Coffee, Culture and Mountains

Coffee, Culture and Mountains is a private trip through Antioquia and the Coffee Cultural Landscape. In Medellín you'll see the city's landmarks and learn about its social transformation in Comuna 13, and you'll climb the Peñol Rock above Guatapé. From Pereira you'll walk among the wax palms of the Cocora Valley, explore the villages of Salento and Filandia, and spend a morning on a coffee farm with a coffee master.

The tour is fully customizable: if something doesn't suit you, tell us what you'd like to change.

Day 1 · Arrival in Medellín

Start time: according to your flight schedule

Transfer from José María Córdova International Airport to the Hotel Dix, in El Poblado. Our driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

Day 2 · Full-day Medellín city tour

Start time: 9 AM · Duration: 8 hours

How do you make the most of a day in Medellín? Easy: with this tour. In the morning we visit the city's must-see landmarks and stop for a typical lunch. In the afternoon we learn about the city's social transformation in one of its most unique neighborhoods, guided by locals who lived through that change firsthand.

Places to visit:

• Botero Plaza
• The Museo de Antioquia
• The Metrocable
• Comuna 13
• Pueblito Paisa

Includes: bilingual guide (English–Spanish), private transportation, medical assistance, entrance to the Museo de Antioquia and the Metrocable, typical lunch, artisanal ice cream, hydration and a local guide in Comuna 13.

Important: the Museo de Antioquia is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Day 3 · Peñol and Guatapé

Start time: 8 AM · Duration: 8 hours

Antioquia's main attraction is the Peñol Rock, a 220-meter monolith with 700 steps you can climb for the breathtaking views. From the top of the rock to the colorful cobblestone streets of Guatapé, you'll have plenty of chances for great photos.

Places to visit:

• The Peñol Rock
• Shared boat ride
• The replica of the old town of Peñol
• Guatapé

Includes: bilingual guide (English–Spanish), medical assistance, private transportation, hydration, entrance to the rock, shared boat ride and a traditional lunch in Guatapé.

Important: the climb is not recommended for people with reduced mobility or respiratory problems, older adults or children under 5. The drive to Peñol takes about 2 hours.

Day 4 · Departure from Medellín, arrival in Pereira

Start time: according to your flight schedule

Our driver will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby to take you to José María Córdova International Airport. When you land in Pereira, a driver will be waiting at Matecaña International Airport with a sign with your names to take you to your hotel.

Day 5 · Charm of the Andes: Salento and Filandia

Start time: 8 AM · Duration: 8 hours

The Coffee Cultural Landscape is as rich as its contrasts are endless, and this experience proves it. In the morning we walk beneath the tallest wax palms on the planet in the Cocora Valley, climbing into the mountains to discover the mysterious cloud forests. On this trip, the authentic and unique architecture of the villages takes center stage.

We visit Salento to see up close its architecture and the shapes and bright colors of the houses on its main street, up to the town's viewpoint. After a traditional lunch we head to Filandia, where we walk its main streets past houses built with bahareque (a traditional building technique), visit natural viewpoints and the "Del bejuco al canasto" (From Vine to Basket) interpretation center, to learn about the craft of natural fibers behind the region's traditional basket weaving. We finish with a transfer back to the starting point.

Includes: transportation, guide, meals (lunch and hydration) and medical assistance.

Important: services not specified in the plan are not included.

Day 6 · Coffee master experience

Start time: 9 AM · Duration: 4 hours

Just minutes from Pereira, you'll visit a coffee farm whose owners share their passion for growing, roasting and brewing the world's best coffee. With a coffee master, you'll walk through the plantation and learn every step of the process. Different flavors and preparations come along the way, awakening your senses, until you reach the roasting station, where a master roaster shows you how to find the right roast to bring out the best flavors and qualities of Colombian coffee. You'll also learn the brewing methods that turn a cup of coffee into an unforgettable experience.

Includes: transportation, guide, hydration, a cup of coffee and medical assistance.

Important: services not specified in the plan are not included.

Day 7 · Departure from Pereira

Start time: according to your flight schedule

Transfer from the hotel to Matecaña International Airport. Our driver will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby to take you to the vehicle. This is the end of our services.

• Medellín: Hotel Dix
• Pereira: Sonesta Hotel

Accommodation is not included in the package rate. If you need it, you can add it when booking.

Cancellation

• If you cancel, the initial 50% payment is subject to a 10% administrative fee, plus any other administrative costs of the cancellation.
• 30 days before the start of services: 20% penalty.
• Up to 15 days before the start of services: 50% penalty.
• Less than 5 days before the service: 100% penalty (non-refundable).

Flight changes and airport transfers

• Any flight change must be reported at least 3 hours before the scheduled service.
• Waiting time at the airport is 1 hour (unless flight changes were reported in advance). After that, additional waiting hours are charged.
• If a change of flight time or flight number is reported only 1 hour in advance, the waiting time will be charged, or the service will be considered a no-show and a new one will have to be scheduled.
• After 2 hours of waiting with no prior notice, the service is considered a no-show.

Payment methods

• Bank transfer to Colombia Travel Operator's Bancolombia account. We'll send you the bank details individually. Please email us the proof of payment.
• Credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Diners. Credit card payments carry a 5% surcharge on our listed rates and are charged in US dollars only. We'll send you the authorization form individually. Ask Colombia Travel Operator for the amount in dollars.
• PayPal: payments carry a 5% surcharge on our listed rates. We'll send a payment request to the email of your PayPal account. Ask Colombia Travel Operator for the amount in dollars.
• International bank transfer: you pay the transfer fee directly to your bank (it varies by bank and country); it is not included in our rates. This method can take up to 5 business days to be reflected. Please email us the proof of transfer.

Rates

• Our rates do not include international or domestic airline tickets.
• Airport–hotel transfers between 9 PM and 5 AM carry an additional night surcharge.
• For Colombian nationals, 19% VAT must be added.
• Accommodation rates apply to the low season. If you'd like a higher hotel category, contact us.
• If you buy flights, accommodation or any other activity on your own, any issue or unforeseen event related to those services is beyond Colombia Travel Operator's responsibility, and we are not liable for it.