Map of Cafe Colombia including Colombia

Experience the beauty and vibrancy of enigmatic Colombia

Head into the serene highlands of Colombia's famed coffee region and discover the sweeter, softer side of this much misunderstood country. Learn how to roast the perfect blend during a tour of a working coffee plantation, be beguiled by the laidback pace of charming Salento and spend some time getting acquainted with the sophisticated air and raucous nightlife of Medellin. Then trade the country's lush interior for its coastal spoils and wind the adventure up with a spell in oh-so-romantic Cartagena – the perfect end to this exceptional Colombian adventure.


Start
Bogota, Colombia
Finish
Cartagena, Colombia
Destination
Colombia
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
GGSS
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore the cobbled alleys of Cartagena, a World Heritage-listed town that combines Caribbean splendour with irresistible old-world charm.

  • Embark on a spectacular guided hike through the Cocora Valley, home to hummingbirds and the world's tallest palm trees.

  • Spend a couple of days learning about the world's favourite bean during a stay on a traditional coffee estancia deep in Colombia's coffee country.

  • Discover the new face of Medellin – an arts and culture haven that’s bursting with trendy cafes, epic views and the best nightlife in Colombia – salsa anyone?

  • Try your hand at tejo, Colombia’s explosive national sport (think bocce with gunpowder!). Join your group on this fun activity in Salento, made better with a free beer in hand.

Is this trip right for you?

  • The Cocora Valley hike is quite rigorous, so you'll need to be fit and have sturdy walking shoes. If you'd rather relax, you're free to opt out of this activity and soak up the scenery at your leisure.

  • Colombia enjoys a stable year-round climate, but it can get particularly hot and humid in the north. Be sure to drink plenty of water and wear adequate sun protection, especially in Cartagena on the coast.

