Your exciting journey to Colombia begins with an afternoon flight to Bogota, the capital of Colombia that rests on a high plateau in the Andes Mountains. Here, you’ll experience the mix of colonial grandeur and the vitality of a modern metropolis. Founded in the 16th century by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quezada, the city is home to a dazzling array of museums, churches, colonial mansions, and stately buildings. Upon arrival in Colombia’s cultural, political and financial center, transfer to your upscale hotel where you’ll enjoy a welcome drink.

Hotel Novotel Parque 93 or similar

After breakfast this morning, drive from Bogota to Zipaquira to visit the famous underground salt cathedral, where a church is carved from salt inside of a cave. Some of you will experience a deeply spiritual, religious moment, while others will celebrate this artistic and engineering masterpiece. Here, you’ll find monumental crosses, angels, and the Madonna statue, and in addition to the main cathedral, there are several small chapels and 14 Stations of the Cross interconnected through labyrinthine tunnels. Drive back to Bogota and visit the famous Gold Museum, which displays the world’s largest selection of pre-Hispanic gold work. Tonight enjoy your welcome dinner at your hotel.

New in 2021! After leaving Bogota, stop for a drink at Nukasa ecopark where we’ll try their homemade honey and leave our mark on Colombia by planting a native tree! Afterward, we’ll continue to the salt cathedral and Gold Museum. This evening’s welcome dinner will now be at a local restaurant and include a glass of wine.

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After a sumptuous breakfast, venture to the local market of Paloquemao. Next, drive to the mountain top of Guadalupe, adjacent to Monserrate, where you’ll enjoy a marvelous view of the city. Followed by a visit to the colonial part of the city, La Candelaria, Bogota’s heart and soul, known for its Spanish and Baroque-style architecture. See the Fernando Botero Museum, created in 2000 after a generous donation by the world famous artist himself of 123 pieces of his own art. Botero’s art should be instantly recognizable with its oversized, larger-than-life style. The museum also features works of art by Picasso, Renoir, Matisse, Monet, Chagall and many others. Later, transfer to the airport and fly to the magical Coffee Triangle.

Hotel Allure Cafe Mocawa Resort or similar | Breakfast, Dinner

As its name suggests, the Coffee Triangle is covered with coffee plantations due to its nutrient-rich volcanic soil in the hilly terrain. Not only does the land produce some of the world’s finest coffee, but it also produces breathtaking landscapes throughout the region. For many people, the Coffee Triangle is the heart and soul of Colombia, where Campesino (or rural life) has remained largely intact over the centuries. In the morning, visit first the coffee Hacienda Morelia and immerse yourself in the world of coffee. A coffee specialist will teach you the ins and outs of coffee production — from drying to roasting and everything in between. After learning the tricks of the trade, make your way to Hacienda San Alberto, the most awarded coffee producer in Colombia, where a master of coffee will lead you to taste and identify the different flavors in a top quality, freshly brewed cup of coffee. After returning to your hotel, the afternoon is at leisure before enjoying a delicious dinner this evening. (B,D)

New in 2021!Instead of visiting Hacienda Morelia this morning, we’ll travel through the scenic hilly landscapes and coffee plantations to our meeting point where we’ll get in a Willy’s Jeep which is normally used to bring fruits and coffee from the plantations. Drive along the trails in the central mountain chain and stop to visit the small villages of Cordoba and Pijao. Stop and visit a lovely example of a typical village in the area: Buenavista, one of the most picturesque villages in the area. Afterward we’ll continue to Hacienda San Alberto.

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After breakfast, enjoy a spectacular drive to Cocora Valley through the region of Quindio and make sure you have your cameras ready to capture the magnificent landscape. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with a special welcome cocktail. Here, you’ll find the highest palm tree in the world, the Palma de Cera, and a brief Colombian ritual will help you understand the history of these unique palm trees. Then, after leaving the valley, you’ll reach the quaint village of Salento, where you’ll have time to walk through the narrow streets and appreciate the Baroque and Spanish-inspired buildings with colorful balconies. Later, visit the village of Filandia, where you’ll enjoy a magnificent view of the Cordilleras of the Colombian Andes and gain an appreciation for how small pueblos (or villages) are the foundation of rural life in Colombia.

New in 2021! Today we’ll drive through the beautiful and lush landscapes that characterize the coffee region. Next, we’ll meet with the Farm Ways staff and learn everything there is to know about coffee: seed planting, bean picking, roasting, and coffee tasting. With local experts, walk around the plantations, discover the production process secrets, and learn about the fine art of coffee tasting. This evening our 2021 departures enjoy an extra dinner.

Hotel Santa Clara Hacienda or similar | Breakfast, Lunch

Early this morning, embark on a drive with a boxed breakfast through the mountains to Medellin. You’ll enjoy spectacular mountain landscapes as you pass through several changes of climate and altitude. Along the way, stop for lunch at an authentic Colombian restaurant before continuing on these beautiful rural backdrops. Arrive at Medellin, the second-largest city in Colombia, the home of famous artist Fernando Botero, and the best example of the country’s renaissance. Transfer to your upscale hotel, and spend the evening at your leisure.

Estelar Milla de Oro Hotel or similar | Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, explore downtown Medellin and visit the Berrio Park. Then, visit the Sculpture Park of Botero and mingle with the fascinating larger-than-life sculptures. After lunch, visit the Plaza Mayor, and Park Pies Descalzos before returning to your hotel.

New in 2021! We’ll drive to the metro station where we’ll take the Metro Cable up to the San Javier district, the entrance to “Comuna 13”. This once inaccessible area is now famous for its graffiti and the outdoor escalator which takes people to the top of the mountain allowing locals to reach their homes in the fabella. During our visit we’ll not only enjoy the spectacular views, but we’ll learn more about the transformation of Medellin and the Afro-descendant culture in the Comuna. From what was once one of the most dangerous cities in the world, Medellín is now a fascinating melting pot of cultures with some of the friendliest and warmest people in the world. This afternoon, we’ll stroll around Medellín and immerse ourselves in Colombia’s culinary world. We’ll have the opportunity to try much of the emblematic street food available in the city starting with savory treats like delicious “empanadas”, “buñuelos”, or “arepas” stuffed with homemade cottage cheese. Those of us with a sweet tooth will love the typical deserts like “cocadas”, blackberry, papaya, or guava sweets and more. We’ll explore local markets, street food shops, and try exotic fruits and fresh juice on this unforgettable foodie experience. During our tour we’ll visit “Casa de la Memoria”, a museum dedicated to Medellín’s dark past and showing the different perspectives of Colombia’s wars and armed conflicts. Next, we’ll learn about “Tejo”, a game that comes from the Colombian indigenous communities who played it as a ritual long before the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century. We’ll have the opportunity to try playing the game and can enjoy two included beers as we play!

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Founded in the early 16th century by Spaniard Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena has it all. It is a historical gem, a symbol of modern Colombia, and a spectacular beach destination. Cartagena’s charming old town is surrounded by thick walls, which were originally intended to fortify the city and took an astonishing to 200 years to build and complete. Visit the fortress of San Felipe, built by the Spanish during the colonial era and located on the Hill of San Lazaro. Later, walk along the the colorful streets and winding alleyways of Cartagena’s walled old town and the Getsemani area outside the walled city. End your guided tour with a trip to the fascinating Emerald Museum. The afternoon is at leisure.

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