Magical Colombia

Airfare is not included on this tour, and you are therefore responsible for getting to and from Colombia on your own. We'll meet in Bogota! We do not have a program scheduled on the first day, so you are free to arrive in Bogota at any time during the day. The participants and guide will meet at the pleasant hotel we will be staying at in the center of the Colombian capital.

On Sundays, the streets of Bogota are closed to motorists so that cyclists and pedestrians can experience the city undisturbed by traffic. On the sightseeing tour, we visit some of the city's highlights - including the impressive Gold Museum. In the evening we have a nice welcome dinner and recharge for tomorrow's mountain trip.

After an early breakfast, it is time to depart for Chingaza National Park. The hike goes up through the Andean highlands, known as "paramo" with its characteristic flora and fauna. During the trip, we come across several beautiful alpine lakes. The first of the lakes is known as Lake De Los Patos, then we come to Lake Guasca and finally the sacred Lake Siecha (3620 m). In the afternoon we are driven back to Bogota again for the night.

Today we will travel from Bogotá to Juntas. The last part of the tour goes through the Combeima River Valley up to the settlement of Juntas, where 2 rivers meet. Here we stay in a very pleasant hotel with a fantastic view of the surrounding valley and lush forested mountainsides.

We start the day early, as we have a long trip ahead of us. Today we will climb to one of the highest points on the trip, Alto del Oso (2850 metres), which marks the junction between the eastern and western flanks of this mountain range. On clear days it is possible to see the Tolima volcano on the other side of the Combeima gorge. We descend through the Normandy valley and pass several sheep and cattle ranches. There will be a break along the way where we will have lunch with a local family, and then we will continue our descent to the base of the Machin volcano. At the end of the day we arrive at the beautifully situated La Florida farm. It is a simple accommodation run by a local family. Here we will stay in a tent for the night, with a view of the Toche river valley.

Today we will hike through the Toche river valley. This route is new for walkers, and goes partly on paths off the beaten track. These paths connect several family farms engaged in coffee, banana and fruit production. Along the way, we observe rural life in this area known for its delicious coffee, and enjoy the beautiful landscape around us on all sides. We pass the spectacular "Puente de Tierra" and end up in the town of Toche, where we will spend the night.

Today we are going out on a combined walking and driving trip in the mountains. We are transported up along the Tochecito valley, before we reach Finca Las Cruces at 2690 m above sea level. This is where the mountain tour starts, where we will begin our hike into the wax palm forest. Have your camera ready because for large parts of the trip today we will be treated to amazing panoramic view of the valleys around us. The mountain hike ends at the farm La Cabaña de Doña Marleni at 2,640 meters above sea level, where we get a well-deserved break and some snacks. We travel again in cars towards the viewpoint La Carbonera where we get to see the wax palms from another angle and enjoy the stunning view. From here we drive on for an hour to Salento, where we will stay for the night.

After an early breakfast, we drive to the town of Filandia. Here we start the day with an exciting trip around the Barbas Bremen nature reserve where we are going in search of howler monkeys. There are also opportunities to see various birds, dragonflies and flowers, as well as archaeological remains from the Quimbaya culture and beautiful waterfalls. The walk is mainly on an a easy path, with a few steep sections. After our jungle adventure we visit the famous city of Filandia. This city has one of the most representative landscapes of coffee culture and architecture from the Antioquia colonization. The town is very well preserved and is known for its tradition in the production of handmade products made from lianas. At the end of the day, we will be transported to a coffee farm where we will spend the night.

We start the course with a delicious cup of coffee, where we get a general introduction to the world of coffee. We will learn about coffee's origin and history, its worldwide distribution, the different varieties, qualities and also about coffee's aromas and properties. After the perfect morning cup and full of energy, the interactive course continues with a walk through the plantation to learn more about growing and harvesting. We visit the factory to learn about the processing and commercialization of coffee. We get the opportunity to taste and see coffee beans with different degrees of roasting to experience the differences. Dinner is served on the farm in the evening.

Time to leave the coffee region behind and head to the Caribbean! We are picked up at the hotel and driven to the airport. Our destination is Santa Marta on the north/east Caribbean coast of Colombia. In the afternoon we check into our hotel on the edge of the wonderful Tayrona National Park. The afternoon is free to enjoy the beaches.

Today we wake up to the smell of the sea! We spend the day hiking through Tayrona National Park, one of the most famous national parks in Colombia. We have a long day ahead of us with departure from the hotel early in the morning and return late in the afternoon. We walk on good trails that start in tropical forest and end at the characteristic Caribbean beaches of Cabo San Juan. Lunch is served at a local restaurant near the beach during the trip. Afterwards, it will be time for a dip in the warm sea, before we are transported back to our hotel where a delicious dinner awaits.

Today we head towards Cartagena, a city with a rich history and beautiful architecture. Along the way, we get to visit a cocoa farm. During this tour, you will not only learn a lot about cocoa, but also get an insight into how the cocoa farmers live and work with the fruits that have provided them with a living for decades. The trip is interactive where the participants will take part in the process; we dry it, shake it and grind it until we get a chocolate bar. After the tour, we will be served a good lunch. We then continue towards Cartagena, an approx. 4 hour drive.

Cartagena is perhaps Colombia's most beautiful and interesting city. We will be taking a historical walk through Cartagenas old town. During this walk, we will get to know the architecture and history of the old town, and we will visit the most important squares and buildings. There will be plenty of photo opportunities, and all you have to do is enjoy the beautiful evening light in this romantic city. In the afternoon we have some free time, where you can relax, shop and perhaps enjoy a drink on the old fortress walls in the Caribbean sunset. In the evening we have a pleasant farewell dinner together.

Following a tranquil morning in Cartagena, it's time to bid adieu to our newfound friends and the wonderful moments shared in Colombia. Participants are then at liberty to organize their onward travels, whether it be heading to the airport and home or venturing off to yet another exotic destination.