Discover Colombia!

Cali, Coffee & Cartagena

Trip Summary

This extraordinary journey to Colombia, provides an excellent overview of this country just to the south of Central America. It is where South America begins! With its vast mountain chains that run North/South and its fertile green valleys, you will see how this combination of latitude and altitude make it one of the world’s coffee growing centers. Everyone has heard of Juan Valdez! In fact, on our last journey there, I think we found him! In addition to exploring the coffee region to learn of the production of this essential drink, we will explore the fascinating world of Cali, where salsa dancing reins supreme. Salsa is a way of life here; where boys meet girls, where at risk youth learn to excel, where tourists from all over the world come in fascination to see the amazingly rapid steps employed in this dance rhythm. Finally, we will visit the pearl of the Caribbean, the walled city of Cartagena. We will amble the streets and neighborhoods to learn of its colonial past. We will enjoy regional cuisine & visit its Gold Museum. Discover Colombia; the enchanting, vibrant country and its people!.

Highlights

Touring the Colonial city, Cartagena, to learn about life here in the Colonial Period. We visit some of Cartagena’s oldest neighborhoods.
Visiting the stunning Gold Museums in Cartagena & Cali to learn about the early ances- tors, prior to the arrival of the Spaniards.
Enjoying the music, dance and cuisine of the Caribbean Coast.
Traveling to Cali to tour the capital of the Valle de Cauca region. We visit highlight s of this city and learn why salsa dancing is a way of life here.
Visiting Colombia’s Coffee Growing region in cities such as Pereira and Armenia to learn of the growing conditions required for the best cup of coffee. Of course, the roasting method is also important!
Learning about Colombia’s ge- ography and topography and how this landscape has created many diverse regions. We will visit three of these important regions!.

Trip includes:

Accommodations
Expert Guides and/or Academics
Comfortable / Secure Transportation
Welcome and Farewell Dinners
Breakfasts
Meals according to itinerary
Water on Van/Coach
Airport Transfers
Entry Fees

colombia

coco
artesanias

Itinerary at a Glance

This trip covers three important regions of Colombia: Cali, Pereira/Quindo/Armenia, Coffee Region, Cartagena

(3 nights in Cali, 2 nights in Coffee Country, 3 nights in Cartagena)

Day 1 Cali: Arrive Cali, Transfer to our quaint hotel in a charming Cali neighborhood, San Antonio. We enjoy a welcome dinner at a favorite Cali restaurant, El Pacifico to savor their delicious cuisine from the Pacific Coast, which is nearby! Note: it tastes like Thai food, with coconut milk used in many of its dishes!.

Day 2: Cali City Tour & Museums, Salsa Dancing in the Evening! Today we enjoy a city walking tour to visit the highlights of this city: the Historic Center, San Antonio Neighborhood and their fabulous Gold Museum. We go salsa dancing at night!.

Day 3: Visit to Sugar Plantation Museum, with a lunch in the countryside to enjoy regional cuisine. Evening of Salsa Dancing. Today we learn about the former sugar plantation culture and economy by visiting a sugar plantation / museum on the outskirts of Cali. We enjoy regional dancers and cuisine!

Day 4: Transfer to Pereira (by land). Our first stop in the Coffee Region is at Hacienda San Antonio where we receive our introduction to Coffee growing in Colombia. We learn to taste the various notes in the coffee to see which ones we like the best! We overnight in Pereira at the lovely, Hotel Zazagua

Day 5: Coffee Region Immersion / Day Visits in the Coffee Region to visit different plantations and coffee growing villages in the region. This is one of Colombia’s most scenic regions. The lush, green mountains are breathtaking.

Day 6: Transfer to Cartagena, City tour Cartagena, Welcome Dinner at Club de Pesca. Today, we transfer by air to the Caribbean town of Cartagena, a walled city that was very important during the Spanish colonization. We will enjoy a city walking tour to learn more about the history of the city and to visit some of its lively neighbor- hoods. We enjoy a welcome dinner, overlooking the Bay at the famed, Club de Pesca.

Day 7: Islas del Rosario, Night Time Chiva Bus Tour. Today we don our bathing suits & hats and head to the white sandy beaches, just a :45 minute boat ride away from Cartagena. Here, we will swim, bird watch and enjoy lunch before returning to Cartagena. We rest up for our Night Time Chiva Bus Tour, where we will board our fun party / tour bus to see what this city looks like at night. We enjoy dinner at a favorite local eatery, to savor regional cuisine.

Day 8: Free day to Explore Cartagena, Farewell Dinner. Today is at leisure to further stroll the streets and alleys of Cartagena or to visit one of its many museums, including the fabulous Gold Museum, the Naval Museum or the Museum of Contemporary Art. We enjoy a farewell dinner tonight.

Day Nine: Transfer out