Colombian Coffee Region My Way - 3 days with experiential ADD-ON touring options

The coffee region for many people is the heart and soul of Colombia, its cultural epicentre. With every turn, a spectacular panorama changes your perspective, from the rolling hillsides of fertile coffee plantations to plunging valleys and bold elevations. Campesino or rural life continues as it has done for centuries harvesting coffee, plantains (a type of Banana) and many other fruits in this lush and fertile land. A visit to the Coffee region permits you to experience the tranquillity of the region. It also offers the opportunity for adventure or for friendly encounters with locals going about their daily lives. Staying in one of the many fincas or haciendas provides an opportunity to get a feel for the areas ambience and harmony and a great place to rest after a day exploring.

Three departments make up the “Triángulo Del Café”. They run in a North to South line following the Central Andean Cordillera. Caldas is the most northerly of the departments, then heading south to Risaralda and in turn Quindío. All three are flanked by the snow capped peaks of the Parque Natural los Nevados to the east. The climate is reflected by the extremes in altitude, from the harsh temperatures and savage beauty of the surrounding mountains at 5000 m.a.s.l, to the sultriness of the Rio Cauca. The Rio Cauca is the largest watercourse in the region and the second most important in Colombia. The river begins from its source in the department of Cauca to its mergence with the Rio Brazo and then onto its connection with the Rio Magdalena further north. As the name suggests the coffee region is the home to the famous Colombian coffee but there is far more on offer in this amazing part of the country. 

TRIP SUMMARY:

• Daily Departure
• Duration: 3 day experience
• Tour focus: Experience the heart and Soul of Colombian culture and gain insights into rural life. 
• Group Size: Min 2

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• Accommodation: 2 nights in beautiful Hacienda Sazagua. Sazagua is set in the countryside just outside of Pereira. There is a wonderful relaxing feel in the grounds and a culmination of the spa, pool, beautiful garden makes for a very relaxing stay in a well thought out and presented hotel. The culinary delights of the restaurant are excellent, combined with exceptional table service. This is a great boutique hotel option combining comfort and elegance in great surroundings. 
• Transfers
• 2 breakfasts
• Half Day tour premium coffee experience

MAKE THIS JOURNEY YOUR OWN; ADD-ON THE FOLLOWING TOURING OPTIONS:

• Art Architecture Culture and History Experience - Tour of Filandia, Salento and Cocoa Valley (full day)
• Epicurean Experience - Private Cooking Class & visit to Trapiche (full day)
• Wilderness and Wildlife  Experience - Private Tour of  Botanic Gardens.(half day)
  
• Private Limousine Transfer -  Medellin to the Coffee Region (Pereira) - 2  People (estimated 4.5 hours)
• Extra Nights Accommodation (pp twin share)

ITINERARY:    
Day 1: Welcome at the airport and transfer to the selected boutique hotel. Coffee makes this region tick; it’s the heart and soul of the region and its culture. This journey will take you through some stunning scenery, carpeted rolling hills of lush green coffee, plantain and yucca. Before you even arrive you will have been part of the tapestry of this enchanting region. As campesinos (local rural workers) pass by on their way to work in the fields, and children walk to school or wait for the morning bus, you can start to imagine how life is for these rural Colombian populations. Today is time to see the plant that keeps the world energised up close and personal. With a tour of one of the regions coffee plantations we see the whole process from seedling to coffee cup and every part in between. We learn about the trials and tribulations that face the regions coffee growers and how their whole way of life is affected by this simple bean. From the planting to the picking to the toasting and the tasting your life as a coffee drinker will never be the same, once you have tasted the elixir of life from Colombia. 

Day 2: Enjoy breakfast then enjoy the coffee region 'your way' with a wide range of unique, experiential day journeys to choose from matched to your own personal interest and preference.  All you need to do is choose from the list of extra activities offered when booking your journey. 

Day 3 - Following breakfast transfer to your point of departure and continue your journey.