Real Colombia

Day 1 Bogota      
Bienvenidos a Colombia! Welcome to Colombia. Settle into your accommodation in Bogota, then meet your leader and fellow travellers for an orientation walk around this good-looking town at 1pm. Check out the colonial-era buildings framed by mountains. For those arriving later there will be a second group meeting at 6pm.      

Day 2 Bogota to Salento    
Today is an early start as we leave the hotel to explore the colorful Paloquemao Market. Get to know the locals and try new flavours! From the market, our transfer will take you straight to the airport to take a take a short flight (approximately 1 hour) to Colombia's famous coffee region and transfer to the beautiful village of Salento. Take the time to stroll through its quaint streets and admire the colours of the 'paisa' architecture.      

Day 3 Salento to Coffee Estancia      
Travel by jeep out to the Cocora Valley, home of the tall wax palm (Colombia's national tree). Spend the morning checking out the region's awesome scenery on foot, maybe hiking up to Acaime Reserve where the hummingbirds feed. Later, travel deep into Colombia's coffee region for a two-night stay in an old-school coffee estancia.

Day 4 Coffee Estancia      
Thanks to its tropical altitude and fertile volcanic soil, Colombia is one of the world’s biggest coffee producers. See how the beans are grown and harvested, processed, dried, roasted and ground, and then sample first-hand what all the fuss is about. Try different types of coffee grains and get a lesson on preparing different types of coffees, finishing it all off with a steaming cup of freshly brewed joe. Afterwards, relax amid the estancia's beautiful surrounds of sloping green hills and valleys.      

Day 5 Coffee Estancia to Medellin      
J ump aboard a comfortable public bus and head (approximately 8 hours) to Medellin. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk of this beautiful city. Having spent the 1980s and 90s with an international reputation as one of the world's most dangerous cities (no thanks to Pablo Escobar's notorious drug cartel), Medellin has turned itself around to become one of the most exciting cities in South America.    

Day 6 Medellin      
Today we take part in a Barrio transformation tour. Take the metrocable Acevedo to meet your local guide and discover more about how the transformation in Medellin has happened in one of its most populated neighbourhoods. Explore its history, the struggle of its people, their outstanding achievements and the different faces of the city’s recent transformation. Back in Medellin, you might want to search out one of the city's pumping salsa bars (Medellin's nightlife may well be the best in Colombia).      

Day 7 Medellin      
Get out and about in Medellin. You might want to visit the Museo de Antioquia to see some of Botero's famous works or get more modern at the beautiful Museo de Arte Moderno. Or go further afield on an optional day trip to Santa Fe de Antioquia.

Day 8 Medellin to Palomino      
Fly to Santa Marta (approximately 1 hour). Take a private transfer (approximately 5 hours) north to Palomino, a small town on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, in the Guajira region. It's about 40 minutes away from Tayrona National Park. This afternoon your leader will show you around Palomino town.

Days 9-10 Palomino      
Today and tomorrow are free days with no scheduled activities. Maybe head to Tayrona National park one of the days and spend a day chilling on the beach on the other. It's a tough life.      

Day 11 Palomino to Cartagena    
Travel to Cartagena. The leader will take you on a short orientation walk around the hotel in one of South America's most historic cities. Afterwards, head out to explore the Old City as you please. The inner walled town is the main attraction – it's packed with beautiful churches, monasteries, and mansions. Maybe visit San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the biggest of the fortresses, or head out of town for a mud bath at Volcan de Lodo El Totumo.      

Day 12 Cartagena      
It's all over. Adios! Your trip finishes in Cartagena this morning.