Private Tour Highlights
- Guided visit to the Colombian capital with a trip in a cablecar to the top of the Monserrate Hill
- Enjoy an explosive game of Tejo, the Colombian national sport, with two beers included per person!
- Visit the fully functioning Salt Cathedral, constructed underground in a former salt mine
- Experience a traditional national dish with typical Colombian middle class Family
- Get in contact with the Colombian culture and explore the everyday life of Colombians
- Visit a coffee growing farm, including a technical and practical introduction to the world of coffee
- Experience Medellin in full with both private and public transportation!
- Explore the colorful center of Medellin and visit some of its typical local market areas
- Try exotic fruits and interact with the local vendors bargaining for a good price
- Explore the world of the local markets discovering the tiny corridors full of flavors and exotic products
- Experience the colonial era with a tour in horse drawn carriages through Cartagena
- Enjoy the walled city and its balconies illuminated by lanterns
- Take in live music (Cuban) and an exquisite menu featuring Caribbean fusion cuisine
Tour Overview
This Colombian coffee and culture tour includes an immersion in this culturally rich region. While visiting another country, the best experiences always come from learning about the locals, their culture, and their unique ways of life. Submerse yourself in the ways of the Colombian people and learn firsthand what it’s like to live here. From shopping in the local markets to a special dinner invitation from a small Colombian family, one will be able to experience Colombia in the most charming of ways.
Begin this fantastic experience with a visit to the high elevation city of Bogota. Relax and acclimate before a lovely half day tour of the city. Starting in the city’s main square, continuing into the old colonial part of the city. The tour finishes with a trip in a cable car to the top of the Monserrate Hill, offering a spectacular view of the city. In the afternoon, enjoy an EXPLOSIVE tejo game, the Colombian national sport! Metal discs are thrown at the targets, small explosive charges of gunpowder wrapped in paper. The goal is to hit these Mechas with the Tejo, making the target explode! Going hand and hand with the sport is the consumption of beer, which is included with the tour.
Leaving Bogota to the north, cross the savanna landscape to the town of Zipaquira, to visit the fully functioning, underground Salt Cathedral just before experiencing a typical national dish with a typical Colombian middle class Family. Transfer to their home for an evening of learning and laughter. After a cup of coffee it is time to drive back to the local hotel. After transferring to Pereira get to know the diversity of Colombia through its food, guided by a local expert. Sit down to cook a typical Colombian dish and enjoy a firsthand experience of local life. The next day, make way to the Cocora Valley. With breathtaking landscapes, this is one of the most beautiful valleys in Colombia where one will find the impressive “Palma de Cera”, the official Colombian national tree. Later on, visit a coffee growing farm, including a technical and practical introduction to the coffee cultivation and production process.
Continue with an overland transfer to the town of Salamina while admiring spectacular landscapes of canyons and mountains with multiple shades of green. Learn about the city of Medellin, once one the most dangerous cities in the world, now one of the most innovative metropolises in the world. Enjoy an exciting tour through the history and present of Medellin and learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metropolis. The tour will be with both private and public transportation for a full experience of the city and its people.
Stroll through stalls brimming with fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers at Medellin’s local market “La Minorista”. Try exotic fruits and interact with the local vendors bargaining for a good price. Explore the world of the local markets discovering the tiny corridors full of flavors and exotic products and typical Colombian food. You will taste a variety of delicious tropical fruits and finish your trip with pure fruit juice.
While in Cartegena, experience the colonial era with a tour in horse drawn carriages and admire the walled city and its balconies illuminated by lanterns. Be entertained by the marvelous stories of each of the streets of the Old City, narrated by the carriage driver. Conclude the evening with live music and Caribbean fusion cuisine.
Continue with the exploration of Cartagena with a visit of the most important monuments of the city before a visit to the Totumo Volcano. Known for its medicinal properties, the mud is said to have exfoliation assets that cleans the skin. What better way to wrap up a long and educational trip than relaxing in natural, volcanic mud?
Inclusions
Exclusions
International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services and other personal items or services not mentioned.
Package Price: From £$ 5872
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Bogota
Reception at Bogota airport and transfer to the selected Bogota hotel. The elevation in Bogota is approximately 2640 meters (8660 feet), so it is highly recommended to rest upon arrival for a few hours, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine or heavy meals. Please consult with a physician for additional details.
Reception at Bogota airport and transfer to the selected Bogota hotel. The elevation in Bogota is approximately 2640 meters (8660 feet), so it is highly recommended to rest upon arrival for a few hours, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine or heavy meals. Please consult with a physician for additional details.
Bogota City Walking Tour
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After breakfast, take a half day city tour of Bogota. This guided visit to the Colombian capital starts in the Plaza de Bolivar (the city's main square), which is surrounded by federal government buildings, and continues into the old colonial part of the city better known as "La Candelaria", the San Francisco Church and the Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). The tour finishes with a trip in a cablecar to the top of the Monserrate Hill, which offers a spectacular view of the city.
