Upon arrival transfer to the hotel in private transportation with English speaking guide. (Transfer time is around 30 minutes – depends on the time). Once at the Hotel, your Colombian Host will meet with you to explain the itinerary and answer any questions
you may have. The area of modern Bogotá was first populated by groups of indigenous people that migrated from Mesoamerica. Among these groups were the Muiscas that settled in what is now mainly the Departments of Cundinamarca and Boyacá. With the arrival of the Spanish colonizers, the area became a major settlement, founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and later the capital of the Spanish provinces and the seat of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. With independence, Bogotá became the capital of Gran Colombia and later the capital of the Republic of Colombia. Located at 2.600 meters M.S.L. Bogotá is a big city with over 8 million people that has 2 different faces for tourism. The old Candelaria Historic District with colonial houses and very close to the government buildings and the modern Bogotá to the north where tourists will find all sorts of shops, restaurants and bars surrounded by brick constructions all over.
In the morning, after breakfast, head out to Ciudad Bolívar (Transfer time is around 1 hour). You will visit El Paraiso (Paradise) neighbourhood a new scenario for Social Tourism in Bogotá. You will take the new Cable Car (Transmicable) from El Tunal Station to the Paraiso Station to discover a colourful, artistic and magical territory filled with local talent. Once at Paraiso Station, you will walk to the Mirador (View Point) where you will have a shop to learn the local rhythms with young musicians and you will have a snack prepared by some of the mothers. You will visit The Illimani Park and then you will enjoy “Local Breakdance” and Graffiti Activities; two cultural processes that help the neighbourhood's artistic progress. At the end of the visit, you will arrive at the Top of the hill, climbing some steps painted as a Snake by a local artist. Once at the top, you will enjoy a beautiful view of Bogotá. Going back to the Cable Car Station you will visit one of the 15th community Vegetable Plots to learn how to grow vegetables and leave something in the community. Then you will go back to La Candelaria District. Once you arrive you will have lunch and will be able to taste “Ajiaco”, the typical dish from Bogotá. In the afternoon, you will visit The Gold Museum, Botero Museum and the most important streets of this wonderful colonial area of the city. At the end of the tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to Zipaquirá (1 hour and 30 minutes approx.), to visit The Salt Cathedral. After the visit, Transfer to Bogota´s Airport to take a flight to Pereira. Once in Pereira, your guide and driver will take you to your hotel, only 15 minutes drive from
the airport. Dinner is included tonight at the Hotel.
Live the Coffee Culture and enjoy this magical coffee tour at an original Coffee Farm that dates from the 1900s. (Transfer time from Hotel To Coffee Farm is around 1 hour and 30 minutes). This tour is considered an educational and interactive journey in which you will learn about the daily tasks of a farmer in the coffee region, and also learn everything about the process of coffee growing and production while enjoying the smells and flavours of coffee in all the different stages of the crop. You will have a chance to learn about Colombian Coffee and have fun at this wonderful farm. After the tour, your guide and driver will take you to a wonderful Orchid Farm. (Transfer time is approx. 30 minutes) Colombia is the #1 Country in the world for Orchid species and also #1 for Bird species and this farm has both!! Lunch will be the speciality of the area and then you will have time to admire all the different types of orchids that this superb collection has to offer. No matter what time of the year you visit this farm, there will be hundreds of orchids with flowers. At the end of the day drive back to your hotel (Transfer time is approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes). Dinner is included at the hotel.
After Breakfast, drive to Cocora Valley and visit a private farm where you can learn all about the Wax Palm Trees, endemic to Colombia and the tallest in the world. Hiking and enjoying the views with no other tourists around so you can take photos freely. Then head to a beautiful waterfall and learn more about the local flora. Lunch will be in Salento at a private house with a local family. After lunch, you will have some time to visit the local shops and then drive to Pereira´s Airport to take a flight to Cartagena. Your local guide will be waiting for you at the airport and will take you to your hotel in the magical Walled City. The evening is free for you to choose where to have dinner.
This tour will take you to meet “the African corner” in Colombia. (Transfer time is approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes). This town, a reflection of the crude reality of most African descendants, is a bastion of culture and history. It’s the only survivor from the 12 Palenques formed at the side of Maria’s hills (Montes de María) at the beginning of the XVIII century. Slaves that managed to escape once brought to America, followed Benkos Biohó legend, Palenque’s founder. The music and a tremendous strategy of defence enabled Palenque de San Basilio to officially become the first free town of the Spanish colonies in 1613. The tradition, the historical pride and the Palenquero, the native particular language of this place, remain nowadays.
After two hours trip by car, we get to the central park of the town. A specialized guide from the community will teach us some basic words in his language, Palenquero. With the help of a translator, we will learn the exciting and brave history of this town. We will also learn how to play some of its instruments recognizing warning sounds they used to defend its freedom. After a short walk through the town, we will appreciate the student’s talent at the Batata Music School, who will perform for us 3 songs and dances. Its rhythm, between them Mapalé and Bullerengue. These have an important influence on the Colombian Caribbean musical identity. After saying goodbye to our local guide and to the musicians, we drive back to Cartagena. In the evening we have a special dinner prepared for you; it will be served at a private house in the walled city. A dinner that will take you back in time
At 10:15 am, transfer to Cartagena´s La Bodeguita Pier to take a Boat to Múcura Island (2 hours Boat ride). Once at Hotel Punta Faro, time at leisure.
Day at leisure.
At 9 am, the Boat transfer to Cartagena (2 hours boat ride approx.) and then transfer to Cartagena´s Airport to take a flight home.
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