Immersive Colombia: Coffee, Wings & Miracles
On this program designed expressly for curious Wild Nectar travelers, explore Colombia's wilderness and culture with a passionate operator eager to share the treasures of their mountain home.
SPECIAL OFFER
8.7*
ECO SCORE
2
PASSENGERS
11
DAYS
3/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Colombia: Drink It In
This trip is designed to highlight Colombia’s astounding cultural and natural diversity, and we believe we have struck the perfect balance with this exhilarating itinerary: From experiencing the powers of a miracle-making church, to soaking in natural hot springs, to hiking among the towering wax palms of the Cocora Valley, to enjoying everyday life in quaint coffee-growing villages, to riding motorcycle-powered carts through luscious rain forests.. Join us in a land where everyday life is very real but visitors can easily escape into a magical world as they explore the culture and natural richness the country has to offer.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
- • Explore Buga, a colonial center of religious pilgrimage where people come looking for miracles.
• Experience a páramo, an ecosystem found only in this corner of South America and surround yourself with birds as Colombia is the "birdiest" country on earth with more than 1,950 species (almost 20% of the world’s total).
• Few people know the heart and soul of Colombia better than this wildlife-passionate, extremely enthusiastic operator.
Trip Sustainability Awards
CARBON
Fantastic advances in minimizing carbon footprints at locations.
ENERGY
On the East African Energy Renewal Board
EDUCATION
Runs local educational facilities for children.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cali to Buga
Guests will be picked up at the airport in private transport and transferred to the city of Buga (1-hour drive). Depending on arrival time, activities can be planned for this afternoon., including a walking tour of this beautiful colonial city.
Accommodation: Hotel Guadalajara de Buga
Hotel Guadalajara de Buga: Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and a garden, Hotel Guadalajara offers a comfortable refuge in Buga.
Day 2: Buga to Filandia.
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of downtown Buga, a colonial town which is a major center of religious pilgrimage of Colombian Catholics looking for a miracle in their life. You then head to the traditional Colombian village of Filandia. This involves crossing the mighty Cauca Valley which separates the western and central Andes, affording views of the imposing mountains on either side of the valley.
Known as one of the most beautiful towns to visit in the heart of the Coffee Region, Filandia offers a very authentic experience to the curious traveler. The architecture, landscapes and the sociability of the locals makes this town an obligatory stop for visitors. Arrive in town in time for a late lunch, followed by a stroll before checking into your hotel. Dinner will be at one of the local eateries in town, of which there are many.
Accommodation: Casa du Velo
Casa du Velo: Casa du Vélo-Cycling Hotel is a unique destination for bicycle riders and adventure enthusiasts. With modern architecture designed and conceived by and for cyclists, its surroundings offer amazing experiences that give comfort and a special sense of luxury in the heart of the coffee region in Colombia, declared a world heritage zone by UNESCO.
Day 3: Filandia to Termales del Ruiz
From Filandia, begin a BIG ascent to Termales del Ruiz, in Los Nevados National Park at 3,600 meters (11,5000 feet) above sea level. A two-night stay will allow for birdwatching at hummingbird feeders as well as enjoying the vistas in the surreal paramo ecosystem.
Paramos are very unique, high mountain ecosystems found only in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and are one of the most vulnerable and fast evolving ecosystems on Earth. There really isn’t an equivalent environment anywhere else on earth, which provides a plethora of interesting opportunities to the seasoned traveler. An added bonus is that the hotel boasts several hot spring pools with mineral rich waters that can be enjoyed in the evening.
Accommodations: Hotel Termales del Ruiz
Hotel Termales del Ruiz: Dream at 3500 meters above sea level. We have 22 rooms where exclusivity and comfort are connected with unique sensations and different nights, opening your eyes and running into nature is what will make you feel and enjoy this unique place of its kind in your own way.
Day 4: Los Nevados National Park and Hot Springs
The morning starts with a drive to the highest elevation reached on the trip, 4,100 meters (13,500 feet) You have a whole morning to concentrate on the surreal flora in the park, with access to the most iconic plant of the ecosystem, the beautiful Frailejon, or Espeletia, a remarkable sunflower-like plant. We hope to get views of the glaciated peaks and the volcanic environment before heading back to the hotel for lunch.
In the afternoon there is time to explore the native gardens along the hotel trails and visit the impressive array of hummingbird feeders on the property. At such high elevations, it is difficult to imagine how these small creatures survive in such a harsh environment. But they do, and thankfully they are very photogenic and the feeder set up allows one to get up close and personal with species such as Sword-billed Hummingbird and Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. Of course, those who wish can enjoy the multiple hot-springs on site.
Accommodations: Hotel Termales del Ruiz
Day 5: Termales del Ruiz to Salento
On your way to Salento we'll stop for lunch at Hacienda Venecia, a coffee farm with 100 years of tradition and extensive experience in the cultivation, production, marketing, roasting and exporting of Colombian coffee. Its vast coffee fields have a large canopy of native trees, springs and diverse flora and fauna. Visitors can experience every stage of the coffee production process as it happens and enjoy an authentic glimpse of life on a coffee farm. Lunch will be at the Hacienda before an afternoon transfer to Salento.