In the afternoon, enjoy a tejo game, the Colombian national sport. Playing tejo requires great ability and concentration. It is the designated national pastime of Colombia, a sport invented by the Chibcha Indians. Metal discs are thrown at the targets, and those targets embedded in sand are small explosive charges of gunpowder wrapped in paper known as mechas. The goal is to hit these Mechas with the Tejo, so that the black powder will explode.
Enjoy a private transport from the hotel in the afternoon to one of Bogota's tejo venues. These are very rustic authentic places, where beer consumption is known to go hand in hand with the sport. Tour includes two beers per person.
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Zipaquira's Underground Salt Cathedral
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Leaving Bogota to the north, cross the savanna landscape to the town of Zipaquira, about 50 km away. Upon arrival visit the fully functioning Salt Cathedral. This unique building was constructed approximately 120 meters underground in a former salt mine. The trip ends with a visit to Zipaquira's charming central square.
In the evening, experience a typical national dish in typical Colombian middle class Family. After the transfer to their house take the time to talk with the family members about different topics of the current living conditions in Colombia. A great start to get in contact with the Colombian culture and to explore the everyday life of Colombians. For dinner is the typical main dish of Bogota, the Ajiaco, a Chicken and Potato Soup. Colombian food is very diverse and each region of the country has its own characteristic of food. There will be enough time to ask almost any question. After a cup of coffee it is time to drive back to the local hotel.
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Bogota - Pereira
At the appropriate time, be met at the Bogota hotel and transferred to the airport for the flight to Pereira
Reception at Pereira airport and transfer to the selected Pereira hotel. In the evening, get to know the diversity of Colombia through its food, guided by a local expert. Sit down to cook a typical Colombian dish and enjoy a firsthand experience of local life.
At the appropriate time, be met at the Bogota hotel and transferred to the airport for the flight to Pereira
Reception at Pereira airport and transfer to the selected Pereira hotel. In the evening, get to know the diversity of Colombia through its food, guided by a local expert. Sit down to cook a typical Colombian dish and enjoy a firsthand experience of local life.
Pereira
After breakfast, visit Filandia, (known for basket weaving and its "antioqueno" architecture), and the Cocora Valley. With breathtaking landscapes, this is one of the most beautiful valleys in Colombia. Here, one will find the impressive "Palma de Cera", the official Colombian national tree and one of the tallest species of palm in the world. On the way back to the hotel, visit Salento, a picturesque village with artisanal and crafts shops.
After breakfast, visit Filandia, (known for basket weaving and its "antioqueno" architecture), and the Cocora Valley. With breathtaking landscapes, this is one of the most beautiful valleys in Colombia. Here, one will find the impressive "Palma de Cera", the official Colombian national tree and one of the tallest species of palm in the world. On the way back to the hotel, visit Salento, a picturesque village with artisanal and crafts shops.
Pereira - Manizales - Salamina
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After breakfast at the hotel, take a visit to the coffee growing farm Hacienda Venecia near Manizales, including a technical and practical introduction to the coffee cultivation and production process.
Continue with an overland transfer to the town of Salamina (historical and cultural heritage of Colombia), stopping in the towns of Neira and Aranzazu. This trip offers spectacular landscape of canyons and mountains with multiple shades of green. Upon arriving in Salamina transfer to a pleasant hotel to spend the evening; breakfast included. Continue with a walking city tour in the beautiful town of Salamina.
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Salamina - Medellin
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After breakfast, overland transfer to Medellin, to a pleasant hotel to spend the next two nights. Slightly more than 20 years ago, Medellin was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Back in the early 90s, hunting for Pablo Escobar, the head of Medellin's drug cartel was at its peak. Thus the reign of "El Patron" came to its end. Until the turn of the millennium the struggles about Escobar's successor continued, but since 2002 Medellin began to change. Intelligent local politicians started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education - successfully. Today the "City of Eternal Spring" is one of the most innovative metropolises in the world. Enjoy an exciting tour through the history and present of Medellin and learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metropolis. The tour will be with private and public transportation. ...read less
Local Market Experience
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Explore the colorful center of Medellin and visit some of its typical local market areas. Stroll through stalls brimming with fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers at Medellin's local market "La Minorista". Try exotic fruits and interact with the local vendors bargaining for a good price. Explore the world of the local markets discovering the tiny corridors full of flavors and exotic products and typical Colombian food. Taste a variety of delicious tropical fruits and finish the trip with a 100% pure fruit juice. Take on a stunning insider's trip through the "authentic" center of Medellin! ...read less
Medellin - Cartagena
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At the appropriate time, be met at the selected Medellin hotel and transferred to the Medellin airport for the flight to Cartagena. Reception at the Cartagena airport and transfer to the selected Cartagena hotel.
In the evening, experience the colonial era with a tour in horse drawn carriages and admire the beauty of Cartagena. Enjoy the walled city and its balconies illuminated by lanterns. Be entertained with the marvelous stories of each of the streets of the Old City, narrated by the carriage driver, and conclude this romantic evening in one of the best restaurants in the Old City. Dinner at La Vitrola where one may enjoy live music (Cuban) and an exquisite menu featuring Caribbean fusion cuisine or Brujas de Cartagena, where diners can enjoy typical live music every weekend accompanied with a pisco sour and an exquisite Peruvian menu.
