Duration: | 5 Day(s) - 4 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Eco Tours |
The captivating landscapes of the Coffee Zone unfold to reveal lush hills adorned with emerald-green coffee plantations. Spanning regions like Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda, this area is globally renowned for producing some of the finest Arabica coffee beans. Immerse yourself in the enchanting aroma of freshly brewed coffee as you traverse picturesque towns and villages. Beyond coffee, savor the vibrant local culture and amazing scenery, making the Coffee Zone a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic Colombian experience. Explore the essence of tradition, passion, and flavor that defines the very soul of this remarkable region.
DAY 1
Welcome to the Coffee Zone, the Cultural Heart of Colombia
Step into the heart of Colombian warmth and flavor as you enter the enchanting embrace of the Coffee Zone, where every moment is steeped in the rich aroma and cultural richness of the world-renowned Coffee Triangle.
Bienvenidos a Zona Cafetera!
You'll be collected from the airport and taken to your hotel with a stop a long the way in the Thermal Pools of Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa Thermal Pools
Relax in the Hot Springs enjoying the beautiful setting.
The Thermal Pools of Santa Rosa is truly one of the most picturesque locations you can visit while in Colombia. Set in a valley surrounded by tropical rainforest the hot springs are quite simply amazing!
You can move through the pools finding your perfect temperature, as the boiling hot water enters from the center and the cool refreshing mountain water enters from the sides. You'll absolutely fall in love with the amazing waterfall that is an absolute must to visit.
Next it's off to your hotel to check-in and relax for the evening.
Check In - Coffee Zone Hotel
Embark on a journey of unparalleled charm and hospitality in the heart of Colombia's Coffee Zone, where enchanting towns beckon you to experience the warmth of their hospitality amidst the breathtaking landscapes.
Nestle into the comfort of a carefully curated hotel or immerse yourself in the authentic coffee culture with a stay at a traditional hacienda. From panoramic views of rolling coffee plantations to personalized service that reflects the essence of Colombian hospitality, your choice of accommodation in the Coffee Zone promises an unforgettable blend of comfort, culture, and the invigorating aroma of freshly brewed memories.
DAY 2
8:00 - 8 hr
Wax palms, Salento & Coffee
Enjoy the Peaceful and Beautiful Cocora Valley and Wax palm Forest followed by a Fantastico Coffee Tour!
This morning you'll start your day with some beautiful views from the Salento Mirador (Lookout), and a look down into the valley you will soon venture through.
Next, you'll take a trip into the lush Cocora Valley and a guided tour of the Wax Palm Forest. This valley is spectacular by itself, but when combined with the forest filled with the tallest wax palms in the world, it becomes an almost spiritual experience. You'll get to spend a few hours walking through this peaceful zone with more beautiful views in every direction.
After you've stopped for a wonderful lunch you'll continue onto a sensational coffee tour. This is one of the best coffee tours in Colombia and so very unique. The reason being the philosophy of this single lady owner. She has created a Finca that is completely pesticide and machinery free. Every part of the entire process is done by hand and with this, you'll discover the traditional methods of growing the perfect coffee bean. You'll also get to explore this wonderful Finca and find so much more than just coffee is grown here, such as a large variety of fruits as well. You'll learn the complete process from the seed to the cup, including handpicking a few beans yourself.
DAY 3
10:00 - 3 hr
Tropical Fruit Tasting
The symphony of birdsong and the playful chatter of howler monkeys, set the tone for a sensory journey in the heart of nature. Upon your arrival, savor a wholesome infusion crafted from a medley of fruits and herbs, a nutritious welcome that sets the stage for the visual feast of landscapes and aromatic plantations on this architecturally captivating farm.
Indulge in a diverse and mouthwatering array of offerings with over 30 varieties of seasonal fruits, four refreshing juice options, and an assortment of jams, sweets, and chutneys. Complement your tasting experience with a selection of cheeses and crunchy plantain chips. Stay refreshed with cool water on hand throughout your culinary journey.
14:00 - 3 hr
Filandia
A Beautiful and Colorful Town with Amazing views.
Journey to one of the most colorful towns in Colombia; Filandia. Famous for its gastronomy, wonderful Colombian Culture architecture, and fabulous views, you'll enjoy a walking tour where you'll be able to take many photos of the beautiful buildings, along with a trip to the mirador (lookout) where you'll be amazed at the spectacular 360' views you receive.
