Day 1
Arrival at Bogota airport, private transfer to the hotel
Day 2
Today we have a private full day sightseeing tour of the historical part of Bogota. After breakfast, we will walk around the historical center of the city. This is a charming colonial area known as La Candelaria. Here we will visit the world famous gold museum, Bolivar Square, and take the cable car up to the Sanctuary of Montserrat at an altitude of 3152 m above sea level with a gorgeous view of the city. After that, you can visit the museum of the famous Colombian artist Botero.
Duration 6-7 hours.
Included meals: breakfast
Day 3
Early breakfast and departure from Bogota to the northern state of Boyaca. The road trip is very interesting, leaving the metropolitan life of the capital and inmersing into rural Colombia. There will be a stop at the national monument: Puente de Boyacá, where the last battle of independence took place. Then onto the town of Nobsa, known for its traditional handicraft industry, being the “Ruana” or “poncho” one of the main products and a symbol of the Andean culture.
This town also has one of the few wine productions in the country, which is more a curiosity than a wine tasting experience. After Nobsa, an hour trip to the town of Monguí, the day’s final destination.
Night in hotel.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Today we will visit the paramo of Ocetá, located in the vicinity of the village, and one of the best preserved and hidden jewels of the Paramo ecosystem in the country. After a good breakfast, there will be a short transfer in 4×4 vehicles to the trailhead. The trail follows a circular itinerary, which lasts about 5 hours including breaks. The trail will visit: El Pedrisco, Frailejones’ valley, Ocetá’s canyon, Stone town, La Laguna Negra’s viewpoint and the Penagos Waterfall.
At the end of the tour, the vehicle will take the group back to the village. There will be time to enjoy a short tour around town, to appreciate the architecture and learn about religious history, in this very well-preserved colonial town.
Night in hotel.
Activity duration: 5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic
Day 5
Early breakfast and departure to Bogota. On the way we will visit the legendary lake Guatavita. Let's walk around the edge, studying the Muisca legend of the "Eldorado" and discussing the greed of the former Conquerors. Next, we will head south to the Zipaquira Salt Cathedral. This is an underground illuminated church built in an ancient and huge working salt mine. Toward evening we have a reception in Bogota.
Included meals: breakfast
Day 6
Today we have a short local flight to Neiva. Meeting with the guide and drive to Villa Vieja. Check in to hotel and some relax before heading into the Tatacoa desert. Explore the desert with stops at different sites of interest. In case of clear skies, we will also visit the astronomic observatory. Return to Villa Vieja in the evening.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Immediately after an early breakfast drive to San Agustin. Its a 5 h long drive that takes us through beautiful natural sceneries. Arrival to the country side hotel in the afternoon.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8
After breakfast private excursion to the archeological park of San Agustín and the surroundings. We will start with the visit to the San Agustín Park. This is one of the most important archeological sites of Colombia with many huge stone figures of a civilization that already disappeared when Europeans arrived to America. In the afternoon we will continue exploring by visiting Alto de los Idolos and Alto de las Piedras. Return to the hotel by the end of the day.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9
We will continue the journey to Popayán. The city is right in the middle of the rolling green hills of the Valle de Cauca. Popayan is also known as the “White City” due to the elegant whitewashed colonial buildings. The spirit of the city is centered around the bustling university life. At arrival check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, we will do a short city tour visiting all the major sights of the old city including beautiful churches (Iglesia San Francisco and Iglesia La Ermita)
and visits to the old colonial mansion, Casa Mosquera, where Colombia’s liberator Simón Bolívar once stayed. Finally we will end the day with an ascent to the peak of El Morro del Tulcán to enjoy the view over the city.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10
Early departure from Popayan towards Salento. Arrival in the afternoon to hotel in the outskirts of Salento located in a stunning setting in a convenient distance to the town.
Afternoon free to enjoy the settings.
- Optional visit to SILVIA MARKED: If you are lucky to be here a Tuesday, we will make a visit to the Silvia Marked. This is a very authentic market, mainly staffed by the indigenous Guambiano Indians, who live in the nearby areas and have largely maintained their traditional way of life. It is, by no means, touristy and its a great opportunity to learn more about the life style in the country site. Continue to journey to Salento. It is a relaxed, colorful village surrounded by green mountains, and is the gateway to the Cocora Valley.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11
Today we have a full day excursion to Cocora Valley. The guide will meet you in the morning and take you to a very interesting hike to the Cocora Valley. During this private tour you will get familiar with Colombia’s National Tree, the wax palm (Ceroxylon Quindiuense). Its the biggest palm in the world with heights up to 60 meters. The wax palm was qualified by the Alexander Von Humbolt Institute as “endangered” as well as the yellow-eared parrots that only make their nests in these palms. The length and strength of the tour depends on the physical shape of the visitor and therefore the exact route will be determined together with the guide according to the interests. Whether you are a Nature enthusiast or not, this day is very likely going to be one of the most beautiful memories you will bring back home.