Please note that transportation back to the hotel is not included.
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City Tour of Cartagena
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This fascinating half-day tour starts with the visit of the most important monuments of Cartagena. Yampu Travelers start at the Convent of La Popa (the highest point of the city) and continue to the Castillo de San Felipe, an immense fort filled with history and mysteries hidden in its stonewalled tunnels. Leaving the castle, we visit the monument of Zapatos Viejos, the "Old Shoes". Certainly the most impressive monument is the gigantic defensive wall that surrounds the old city, and overlooks the sea and its well-preserved colonial architecture. During the rest of the visit, see the city's churches, museums, plazas, restaurants, shops and jewelry stores. This combination of treasures makes Cartagena deserving of the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site: Visitors will never forget this wonderful destination.
In the afternoon, visit the Totumo Volcano, known for its medicinal properties. Begin by heading an hour and a half along the coastal highway to reach the site. Legend has it that the volcano was once the home of the devil and spewed hot lava; a local holy man doused the volcano in holy water vanquishing the devil and turning the hot lava in to rich mud. It does not seem to have a bottom, and it's impossible to sink! This is truly one of the strangest experiences to have along the Caribbean coastline.
The Volcano is 20 meters high with basic wooden steps up to its crater at the top. The mud is said to have exfoliation properties cleansing the skin.
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Cartagena
At the appropriate time, be met at the Cartagena hotel and transferred to the Cartagena airport for the flight home. Check-out at the hotel is at 12:00 pm. Late check-out may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. One may store their luggage at the hotel until the time that they are ready to leave for the airport.
At the appropriate time, be met at the Cartagena hotel and transferred to the Cartagena airport for the flight home. Check-out at the hotel is at 12:00 pm. Late check-out may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. One may store their luggage at the hotel until the time that they are ready to leave for the airport.
Bogotá - Bogota, Colombia
Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
Salamina, Caldas, Colombia
Medellín - Antioquia, Colombia
Cartagena - Bolivar, Colombia
Places You'll See
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Bogota
Located in the center of Colombia, the city of Bogota appeals to all types. The La Candelaria area draws in the lovers of art and culture with its many museums including the Botero Museum and the Gold Museum. Other notable attractions include botanical garden Jose Celestino Mutis, the National Observatory, and over 100 shopping malls.
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Pereira
Part of Colombia’s “Coffee Triangle”, Pereira is a perfect destination for a perfect cup of Joe. Along with coffee, the city is known for its public and private universities, so the students keep the place buzzing. To keep up with the excitement, visit the nightclubs of Avenida Simon Bolivar. Or for a quieter time, enjoy the Museum of Art, or the Orchids and Catleyas Garden.
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Manizales
With a real European small city feel, Manizales offers a great amount of history, culture, and coffee!
Appreciate the different climates from warm and balmy, to a cooler temperature with the eight separate micro-climates of Manizales while exploring the area and maybe even stop by the natural hot springs. -
Salamina
The authentic and quaint town of Salamina is located within the rich Colombian Coffee Region, just two hours outside of Manizales. Visit a genuine and functioning coffee farm and learn about the coffee culture after walking the busy streets and admiring the tiled rooftops and carved doorways.
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Medellin
In the Aburra valley nestled between majestic ranges is the city of Medellin. Walk along cobblestone roads and visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, holding the world record for the use of most bricks, and take in the arts and culture with different attractions nearby. Walk around the city and discover some of the 300 sculptures and other works of arts commissioned by each building that has been built since 1980.
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Cartagena
The walled city of Cartagena, with its cobblestone streets and gorgeous colonial architecture, is full of exciting and engaging sites and activities. Visit the Palacio de la Inquisicion, where the Spanish Inquisition condemned men accused of crimes against religion. Or spend the day at the Playa Blanca beach, enjoying the surf and the sand.
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Testimonials
Caroline T.
Traveled January, 2016
Our trip was excellent!
Highlights from our trip: Bogota museums and the Sunday bike ride (absolutely fabulous guide for that), Hotel in Villa de Leyva (the best!), Medellin (wonderful Aquarium, also visit to Level 1 neighborhood, also great restaurant), Botero sculptures and museum, walking around in Cartegena, hotel in Cartegena, great restaurants in Cartegena, snorkeling.
Traveled To
Barbara
Traveled February 2016
First and foremost, we had a fabulous trip!
We truly appreciate the immediate attention and swift action due to the missed flight connection. It was handled very professionally with lots of communication, so we had no anxiety, and while we missed some sleep since we arrived in San Agustin quite late, we were very pleased not to have to sacrifice any of the planned tour as a result of it. No one can predict this type of travel disruption and your team really came through for us. |
Traveled To
Barbara
Traveled February 2016
First and foremost, we had a fabulous trip!
Thank you and the whole local team so much!! We truly appreciate the immediate attention and swift action due to the missed flight connection. It was handled very professionally with lots of communication, so we had no anxiety, and while we missed some sleep since we arrived in San Agustin quite late, we were very pleased not to have to sacrifice any of the planned tour as a result of it.
Traveled To