Medellín and Coffee Region

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Colombia! Please be ready to meet in the lobby at 6:30pm for a brief orientation before departing for your welcome dinner. The exact dinner reservation time will be confirmed closer to your trip date. If you are arriving today, we recommend flying into José María Córdova International Airport (MDE).

Good morning to your first day in Medellín! After breakfast, you’ll set out on a guided tour of the city. Explore how Medellín has evolved from a troubled history into a dynamic hub of innovation and progress. After your tour, you’ll have a the afternoon at your leisure to enjoy lunch and explore on your own.

• Medellín City Transformation Tour

  Twenty years ago, Medellín was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. In the early 1990s, during the pursuit of Pablo Escobar, the head of the Medellín drug cartel, the city was at its peak of violence. However, the era of "El Patrón" eventually came to an end. Despite continued struggles over Escobar's successor until the early 2000s, Medellín began to undergo significant changes in 2002. Local politicians began investing heavily in infrastructure and public education. Today, the "City of Eternal Spring" stands as one of the most innovative metropolises globally. Led by a local guide, your tour will take you to visit the famous comuna 13 and Botero Square. You will walk approximately 2 miles in total with additional use of public (metro).

  09:00· 240 min

Today, you will travel from Medellín to Armenia by private ground transfer. Enjoy this scenic drive up into the highlands of Colombia’s coffee region. Along the way, you’ll stop for a special visit to La Romelia Orchid farm, a unique countryside farm known for housing one of the most impressive orchid collections in Colombia. You’ll enjoy lunch at the farm before continuing onward to your hotel in Armenia. Then get settled in, and enjoy an included dinner at the hotel. For the long drive today, car sickness medication may be recommended.

• Orchid Farm Visit

  Your first official stop on your way to Armenia will be at La Romelia, Orchid Farm. During your time at La Romelia, you'll enjoy a guided tour of the property, learning about the cultivation and conservation of orchids, as well as the rich biodiversity of the region. This visit offers a peaceful immersion in nature and a chance to see firsthand the beauty and ecological importance of Colombia’s native flora. After the tour, a traditional Colombian lunch will be served at the farm.

  11:00· 150 min
• Transfer · Medellín → Armenia

  Take a private transfer from Medellín to Armenia. After the initial 4 hours into the picturesque highlands, you will stop to stretch your legs and tour an impressive orchid farm before enjoying lunch at the farm. Finally, you’ll transfer another 2 hours to Armenia. Expect to arrive in Armenia around 5:30pm. Additional stops for bathrooms will be made along the way as needed.

  420 min

Today you’re off to the Cocora Valley, known for its massive wax palm trees. After breakfast you’ll transfer to Salento before jumping in Jeep Willys to head up into the mountains. Enjoy a scenic hike and the lush greenery before you return to Salento for lunch. After lunch you’ll try your hand at Tejo, Colombia’s national sport. Finally, return to your hotel, with the evening at your leisure. For dinner, you will be taken to an area with restaurants to get dinner on your own. Today you’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, and bring water.

• Cocora Valley Tour and Hike

  Your tour will begin in the town Salento where you will hop in Jeep Willys off-roading for 25 minutes into the Cocora Valley. The Cocora Valley is known for the Wax Palm, Colombia's national tree, the tallest palms in the world (reaching up to 230 feet/70m). Upon arrival, you’ll embark on a hike through the beautiful landscape led by a local guide. Your hike will range between 1.5 - 3 miles with an elevation gain between 600 - 1000 feet. The whole hike will last between between 1-2 hours depending on the group’s ability. Your guide will tailor the hike based on the group’s comfort and abilities. The hike will include scenic viewpoints for photos, rest stops, and areas where you can purchase drinks or snacks. After your hike you’ll transfer back to Salento via Jeep Willys.

  09:30· 120 min
• Play Tejo - Colombia’s National Sport!

  After lunch, you will visit a local venue in Salento to learn how to play Tejo, Colombia’s national sport. The game consists of throwing a metal puck, called a tejo, toward a slanted clay board embedded with small, gunpowder-filled paper triangles known as mechas. When a tejo strikes a mecha, it produces a loud bang and a puff of smoke, earning extra points. Typically played in teams and often accompanied by drinks and snacks, it’s as much a social event as it is a competition—like horseshoes or bowling, but with the excitement of tiny fireworks. You’ll learn the rules and try your hand at this traditional game with the help of a local guide.

  15:00· 60 min· Salento
• Transfer · Armenia → Salento

  Take a private transfer to Salento.

  75 min
• Transfer · Salento → Armenia

  In the afternoon, take a transfer back to your hotel. In the evening a transfer will be provided to a local mall where you can get dinner on your own.

  75 min

After breakfast this morning, you’ll transfer to a family run coffee farm. Dive into their farming practices and learn about their story and how coffee plays an important role in it. Enjoy lunch on the farm before transferring back to the hotel. Dinner tonight will be at the hotel. Today you’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water.

• Coffee Farm Tour at Finca Casa Vieja

  Located in the town of Alcalá, in the heart of Colombia’s Coffee Cultural Landscape, Finca Casa Vieja has preserved the art of coffee growing for more than 90 years. The Botero family continues this tradition across generations, opening their doors to visitors who wish to discover and experience the authentic journey of coffee on a real working farm. This magical coffee experience highlights both tradition and innovation. Guided by a member of the Botero family, you will explore the farm and learn about every step of the coffee production chain: from planting the seed and observing different coffee varietals, to understanding the history of the bean. You will walk through the coffee fields, visit the processing area, and end by roasting the beans that will be freshly prepared into a delicious cup of coffee. Along the way, you will also learn about commercialization and preparation methods that make Colombian coffee world-renowned. You will finish the activity with a local lunch prepared by the family.

  09:30· 240 min· Alcalá, Quindio
• Transfer · Armenia → Alcalá

  Take a private transfer to the coffee farm.

  60 min
• Transfer · Calarca → Armenia

  After lunch you’ll return to Calarcá via the Jeep Willys, then transfer back to your hotel.

  60 min

Say goodbye to Colombia’s Coffee Region. After breakfast today, you will transfer to Armenia or Pereira (depending on your flight) to board a domestic flight back to Medellín. Upon your arrival, you’ll transfer to your hotel with some time at your leisure. This evening, you’ll join together as a group one last time to enjoy a final dinner.

• Transfer · Pereira → PEI

  You'll be transferred to either the El Edén International Airport (AXM) in Armenia or Aeropuerto Internacional Matecaña (PEI) in Pereira depending on your scheduled flight.

  private · 60 min
• Transfer · Matecaña Airport → JMC Airport

  Take a short one-hour flight to Medellín. Please note that your flight includes one carry on up to 22 lbs (10kg) and one checked bag up to 44 lbs (20kg).

  flight · 360 min
• Transfer from Medellin

  Upon your arrival in Medellín, take a 45 minute transfer to your hotel.

  private · 45 min

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of José María Córdova International Airport (MDE).