Colombian Coffee Adventure (w/ RoasterKat)

Let's raise a glass together to an exciting trip ahead during your welcome dinner! Tonight's gathering will take place in the Hotel Restaurant. The evening promises a delightful 3-course set menu, offering a taste of the most authentic Colombian flavors. Please note that one soft drink is included. Additional beverages and food can be purchased at the venue.

Overnight in Armenia.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. La Herencia Hotel provides a buffet breakfast featuring a diverse selection, including hot dishes, freshly baked bread, a selection of cold cuts, delightful pastries, and fresh fruits. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

After a satisfying breakfast at your hotel, you'll board the vehicle for a 1-hour private transfer to Salento Town. Upon arrival, you'll switch to a Jeep Willys for an additional 20-minute journey. Please keep in mind that each Jeep can accommodate a maximum of 8 travelers. The Jeep transfer will take you through rocky paths, promising a thrilling and enjoyable ride.

Upon arrival at Cocora Valley, you will leave the Jeep behind and be greeted by the breathtaking expanse of verdant landscapes and towering wax palm trees. A brief stop at the park entrance allows for a visit to the restrooms, ensuring comfort for the journey ahead. Embarking on the soft hiking activity, the path meanders gently through the valley, offering a tranquil and immersive experience amidst nature's splendor. Lush greenery envelops the trail, while the majestic wax palm trees stand tall, casting their elongated shadows across the verdant terrain. Along the way, multiple viewpoints emerge, each offering panoramic vistas of the valley's undulating hills and mist-covered mountains in the distance. The hike itself is easy-going, allowing travelers to leisurely explore the wonders of Cocora Valley. With approximately 2 hours allotted for the excursion, there's ample time to wander at a comfortable pace, soak in the serenity of the surroundings, and revel in the natural beauty that Cocora Valley so generously bestows. Once the hike concludes, you will hop back into the Jeeps to return to Salento town in a brief 20-minute transfer. Duration: 2 hours | Difficulty: Easy | Length: 6 miles | Elevation change: 2700 ft

After your exploration of Cocora Valley, you will return to Salento by Jeeps and relax in a cozy restaurant located near the main square. Here, you will indulge in the traditional flavors of Colombia, with the highlight being the delectable trout dish. Lunch will consist of a main dish and a soft drink; any additional food or beverages should be purchased at your own expense. Following lunch, the adventure continues with a visit to a Tejo game.

After lunch, accompany your expert guide on a walking tour of Salento town. Starting directly from the restaurant, you'll stroll through the heart of Salento, covering approximately 0.5 miles on foot. The highlight of the tour will be a visit to a Tejo Game, a favorite gathering spot for locals to engage in this traditional Colombian pastime. Playing a tejo match is an immersive experience, steeped in Colombian culture, amidst a humble yet lively atmosphere filled with traditional music and the enjoyment of local beers. Your local guide will provide a brief tutorial on how to play the game, and you'll be divided into teams to compete. The activity lasts about an hour, during which you'll also receive one complimentary local beer. After the tejo game concludes, you'll have the opportunity to visit a local coffee shop to round off the day with a delicious cup of coffee. During your time at the coffee shop, your guide will provide insights into the various coffee varieties typical to the region, offering the chance to taste a selection of these brews. Please note that the visit includes one coffee cup, and any additional beverages can be purchased separately.

After concluding the exploration of Salento Town, you will board a private transfer back to your hotel, enjoying a brief 1-hour journey and arriving in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Armenia.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. La Herencia Hotel provides a buffet breakfast featuring a diverse selection, including hot dishes, freshly baked bread, a selection of cold cuts, delightful pastries, and fresh fruits. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

During your visit to the coffee farm, you'll enjoy a lunch at the farm restaurant. The lunch consists of one main dish and a soft drink. Any extra food or beverages can be purchased separately at your own expense.

Today in the morning you will visit a very special coffee farm located close to Manizales. You will participate in a special journey that stimulates all the senses, and in the end, we will be more than friends, we will be family. *Moment 1 Welcome to my farm: Here, we dedicate ourselves to cultivating smiles and coffee. Our dream: to enjoy this day! and make it as special as the coffees we are going to taste. *Moment 2 Coffee: Many people ask me, "What is the secret behind the flavors of your coffees?" The truth is, there are no secrets. Just a lot of happiness, discipline, and hard work. Let's learn about coffee, processes, and coffee excellence together. *Moment 3 Let's go for a walk: Now is the time to wander through the hills of my farm, that open book where my adventures with coffee are written. I want you to learn about conservation, sustainability, and love for the land. History, agronomy, humor, love – all components of Uncle Rabbit's crops. *Moment 4 A living house: The farmhouses are alive, quite literally. They communicate with the sun, the wind, or the rain to maintain the perfect temperature inside. It's incredible that they are made with local materials and leave almost no carbon footprint behind. *Moment 5 Flavors from above: Delicious food prepared with farm-grown ingredients, right here on the farm. An unforgettable combination of local flavors, ancestral recipes, and daily creativity, served at the highest point of my farm, "La Conejera". *Moment 6 A coffee baptism: Now that you're part of my nephew's group, it's your turn to be the protagonist. We want to know what you do and what you want. We'll build this family bond while you taste the coffees that you already understand and know. Includes: Transportation from the hotel, camper for the ascent to the farm, seasonal fruit, snack, coffee, accompaniment on the farm during the tour, lunch, insurance, medical assistance, coffee, accompaniment at the farm during the tour, lunch, medical assistance insurance for medical assistance. Kindly be advised that the journey from your hotel to Tio Conejo coffee farm offers a picturesque 2.5-hour drive. Restroom and shopping stops will be arranged as necessary.

