COLOMBIA S BEST 12 DAYS

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1 Effort: Easy Activities: Cultural connections, nature hikes, off-the-beaten path visits. Visiting Colombia is a multicultural experience. We have different cultures, landscapes, temperatures and traditions in every region, and at times, it might seem you re visiting four different countries! This journey gives you the very best of each region, starting with Bogota, the Colombian capital, and continuing through the Andes to the coffee growing region, and quaint colonial villages from the XVIII century. Travelling to the north is an immediate connection with nature, learning from the indigenous communities of La Sierra de Santa Marta. We discover Cartagena, a wonderful city full of history and culinary delights, from famous ceviches to local sweets. TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: Visit Bogota s old quarter. Learn about the production process of the best coffee in the world. Visit the small colonial villages of the coffee region. Explore Medellin, one of the most innovative cities in the world. Hike through the Caribbean jungle forests. Visit Cartagena and discover its magical flavors and rhythms. 1

2 DAY 1: WELCOME TO BOGOTA We greet you at the airport and transfer to your hotel. DAY 2: BOGOTA CITY TOUR. VISIT TO THE GOLD MUSEUM, LA CANDELARIA, THE POLICE MUSEUM AND MONSERRATE. Start your day exploring the best of Bogota s graffiti art, the museum of the national police, and Bogota s historic town, La Candelaria. We stop at the Gold Museum and discover the incredible treasures that inspired the El Dorado legend. Lunch finds us at restaurant Casa Vieja for the very best local dish: the Colombian ajiaco. We visit the sanctuary of Monserrate in the afternoon and enjoy its amazing skyline at 10,000 ft. (B, L, D) 2

3 DAY 3: TRANSFER TO ARMENIA. COFFEE TOUR AND TASTING We travel by plane to the Colombian coffee region and learn about the production process of some of the best coffee in the world. Visit an iconic hacienda where the coffee process starts with identifying how to select the best berries, and ends with a delicious tasting of this amazing coffee. Learn how to identify the quality and flavours of coffee. (B, L, D) 3

4 DAY 4: VISIT TO SALENTO, FINLANDIA AND TRANSFER TO MEDELLIN Start your day visiting the town of Salento, a colonial gem that keeps the coffee traditions alive. We ll make a quick stop at the well-known Jesus Martin coffee shop to learn how to prepare the perfect cappuccino from professional baristas, an experience you will love to share with your friends once you return home. During the afternoon, we visit the town of Filandia, with its colorful, beautiful streets. We ll stop for lunch at restaurant Helena Adentro, and afterwards visit its mirador (view point), boasting some of the best landscape views in the region. (B, L, D) 4

5 DAY 5: CITY TOUR OF MEDELLIN. GET TO KNOW THE CITY THROUGH ITS AWARD-WINNING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION The city of Medellin, was awarded in 2012 for its innovation and sustainable public transportation, as one of the cities with Top Transport Systems in the World. We grab our cameras and head out to capture the real Medellin! We arrive to Comuna 1 via cable car, and walk the streets of this once infamous neighborhood. Banned for 2 decades as the fortress of the drug king Pablo Escobar, and considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world during the 90 s, Medellín has reinvented itself through sustainability, innovation, literacy projects and art spaces housed in architecturally acclaimed properties once belonging to narcos and druglords. We make a stop at Fernando Botero Square, where the massive, famous sculptures of this 20th century artist are freely exhibited in public space. We continue to walk uphill through the houses of the Comuna 13 neighborhood. (B, L, D) 5

6 DAY 6: VISIT TO SANTA FE DE ANTIOQUIA We visit the very colonial town of Santa Fe de Antioquia, with its very well preserved architecture. Before we get there however, we stop at La Union, and old wooden bridge over the Cauca River. Once in Santa Fe, we walk along the streets and discover all the hidden treasures this area offers. Our lunch will be in a very typical restaurant with the best Bandeja Paisa, an emblematic dish of the region and surprisingly delicious with all its many ingredients. Make your way back to Medellin and enjoy dinner at El Cielo restaurant, with its new gastronomic twist. (B, L, D) 6

7 DAY 7: TRANSFER TO SANTA MARTA. BEACHFRONT HOTEL We fly to Santa Marta, a fantastic destination in the Colombian Caribbean. Travel for an hour and a half to your hotel, and once there, enjoy a relaxing day on an incredible beach. We have a very special dinner designed specially for us using local ingredients and refreshing creativity. (B, L, D) 7

8 DAY 8: VISIT TO TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK Tayrona National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Colombia. Its tropical forest, home to many species of birds, continues to a stunning beach view over the cliffs, and extends to Cabo San Juan de Guia, a quiet and peaceful beach spot. We enjoy a fresh seafood lunch, then making our way back to the hotel for some rest before dinner. (B, L, D) 8

9 DAY 9: VISIT TO TAYRONAKA Tayronaka is where indigenous groups from Sierra Nevada come to share their knowledge and traditions around mother earth. Observe how they live, and visit a Maloka (their traditional homes). Walk this place of wonderful stories and legends and its pre-colonial community. We head down river Don Diego towards the Caribbean ocean, and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch made especially for us. (B, L, D) 9

10 DAY 10: TRANSFER TO CARTAGENA Today we visit fantastic Cartagena, stopping on the way to see Santa Marta s old city town, considered one of the oldest in South America. Its amazing architecture impeccably preserves the magic and tradition of colonial times. We stop for lunch at La Cueva de Barranquilla, a very hip place where the famous writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez spent his time while living here. (B, L, D) 10

11 DAY 11: CITY TOUR OF CARTAGENA Start your day with a walk along the streets of the old town, stopping at the walls that make this such an iconic place, and learning about traditions, hidden secrets and stories that permeate the area. Stop and take a picture with the emblematic, charismatic and colourful Palenqueras, (women carrying up to 15 pounds of fruit on their heads). Make your way to La Popa Monastery, and enjoy the 360 view of all Cartagena. End the day with a visit to the fortress of San Felipe, a masterpiece of military strategy built to discourage pirate and corsair attacks. (B, L, D) 11

12 DAY 12: TRANSFER OUT We transfer you to the airport to board your international flight. INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED NOTE Accommodation in mentioned hotels as per program, subject to availability Local English speaking guide/trip leader Entrance fees All mentioned meals (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) Ground transportation in all destinations Internal flights Tips Non mentioned expenses This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes and inclement weather IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONDITIONS: Internal flights length: Bogota to Armenia: 30 minutes Pereira to Medellin: 25 minutes Medellin to Santa Marta: 1 hour Season: Year-round ALTITUDES: Bogota: 8530 feet (2600 meters) above sea level Coffee region: 4900 feet (1500 meters) average Medellin: 5900 feet (1800 meters) Santa Marta & Tayrona region: Sea level Cartagena: Sea level WEATHER: Bogota: from 57F 14C to 74F 23C Coffee region: From 74F 23C to 83F 28C Santa Marta and Tayrona region: 77F 25C to 95F 35C Cartagena: From 75F 24c to 104F 40C SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK: Hiking shoes, rain jacket, water bottle, sunblock, sun hat and repellent. 12 Revised October 17/2016