Colombia Experience | Trip Itinerary

Note:  This tour is a suggested, customized itinerary that is very flexible. We can make changes in hotels, excursions and destinations to suit your travel dates, style and budget. We offer a nice option for a 3-night extension to Bogota either at the beginning or end of your travels. Details are at the end of this itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival Pereira.  You’ll be met on arrival by our local bilingual guide and transferred to your select hotel.  **There are currently flights directly from Miami to Pereira arriving mid-afternoon. Please consult us for your best flight itinerary & prices. Time to settle in and enjoy the facilities and charm of your preferred accommodation. 

Day 2: Coffee Farm tour and Chocolate Craft workshop.
After breakfast begin your full day tour to a nearby coffee farm for an integrated coffee processing and tasting experience at Hacienda Venecia, followed by a typical Colombian lunch, and a cacao/chocolate tasting tour.  Begin your day by observing Colombia’s coffee culture from planting, to ripening, collecting, washing and drying and learn how to really "taste" coffee.

After lunch at the Hacienda, you will enjoy a Chocolate Craft Workshop—” from seed to bar”.  You will learn about the origins of cacao in Colombia, observe the fresh fruit of the cacao tree and taste the raw cacao bean. You’ll be entertained with “chocolate lore” as you learn about the process of the dried, fermented bean magically transforming into chocolatey splendor. In the workshop, you will roast and grind your own cocoa beans to discover the entire process of making chocolate as you create your personalized homemade chocolate delight with the flavors that match your taste buds. **We offer an optional Artisan Rum Experience at Hacienda Venecia that can be scheduled following your Chocolate workshop. Please inquire for pricing and details when reserving your trip.  In the late afternoon, return to your hotel to enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening. (B, L)

Day 3: Full day tour of traditional coffee towns and Cocora Valley. After breakfast meet your guide and depart for a full day tour to the highlights of the region. Your stops include the town of Salento where you'll admire one of the typical towns of the Coffee Region. Observe the typical architecture of their houses and the daily way of life.  You'll also enjoy a visit to a local cafe for a "latte-art activity.  A stop in the traditional town of Filandia is also included with a visit to their 60' lookout tower for fabulous views of the surrounding countryside.  For a unique nature experience we've also included a visit to the Cocora Valley, part of the Natural reserve of ACAIME, to observe the wax palm, national tree of Colombia.  Ride the famous "Jeep Willy's” up to the park and enjoy some easy walking to view the wax palms and local scenery. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. 

For those interested in a bit more active adventure this day--you can add in a 3-4 hour trek in Cocora to the Acaime Hummingbird Reserve. All other visits are included except Filandia town and the latte-art activity in Salento. Please advise your preference when confirming your trip.  (B, L)

Day 4:  Today is a free day to either enjoy your hacienda’s facilities, or add on optional adventures or excursions. Depending on your hacienda’s location, there is a wide variety of activities & tours available to you—such as bird watching, hiking, mountain biking, cooking workshop, spa treatments, rum tasting, horseback riding—or just take a relaxing day at your hotel.  Depending on your preference we can either arrange activities in advance, or you can decide once you arrive (based on availability) (B)

Day 5: Transfer from the Coffee Country to Araucana Lodge with visit to Botanical Gardens en-route. 
After breakfast this morning you’ll say good-bye to your Coffee Country hosts and meet your guide for the drive south along the southern Andes to the lovely Araucana Lodge. Spend four nights here experiencing the intense surrounding nature, fantastic bird watching, local culture, and wonderful hospitality.

We’ll break up the drive with a stop at the Quindio Botanical Gardens, located about 90 minutes from your hotel.  You’ll tour the facilities, including their butterfly garden, insect zoo, bird watching spots and national collection of palms.

Another stop will be made for lunch en-route before a late afternoon arrival to Araucana Lodge. You’ll be greeted by your hosts and have some free time to relax, unpack and explore the surroundings before dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 6:  Araucana Lodge Trails and Organic Gardens
You will not have to travel far today, as you will spend it exploring the lodge grounds, consisting of 30 acres (13 hectares) that have been in the lodge owner’s family since their grandfather purchased the tract of cow pastures in 1955. His vision was to bring back the forest whilst keeping a portion of the property in production of food and ornamentals. Today, as a family they aim to carry on his legacy in a sustainable and organic manner. After breakfast you’ll hike the trails that meander through the restored forest, passing through bamboo groves and the two creeks that border the property. After lunch you’ll head to the organic vegetable and herb garden to learn about tropical farming, including coffee and ornamental plant production. Enjoy some late afternoon bird watching from the hotel’s viewpoints. (B, L, D)

Day 7:  Birdwatching and Hiking in the Cloud Forests of the San Antonio Forest - The Hummingbird Paradise
After breakfast begin your morning with a visit to the San Antonio Forest, which is designated as an Important Bird Area. A hike through the well-preserved cloud forest to a panoramic viewing area is always a favorite, as you enjoy views of Cali, the Cauca Valley and the Farallones National Park. This area is of importance in Colombia’s ornithological history. More than 100 years ago, Frank Chapman, of the American Museum of Natural History, spent some time researching the bird diversity of this forest.

