Meals

11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Plane , Local bus , Private vehicle , MetroCable Acevedo

Others

Bogota - La Candelaria Walking Tour Salento - Traditional Tejo Game Bogota - Visit to Paloquemao market Coffee Region - Cocora Valley visit & Hike Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson Manizales - Coffee plantation tour, coffee tasting and coffee making Medellin - Barrio Transformation Tour

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. Hotel (7 nights), Hostel (2 nights), Coffee Estancia (2 nights)

Not included:

Flights

International flights not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Others

Other activities and services not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Bogotá
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Bogotá

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Colombia. Your adventure begins in the capital city Bogota with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you can join your leader and fellow travellers early for an orientation walk around this gorgeous town at 1 pm this afternoon. Check out the colonial-era buildings framed by mountains and the cobblestoned centre of La Candelaria. Later, why not head out for dinner with the group at one of the local restaurants? Your leader will have all the best recommendations!
Day 2 Day 2: Salento
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Salento

Today, arise nice and early and explore the colourful Paloquemao Market with your trip leader. Get to know the locals and try new flavours at this bustling whirlwind of colours and scents. From the market, hop on a short flight to Colombia’s famous coffee region and then transfer to the beautiful village of Salento. When you arrive, take your time strolling through the quaint streets and admiring the paisa architecture. For dinner tonight, maybe tuck into the local favourite of trout – there are many different ways to enjoy it here, but mostly, it’s served with a rich, garlicky cheese sauce. Colombia’s national sport, Tejo, is a popular pastime in Salento – think bocce with gunpowder! If you’re game, visit the local tejo hall and give it a go.
Day 3 Day 3: Cocora Valley/Coffee Estancia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Cocora Valley/Coffee Estancia

Today, hop in a jeep and head out to the Cocora Valley – home of the tall wax palm (Colombia’s national tree). You could spend the morning checking out the region’s awesome scenery on foot with a hike to Finca la Montana. At 2860 m, there are some pretty incredible views of Morrogacho Mountain (if cloud and fog permit) and the valley below during the hike to the top. If you’d rather take it easy, you can explore the valley on your own and then cruise back to town in a jeep. Later, travel deep into Colombia’s coffee region for a two-night stay at Guayabal – an old-school coffee estancia, owned and run by a local family in Chinchina. Guayabal has been in the family since 1950, survived an earthquake in 1979 and with lots of dedication and hard work, became the humble estancia it is today, surrounded by lush greenery and mountain peaks.
Day 4 Day 4: Coffee Estancia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Coffee Estancia

Thanks to the tropical altitude and fertile volcanic soil, Colombia is one of the world’s biggest coffee producers. You’ll get to know this addictive little bean much better on a guided tour of the coffee plantation and processing centre today. Dig into the history of the plant, learning the inside story of the industry that’s long buoyed the country’s economy. See how the beans are grown and harvested, processed, dried, roasted and ground, and then sample first-hand what all the fuss is about. You’ll try different types of coffee grains and get a lesson on preparing them, finishing it all off with a steaming cup of freshly brewed joe. Later, relax amid the estancia’s beautiful surroundings of sloping green hills and valleys.
Day 5 Day 5: Medellin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Medellin

Jump aboard a comfortable public bus this morning and head to Medellin. This is a bit of a long drive, so grab a good book or your favourite playlist or play some road trip games and get to know your group a little better. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk so you can get your bearings. Learn about how Medellin spent the 1980s and 90s with an international reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous cities (no thanks to Pablo Escobar’s notorious drug cartel). Medellin has now turned itself around to become one of the most exciting cities in South America. With some of the country’s finest museums, parks and architecture (and a much safer and more comfortable atmosphere), it’s easy to see why it’s getting more popular. Tonight, you’re free to relax or ask your leader for the best local hang outs where you can try some arepas (crispy white corn cakes usually stuffed with meat and vegetables.
Day 6 Day 6: Medellin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Medellin

Today, you’ll take part in a Barrio transformation tour. Take a metro cable Acevedo to meet your local guide and discover more about how Medellin has transformed its most populated neighbourhoods. You’ll explore its history, the struggle of its people, the outstanding achievements and the different faces of the city’s recent transformation. Later, return to Medellin, where you’ll have free time to search out one of the city’s pumping salsa bars (Medellin’s nightlife may well be the best in Colombia!).
Day 7 Day 7: Medellin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Medellin

Get out and about in Medellin with a free day today. You might want to visit the Museo de Antioquia to see some of Botero’s famous works or get more modern at the beautiful Museo de Arte Moderno. Or you can go further afield on an optional day trip to Santa Fe de Antioquia. This 16th-century township has kept a lot of its colonial-era pizazz. The Bridge of the West, Metropolitan Cathedral and House of Two Palms are pretty great photo ops, and the plaza is also home to a daily market where vendors sell varieties of locally grown Tamarind (you can try a few samples). One of the best things to do here is mosey through the cobblestone streets and take in the local scene at your own pace.
Day 8 Day 8: Palomino
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Palomino

This morning, you’ll fly to Santa Marta and then take a private transfer north to Palomino – a small town on the Caribbean coast of Colombia in the Guajira region. Watch the scenery go by and maybe get stuck into your book before arriving this afternoon. When you arrive, your leader will show you around Palomino town and if you fancy, you can pick up some empanadas for lunch. This is the perfect town for some quality beach time, so with your free afternoon, why not laze on the warm sands and enjoy the views (on a clear day) of the glacial peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. If you’re looking for something more active, visit the surrounding National Park for a hike. Tonight, take the chance to feast on some fresh seafood, like lionfish or prawns – with its Caribbean location, Palomino is naturally home to some excellent restaurants with some of the freshest and tastiest seafood in Colombia. The best of them can be found at the far end of the beach, where the river meets the sea.
Day 9 Day 9: Palomino
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Palomino

Today is a free day in Palomino. Get active and maybe take a hike in the nearby Tayrona National Natural Park – a large, protected area of the foothills of the Siera Nevada de Santa Marta known for its palm-shaded coves, coastal lagoons and biodiverse rainforest. Here, you can soak up the stunning scenery of the Sierra Nevada ranges and the glittering Caribbean Sea. If you prefer, you can just spend some time chilling on the beach until it’s time to hit the bar or find something delicious for dinner tonight.
Day 10 Day 10-11: Cartagena
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10-11: Cartagena

Travel to Cartagena this morning – a port city on the Caribbean coast known for its walled Old Town founded in the 16th century. When you arrive, your leader will take you on a short orientation walk around the hotel. Then, you’ll have the chance to soak up all this city offers at your own pace, with two whole days free. The Old Town’s inner walls are the main attraction – inside, it’s packed with beautiful churches, monasteries and mansions. Maybe visit San Felipe de Barajas Castle or hit one of the nearby beaches. You could visit the Coral Islands or take a boat trip to the Rosario Islands for more coastal bliss. You could also take on a rum tasting (yum) or learn some new moves at a champeta dance class. If you fancy, maybe take a private sunset cruise on the water and watch the city transform as darkness falls. Your leader will be on hand to give you tips on making the best of your time.
Day 11 Day 12: Cartagena
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Cartagena

After breakfast today, it’s time to say adios to your newfound friends as your adventure comes to an end in Cartagena this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

12 days tour

Real Colombia

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Real Colombia

Day 1: Bogotá

Day 2: Salento

Day 3: Cocora Valley/Coffee Estancia

Day 4: Coffee Estancia

Day 5: Medellin

Day 6: Medellin

Day 7: Medellin

Day 8: Palomino

Day 9: Palomino

Day 10-11: Cartagena

Day 12: Cartagena

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania