A 9-day journey through Colombia – Bogotá, the coffee heart of the country and Medellín, the city of eternal spring.
There are places where every cup of coffee has a story – and every mountain knows it.
Colombia is the only country in South America with coastlines on both the Atlantic and the Pacific. Its people are known for music, football, fruit and – of course – coffee. Here, between two ranges of the Andes, time flows differently: slower on a farm in the Coffee Triangle, faster in nighttime Medellín.
We begin in Bogotá – a capital at 2,600 metres that is home to more than 8 million people. The historic La Candelaria takes us among colonial houses and gold museums, and Monserrate shows us the city from above. Then we fly to the Coffee Region, where we learn how the bean becomes a cup of coffee, and walk through the Cocora Valley among the tallest palms in the world. We finish in Medellín – the city that has turned from a symbol of fear into an example of urban transformation.
Nine days. Three different Colombias: historic, green and dancing.
Welcome to Colombia – where the mountains are green, the coffee is real and the city dances.
We land in Bogotá and are met by an English-speaking guide, who accompanies us to the hotel. Arrival between 20:00 and 06:00 is charged extra.
The rest of the day is free – to rest after the flight or take a first stroll to a café in the neighbourhood.
Overnight: Bogotá – The Artisan DC Autograph Collection (First Class) / Sofitel Victoria Regia (Luxury)
Meals: breakfast
A full-day private tour (about 8 hours) of the Colombian capital at 2,600 metres above sea level. In the historic La Candelaria, among colonial houses, government buildings and impressive churches, we reach Bolívar Square.
We choose a museum: the Gold Museum shows more than 34,000 objects of gold, stonework, ceramics and textiles from the pre-Columbian cultures of the Quimbaya, Calima, Tairona, Sinú, Muisca and others (closed on Monday). The Botero Museum was created in 2000, when Fernando Botero donated a collection of 208 works – 123 of his own and 85 from his private collection of international artists (closed on Tuesday).
In the afternoon we go up Monserrate – a hill above central Bogotá, with a church at the top and a panorama of the whole city. We ascend by panoramic cable car or funicular.
Note: if the hotel is in the centre, the tour is on foot; for hotels in the north, transport is provided.
Overnight: Bogotá – The Artisan DC Autograph Collection (First Class) / Sofitel Victoria Regia (Luxury)
Meals: breakfast
Transfer to the airport and a domestic flight to Pereira (included in the price). Private transfer to the hotel in the Coffee Region.
The rest of the day is free.
Overnight: Pereira – Hotel Boutique Sazagua (First Class) / Casa San Carlos Lodge (Luxury)
Meals: breakfast
Today we learn everything about the world of coffee. On a real coffee plantation we go through the whole process – from the bush to the finished cup: planting, harvesting, washing and drying. A coffee expert reveals the secrets of the Colombian bean – one of the best in the world.
Lunch is included. After the excursion we return to the hotel.
Overnight: Pereira – Hotel Boutique Sazagua (First Class) / Casa San Carlos Lodge (Luxury)
Meals: breakfast, lunch
A full-day private excursion. Salento is the oldest settlement in the Quindío department – with traditional architecture, colourful colonial houses and craft workshops. The balconies are full of flowers and the people are warm.
Then we walk through the Cocora Valley – home of Colombia's national tree, the wax palm, which reaches up to 70 metres. The hike takes about 2 hours. We also visit the village of Filandia – 40 minutes from Salento, with streets like a street-art museum, colourful windows and doors.
As a symbolic gesture, we plant a wax palm in the species restoration programme (about 1 hour).
Note: due to restrictions in Salento, for groups of 16 or more people part of the route to Cocora is travelled by Willys jeeps.
Overnight: Pereira – Hotel Boutique Sazagua (First Class) / Casa San Carlos Lodge (Luxury)
Meals: breakfast, snack
Private transfer to Pereira airport and a domestic flight to Medellín (included in the price). Transfer to the hotel with an English-speaking guide.
The rest of the day is free – we can start getting to know Medellín.
Overnight: Medellín – York Luxury Suites (First Class) / Click Clack Medellín (Luxury)
Meals: breakfast
A half-day private tour. Three decades ago Medellín was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world, under the influence of Pablo Escobar's drug cartel. After his fall in the early 1990s, the city embarked on an extraordinary path of renewal – investing in infrastructure, education and social programmes. Today called the "City of Eternal Spring", Medellín is a symbol of resilience and hope. The tour passes through its modern architecture, we use its innovative transport system and listen to the stories of local people.
In the evening – a private night tour "Rhythms of the City". We choose one of three music styles: urban, salsa or tango. A guide specialising in the chosen genre takes us to emblematic bars and cultural venues, with entry, a snack and transport included.
Recommendation: comfortable clothing and a mood for dancing.
Overnight: Medellín – York Luxury Suites (First Class) / Click Clack Medellín (Luxury)
Meals: breakfast, snack
A full-day private excursion (about 10 hours). Guatapé is 79 km from Medellín, in the picturesque eastern highlands of Antioquia. The town is known for El Peñol – a 220-metre monolith whose summit is reached by more than 700 steps and rewards you with a panorama over a network of lakes covering more than 2,262 hectares.
The town itself is a colourful jewel with murals and decorated baseboards (zócalos), a historic church and streets that are a pleasure to stroll along. We have a traditional Colombian lunch on the shore, take a boat ride on the reservoir and have free time.
Overnight: Medellín – York Luxury Suites (First Class) / Click Clack Medellín (Luxury)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snack
Private transfer to José María Córdova International Airport and a flight home (included in the price).
Meals: breakfast
Nine days, three Colombias. We saw the city from above at Monserrate, learned how coffee reaches our cup, walked among the tallest palms in the world and danced in Medellín. Colombia welcomed us with a smile and sent us off with the feeling that we had seen only the beginning.
Until the next adventure!
PRICES (EUR per person, based on double room occupancy, flights included)
The price is the same regardless of the number of registered travellers.
The price is guaranteed for bookings made no later than 90 days before the departure date. For bookings made later, the airfare price is confirmed separately.
Bogotá (2 nights)
Pereira / The Coffee Region (3 nights)
Medellín (3 nights)
All hotels are subject to availability and may be replaced with equivalent ones.
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