Colombia's Colonial Jewels & the Coffee Triangle

DAY 1 - Depart U.S. • Arrive Bogotá, Colombia
Destination: Bogotá
Accommodations: Hotel de la Opera or similar
Afternoon/Evening:: Depart the U.S. today for your flight to Bogotá. An O.A.T. representative will meet you at the airport and assist with the transfer to our hotel, where you'll join travelers who took the pre-trip extension to Bolivia: La Paz & Lake Titicaca and those who arrived early in Bogotá before their main adventure.

Dinner: On your own—ask your Trip Experience Leader for local restaurant recommendations.

Make the most of your time in Bogotá with these suggestions for independent exploration from our local regional office. Your Trip Experience Leader will lead the activity with the most traveler interest.

Travel to Monserrate Hill, a sacred site and popular destination for panoramic views: Watching over Bogotá from over 10,000 feet above sea level, this majestic mountain is surrounded by verdant nature and features a church—the Fallen Lord of Monserrate sanctuary—that has been the site of many religious pilgrimages since the 1600s. Depending on your activity level, you can trek up the hill (about 1,500 steps), or ride a cable car or funicular to the top. How to get there: About a 15- to 25-minute taxi ride from the hotel, approximately $5 USD one way. Hours: 6:30am-10:30pm, Monday-Saturday; 5:30am-5:30pm, Sunday. Cable car hours: 12pm-12am, Monday-Saturday; 9am-5pm, Sunday. Funicular hours: 7:45am-11:45PM, Monday-Saturday; 6AM-5:30PM, Sunday. Cost: Around $6 USD.

Take a stroll through Bogotá's botanical garden: Named for a renowned 19th century Spanish botanist, the José Celestino Mutis botanical garden is the largest botanical garden in Colombia, as well as a noted research center. Its 19.5 acres are filled with native plants from every altitude, climate, and region in Colombia, including several endangered species. In addition to scenic, open-air exhibitions—including an artificial waterfall and collections of palms, cacti, and medicinal plants—the garden also features five greenhouses replicating different regions of Colombia. How to get there: About a 15- to 30-minute drive from the hotel, approximately $5 USD one way. Hours: 8am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday; 9am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday; closed Mondays. Cost: $3 USD for adults; free for seniors age 62 and up.

Step back in time at the National Museum of Colombia: Boasting more than 20,000 historically significant objects, Colombia's national museum is the biggest museum in the country. Witness pre-Hispanic artifacts, delve into indigenous and Afro-Colombian heritage, and admire works of art from modern Colombian masters like Fernando Botero, Alejandro Obregón, Guillermo Wiedemann, and more. How to get there: About a 30-minute drive from the hotel, approximately $6 USD one way. Hours: 9am-5pm, Tuesday-Sunday; closed Mondays. Cost: $1 USD for adults; free for seniors age 60 and up.

DAY 2 - Explore Bogotá • Gold Museum
Destination: Bogotá
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Hotel de la Opera or similar

Activity Note: Bogotá is at an altitude of 8,000 feet. We recommend staying hydrated while at high altitude. Travelers may rest at the hotel if necessary.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll start the day with a Welcome Briefing at our hotel. Then, we'll head for Bogotá's Gold Museum, which is home to the world's biggest collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts. These pieces—more than 6,000 are on display out of the museum's 55,000-piece collection—are not only elaborate in their own right, but also give us an introduction to the indigenous cultures of Colombia.

Lunch: We'll celebrate the discoveries to come during a Welcome Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon: After our lunch concludes, we'll return to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore independently.

Late this afternoon, our Trip Experience Leader will give us an overview of a few of Colombia's most infamous controversies—including guerrillas and drug cartels—which we'll learn about in more detail later in our adventure.

Dinner: On your own. You might ask your Trip Experience Leader to point out their favorite local options.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

DAY 3 - Bogotá • Controversial Topic: Colombia's paramilitary/guerilla conflict • Optional local market & urban street art tour
Destination: Bogotá
Meals included: B D
Accommodations: Hotel de la Opera or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Free to make your own discoveries. Perhaps you'll make the trip to Monserrate Mountain, on the city's eastern edge; a popular hike (or funicular, for those feeling less energetic) takes you to the Spanish colonial-era church on top, which affords spectacular views of the city below.

