MARVELS OF THE ANDEAN MOUNTAINS TOUR AROUND MEDELLIN - COLOMBIA 7 DAYS – 6 NIGHTS

Day 1 Full day City tour Medellin – the Transformation of Medellin 

Medellin advanced from one of the most violent cities in the World in the 80’s and 90’s to one of the the most modern and vibrant metropolitan areas in Latin America.

This experience will illustrate this transformation and provide insights of life, history and important attractions of this dynamic city. By private bus and using public transportation, we will visit the Comuna 13.

Guided by a local hip hop artist we will learn about the amazing transformation of this neighborhood from a place of violence to a showcase of change for a better present and future through the processing of the past, collaboration in the community and the involvement of young people in the art of hip hop (breakdance, DJ, freestyle, graffiti).

We will then visit the bustling street life of the historic center with the voluminous statues created by the world famous artist Fernando Botero. How about a visit to Medellin's largest fruit market?

Overnight stay at hotel Medellin in Standard room with breakfast

Included: Accommodation, breakfast, private transport, visit to Comuna 13 with local guide, visit to city center and fruit market, Comuna 13 ice cream, Bilingual guide, local insurance for activities  

Day 2 TRIP TO WESTERN MOUNTAIN RANGE – FLOWER TRAIL HIKING

Difficulty hike on a scale of 1-5: 2,5

Distance: 6 km (3,7 miles) Duration: about 3 hours

Today we have to leave early, because we have a 4 hour drive to the western mountains ahead of us. Our journey to the village of Tamesis will take us along different climatic zones between 600 and 2,400 m.a.s.l. (1969 and 7874 fasl) with impressive mountains full of lush vegetation and spectacular views from the central to the western mountain range. We arrive at early noon at our hotel El Mirador in Tamesis and after an introduction we start our exploration.

After a glimpse of village life and a typical local lunch, we will hike along the Flower Route and surround ourselves with the colors of a diverse flora during a hike through the countryside of the municipality of Tamesis. On a walking route of about 6 km (3,7 miles) we can enjoy a variety of farms, the coffee culture of the region and the magnificent views of the Cartama Valley. We hike through coffee plantations and cross a suspension bridge over the Rio Frio.

We visit the La Peña mineral water bottling plant and the municipality's power plant, which shows us the region's enormous abundance of water.

Late afternoon we return to to Támesis and enjoy dinner.

Rest of the time at your free disposal.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Tamesis in standard room with breakfast

Included: Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, hike, visit mineral water plant, private transport back to the village, local and bilingual guide, local insurance for activities.

Day 3 Full day visit Coffee Farm and Coffee process

Duration of activity: 6 - 7 hours

After breakfast we take a 4x4 jeep (up to 7 participants) or a traditional Colombian country bus called Escalera o Chiva (ladder or goat in German, from 8 participants). During a picturesque one hour drive through the mountains we reach a traditional family coffee farm at 1900 m.a.s.l. (6234 fasl).

During a guided tour through the coffee fields we will learn about a variety of different types of Arabica and learn about the cultivation methods of quality coffee. We will also be introduced to the different processes from picking to the cup of coffee. In addition to enjoying the delicious coffee of the region, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery in a farm environment. A typical lunch with home grown ingredients at the coffee farm will complete this authentic experience.

We leave the farm again in the afternoon by jeep or Chiva bus and enjoy the rest of the evening at our hotel or in the village.

Overnight stay at hotel in Tamesis with breakfast

Included: Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, transportation for groups in Chiva bus, small groups in 4x4 jeep, visit to coffee farm and coffee process, local and bilingual guide, local insurance for activities. 

Day 4: Cocoa process and petroglyph stone drawing

Duration visit cocoa farm: 5 hours
Duration petroglyph tour: 2-3 hours

After a half-hour drive in jeep or chiva, we meet in the village of San Isidro a traditional farming family dedicated to the cultivation and processing of the cacao plant "cacauatl", as it was originally called by the indigenous communities. The farm is located at 1000 m.a.s.l. (3280 fasl), a warm climate needed for cultivation.

These people still preserve many traditional practices for sowing, with 100% organic practices, resulting in a very clean fruit for later processing and obtaining products for consumption. During this unique experience we will be able to visit the cacao plantations in a participative and informative way. We will also learn about the process from the cultivation of the cacao seeds, through harvesting and drying, to roasting and processing into the extraordinary chocolate drink "Xocolatl".

After lunch at the cacao farm, we will start exploring the ancient stone drawings in the surrounding region. This is one of the most interesting archaeological activities, as it is one of the richest areas in the region in terms of rock art. A petroglyph is an image created by removing part of the rock surface by cutting, scoring, carving, or grinding. We learn about the expressions of thought, culture, and social organization of prehispanic cultures such as the Quimbaya and Cartama. In this magical journey through ancestral times, we will look at different rock carvings (anthropomorphic geometric figures, anthropomorphic, phytomorphic, among others) and perform the interpretation and meaning of some of them.

Overnight stay at hotel in Tamesis with breakfast

Included: Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, private transportation, visit to cacao plantations, chocolate making and tasting, snack (chocolate with baked goods and farmers cheese), hike and visit to petroglyphs of different cultures, local and bilingual guide, local insurance for activities.

Day 5 We visit the town of Jericó, cradle of the Carriel bag

After breakfast, we will drive approx. 2 hours to the village of Jericó (1910 m.a.s.l. - 3280 fasl). The municipality of Jericó is famous for its beautiful colonial architecture and religious art. Here you can find the birthplace of Saint Laura Montoya, the Museum of Religious Art and 16 chapels, some of which are considered real gems. The village square, considered one of the most beautiful in Antioquia, preserves colonial architecture that testifies to the best years of the coffee culture.

During the guided tour of the village, we will get to know a family business that produces the traditional Carriel leather bags.
After a delicious lunch, we return to Medellin in the afternoon.

Overnight stay at our hotel in Medellin with breakfast

Included: Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, private transportation, guided tour of Jerico village, bilingual guide, local insurance for activities.

Day 6 Tour Guatape – El Peñol Rock 

After breakfast, we will take our private bus to the Peñol Rock (Height 220 meters - 721 feet), located at an altitude of 2135 m.a.s.l. - 7004 fasl.
meters. Those who wish can climb the 704 steps (entrance fee not included), from where you may enjoy a spectacular view over the 74 km2 reservoir, dotted with many islands.Those who prefer to stay below can enjoy the view from the parking lot and stroll through the numerous restaurants and souvenir stores. After this visit we take our bus and in only 10 minutes we reach the colorful colonial village of Guatape, located right on the lake shore. Guatape is famous for the numerous zocalos, painted figures and shapes made of cement at the base of the houses.
We enjoy a tour and delicious lunch (not included) in the village. A half-hour boat ride to Pablo Escobar's Hacienda Manuela at the beginning or end of our tour completes the day.
Transfer back to Medellin or to the airport.

Included: Accommodation, breakfast, private transportation, boat tour to Pablo Escobar's Hacienda Manuela, visit to Peñol Rock and tour of Guatape village, transfer to airport, bilingual guide, local insurance for activities.

- End of the trip -