17:00 - 6 hr 30 min
Night Safari into Barbas Bremen
Traveling for 35 minutes outside of the beautiful coffee zone town of Filandia you’ll come to an Eco-lodge bordering the Nature Reserve of Barbas Bremen. This private property was purchased 25 years ago and completely transformed from farmland into an ecological paradise for bird watchers, and other nature lovers from across the world.
Arriving in the late afternoon you’ll have time for a spot of bird watching, as you walk around the beautiful grounds with your guide providing you with a brief history of this location and what you are about to experience after the sun goes down.
Next, it’s time for an early dinner while you eagerly wait for the night to get nice and dark.
Making the finishing touches to your evening clothing you’ll put on a thin jacket, some long rubber boots (needed for walking through the creeks and streams), and your headlamp. Making sure your phone is fully charged you set off on a night hike into the darkness in search of the creatures that only venture out of their safe homes into the blackness of the night.
Walking down a path into the thick nature reserve you’re surrounded by the sounds of crickets, frogs, and other insects. Silently walking in the steps of your guide you’ll keep an ear and eye out for any movements in the bushes signaling a mammal, reptile, giant insect, or giant spider is close by.
Stopping to lift rotting logs of wood to view what moves below, your guide will point out different spiders and other arachnids that call this place home. You’ll find scorpions and Tarantulas waiting for their next meal around these areas. You’ll also find a large variety of insects, centipedes, and millipedes in the trees, bushes, and rocks around you. Not to mention Colombian tree frogs, bats, owls, and other night birds.
Although all of these insects and arachnids will add to the excitement of your journey through the darkness, the main focus of your adventure this night is to find a small glass frog no bigger than your thumbnail. Listening to the tell tail ting ting (the sound of taping a spoon on a glass) of their call, your guide will lead the way down into creaks, over trees, and slippery rocks. Past trees with spikes, and over roots of fallen trees. Carefully watching where you place your hands and feet, you’ll follow your expert leader into a world rarely seen by most people. Into crevasses, through step valleys, over boulders, and past camera traps set up for pumas, you’ll be exhilarated with this unforgettable and unique night safari into the amazing Barbas Bremen Natural Reserve.
DAY 4
5 hr
Jardin Botanico del Quindio
Enjoy a guided tour through the best Botanical gardens in the Colombian Coffee Zone, the Botanical Gardens of Quindio. Including approximately 11 hectares (27 acres) of natural Andean forest and one of the largest Mariposarios (Butterfly garden) in the country, featuring a collection of over 1000 butterflies, and 30 different species all native to this region.
You'll enjoy strolling along the paths, and through the treetops along suspension bridges, and to observation platforms. You'll marvel at the grand trees, the variety of palms, the array of flowers, and the many colors of the forest.
As you venture through the canopy searching for the origins of the most beautiful songs in the rich vegetation, you'll hear a great many birds, singing for food, love, and life.
You’ll love entering the famous Casa de Mariposa (butterfly house), where a great many butterflies share their elegance, unique shapes as well as shades of many colors. As you are mesmerized by the amazing dance of these flying treasures, one will surely land near you displaying the fine details in its form you had never seen prior to.
DAY 5
8:30 - 6 hr 30 min
Hiking the Cascada Los Frailes
Collected from your Salento hotel after breakfast you'll make a journey of just over an hour to the small town and starting point of today's tour; La Florida. Once here you'll fill up on coffee and a snack before walking approximately 6 kilometers and 1.5 hours along a rough road, accompanied by a beautiful landscape, filled with onion crops, flowers, and medicinal plants. After arriving at the nature reserve of Otun Qumbaya you'll ver off the road and continue the tour along a well-marked path and with stops along the way for your guide to explain more about this region and this forest full of howler monkeys and birds. After walking for approximately 30 minutes you'll reach the majesty of the waterfall.
This beautiful waterfall almost 70 meters high is located in the tourist corridor of the Otún River in the Florida sector, just 18 kilometers from Pereira, it is surrounded by native and planted forests that form majestic landscapes full of fauna and flora characteristic of this imposing place, among them the Howler Monkey. You can also observe multiple species of birds since this is a strategic point to observe great biodiversity.
Departure - 1 hr
Time to Say Goodbye to the Zona Cafetera and Colombia, or extend your stay!
We’ll have transport waiting to take you to the airport at your desired time.
Hablamos pronto!
Safe travels home, and visit again soon!
Whats Included
Accommodations
Breakfasts
English-speaking guide during all excursions.
All entrance fees
All airport transfers
24-hour support group
Whats Excluded
International & Domestic flights
We work with and recommend booking flights with www.kiwi.com
Travel Insurance
Meals and Services not mentioned