Or, you may choose to join our optional tour to a local produce market where we’ll stroll through stalls filled with aromatic herbs, exotic fruits, and local meat, and mingle with the locals. Then, we’ll explore the city’s urban street art scene and discover the many colorful and often political expressions that cover the city’s walls. We’ll listen to firsthand stories from local street artists about the history and meaning of graffiti.

Lunch: On your own. Travelers on today's optional tour will enjoy a lunch of ajiaco, a traditional Colombian soup of chicken, potatoes, and corn, at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: If you chose to remain in the city, continue exploring Bogotá on your own. Travelers on the optional tour will return to our hotel mid-afternoon.

Later this afternoon, our group will gather in a private conference room at the hotel for a conversation about a Controversial Topic: Colombia's lengthy internal conflict, which pitted the government against extremist guerilla and paramilitary groups. Since the 1960s, it's estimated that some 220,000 Colombians have died, 25,000 have disappeared, and another 5 million have been internally displaced—making this one of the deadliest and longest-running conflicts in the Western World. To gain a richer and more in-depth understanding of the issue, we'll meet with two former combatants—one from each side of the conflict.

At the heart of the issue is the left-wing, pro-communist guerilla groups who oppose the Colombian government, and who funded their violent, anti-government activity by becoming involved in Colombia's widespread drug trafficking operations in the 1980s. In response to the rising crime rates and instability in their country, far-right paramilitary groups cropped up to combat the guerilla militants. Today, the Colombian government has reached a delicate peace. Still, the conflict continues to divide the country.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

Local Market & Urban Street Art Tour - $95/person

This Optional Tour combines two different, energetic sides of Bogotá. We’ll start our journey with a visit to a local produce market where we’ll stroll through stalls filled with aromatic herbs, fresh-cut flowers, exotic fruits, and local meat and fish. We’ll learn how locals find different ways to make a living, and interact with the vendors. Then, we’ll explore the city’s urban graffiti scene. We’ll explore a variety of neighborhoods and discover the many colorful and often political expressions that cover the city’s walls. Street artists and locals involved in the art scene will guide us through the streets and tell us about the history and meaning of the graffiti, giving us a deeper understanding of their culture and society’s struggles.

DAY 4 - Fly to Medellín • Explore Medellín • Botero Museum
Destination: Medellín
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Novotel Medellín El Tesoro or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll transfer to the airport for our flight to Medellín. Upon arrival late this morning, we'll make our way to the city center, which we'll explore on foot.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Next, we'll make our way to the Botero Museum and plaza. The plaza has an open-air collection of 23 sculptures by Medellín-born artist Fernando Botero, whose exaggerated figures have been shown in the world's greatest museums and galleries. We'll also venture inside the Botero Museum, which houses one of Latin America's most prominent international art collections—including works by Balthus, Georges Braque, Marc Chagall, and Salvador Dalí.

After making our way to our hotel and checking in, the remainder of the day is free for your own discoveries. Perhaps you'll join your Trip Experience Leader in a brief orientation walk this evening to get acquainted with the city.

Dinner: On your own—ask your Trip Experience Leader for local restaurant recommendations.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

Make the most of your time in Medellín with these suggestions for independent exploration from our local regional office. Your Trip Experience Leader will lead the activity with the most traveler interest.

Explore the House of Memory Museum: Created in 2006 by the mayor of Medellín as part of the Victims of Armed Conflict Care Program, this multimedia museum details the drug-related violence that once plagued the city and pays tribute to the cartels’ many victims. Its purpose is to offer a space to the armed conflict victims and their family, to collect and display their memories, and to disseminate their views on the cycles of violence they have witnessed. How to get there: About a 20-minute taxi ride, approximately $4 USD one way. Hours: 9am-7pm, Tuesday-Friday; 10am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday and holidays; closed Mondays. Cost: Free.

