Highlights
- Experience Colombian culture at local markets, towns, and artisan workshops
- Travel to the famous "Coffee Triangle" and hike the hills of the Valle de Cocora
- Visit coffee farms and enjoy tango shows and fine dining throughout the country
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bogotá, Fine Dining at LEO | Bogotá |
| Day 2 | Morning Market Tour, Visit Cerro Monserrate | Bogotá |
| Day 3 | Fly to Pereira, Coffee Farm Experience | Pereira |
| Day 4 | Hike the Valle de Cocora, Visit Salento & Filandia | Pereira |
| Day 5 | Fly to Medellín, Community Tour & Tango Show | Medellín |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Carmen de Viboral | Medellín |
| Day 7 | A Game of Tejo, Depart Medellín |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bogotá, Fine Dining at LEO
Welcome to Colombia! This nation is famous for many things, not least of which are the three cordilleras (ranges) of the mighty Andes mountains that pass through the country and comprise the great spine of South America. Amid these soaring green peaks are countless idyllic travel destinations, and you'll visit many such highlights soon enough. For now, you'll arrive in the capital of Bogotá, a mountain metropolis nestled high in the Andes at 8,660 feet (2,640 m).
At the airport, your private driver will pick you up at the terminal and take you to your hotel, the Sofitel Victoria Regia. Located in the exclusive Chapinero area, this 5-star hotel offers a touch of French luxury in Bogotá. Stepping through the front doors, you'll be met with a grand foyer and spiral staircase. In the spacious suites, you'll find king beds, bathrooms stocked with L'Occitane products, and chic decor with accents inspired by local culture. Even the gourmet restaurant Basilic mixes the two cultures, using French avant-garde techniques to prepare dishes with local ingredients.
Speaking of food, after checking into the hotel, you'll head right back out for an introduction to Bogotá through its cuisine. This 2.5-hour foodie experience involves dinner at LEO, a fine-dining restaurant in Chapinero ranked as one of the "World's 50 Best Restaurants." You'll discover why LEO earned these accolades as you enjoy an inspired tasting celebrating ingredients across Colombia's diverse ecosystems—like salt from the Manaure flats and native seeds from the Amazon—paired with a selection of fine wines curated by the sommelier.
Day 2: Traditional Farmers Market, Visit Cerro Monserrate
Like many nations in Latin America, Colombia is blessed with abundant fresh produce. This includes plenty of exotic fruits that come in various colors, sizes, and flavors. This morning, you'll try over a dozen on a private tour of a nearby municipal market. As you browse the vendor stalls, your expert guide will introduce you to local food purveyors while you drink fresh juices and sample fruits like guayaba (guava) lulo (little orange), carambola (star fruit), maracuyá (passion fruit), and others.
Later, you'll take a trip up Cerro Monserrate, the most famous lookout point in Bogotá. There are various options to ascend this 2,690-foot (820 m) Andean hill, the quickest being a four-minute cable car ride to the top. (There's also a slower funicular rail car). Once at the top, you'll visit Monserrate Sanctuary, a whitewashed Catholic church that was completed in 1657, but the real star is the panoramic view of the city below. Afterward, you can travel just north of Bogotá to Zipaquirá, a mining town famous for its cathedral made entirely out of salt.
Day 3: Fly to Pereira, Coffee Farm Experience
Your driver will take you back to the airport this morning to catch a one-hour flight west to Pereira. One of the three main cities of the famous Zona Cafetera (Coffee Triangle), Pereira is nestled in the green Andes and enjoys a milder climate than Bogotá due to its lower altitude. In fact, it's just that elevation that makes this ecosystem ideal for growing Colombia's famous Arabica beans.
Though Pereira is a large, often congested metropolis, a driver will transfer you south of the city to Hacienda Bambusa. Located on the slopes of the Andes amid centenary trees and farmland, Bambusa is an oasis of peace amid the verdant countryside. This intimate hacienda (it features a mere eight rooms) is designed in the style of a traditional coffee finca, yet it offers modern touches like a shimmering front swimming pool where you can enjoy a refreshing dip after a countryside tour.
