Colombian Odyssey: the crossing of contrasts, from coffee to the turquoise sea

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Welcome to Colombia

  

  A guide welcomes us at the airport and accompanies us to the hotel. Reception at Bogota airport, the Andean capital, and transfer to your hotel (about 30 minutes). Night at the Regina hotel in a Standard room. Included: airport welcome, bilingual FR guide, transport, room with breakfast

• day 2

  Walking tour of Bogotá

  

  Let’s discover Bogotá today the way the « rolos » do (nickname for the inhabitants of the capital). This walking tour takes you to the city’s most authentic and history-filled places. La Candelaria, the historic district, charms with its brightly colored houses, its carved wooden balconies, and its flower-filled patios. On the program: Plaza de Bolívar, the famous Chorro de Quevedo square, its artists, and its colonial residences. Duration: 4h Night at the Regina hotel in a Standard room Included: excursion, bilingual FR guide, room with breakfast

• day 3

  Heading to the coffee region

  

  Private transfer from your hotel to Bogota airport (about 30 minutes). Domestic flight to Armenia (not included). Private transfer from Armenia airport to your hotel (about 45 minutes). Night at Casa Rivera del Cacao hotel in a Standard room. Included: transport, room with breakfast, dinner (excluding drinks)

• day 4

  Tour of the villages of Quindío

  

  This day is an opportunity to visit the typical villages of the Quindio region and to admire the magnificent landscapes it offers. We pass through several pretty villages while regularly making stops in order to admire the surroundings and take a few shots. The itinerary depends on the location of our hotel. Transport: 6 to 8h Night at the Casa Rivera del Cacao hotel in a Standard room Included: excursion, bilingual FR guide, room with breakfast, dinner (excluding drinks)

• day 5

  Forest of Mist and Pijao, coffee tour

  

  Pijao is a charming municipality in Quindío, recognized by UNESCO as the first “Cittaslow” in Latin America, a movement that promotes a calm, sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature. Its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and peaceful atmosphere invite you to stroll. Surrounded by mountains and coffee plantations, Pijao offers an authentic experience of coffee culture, far from the crowds, with a human warmth that makes it unforgettable. After breakfast, departure by Willys from the hotel to the El Silencio cloud forest, a magical place that lets you discover the unspoiled beauty of this ecosystem. During the visit, you will be able to observe the Quindío wax palms, Colombia’s national tree, in their natural habitat, as well as the yellow-eared parrots, an endangered species that lives in the region and contributes to the regeneration of the palms. The trail crosses an oak forest more than 250 years old, creating an atmosphere of deep connection with nature. Midway along the route, you will be able to enjoy a countryside picnic consisting of a sandwich with Colombian flavors (artisan sweet mogolla, suero costeño, artisan pork ham, fresh spinach, Ubaté cheese and avocado sauce), banana or arracacha chips, a drink (beer or soda) and grenadillas for dessert, all facing the magnificent Durango waterfall. This is a medium-difficulty hike, ideal for nature and hiking lovers. At the end of the circuit, you will go down by Willys to the village of Pijao for a relaxing walk through its colonial streets, its central square and Calle Real, where you can admire its brightly colored façades, its craft shops and its typical cafés. The visit includes time to take photos and enjoy the calm and welcoming atmosphere of this coffee-growing municipality before returning to the hotel by private transport. Easy option: 300 meters of walking. Duration: about 15 minutes Intermediate option (more touristy): 6 kilometers in total. Duration: about 2h30 / 3h Coffee experience in Pijao Immerse yourself in the heart of Colombian coffee culture thanks to an authentic experience that will allow you to discover the traditions, flavors and soul of our land. This activity invites you to discover up close the coffee-making process amid grand mountain landscapes, surrounded by endemic birds and the warm welcome of the inhabitants. During the visit, you will discover the history of coffee and the plantation, you will walk among the coffee plantations and take part in activities such as harvesting or planting coffee trees, depending on the stage of the crop. You will also discover the processing process, artisanal roasting, and we will finish with a coffee tasting. Duration: 2 h Night at the Casa Rivera del Cacao hotel in a Standard room Included: lunch, transport, excursion, local guide ES, bilingual guide FR, French translator, room with breakfast, dinner (excluding drinks)

• day 6

  Departure for the coast

  