Take in views of Medellín from Nutibara Hill: Located in the heart of Medellín, Nutibara Hill is one of the city's few preserved ecosystems. In addition to ample green space and sweeping views, Nutibara also features a sculpture garden and a reproduction of a traditional Colombian township, called the Pueblito Paisa. How to get there: About a 15-minute taxi ride, approximately $4 USD one way. Hours: 6:30am-11pm, daily. Cost: Free.

Revel in Colombia's natural wonders at the Medellín Botanical Garden: From a glittering lagoon, to a vibrant butterfly farm and clusters of tropical flora, the botanical garden is a feast for the senses. You can explore the grounds at your own pace, or perhaps take part in one of the numerous activities offered outside, from yoga lessons to film screenings. How to get there: Around a 20-minute taxi ride from the hotel, approximately $3 USD one way. Hours: 9am-4:30pm, daily. Cost: Free.

DAY 5 - Medellín • Explore Guatapé
Destination: Medellín
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Novotel Medellín El Tesoro or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll drive to Guatapé, a colorful village located in the countryside outside of Medellín, which is known for its zócalos, beautifully crafted tiles that decorate houses and the town's church. This area is peaceful now, but was once the scene of conflict between government and paramilitary forces in the late 20th century—a history we'll learn about as we explore. Our discoveries begin with a boat ride along the shores of Guatapé.

Then we'll disembark our boat and stroll the town's vibrant streets on foot during a walking tour, interacting with the local people we meet along the way.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Guatapé.

Afternoon: Following lunch, you'll enjoy some free time before we return to our hotel in Medellín.

Dinner: On your own—ask your Trip Experience Leader for local restaurant recommendations.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

DAY 6 - Comuna 8 • Grand Circle Foundation visit: Hill of Values • Fly to Pereira
Destination: Coffee Triangle
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Finca Hotel Bosques de Samán or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Today we set out for Comuna 8 via Medellín's award-winning public transit system, which connects the city's lower-income mountainside neighborhoods with services and opportunities in the center, and has been essential to Medellín's dramatic revitalization. Our journey begins aboard the tranvía, or tram, which can only take us so far: Comuna 8 is nestled among the slopes of the Aburrá Valley, so we'll need to board a cable car to complete our journey.

Once considered one of the most dangerous comunas (neighborhoods) in the city, Comuna 8 is now a model example of Medellín's transformation. Our Trip Experience Leader will guide us through the neighborhood, where we'll see firsthand how the community has changed and learn how local leaders aided this transformation.

Our walking tour concludes at the Hill of Values (El Cerro de los Valores)—a NEW Grand Circle Foundation site.

During the darkest days of Colombia’s political conflict, the hill was a stronghold of the city's paramilitary groups, and several battles were fought on its slopes. Today, it has found a new life as a community garden.

Upon arrival, we’ll meet one of the founders of the organization, who once served in a paramilitary group. After he demobilized, he made it his mission to transform this one-time symbol of brutality into a living memorial to all who suffered during the violence of the 1980s and 1990s.

From the founder, we’ll learn more about the activities that take place at the Hill of Values. In addition to the garden, the organization also operates a recycling center, maintains a compost pile, and hosts educational events. The goals of the organization are multipronged: to raise awareness about environmental best practices, to offer local youths a productive alternative to drugs and gangs, and to foster understanding between Colombians and visitors.

With the help of our generous travelers, Grand Circle Foundation funded the purchase of a solid trash compactor, which is now generating income for the site. Future projects we hope to fund include garden maintenance, constructing a new “green wall,” and making vital repairs to the event room.

After learning more about the organization’s mission, we’ll pay a visit to the recycling center and then be invited to participate in a hands-on activity, enabling us to leave a permanent, positive mark on this special place.

Lunch: We’ll gather in the organization’s event room to enjoy lunch with our host and other community members who’ve been impacted by the Hill of Values.

