ColombiaJourneys: Explore Colombia
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included. Modern Bogotá offers visitors a wide variety of activities combined with the picturesque beauty of its cultural and architectural past. Colonial churches and pre-Columbian art contrast with the futuristic high-rise buildings of a busy metropolis. If you arrive early, take a walk around some of the interesting neighbourhoods including La Candelaria, La Macarena, Parque de la 93, La Zona T, La Zona Rosa (bars and restaurants), La Zona G (international cuisine), or visit the Monserrate Santuary and enjoy great views of the city.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your Expedition Leader will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Optional Activities - Day 1Show
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
GHL Collection 93
Catch a flight to Armenia, one of Colombia’s coffee capitals. Head to a small, family-run coffee farm in nearby Montenegro, and meet with a coffee expert to learn about the different stages of coffee production, from bean to cup. Continue on to a traditional hacienda on a working coffee farm, where we’ll spend two nights.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hacienda Stay
Spend the night in a traditional hacienda (Spanish for "estate") and coffee farm and get a closer look at life in Colombia’s beautiful coffee region.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Colombian Coffee Farm Visit
Immerse yourself into coffee culture with a visit to a family-run working coffee farm. Spend the afternoon with a coffee expert learning the processes of plant growth, reproduction, harvest, post harvest, and drying. This hands-on experience allows us insight into why Colombian coffee is considered some of the best in the world.
Accommodation
Hacienda La Combia
Set out on a full-day excursion to Salento, a charming coffee-growing town set amid verdant mountains, and venture to the nearby Cocora Valley for a hike. This breathtaking protected landscape harbours groves of gigantic wax palm, Colombia’s national tree and the tallest type of palm in the world. Later, during an immersive coffee tasting, sip espresso and watch a demonstration of latte art by a local barista. Then enjoy free time to explore Salento, strolling its quaint streets and browsing the local craft stalls.
Salento and Cocora Valley Excursion
Visit Salento, a charming town typical to Colombia’s coffee region, and enjoy hiking the beautiful landscape of the Cocora Valley. Spend the rest of your visit strolling the quaint streets of Salento—this is a great place to appreciate traditional architecture and shop for gifts.
Your Foodie Moment: Colombian Coffee Immersion and Tasting
Continue our coffee immersion with a visit to a speciality coffee shop. Here we embark on a sensory exercise to understand the difference between high quality coffees and commercial coffees, an espresso tasting and the correct preparation of a milk-based coffee where the barista demonstrates the proper art of the latte. This hands-on experience allows us to understand why Colombian coffee is considered some of the best in the world and better understand the part it plays in the culture of this region. And finally, a tasting of the various brews will round out our day.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time to explore the town.
Hacienda Stay
Spend the night in a traditional hacienda (Spanish for "estate") and coffee farm and get a closer look at life in Colombia’s beautiful coffee region.
Accommodation
Hacienda La Combia
This morning, fly to Medellín. Surrounded by lush hills and fragrant flower farms, this thriving city is currently in the midst of a resurgence. Settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Accommodation
Ecohub Hotel
Alongside a local guide, embark on an eye-opening tour of Comuna 13—formerly one of Colombia’s most dangerous neighbourhoods. Ride on the cable cars and outdoor escalators that span the sprawling hillside, and learn how public transport and art and music programs have transformed the area into a peaceful, vibrant community. Afterward, opt for a historical tour of Medellín, visit some of the city’s museums, or go shopping.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Medellín Community Walk
Discover another side of Medellín as you travel on the city’s innovative transportation system and head to Comuna 13 – a community transformed. Once controlled by the cartels, this community is a shining example of Colombia's progress in overcoming its notorious past. Meet a local guide and begin the journey upward with a ride on the city’s unique public cable cars. Head farther up the hillside to the outdoor electric escalators that serve Comuna 13. The extensive escalator system has renewed the impoverished district, which clings to a steep hillside, and provided much relief to residents whose daily commutes have become safer and faster. Arrive at the top to explore this welcoming and safe urban neighbourhood and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Free Time
Free time to explore the city or set out on an optional excursion.
Optional Activities - Day 5Show
Accommodation
Ecohub Hotel
Enjoy a free day to continue exploring Medellín. Choose to visit nearby Guatapé, located on the shores of a scenic reservoir. Wander amid the town’s brightly decorated houses, and opt to climb a steep flight of stairs to the summit of El Peñol, a towering monolith that affords breathtaking views of the reservoir’s sparkling waters and lush green isles.
Free Time
Get out and explore this vibrant city!
Optional Activities - Day 6Show
Accommodation
Ecohub Hotel
Catch a flight to the fabled city of Cartagena, perched on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. In the afternoon go on an excursion to the nearby beach of La Boquilla and visit an arts workshop run by women who transform coconuts into jewellery, crafts, and other art. As we listen to their stories and learn their techniques, try your hand at creating a souvenir out of natural materials. Later, head to the Saborarte Restaurant for a hands-on cooking class. As we learn to make Caribbean and Colombian specialities, hear how the restaurant amplifies cooking traditions while working with household mothers and small market producers.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Coconut Workshop
The project DAMARTES (Damas y Madres del Arte – ‘Women and Mothers of Art’) is an association composed of mothers and grandmothers who in 2008, took part in a crafts workshop sponsored by the foundation ProBoquilla. They have now started their own social enterprise producing jewelry, vases, art and accessories out of coconuts. Meet these incredible women and join them in a Coconut Workshop located on the beach of La Boquilla.
Your G for Good Moment: Damartes Beachside Coconut Workshop & Social Enterprise Introduction
Since 2024, Planeterra and G Adventures have been supporting the association of DAMARTES (Damas y Madres del Arte – ‘Women and Mothers of Art’) to uplift their impact. Their work portrays an excellent example of how tourism can support gender equality and sustainability in direct and impactful ways. Learn more about the history of this organization and meet the incredible mothers and grandmothers who have worked hard to build their own social enterprise. Gather alongside the women on the beach of La Boquilla and learn how to create jewelry, vases, art, and other accessories from coconuts. Travel home with a unique souvenir and the knowledge that your presence here has made a difference and positive impact on the local community.
Your Foodie Moment: Colombian Caribbean Cooking Experience
Visit Saborarte Restaurant in the Getsemani area for a hands-on cooking class. Learn to make Caribbean–Colombian specialities with the experts, hear how the restaurant amplifies cooking traditions while working with household mothers and small market producers. After, enjoy your creations for dinner.
Accommodation
GHL Armeria Real Hotel
Enjoy a walking tour of Cartagena. Visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, discovering atmospheric plazas, soaring churches, and important historic landmarks. Spend the rest of the day on your own soaking up the tropical charm of Cartagena. Opt to visit Cartagena’s Gold Museum, showcasing intricate pre-Colombian ornaments and pottery, or choose to learn the basics of Colombian salsa, known as Cali style, during a private lesson with two local dancers.
Cartagena City Tour
Learn more about Cartagena’s history from a bilingual guide on a tour of this lively city. Travel between sights by private transport and visit the clock tower, Plaza Bolivar, and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. Take in sweeping views of the city from the hilltop Convento De La Popa and enjoy a walking tour from San Pedro Claver Church to Santo Domingo Church.
Free Time
Get out and explore this tropical city.
Optional Activities - Day 8Show
Accommodation
GHL Armeria Real Hotel
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leaders can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