The afternoon is spent at the world-renowned Hummingbird Paradise, a small chalet with an impressive feeder set up that attracts hundreds of hummingbirds and colorful tanagers.  This place is incredible for practicing your bird photography skills! The only problem is having too many subjects to choose from! The array of colors is awe-inspiring, with tanagers lining up to have a chance at the bananas and hundreds of hummingbirds visiting more than twenty feeders throughout the property.  Return to the lodge in the late afternoon. (B, L, D)

Day 8:  San Cipriano
After a 90-minute drive to Zaragosa and a pleasant 20-minute ride on “brujitas” (motorcycle-powered wooden carts on rails), one arrives in the town of San Cipriano. The ride is exhilarating and will surely get the adrenaline pumping as the “brujitas” travel through luscious tropical rainforest, one of the most biologically diverse on the planet. The area is a protected reserve and is the source of drinking water for the nearby port city of Buenaventura. Located in the Choco Bioregion, it is known for being one of the wettest places on the planet.

Aside from the amazing diversity of birds and the very interesting local village, the reserve is home to one of the most pristine tropical rivers on the planet.   A nice trail borders the river with various side trails that provide access to serene river-scapes. A visit to the Waterfall of Love is also in order, with a chance to take a dip in the refreshing waters. Or you can take a ride along a nice stretch of river in inner tubes and enjoy this wild and scenic gem, whilst learning about the afro-Colombian cultures and history of the Pacific region of Colombia. (B, L, D)

For a less adventurous experience, we can substitute a visit to Andean Villages and Cali Outdoor City Tour
Founded in 1536, Cali is known as the Sucursal del Cielo, which loosely translates to “the branch office of heaven.” We will take the long way to the city, traveling on country roads that border the Farallones National Park and pass through several charming mountain villages.  A stop for a swim in the Pichinde River is an option for those who wish.  Before arriving in Cali, you will visit the Cristo Rey monument for panoramic views of the city.

Once in the city, we will have lunch in the bohemian San Antonio neighborhood and then visit the Cat of the River and his Girlfriends, a collection of bronze cat sculptures that were designed by various Colombian artists. To end the day, take a leisurely walk along the Cali River boulevard, learning about the history of the city and seeing many of the churches and colonial buildings along the way. The boulevard along the river is only open to pedestrians and is quite enjoyable, with wide open spaces, large trees and locals enjoying the outdoors. After a long day we return to the lodge for a nice meal and some rest.

Day 9: Departure from Cali. You’ll be transferred to the Cali Airport (about an hour and 15 minutes) for your departing international flights—or to another one of Colombia’s fantastic destinations! (B)

Note:  We can add an optional extra night in Cali if you’d like to enjoy a city tour on Day 9, and depart Cali on Day 10. Please consult us for current costs.

Optional Bogota extension--can be added either at the beginning or end of your travels

Day 1: BOGOTÁ 
Arrival in Bogotá. After clearing customs and immigration, you are met by our local representative and transferred to your selected hotel. Check in for a three-night stay.
Bogotá is the capital of the Republic of Colombia. The city is located on the high plateau called ‘Sabana de Bogota’, at an altitude of 2640 meters (8600 feet) above sea level, surrounded by the eastern range of the Andes. It was founded in 1538 by the Spaniard Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Since that time and mostly since the end of World War II, Bogotá has grown rapidly to a real metropolis. The actual population of the city is about 7 million inhabitants. Because of the fast-growing development of Bogotá, you will see many contrasts, such as skyscrapers standing side by side with old houses of one level or high-powered automobiles sharing a modern expressway with mule carts.

Day 2: Half Day BOGOTA CITY TOUR, La Candelaria Historical district, the Botero Museum and Gold Museum.  Option to make this a full day tour to include EITHER Monserrate viewpoint and monastery OR the Botanical gardens.
Morning pick-up at your hotel for the approximately 20-minute drive to the historical center of Bogota.  Begin with a walking tour through the historical heart and soul of the city, with the Plaza Bolivar (Main Square) as the focal point. Surrounding the square are several important Colonial and Republican style buildings. As you wander the streets of La Candelaria away from the main square, enjoy the unique and diverse architecture as your guide explains the history of Bogota along with the intricacies of current Colombian culture and daily life. After a refreshment stop in one of the city’s coffee houses, your tour continues with visits to two of the most important museums of the city.