Afternoon: We transfer to the airport and fly to Pereira, one of three towns that comprise Colombia's “coffee triangle.” Along with Manizales and Armenia, Pereira is a key player in the Colombian coffee-making tradition that is known worldwide. The top-quality Arabica beans grown in this region are harvested, washed on local plantations, dried, and exported all over the world. After we arrive, we transfer to our hotel in nearby Alcala, which will likely be a finca (estate) on a coffee plantation.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Yours to do as you please. Your Trip Experience Leader would be happy to make suggestions.

DAY 7 - Montenegro • A Day in the Life of the Coffee Triangle
Destination: Coffee Triangle
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Finca Hotel Bosques de Samán or similar

Activity Note: If Day 7 of this itinerary falls on a Saturday or Sunday, travelers will instead hike in Cocora and visit a working hacienda on Day 8.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Our small group will experience A Day in the Life of the community of Montenegro in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle today. Our discoveries begin in the main plaza, where we’ll savor a cup of the region’s brew, ordering on the street alongside the locals. After we've finished our coffee, we'll visit the town market where we’ll break into smaller groups to shop for ingredients for our lunch later today.

Then, we'll board Jeepaos (Jeeps) and make our way to Buenos Aires Farm, a family-owned coffee plantation and our next destination. These all-terrain vehicles dramatically improved efficiency for plantation owners when they arrived in this mountainous region after World War II and have since become a symbol of the Coffee Triangle.

Upon arrival, we'll meet the farm’s administrator, who is responsible for keeping the farm and its staff organized and producing the best quality coffee. He will give us a hands-on introduction to coffee growing by showing us how to plant, harvest, dry, or sort beans depending on the season. Then we’ll head into the hacienda to help with the lunch preparations.

Lunch: We'll enjoy lunch at the plantation with the owners of Buenos Aires Farm, as well as some of the workers.

Afternoon: You have the rest of the afternoon free to relax or explore at your own pace.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Continue enjoy time at leisure this evening. Perhaps you'll take advantage of some of our hotel's amenities.

DAY 8 - Explore Salento • Cocora Valley
Destination: Coffee Triangle
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Finca Hotel Bosques de Samán or similar

Activity Note: Today's exploration of Corcora National Park includes a 4-mile uphill hike over steep hills and uneven terrain. Travelers do not have to participate in this hike if they feel it may be too difficult.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: The final turn in our triangle is the region around Armenia, once a way station on the march of Simón Bolivar. We visit Salento, a 19th-century village perched on a plateau over the Quindío River, where we'll learn about the process of roasting coffee. We'll witness local baristas making “latte art,” decorative patterns in the foam on espresso drinks. Going beyond the common leaf or heart patterns frequently seen in U.S. cafés, the “latte artists” here often “draw” animals, faces, and more with coffee and foam.

Then we discover that coffee is not the only treasured resource here when we explore Corcora National Park. We'll travel through this lush valley dotted by sharp peaks. We'll stop to take a guided hike near the cloud forest.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We'll return to Salento with free time to explore the town further. You may choose to stroll the Calle Real, Salento's main street, which gives a glimpse into times past, as many buildings still reflect the bahareque cane-and-mud construction style. Here, you can browse the local handcrafts shops.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

DAY 9 - Fly to Cartagena
Destination: Cartagena
Meals included: B D
Accommodations: Hotel Bantu or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We head to the airport for our flight from Armenia to Cartagena on Colombia's Caribbean coast.

Lunch: On your own. You may want to get something to eat at the airport.

Afternoon: We'll touch down in Cartagena in the late afternoon. Officially known as Cartagena de Indias—so named because Spanish explorers believed the port would become part of a spice trade route to India—Cartagena is one of South America's most colorful cities. Presiding over sandy beaches and sweeping ocean views, Cartagena still exudes both a colonial elegance and a tropical Caribbean flavor. From its inception, Cartagena's riches made it a tempting target for pirates, as well as British and French forces, and Spain spent lavishly on its fortifications, a large portion of which have survived the centuries.