Itinerary

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Bogota! Situated at 2644 metres, Colombia's lofty capital is a charming, yet hectic, mix of old and new.. With a wealth of cosy cafes, interesting museums and old churches, cosmopolitan Bogota is full of surprises. Your adventure begins with an orientation walk of Candelaria at 1pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where your group will be meeting.    There will be a formal welcome meeting at 6pm for the whole group including those that missed the orientation walk. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. After, why not go out for a group dinner? 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bogota - La Candelaria Walking Tour
Optional Activities
  • Bogota - Montserrate cable car - COP21000
  • Bogota - Museo Nacional - COP4500
  • Bogota - Gold Museum - COP4000
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Due to Bogota's elevation we recommend taking it easy on your first couple of days while you get used to the altitude.
This morning, immerse your senses in the flavours and colours of Colombia on a visit the famed Paloquemao Market, home to Bogota’s biggest selection of exotic fruits, fresh vegetables and food stalls – perhaps indulge in a delicious Arepa (Colombian style tortilla). Around lunch time take a short flight (1 hour) to the coffee region and transfer (approximately 40 minutes) to the beautiful village of Salento. Take the time to stroll through its quaint streets and admire the colours of 'paisa' architecture at its best. For some local food, trout is the way to go. There are lots of ways to enjoy it, but it's most often served with a rich, garlicky cheese sauce. Colombia's national sport, tejo, is a popular pastime in Salento. Think bocce with gunpowder! This evening, try your hand at this fun activity with the group – made even better with a free beer in hand!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Salento - Traditional Tejo Game
  • Bogota - Visit to Paloquemao market
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Travel by jeep out to the magnificent Cocora Valley, home of the towering wax palm (Colombia's national tree). Spend the morning walking among the region's incredible scenery, perhaps hiking up to Acaime Reserve where colourful hummingbirds feed. The hike to Acaime (approximately 5 hours) is quite strenuous, with some steep and slippery sections, so you'll need good walking shoes as well as plenty of water and snacks. A generous boxed lunch will be provided. If you'd rather take it easy, you can explore the valley as you please, then take a jeep back to town. Later, travel deep into Colombia's coffee region for a two-night stay in a traditional coffee estancia, where you'll have a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about this wonderful bean.
Accommodation
  • Coffee Estancia (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Thanks to its tropical altitude and fertile volcanic soil, Colombia is one of the world’s largest coffee producers. You’ll get to know this addictive little bean a whole lot better on a guided tour of the coffee plantation and processing centre. Dig into the history of the plant, learning the inside story of the industry that's long buoyed the country's economy. See how the beans are grown, harvested, processed, dried, roasted and ground, and then sample firsthand what all the fuss is about. Try different types of coffee grains and get a lesson on preparing different types of coffees – finishing it all off with a steaming cup of freshly brewed joe. Afterwards, relax amid the estancia's beautiful surrounds of sloping green hills and valleys.
Accommodation
  • Coffee Estancia (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Karatu - Coffee plantation tour & tasting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
This morning we will leave the Coffee Estancia and take a 1- hour transfer to the small town of Chinchina, where we will then board a comfortable public bus for the journey to Medellin (approximately 6-7 hours). Along the way, learn a little more about the town's interesting recent history. Having spent the 1980’s and 90’s with an international reputation as one of the world's most dangerous cities (due to Pablo Escobar's infamous drug cartel), Medellin has turned itself around to become one of the most exciting cities in South America. And with some of the country's finest museums, parks and architecture (as well as a much safer and comfortable atmosphere now) it's easy to see why its popularity is increasing. On arrival, explore this beautiful city on a an orientation walk with your leader, followed by free time this evening – why not check out some of Medellin’s famous nightlife!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
There are major roadworks on the road to Medellin, this can cause lengthy delays and make for a slow travel day, so take plenty of water and snacks for the journey. This road is also very winding so if you are prone to motion sickness it is recommended you prepare for this by speaking to your doctor before travel about travel sickness medication.
Today you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Medellin and its surrounds during a cable car ride up to Santa Elena. Sail up the mountain over brick houses, watching as the corrugated metal roofs give way to vistas of green valleys and forested peaks.Thanks to the elevation, things are usually a little cooler up here. Enjoy an include tour of a Flower Farm and when back in Medellin partake in a barrio transformation tour. This evening, you might want to search out one of the city's lively salsa bars (many count Medellin's nightlife as the best in Colombia).
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Medellin - Barrio Transformation Tour
  • Medellin - Flower Farm tour
  • Metrocable to Acevedo station and up to Santa Elena
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Today is a free day. You'll have some free time to explore Medellin. Perhaps visit the Museo de Antioquia to see some of Botero's famous works or get more modern at the beautiful Museo de Arte Moderno.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Medellin - Museo de Antioquia entrance fee - USD6
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Fly to Cartagena (approximately 1 hour), one of South America's most historic cities where you’ll have free time to explore the old city. This inner walled town is the main attraction in Cartagena – it's packed with beautiful churches, monasteries, plazas and mansions. This town, founded in 1533 by Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia, was a major centre of early Spanish settlement in the Americas. Its gold and silver exports made it a popular target for pirates, and its walled fort (now on UNESCO's World Heritage list) was built to protect both shipping and the slave trade. Perhaps visit San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the largest of the fortresses, or head out of town for a mud bath at Volcan de Lodo El Totumo. The nearby group of tiny coral islands and stunning expanses of Playa Blanca (White Beach) reveal the hidden beauty of Colombia's Caribbean coast. Maybe end this adventure people-watching in the heart of Getsemaní at Plaza de la Trinidad, where kids play football and singers strum their guitars. This evening, maybe head out with your leader and travel mates for an optional dinner in town to celebrate this great adventure in Colombia.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Cartagena - San Felipe de Barajas Castle - COP20000
  • Cartagena - Volcan de Lodo El Totumo - COP50000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
There are no activities planned for the final day and you can depart the accommodation at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Some departures of this trip are part of a combination trip. As such, some of your fellow travellers may be continuing on in Cartagena to start the second part of their trip – Best of Colombia (GGSSC).

Meals

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Plane, local bus, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Coffee Estancia (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Bogota - La Candelaria Walking Tour
  • Salento - Traditional Tejo Game
  • Bogota - Visit to Paloquemao market
  • Karatu - Coffee plantation tour & tasting
  • Medellin - Barrio Transformation Tour
  • Medellin - Flower Farm tour
  • Metrocable to Acevedo station and up to Santa Elena

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Cafe Colombia trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 3,4 (Coffee Estancia) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) in order to purchase Entrance tickets to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
3. This trip starts with an orientation walk of Candelaria at 1pm on Day 1 in Bogota. There will be a formal welcome meeting at 6pm for the whole group including those that missed the orientation walk. If you are unable to find a suitable flight it is possible to book additional nights at the joining accommodation.
4. This trip ends on Day 9 and you are free to leave at any time.
5. In order to comply with tourist regulations set by the Colombian government, a copy of your passport will be required. This will be emailed to our local office in Colombia, your tour leader will assist you with this on day 1.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews