Colombia produces some of the best coffee in the world. On this 7-day exclusive tour of Colombia, you will travel to the heart of coffee cultivation hidden in the gorgeous mountains of the Antioquia region. You will discover how master roasters produce the distinctive flavors of different blends. Then, indulge yourself in the seductive aromas that swirl around you during a private tasting. Explore a 100 percent organic farm and...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Medellin – Arrive in the Bustling Capital of Antioquia with a Day at Leisure
Colombia has shed its former reputation to reveal a stunning blend of cultural heritage, vibrant daily life, and one of the world’s most ecologically diverse countries. The state’s capital of Medellin has a cosmopolitan ambiance with the charms of an eternal spring spread across the hills. The streets maintain urban sophistication as they wind around the undulating valley beneath crisscrossing gondolas and a skyline of natural peaks and high-rises located at 4,900 feet above sea level.
There is an endless movement of commerce and industry in a city that promotes chic restaurants, stylized hotels, and a welcoming culture. Your private transfer will greet you at Jose Maria Cordova International Airport and escort you to a luxurious hotel, which overlooks the city’s dynamic center. The valley in which Medellin stands provides an endlessly mild year-round climate, giving rise to its nickname, the Endless Spring. You will find the aroma of arepas emanates from a small grill near the door of a café. The chef tops the grilled maize dough with a pineapple sauce full of sweet and savory flavors.
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the city at your preferred pace. You will notice the paragliders circle the sky over the towering buildings like one of the endemic birds of the jungle and the lush mountains frame the city with jade canopies.
One point of interest is La Comuna 13, formerly one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city. It has transformed as it is now a focal point that clings to the mountainside above San Javier metro station. The escaleras electricas, open-air escalators, connect the city center to the formerly isolated neighborhood. You will admire the escalators, which have become artwork decorated with murals and graffiti that lead to a boardwalk with panoramic views of the vibrant streets below. The best way to experience the La Comuna 13 is with a local guide who can demonstrate the significance of the neighborhood’s transformation and the importance of connecting the people to the greater city.
What's Included:
Day 2
San Cayetano – Find the Origin of Colombian Coffee Touring San Cayetano
Day 3
Jerico – See a Colombian Saint, Tour a Coffee Laboratory, Enjoy the Views
Day 4
Roldan – Visit Ciudad Bolivar and Experience Celebrated Roldan Coffee
Day 5
Coconda – Enjoy a 4WD Tour in the Forest and an Organic Coffee Tour
Day 6
Medellin – Trek the Stunning Biodiversity before Transferring to Medellin
Day 7
Medellin – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Bask in the stunning flavors and aromas of different styles of coffee produced in the lush fields of Santa Elena at a famous café and coffee laboratory
- Discover a newfound passion for coffee and the focus needed to produce 100 percent organic quality coffee from seed to cup at a Cocondo plantation
- Trek through the forest in search of Colombia’s fascinating biodiversity and indulge in the naturally sweet fruits dangling from the trees
- Delight in a coffee tasting tour that teaches you the different ways to cultivate and properly sample coffee to find the flavors, aromas, and best quality
- Learn about the overall process of making coffee on a private plantation before you meet with coffee pickers who welcome you into their community
- Sample an organic coffee ground-and-coconut exfoliant before washing it away in a natural spring
Detailed Description
Your ultimate coffee tour of Colombia explores the distinct connection between the biodiversity of the Andes Mountains and cultivating coffee by sustainable practices that support the environment and local communities. Delve deep into the coffee growing experience in Colombia. You will follow the movement of the cherished drink as it travels from seed to cup. You also learn how coffee has affected the different farming communities across the Antioquia, home to the famed city of Medellin. The revelatory journey begins with your arrival at the international airport in Medellin, where your private transfer greets you at customs and escorts you to a gorgeous hotel in view of the city’s bustling streets and magnificent mountains. Enjoy the unique city at your leisure. You can traverse the Metrocable for panoramic views or stroll through the Plaza Botero to spend time with the works of the famous Colombian artist.
Venture into the mountains outside of Medellin to uncover the marvels of coffee and the specific type of climate needed to cultivate the various types of beans. San Cayetano began producing coffee over 120 years ago and hosts the roots of Colombia’s commercial coffee industry. You learn about proprietary blends, discover the delectable aromas, and relax in the luxuries of the property that overlooks the rolling peaks of the lush mountain range more than 3,000 feet above sea level. The town of Jerico contains a quiet charm as it is the home of Colombia’s only canonized saint. The tranquil and beautiful ambiance represents the idyllic villages of the region. Outside of Jerico stands a fascinating café and laboratory that roasts the beans for many of the plantations in the area. Take your time to find the specific aromas that emanate from the various varieties and learn how to taste the fabulous flavors of properly brewed coffee.
The future of coffee requires more than just flavor alone, which you discover in Roldan, a leader in research to improve Colombian coffee quality. Enjoy exclusive access to the farm as you learn about the local studies that focus on the environment and family farms that minimize soil use. You will also find coffee exudes the scent of mandarin oranges and tamarind. At Cocondo, you will uncover what it takes to produce quality coffee on a 100 percent organic farm, such as the reuse of coffee shells for natural fertilizer. You will relish a hike through the mountainous terrain, find an organic honey station, and sample a homemade coffee grounds and coconut facial scrub as you exfoliate your skin at a natural spring.
Starting Price
$4,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.96 stars based on 69 reviews.
It was a great experience! From the initial contact until the last minute, when our tour guide left us at the airport, it was a wonderful team.
Colombia's beauty took us by surprise! But the team of professionals that took care of us the whole time surpassed our expectations due to their kindness, knowledge, and attention to detail. Their punctuality was impressive every single day. The hotels and restaurants they recommended were impeccable!
This was our first family vacation with Zicasso. My teenagers were very happy and this was the second time for my husband and me. And for sure, there will be a third time with Zicasso!
Reviewed By jermania E.
Zicasso's travel agency is absolutely phenomenal! They carefully chose unique and private experiences that were off the grid. We were welcomed into the homes of locals who owned cocoa, coffee, and flower farms. An unforgettable trip, 180 degrees from more commercially available tour options. Thank you!
Reviewed By Robin L.
Our trip to Colombia was our third travel experience arranged via Zicasso. As was the case with our previous two trips, this one was managed nearly flawlessly from start to finish with the kind of attentive customer care we have become accustomed to with Zicasso and their partners.
The agent from our travel company went above and beyond in assisting us with all our planning, providing insights and recommendations only someone who has experienced Colombia fully can provide. She was very patient in helping us make adjustments to arrive at the perfect itinerary and then remaining in constant contact to ensure every minor detail was handled perfectly throughout our journey.
Our drivers and tour guides made sure we were greeted and escorted through each destination, from Medellín to Bogotá to Cartagena and our final destination on Isla Barú. While many friends expressed concern over our safety in Colombia, I can say we did not feel unsafe for a moment. The Colombia of today is no longer one riddled with crime and drugs, but rich in culture and charm.
We greatly enjoyed the thriving art scene of Comuna 13 and the nightlife of Medellín. Our hotel made us feel like we were in the middle of the rainforest, while just steps away from the bustle and excitement of the Poblado district. Our visit to a wonderful coffee plantation provided a full education on every step of the coffee-making process, from the berries on the tree all the way to a delicious cup, delivering a new appreciation for black coffee. I may only drink Colombian from now on.
Bogotá proved to be a modern city with an incredible food scene. Our agent arranged an amazing gastronomical tour for us one evening that catered to our dietary needs. We attended an amazing wedding on top of an old portside fort in Cartagena and enjoyed the charm of the old walled city before relaxing on a pristine beach off the coast, then heading home to tell everyone to hurry down to see all Colombia has to offer.
I can only say, Zicasso is the only way to plan your travel, whether alone or with a small group. For those considering Colombia, our in-country travel company carries my strongest endorsement.
Reviewed By Joe L.
Zicasso’s tour company did a wonderful job. They provided a terrific and fun itinerary, and when some of our group wanted something different, they were very flexible in providing arrangements for them. I would highly recommend them.
Reviewed By David M.
The trip was excellent!! Zicasso’s travel agents were very professional and always available and accommodating.
Reviewed By Peter C.
We can't say enough good things about Zicasso's trip planners.
Reviewed By Robert Z.