After checking in to our hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore the city. Perhaps you'll stroll to Parque Fernandez de Madrid, which was the setting for much of the novel Love in the Time of Cholera, by noted Colombian author Gabriel García Marquez.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

Make the most of your time in Cartagena with these suggestions for independent exploration from our local regional office. Your Trip Experience Leader will lead the activity with the most traveler interest.

Walk to Centenario Park: Located between the entrance to the Old Town and the Getsemani neighborhood, Centenario Park commemorates Cartagena's independence from Spain. Despite its urban setting, the park is home to a selection of local flora and often hosts a variety of wildlife, including sloths, iguanas, and capuchin monkeys. How to get there: About a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Hours: 6am-7pm, daily. Cost: Free.

Take in the sunset from atop Cartagena's historic walls: Venture to Old City waterfront, where you can grab a mojito from one of the many street vendors and enjoy the view. Watch as the orange and pink sun graces the sky and seemingly melts into the Caribbean Sea, giving way to the pulsating nightlife for which Cartagena is known. How to get there: About a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Hours: 5:30pm-6:45pm. Cost: Free.

Learn about the "patron saint of slaves" at the San Pedro Claver Museum: Jesuit minister, San Pedro Claver, dedicated his life to serving the enslaved people who arrived in the New World via Cartagena in the 17th century. His home church is now a museum filled with Claver's paintings, religious art work, and Pre-Colombian artifacts. Claver's remains are entombed under the church's altar. How to get there: About a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Hours: 10am-4:30pm; daily. Cost: Approximately $1 USD.

DAY 10 - Explore Cartagena • San Felipe Castle • Walled City visit
Destination: Cartagena
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Hotel Bantu or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll head to one of Cartagena's most conspicuous and commanding structures, the 17th-century San Felipe Castle. From its inception, Cartagena's riches were desired by coastal pirates and defended by Spaniards, who eventually built the fortress to protect their prized city. Explore the labyrinthine tunnels that run underground, or enjoy panoramic views of the city from atop the castle walls. We then head to Cartagena's oldest section, the Ciudad Amurallada, or Walled City, which is encircled by 12-foot stone walls and considered to be one of the best-preserved walled cities in the world. We'll enjoy a stroll through the narrow, flower-lined streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Then we'll head to Bocagrande, a neighborhood known for its scenic stretches of beaches and trendy restaurants.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We'll visit a local jewelry shop that specializes in emeralds. After perusing the emerald collection and learning about their formation, you can shop around for souvenirs here before we return to our hotel. You have the rest of the afternoon on your own to make independent discoveries.

Dinner: On your own—ask your Trip Experience Leader for local restaurant recommendations.

Evening: The remainder of the evening is yours to do as you please. Perhaps you'll enjoy a nightcap at one of the city's many lively bars.

DAY 11 - Explore Cartagena • Getsemani walk • Cumbia dancing lesson
Destination: Cartagena
Meals included: B D
Accommodations: Hotel Bantu or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Our day begins with a walking tour of the Getsemani neighborhood, the oldest part of the city. Then, we experience a local mode of transportation with a ride on a chiva, a vibrantly painted bus, while listening to a live musical performance. We’ll take our chiva to La Boquilla, a small village near the beach. During our time here, we'll have the opportunity to interact with residents to get local perspectives of life in Cartagena. On the beach, we'll discover cumbia, a Latin America dance style, during a drum and dance lesson.

Lunch: On your own—ask your Trip Experience Leader for local restaurant recommendations.

Afternoon: Free for making your own discoveries. Perhaps you'll visit the massive cathedral on Plaza Bolívar, completed in 1602 after being partially destroyed in 1575 by Sir Francis Drake. Or examine the treasure trove of gold and ceramics found at the Museo de Oro y Arquelogía.

In the early evening, a traditional carriage ride through the historic neighborhoods of Cartagena will bring us to a Farewell Dinner.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend your final night in Colombia as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

DAY 12 - Cartagena • Return to U.S. or begin post-trip extension
Meals included: B
Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We transfer to the airport for our flight home. Or, begin your optional post-trip extension to Riobamba, Cuenca & Quito: Cultural Treasures in the Ecuadorean Andes.