For Cacao and Country
Be a coffee grower for a day in a local plantation high up in the Andes mountains. Learn from an old-time farming family as they show you how to process different types of Arabica coffee the traditional way, from planting the seed and roasting the bean that transforms into the perfect cuppa.
When you're not around cacao, find yourself surrounded by color: while hiking along the Flower Route, selecting produce in Medellín's largest fruit market, experiencing street art in a vibrant neighborhood, admiring colonial architecture in the city of the Carriel, or visiting the zocalos close to Pablo Escobar's hacienda.
BEST TIME TO GO
December through March
We recommend that you book this trip at least 3 months in advance.
PRICING
USD 1,600 per person, min. 3 people;
USD 1,200 per additional person.
You will be charged in MXN.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
A local bilingual guide;
Full-day Medellín city tour;
3 days in Tamesis to hike the Flower Route, visit coffee farms, and see petroglyphs;
Introduction to Colombian coffee culture;
Full day in Jericó to explore the colonial village and learn about traditional Carriel bag production;
Visit to Peñol Rock and Guatapé Village;
Plenty of photo opportunities;
Scenic views;
Breakfast and lunch except on Day 1;
Dinners in Tamesis (x3);
Bottled water while in transit;
6 nights stay in air-conditioned hotel with free wi-fi;
All ground transfers during the trip.
Alcoholic beverages, dinners in Medellín, entrance fees for optional activities and gratuities are not included.
Colombian Coffee Culture & Medellín Highlights
Your trip starts when you arrive at the airport in Medellín. Take the private transfer to your hotel, where you will get settled in and rest up for your upcoming Antioquia city tours. The next day, a local hip hop artist will take you around his neighborhood in Comuna 13, which witnessed the transformation of Medellín from being one of the most violent cities in the world to becoming one of the most modern metropolitan areas in Latin America.
Medellín’s Coffee Zone
Day 3 finds you on the road bright and early for a 4-hour drive to Medellín’s coffee zone. You will spend 3 days in Tamesis to visit coffee farms and learn about the traditional coffee process. Following the flower route, you will hike through various plantations while enjoying beautiful bursts of color and magnificent vistas. Cross a hanging bridge for a view of Rio Frio (cold river) below, an abundant source of excellent mineral water and hydroelectric energy for the region. Later on, you will visit a bottling facility as well as a power plant.
The petroglyphs in the area will surely catch your eye. Listen to interpretations of pre-hispanic cultures as well as the trade relations between indigenous peoples such as the Quimbaya, who were renowned goldsmiths, and the gold-panning Cartama. You will also learn about the more modern culture of making traditional Carriel leather bags in Jericó, a municipality that is famous for its beautiful colonial architecture and religious art.
Peñol Rock
On your last day, a different kind of rock awaits you in Guatapé, where you may climb the 708 steps leading to the top of Peñol Rock for aerial views of the reservoir. Stroll through the colorful lakeside colonial village and then take a boat ride to Pablo Escobar’s Hacienda Manuela. Your transfer to Medellín airport concludes your Antioquia city tours.
Insider Notes
One of the best ways to get to know a place are to travel by public transportation. While your airport and intercity transfers will be in an air-conditioned vehicle, be prepared to enjoy an authentic local experience on your open-air transport when you’re in coffee country. Breathe in the fresh air and the smells of the rich earth as you drive through the different plantations; these elements work together to produce Arabica coffee with the right acidity, aroma, body, flavor, and finish.
Your trip also involves hiking at altitude for around 3 hours along the Flower Trail. You will be covering a distance of 6 km (3.7 mi), at a difficulty level of 2.5 out of 5. This is another great way to explore an area, but do make sure that you are physically able and are cleared to do this activity.