  Private transport from Casa Rivera del Cacao to Pereira airport (approximately 1h30). Domestic flight to Santa Marta (not included). Private transport from Santa Marta airport to the surroundings of Tayrona Park (approximately 1h). Night at Senda Koguiwa hotel, in a Deluxe room. Included: transport, room with breakfast

• day 7

  Tayrona Park

  

  Free day in Tayrona Park, one of Colombia’s natural jewels, where tropical jungle, idyllic beaches and ancestral remains meet. During your visit, you can hike through lush vegetation and, with a bit of luck, spot monkeys, iguanas and tropical birds, before reaching spectacular beaches such as Cabo San Juan, La Piscina or Arrecifes. Between nature, culture and relaxation, it’s an unforgettable immersion in the Caribbean world. Night at the Senda Koguiwa hotel in a Deluxe room. Included: room with breakfast

• day 8

  Historic walking tour of Cartagena

  

  Private transport from the surroundings of Tayrona Park to Cartagena. Journey duration: about 5h. Follow in the footsteps of the legendary pirates and let yourself be surprised by the “Pearl of the Caribbean”, a city with a unique mixed heritage. This visit will immerse you in the heart of the colonial era, among the colorful houses and lively parks. It is the ideal opportunity to go back in time and relive the highlights of this city, the second Spanish stronghold established on the South American continent. Cartagena was for a long time the scene of repeated pirate assaults, including those of the famous captain Francis Drake. You will explore the beauty of its monuments, its churches and its emblematic walls, witnesses of the past that still defy the horizon today. Duration: 4h Night at the Casa De Lucy hotel, in a Patio room. Included: transport, excursion, bilingual FR guide, room with breakfast

• day 9

  La Boquilla, dance classes

  

  To go and meet the local populations, discover their traditions and their customs. Departure from the hotel towards La Boquilla. Upon arrival in this Afro-Caribbean fishing village, we will be immersed in the local culture and take part in a dance workshop. We will learn the steps of cumbia, champeta and mapalé, three emblematic rhythms of the region. After the class, we will board a traditional canoe for a ride through the mangroves. We will discover this unique ecosystem and observe the local fauna and flora in their natural environment. Transport: 20 min - Duration: 4 h Night at the Casa De Lucy hotel in a Patio room. Included: transport, excursion, bilingual guide FR, room with breakfast

• day 10

  San Bernardo Archipelago - Mucura

  

  Transfer from your hotel to the Cartagena pier (about 15 minutes). MUCURA ISLAND The San Bernardo archipelago is located two hours by speedboat from the coasts of Cartagena. Visitors enjoy, especially underwater, the charms of these islands, where the San Bernardo Corals Natural National Park is located, which protects the coral reefs. Departure by speedboat around 11 a.m. towards Mucura Island, a paradise island located in the San Bernardo archipelago, off Cartagena. Reception at the Punta Faro hotel, where we will be welcomed with a welcome cocktail. Buffet lunch. Free afternoon to enjoy this magical place: sunbathing on the beach, a dip in the crystal-clear waters... Note: Pier: la Bodeguita - Gate 1 - Ask for Punta Faro. Accommodation: Punta Faro Hotel, standard room – Transport: 2h by boat - Port tax to be paid on site before taking the boat (36.000 pesos). IMPORTANT: The weight of luggage allowed on board the boat is limited to 20 kg per person. Included: Transport, Room, Lunch, Dinner, Boat

• day 11

  Relaxation moment

  

  Free day to enjoy the island. Note: the hotel offers free and paid activities (eco-walk around Mucura Island, boat tour to visit Islote, the most densely populated island in the world, and Titipan, snorkeling tour, plankton tour, massages, diving, paddle, catamaran...). To be seen on site at the reception. Accommodation: Hotel Punta Faro Included: room, breakfast, lunch, dinner

• day 12

  Back to the continent

  

  MUCURA ISLAND – CARTAGENA Breakfast at the hotel, then return by boat to Cartagena. Boat transfer: 2h Transport from the Cartagena pier to your hotel (about 15 minutes). Night at the Casa De Lucy hotel, in a Patio room. Included: breakfast, boat, transport, room with breakfast

• day 13

  End of stay

  

  Private transfer from your hotel to Cartagena airport (about 20 minutes). Included: transport