Accomodation: Hotel Kawa
Hotel Kawa: Designed and developed with organic architectural processes in mind; finding inspiration from its unique and diverse flora, framed within the Quindian coffee region, Kawa is located in a privileged area of Salento where mountains, forests, natural reserves, and river of this beautiful region meet to offer our guests a full immersion in nature, with the added benefit of reaching the town with a 5 minute walk.
Day 6: Cocora Valley and Salento
The rolling green hills of the Cocora Valley afford surreal scenery and ample opportunities for hiking through cloud forest and along the Quindio River watershed. The landscape is dotted with Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm, an endangered species that is the tallest palm tree in the world. The spectacular scenery of the palms over-topping the cloud forest and pastures below is the perfect setting for nature photography and a hike in the mountains.
After lunch, spend some time exploring Salento on foot. The bustling center park is perfect for people watching. Those who wish can also do a little shopping to support the local artisans that work in town.
Accomodation: Hotel Kawa
Day 7: Araucana Lodge and Organic Gardens
After breakfast, drive 5 hours to Araucana Lodge where you will have time in the afternoon to explore the grounds. Araucana's 30 acres (13 hectares) have been in the family since the family patriarch purchased the tract of cow pastures in 1955. His vision was to bring back the forest while keeping a portion of the property in the production of food and ornamentals.
Today, as a family, they aim to carry on his legacy, doing it in a sustainable and organic manner. You will have a chance to check out the organic vegetable and herb garden to learn about tropical farming, including coffee and ornamental plant production.
Accomodation: Araucana Lodge
Araucana Lodge: Nestled in a bamboo and palm grove on a ‘finca’ in the Western Andes of Colombia at 1600 meters above sea level, Araucana Lodge is located about a 40 minute drive from Cali. On 20 acres of Andean forest, a vegetable farm and gardens with a cool climate, our ten room eco-lodge is the perfect place to birdwatch, take leisurely walks and eat delicious meals from our organic farm to your table.
Day 8: Cali City Tour and Salsa
Founded in 1536, Cali is known as the Sucursal del Cielo, which loosely translates to “the branch office of heaven.” A whole day in this warm and friendly city nestled at the base of the western Andes will surely provide great photo opportunities.
First we'll visit the historic center of town and many of the churches and colonial buildings along the Cali River. The boulevard along the river is only open to pedestrians and is quite enjoyable, with wide open spaces, large trees and locals enjoying the outdoors. The rest of the morning will be spent with a short cooking class near the Galeria Alameda, a bustling market where the harvests from nearby farmlands and the Pacific Ocean are displayed.
After lunch, take a salsa lesson and be treated to a short salsa dancing demonstration, before exploring the bohemian San Antonio neighborhood. After the sun sets and the breeze from the nearby Andes mountains begins to descend on the city, it's time to return to Araucana Lodge.
Accomodation: Araucana Lodge
Day 9: San Cipriano
After a 90-minute drive to Zaragosa and a pleasant 20 minute ride on “brujitas” (motorcycle-powered wooden carts on rails), we'll arrive at the town of San Cipriano. The ride is exhilarating and will surely get the adrenaline pumping as the “brujitas” travel through luscious tropical rainforest, one of the most biologically diverse on the planet. The area is a protected reserve and is the source of drinking water for the nearby port city of Buenaventura. Located in the Choco Bioregion, it is known for being one of the wettest places on the planet.
Aside from the amazing diversity of birds and the very interesting local village, the reserve is home to one of the most pristine tropical rivers on the planet. A nice trail borders the river with various side trails that provide access to serene river scapes. A visit to the Waterfall of Love is also in order, with a chance to take a dip in the refreshing waters. Or you can take a ride along a nice stretch of river in inner tubes and enjoy this wild and scenic gem, while learning about the afro-Colombian cultures and history of the Pacific region of Colombia.
Accomodation: Araucana Lodge
Day 10: The San Antonio Cloud Forest
On this day you start the morning with a visit to the San Antonio Forest, which is designated as an Important Bird Area. A hike through the well-preserved cloud forest to a panoramic viewing area is always a favorite, as we enjoy views of Cali, the Cauca Valley and the Farallones National Park. This area is of importance in Colombia’s ornithological history. More than 100 years ago, Frank Chapman, of the American Museum of Natural History, spent some time researching the bird diversity of this forest.
After lunch at one of the local eateries we hike the trails that meander through the restored forest at Araucana Lodge, passing through bamboo groves and the two creeks that border the property. We will also have some time to enjoy the bird feeders at the lodge, which attract a great variety of hummingbirds and tanagers.
Accomodation: Araucana Lodge
Day 11:Depart Cali
After breakfast, guests will be taken in private transport to the airport to catch flights home.
Activity Level: This itinerary includes moderately active elements like hiking, cart rides and birding. since this is a custom itinerary, the activity level can be customized to meet your preferences. More and less active options are available.
Photography: This operator specializes in photography trips and we can easily add photography as a main focus to your custom program.
Rates
Questions?
Colombia is still a largely undiscovered destination and you'll be heading way off the tourist path on this exciting itinerary.
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED
All Lodging (Double Occupancy); All Meals From Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 11; Potable Water Throughout the Trip; All Activities Listed in Itinerary; Internal Terrestrial Transport From Airport Pickup to Airport Drop-off; Limited Health and Accident Insurance
NOT INCLUDED
Gratuities; Alcoholic Beverages; Travel Insurance (recommended); Airfare to Colombia; Covid-19 Test if Necessary; Passport & visa fees; Items of Personal Nature