Overnight in Armenia.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. La Herencia Hotel provides a buffet breakfast featuring a diverse selection, including hot dishes, freshly baked bread, a selection of cold cuts, delightful pastries, and fresh fruits. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel. Enjoy your afternoon at Leisure.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Colombia with a Colombian cooking class, conveniently hosted right at your hotel, just steps away from your room. The cooking class offers a cozy setup with a dedicated table and station for each traveler. And if it's a sunny day, we'll move our class to the peaceful garden for an extra relaxing experience. You'll roll up your sleeves and dive into the heart of Colombian cuisine as you learn to prepare a traditional Colombian dish. From the aromatic Chicken Sudado to the hearty Sancocho or the flavorful Ajiaco, our chef will lead you through every step with expert guidance and enthusiasm. Once your culinary masterpiece is complete, it's time to savor the fruits of your labor. Sit down to enjoy your creations accompanied by rice, salad, a delectable dessert, and a glass of wine, all while basking in the satisfaction of a truly authentic Colombian dining experience.

The cooking class includes lunch, where you'll get to savor your own creations. Lunch consists of one main dish, served with rice, salad, a dessert, and a glass of wine.

Each coffee farm has its own unique charm, and today you'll experience Cafe de Altura, a farm distinct from yesterday's visit. A short 45-minute transfer will take you to this picturesque farm nestled amidst lush vegetation and coffee plants. Upon arrival, you'll be warmly welcomed by the farm owners. Guided by a knowledgeable coffee expert, you'll wander through the verdant coffee fields, soaking in insights about Colombian coffee along the way. Then, it's time to roll up your sleeves and try your hand at picking coffee beans. Afterward, you'll observe the fascinating process of drying, roasting, and grinding the beans. Following your exploration of the farm, indulge in a delightful tasting session featuring at least three different coffee varieties. Before returning to the hotel, don't forget to visit the farm shop for freshly roasted coffee and souvenirs. Cash is recommended for purchases. Restrooms are available at the farm shop for your convenience. Your return transfer is scheduled for the late afternoon, allowing you to unwind and enjoy the remainder of your day.

Overnight in Armenia.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. La Herencia Hotel provides a buffet breakfast featuring a diverse selection, including hot dishes, freshly baked bread, a selection of cold cuts, delightful pastries, and fresh fruits. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and pack your luggage. Then, hop into the vehicle for a 5 to 6-hour private transfer to the vibrant city of Medellin. Please be aware that we've planned a halfway stop for restroom breaks and shopping. You'll reach your hotel around noon, with some free time for lunch at your leisure.

Embark on an immersive walking tour of Commune 13, a vibrant neighborhood nestled in the hills of Medellin. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you will experience the transformation of this area firsthand, traversing the city like true locals. You'll depart on foot from your hotel and walk for 0.3 miles to reach the metro station. From there, you'll take a 25-minute metro ride. Upon exiting the metro, you'll promptly board a public bus for a 20-minute journey to Comuna 13. Don't worry, your guide will assist you every step of the way to ensure you feel comfortable during the public transfers. As you step into Commune 13, you'll be greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors splashed across the walls, immersing in the neighborhood's rich artistic culture. Throughout the 80s and 90s, Commune 13 was infamous for its reputation as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Colombia. However, in recent years, it has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. Today, Commune 13 is renowned for its vibrant street art, bustling marketplaces, and welcoming community spirit. Your journey through Commune 13 will last approximately two hours, during which you'll have the opportunity to explore the neighborhood on foot, soaking in the striking murals and graffiti that adorn the walls. Your guide will provide fascinating insights into the significance of these artworks, shedding light on the stories and messages they convey. As you meander through the narrow alleys and staircases of Commune 13, you'll have the chance to interact with locals, gaining a deeper understanding of their daily lives and the challenges they've overcome. The resilience and creativity of the community are palpable, serving as a testament to the transformative power of art and unity. While Commune 13's past may be intertwined with the legacy of Pablo Escobar and the violence that plagued Medellin during his reign, today, the neighborhood is focused on a brighter future. The emergence of new infrastructure, including a cable car system and outdoor escalators, has facilitated greater accessibility and improved quality of life for residents. As the tour concludes, you'll depart Commune 13 with a newfound appreciation for its rich cultural heritage and the remarkable journey of transformation it has undergone. The return journey follows the same route in reverse, starting with the bus and concluding with the metro ride.

Overnight in Medellin.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Viaggio Hotel provides a buffet breakfast featuring a diverse selection, including hot dishes, freshly baked bread, a selection of cold cuts, delightful pastries, and fresh fruits. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Let's explore the specialty coffee culture in Medellín! Colombia has long been a major coffee producing country, but specialty consumption has really taken off in the last few years. We will experience Colombian specialty coffee culture in-country by visiting a few of the top spots in the city.

Later in the afternoon, a quick 10-minute transfer will take you to a local restaurant for your final dinner with fellow travelers. Enjoy a delightful 3-course set menu featuring traditional Colombian cuisine. Please note that a soft drink is included. Additional beverages can be purchased at the venue. Keep in mind that the menu is subject to change based on the confirmed restaurant.

Overnight in Medellin.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Viaggio Hotel provides a buffet breakfast featuring a diverse selection, including hot dishes, freshly baked bread, a selection of cold cuts, delightful pastries, and fresh fruits. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.