The Botero Museum is a permanent exhibition of paintings and sculptor by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous artist whose "oversized” art is instantly recognizable. In addition, you’ll find pieces of Botero’s private art collection featuring world famous artists such as Picasso, Dali, Monet and Van Gogh.

Next stop will be the nearby Gold Museum. This museum displays one of the finest collections of Pre-Hispanic gold in the world. Many of the works are said to be unsurpassed by goldsmiths of today and it’s easy to understand when you allow yourself time to study examples such as the Balsa Muisca (Offering boat). This golden raft is one of the focal points of the display and was the driving force in the Spaniards quest to find El Dorado. After this visit you’ll be transferred back to your hotel, with the remainder of the afternoon & evening to enjoy Bogota on your own.

We offer two options to extend this tour into a full day excursion; with time for lunch on your own in the historical center.

Option #1: Monserrate Hill: A short driver from the city center brings you to the base of the hill that leads up to the view point and monastery of Monserrate. Ascend to the summit by either funicular railway or cable car. From the highest point the view across the city will enable you to see the different sectors of Bogota--from La Candelaria and its terracotta tiled roofs to the high-rise business sector and across the sabana (flat plains) and off in to the distance. The new convent is a pilgrimage site for many Colombians whom make their way past the fourteen Stations of the Cross until reaching the convent. There are a few artisan shops, with others selling snacks and refreshments.

Option #2:  Botanical Gardens of Bogota: After free time for lunch, meet your guide for the short driver to Bogota’s botanical gardens. These extensive gardens contain more than 18,000 plant species (including hundreds of different orchids) representing all of the varied eco-systems present in Colombia. You’ll also find five collections dedicated to the conservation of plants that are considered endangered species in the Andean region

NOTE: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and the Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays. Order of visits this day may change due to weather, operational schedules, etc.
(B)

Day 3: Morning Half day tour (with option to combine option #1 with either #2 or #3 for a full day excursion). Your choice to visit one of Colombia’s most popular tourist sites; hike around a lagoon famous for its Muisca Indian legend of El Dorado; or hike a nature reserve for bird watching and learning about the local flora and fauna. Afternoon return to Bogota for free time to explore the local Sunday flea market of Usaquen (Sundays) or other sites of the city.

Option #1: ZIPAQUIRA SALT CATHEDRAL  This tour commences with a drive through the northern residential area of the city and through the fertile plateau to the small colonial town of Cajicá, where there’s a short stop at the main plaza. Your tour continues to the town of Zipaquirá famous for its underground salt cathedral. Experience the sights extraordinary architecture where the Stations of the Cross and three naves are eerily illuminated along with other sculptures and cavernous pools all hewn from the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains. Though a popular tourist destination, it is still a place of pilgrimage for the local community.

Option #2: SACRED LAKE OF GUATAVITA.  This is where the legendary ancient Muiscas Indian ritual of the Golden Man, "El Dorado" was born. Covered in gold dust, the chief of the tribe would leap from the ceremonial raft into the sacred lake as masked shamans chanted and sprinkled the waters with gold and emerald offerings to their gods. This ritual disappeared long before the arrival of the Spanish, but the legend enticed hordes of conquistadors and looters to this lake in the Colombian Andes. They reasoned; a gold-covered man must surely be from a city of gold.

There will be some time to walk around the lagoon and reflect on the myth which Colombia can claim as a credible source of El Dorado above any other South American country. The tour will then continue to the town of Guatavita Nueva, built completely in 1967 in colonial style architecture when the old town was submerged by Tomine reservoir, constructed to contain water for Bogotá. NOTE:  The Natural Park where the lake is located is closed on Mondays

Option #3: ENCENILLO BIOLOGICAL RESERVE— Located about an hour outside Bogota, you’ll explore this private nature center run by the local community.  Locate at 9,000’-10,500’ elevation, the importance of the Encenillo Reserve lies in the fact that there are natural relics of high Andean encenillo forests, scientifically known as Weinmannia tomentosa, characteristic of the Colombian Eastern Cordillera.

Other typical plant species of the encenillo forest are orchids, bromeliads and bryophytes. The reserve is a refuge for fauna represented in mammals such as coatis, armadillos, páramo foxes and numerous species of resident and migratory birds.

Accompanied by a guide from the center and your private bilingual guide you’ll explore the diverse flora and fauna of the area.  The reserve has four trails of medium to low difficulty, which allows people of all ages to enjoy its wonderful landscapes and natural attractions.
(B)

Day 4: Transfer from your hotel to the Bogota airport for departing flight. (B)