Starts | Bogota, Colombia |
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Ends | Cartagena, Colombia |
Region | Colombia |
Duration | 8 days |
Tour Operator | Intrepid Travel |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Bogota & Finishing: Bogota
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Colombia. With a wealth of cosy cafes, interesting museums and old churches, cosmopolitan Bogota is full of surprises. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where your group meeting will take place. 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. Afterwards, your leader will take you on an orientation walk in downtown Bogota. You're then free to explore as you please. Perhaps take the gondola up the Cerro de Monserrate, where a 17th-century church overlooks the town. Museo Nacional is a good option if you're interested in learning about life in Colombia before and after the Spanish conquest. Notes: If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for the welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception.
Day 2 - Starting: Salento & Finishing: Salento
Make an early start and join your leader on a morning visit to Paloquemao Market. The market is divided into distinct areas: flowers; fruit, vegetables, and herbs; and meat and fish. Take the opportunity to sample some exotic local fruits like feijoa, araza, guanabana, maracuya and lulo – many of which are seldom found outside of Colombia. Later, take a short flight to Armenia and transfer 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 many ways to enjoy it, but it's most often served with a rich, garlicky cheese sauce.
Day 3 - Starting: Salento & Finishing: Salento
Take a jeep out to the magnificent Cocora Valley, home of the towering wax palm, the national tree of Colombia. Spend the morning walking among the incredible scenery. You will hike up to Acaime Reserve where colourful hummingbirds come to 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 expore the valley as you please, then take a jeep back to town. Later, return to Salento, where's there's time for further exploration. Take the chance to visit a tejo hall and try Colombia's beloved national sport – it's like bocce with gunpowder! Enjoy dinner with the group in a local restaurant.
Day 4 - Starting: Salento & Finishing: Salento
Today you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at Colombian coffee production. Head out of town to the Jesus Martin coffee plantation and processing centre. Here you'll be taken through what happens at farm level, learning a thing or two about the grain itself and the hard work that goes into its harvesting (approximately 3–4 hours). Then you'll be shown in depth how the beans are processed in the small factory (approximately 2 hours). Lastly, at the store, you'll see the final product, richly aromatic, and enjoy a tasting. Kick back, relax and enjoy a cup or two.
Day 5 - Starting: Medellin & Finishing: Medellin
Today you will travel via comfortable public bus (approximately 6 hours) to Medellin. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk of this beautiful city. Along the way, learn a little more about the town's interesting recent history. Having spent the 1980s and 90s with an international reputation as one of the world's most dangerous cities (thanks 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.
Day 6 - Starting: Medellin & Finishing: Medellin
Enjoy a free day to explore Medellin. A great short trip is to take a cable car to St Elena, a beautiful town just east of Medellin. It's nestled up in the side of the mountains. The town is known for its immense arrangements of local flowers (silletas). It's usually a little cooler up there, thanks to the elevation. Alternatively, venture further afield with an optional day trip to Santa Fe de Antioquia. This 16th-century township boasts some of the best-preserved colonial buildings in the region. Here the Bridge of the West, Metropolitan Cathedral and the House of Two Palms are sure to impress.
Day 7 - Starting: Cartagena & Finishing: Cartagena
Fly to Cartagena (approximately 1 hour). 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 and relax in the mud bath at Volcan de Lodo El Totumo. Your hotel in Cartagena doesn't provide hot water, which thankfully isn't a problem due to the tropical heat on the coast.
Day 8 - Starting: Cartagena & Finishing: Cartagena
There are no activities planned for the final day and you are free to depart the accommodation at any time.
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