunday or on a holiday, you will encounter a vast and vibrant Flea Market. This market was created in 1991 and week after week local and foreigners enjoy buying different handicrafts, jewelry antiques, art elements, souvenirs, ceramics, handmade clothing, desserts, fruits, and many other things that are sold at this market. Also, from time to time people can enjoy storytellers, local artists and live music.

Lunch is included during the tour at a local restaurant with a set menu.

Your guide will meet you at the lobby of the hotel and will take you to the International Airport El Dorado or Puente Aereo (depending on your flight). You will be assisted at the airport during the check-in at the airline counter to help you connect to your next destination.

Upon arrival at Jose Maria Cordova International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to hotel. Transfer will take approximately 45 minutes with normal traffic. A representative will assist you at the airport. On the road, he will provide useful information for your stay in Medellin.

Explore downtown Medellín and the historical centre. Listen to local musicians and the traditional "Guasca" music while visiting the Parque Berrío. Stroll through the hustle and bustle of downtown Medellin to the famous Botero Plaza with an exhibition of the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, whose sculptures have become a landmark of the city. Take the Metro Cable up to Santo Domingo, which was once a notorious area of gang violence in Medellín. The cable car was constructed to make the inner city more accessible to people from the outskirts, and allows visitors a glimpse into the lives of the marginalized population. While enjoying the spectacular view you learn more about the transformation of Medellín from one of the most dangerous cities in the world into a fascinating melting pot of cultures with possibly the friendliest and warmest people in the world.

The Penol Boulder is one of the most spectacular destinations in the surrounding area of Medellin. The 200-meter-high monolith can be climbed through a staircase of 740 steps. Enjoy breath-taking views over the stunning surroundings full of green mountains and blue lakes. The village of Guatape is famous for its church and its beautiful, colourful paintings that decorate the houses of the village.

On this day trip we will take you on a scenic drive through the Eastern Highlands of Antioquia. You can climb the Penol Boulder, enjoy a delicious typical Colombian lunch on the waterfront of the Guatape reservoir, explore the lake on a boat ride and take time to stroll and relax.

After breakfast, you take a private transfer to Medellin airport for your flight to Armenia (not included). On arrival into Armenia, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Visit to the beautiful Cocora Valley located in the department of Quindío. This majestic valley is home to the wax palm, Colombia's national tree and the tallest variety of palm tree in the world. These palms can measure up to 190 feet tall and live more than 120 years.

Be amazed by the natural beauty and diversity of fauna and flora that you will encounter throughout the valley. Once you arrive, you will be welcomed with a typical cocktail called "canelazo". Afterwards you will visit the misty forest where our guide will explain to you the importance of protecting and conserving this beautiful ecosystem. It is a great opportunity to take some pictures.

The tour continues with the "Ritual de la Palma", a way to help preserve the wax palms. Visitors from all around the world have helped plant future wax palms at the park, you will also be able to grow your own palm tree for eternity.

Next you will visit the town of Salento. Founded in 1842, Salento was one of the first settlements in the Quindío state and still today it preserves its colonial bahareque architecture. Salento's centuries buildings are awash in harmonious color, especially along Calle Real, the main street lined end to end with restaurants, bars, handicrafts shops and souvenir stores.

A typical lunch with smoked trout is included at the Cocora Valley.

About an hour outside of Armenia lies the town of Buenavista, the smallest municipality in Colombia. There, up in the hills you will find a premium coffee producer: Hacienda San Alberto.

San Alberto has been producing coffee since the early 1970's, so it came as no surprise when they decided to open their doors to the public and share this experience with the coffee lovers around the world.

Tour around the beautiful Hacienda San Alberto and learn all about the coffee process from start to finish. You will get familiarized with the coffee bean germination process, visit the coffee nursery, walk around the coffee plantations and visit the processing plant. Afterwards, participate in an incredible experience that will awaken all your senses: a coffee tasting accompanied by our experts. A sip of coffee will never be the same again, you will learn to identify the characteristics and qualities that are present in a good cup of coffee.

NOTE: We recommend you not to eat spicy food before the coffee tasting and try not to have perfume on your hands, this might affect your tasting experience.

Coffee fields are located on a mountain slope, so please let us know in advance if passengers have any disability or walking difficulty.

A private transfer after breakfast takes you to the Pereira Airport for your flight to Cartagena (not included). On arrival into Cartagena Airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Enjoy a delicious and colorful experience where you will be able to taste some of the local flavors of the city and learn about its culture. This walking tour through the inner walled section of the colonial city will let you experience Cartagena like a local resident in a neighborhood where people live, eat and shop.

This experience takes you to discover different sites and people from the colonial city, with whom the local residents relate on a daily basis as they pass by and stop for breakfast, lunch, dinner or typical snacks.

Featuring seven authentic food stops with different delicious tastings, you get to escape the crowds and taste the best of what the city has to offer.

Along the way, your guide will entertain and tell you stories and insights into Cartagena's culture and history. Take a break from being a tourist and discover the real Cartagena.

Also, spend learning how to dance Colombian style with the help of an instructor. The passion and sensuality of the Caribbean finds its most eminent and eye-catching experiences for the visitors in all the colorful and vibrant rhythms and dances which are abundant here in Cartagena. "Feeling" and dancing to the Colombian infused Caribbean rhythms is arguably the most direct, intensive and fun way for visitors to get a taste of the passion for life as expressed by Colombians through dance.

During this dinner you will live a rather unique cultural experience enjoying a typical home cooked meal from Cartagena. Give yourself the chance to be part of the local culture and feel the warmth of the Colombian hospitality in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Enjoy the opportunity of experiencing a fascinating conversation about life in Cartagena, while exchanging different point of views as well as personal anecdotes with local cultures. Passengers will be able to participate in some of the cooking if they wish.

The tour begins with a visit to the "Castillo de San Felipe". This castle was built by the Spaniards in the 1600s and it is the greatest and strongest fortress ever built in a Spanish colony. Located at the top of San Lázaro hill, its purpose was to protect and guard the city's landward side from any attack or invasion. This fortress provides a complex system of tunnels connected with strategic points to distribute provisions and facilitate a possible evacuation. Additionally, the tunnel's architecture was built so that any noise would echo along them, in order to make internal communications easier and hear even the slightest sound of the enemies approaching.

Afterwards, a walk through "Las Bóvedas" is included. These 23 vaults were built in the 18th century and they are considered the last major colonial construction made within the city walls for military purposes. The vaults were used as storerooms for munitions and provisions by the Spaniards, and later on, they became jail cells. Nowadays, they are used as crafts markets where you can find handicrafts, antiques, galleries, jewelry, clothing and souvenirs, among other things.

At the end of the tour you will visit the "Iglesia y Convento San Pedro de Claver"; this convent was founded in the early 17th century by San Ignacio de Loyola. The name of the church was given in honor to San Pedro Claver, a Jesuit priest who spent his life ministering to the enslaved people brought from Africa. This baroque church has an imposing stone facade and inside there are fine stained-glass windows and a high altar made of Italian marble. You will also find a beautiful cloister surrounded with trees, a museum and the place where San Pedro Claver lived and died.

Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, you are transferred to Cartagena Airport for your onward journey.