Box lunch is included.
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 12
Early morning transfer from Salento to the city of Pereira (2 h), located at the heart of the Coffee area. Before heading into the mountains, there will be a short stop in Pereira to buy some snacks and any last minute things,
that people might need. Then the drive takes about 2 hours by the margins of the Otun River, passing the rural areas of “La Florida” and “La Suiza”, until the head of trail known as “El Cedral” (2105 m). From this point, the group will follow a very nice trail with a moderate ascent rate for 2.5 – 3 h to “La Pastora” refuge, located in the cloud rain forrest, the place to spend the night.
Night in tent.
Ascent: 355 m / Highest altitude: 2460 m / Distance: 5,9 Km / Activity duration: 2,5-3 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 13
After breakfast the team will re take the trail from the day before. The trail goes through the cloud rain forest, starting very gently and slowly the steepness will increase, reaching the day’s goal “El Jordan” farm after a approx. 4 hours hike. This farm is located at an idyllic place between volcanic hills covered with dense vegetation and decorated with waterfalls of crystal clear water. This is one of the most beautiful days of the program, due to the changeable nature and weather.
Night in tent.
Ascent: 735 m / Highest altitude: 3195 m / Distance: 7,7 Km / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 14
Today’s hike continues up the same river valley, ascending as the landscape changes in to dramatic volcanic eroded terrain. After 2 hours, “El Bosque” crater valley opens up with its colorful crops and meadows surrounded with high basalt walls in a semi-circular shape. Here the group will take a short break to enjoy such scenery and grab a quick bite. The trail will keep on ascending by the valley, following a series of ridges that lead up to “El Mosquito “ lake. On the way, it is possible to get a first view of the distant volcanoes like: El Paramillo del Quindío and Nevado Santa Isabel. Once at the Mosquito Lake, the terrain will be much gentler until the Otun Lake’s drain. The Otun Lake is the biggest water mass in the national park and one of most beautiful too. From the drain, the hike will take about 35 min. to Otun’s camping spot (3933 m), which is located by the National Park’s huts. The rest of the day is to enjoy the place, walk by the lake’s shores and get lost in the extent gardens of Frailejones, an endemic plant from the northern Andes.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 738 m / Highest altitude: 3933 m / Distance: 9 Km / Activity duration: 5-6 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 15
Today’s itinerary can be done by one of the two trails that depart from the Otun Lake’s camping place. The guide will decide which trail to take according to the physical and weather conditions.
- By the Western lake’s trail: Morning hike back to the lake’s drain and then walk on a trail/dirt road that follows the Western margin of the lake up to the “La Asomadera” mountain pass (4139 m), the border between the states of Caldas and Risaralda and the best place to see the Otun lake, then following the same old road/trail descending along pasture fields, losing gently altitude until reaching the Northern park entrance known as Potosi, a few minutes later the final destination: “Campo Alegre” farm (3970 m). There will be a transport waiting to take the group down (3-4 h) to a coffee farm in the Manizales area. Night at coffee farm. Ascent: 206 m / Descend: 169 m / Highest altitude: 4139 m / Distance: 9,5 Km / Activity duration: 4-5 h
- By the Eastern lake’s trail: This trail follows the Eastern shore of the lake and ascents towards a higher point at the Asomadera ridge, passing through well-preserved native vegetation and scenic waterfalls. Once on the ridge (4237 m), the trail descends by a series of small lakes down to the lower Asonadera pass (4139 m), joining the Western trail, as described above, following an old road (only used bu the National Park authorities) down to the Northern park entrance known as Potosi and on to “Campo Alegre” farm (3970 m). There will be a transport waiting to take the group down (3-4 h) to a coffee farm in the Manizales area. This trail is more demanding than the other one, in time and physical effort, not that much in distance. Night at coffee farm. Ascent: 304 m / Descend: 267 m / Highest altitude: 4237 m / Distance: 10,5 Km / Activity duration: 5-6 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 16
Relaxing morning at the beautiful Hacienda Venecia, an authentic coffee farm with exclusive coffee production. The farmhouses now restored to a hostel and a hotel, featuring charming paisa architecture. The Venecia Coffee farm has won several prizes for its excellent coffee and for this day, it is included a coffee tour to see how the coffee is produced and processed, as well as how to make really good Espresso!
Night at coffee farm.
Activity duration: 3-4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 17
Alas, today we return to Bogotá. Meeting at the coffee farm and transfer to the airport for the return to Bogota.
Included meals: breakfast