After settling in, you'll meet a driver and transfer to a local coffee finca (farm). During an in-depth private tour, you'll see what goes into producing Colombia's most delicious global export. It's a bean-to-cup tour where you'll stroll the coffee fields, see the drying and roasting process, and enjoy a barista demonstration to learn the art of the perfect pour. Of course, you can enjoy unlimited coffee during your time here. Afterward, you'll have the option for a horseback ride and country picnic before returning to your hotel.
Day 4: Hike the Valle de Cocora, Visit Salento & Filandia
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast because you're off to the Valle de Cocora this morning. Home to Colombia's national tree, the Quindío wax palm, as well as a great variety of flora and fauna, the valley is also peppered with historic coffee towns like Salento, known for its cobbled streets, colonial heritage, and the brightly painted zócalos (lower facades) of its buildings. After a brief private tour, you'll visit another colorful gem, Filandia. While in this town, stop at the Plaza de Bolívar (the main square) and stroll the cobbled streets up to viewpoints affording wide panoramas of the surrounding countryside.
After eating, transfer deep into the valley (likely by an off-road Willys Jeep) for a hike around the steep green hills of the Cocora Natural Reserve. At the trailhead, meet your expert hiking guide and begin the journey into the reserve. As you ascend into the misty cloud forest, you'll trek amid the towering palms once revered by the Indigenous populations. After a few hours of hiking, you'll arrive at the Hummingbird House. This mountaintop sanctuary is home to dozens of these colorful birds that represent about eight species (there are over 150 total throughout Colombia).
After the hike, return to the colorful streets of Salento and enjoy a bite to eat in town before returning to your hotel. If you like, you can embark on an optional hot-air balloon ride over the verdant landscapes of the Zona Cafetera.
Day 5: Fly to Medellín, Community Tour & Tango Show
Meet your driver and transfer to the airport this morning for the zippy 30-minute flight to Medellín. Despite its turbulent past, today, this city is pure charm. Nestled in the Andes, it's known for its friendly locals (called "Paisas") and has music and art to spare. A car will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the 5-star Elcielo Hotel. Situated in the fashionable Astorga neighborhood, Elcielo occupies an uber-chic location. The well-appointed suites include comfy king beds and marble floors.
After dropping off your bags, you'll meet a local guide for a private tour of the real Medellín as you explore its comunas. These local neighborhoods were once plagued by violence, but many have enjoyed a major turnaround through education, transportation, and public works initiatives. See for yourself as you ride the city's famous Metrocable (a network of gondolas) up to Santo Domingo. This area was once notorious for gang violence but has been revitalized through creative and communal projects. Next is a visit to Comuna 13, famous nowadays for its impressive street art.
Later, you'll enjoy some of Medellín's famous nightlife—though not at the sultry salsa clubs you might otherwise expect. This evening experience focuses on Paisas' love of tango music. The famous Argentine tango crooner Carlos Gardel is an icon in this city, and it was actually in Medellín that he tragically lost his life in a plane crash in 1935. Tonight's "dinner and a show" will take you to a fine Medellín eatery where you'll dine amid live music that would make "the King of Tango" proud.
Day 6: Day Trip to Carmen de Viboral
Day 7: A Game of Tejo, Depart Medellín
End your time in Colombia with a bang—quite literally. After breakfast, transfer to a sports facility for a game of tejo. To outsiders, this game with pre-Hispanic roots may appear like a hybrid of ski ball and horseshoes. Here, players toss a metal disc (which was made of gold during Indigenous times) down a long lane, trying to hit certain targets. But there's a catch—the targets are equipped with packets of gunpowder that go off when you hit the mark, punctuating your score with an explosion. Believe it or not, this is Colombia's natural sport, and (no surprise) it's more fun when played with a beer in hand.
After the explosive fun, you'll meet your driver for the ride back to Medellín's airport. There, you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!
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