12 Days - Andes and Caribbean Fusion

Description

Day 1: Transfer In - BOG - Welcome dinner in Kuna Mya (-/-/D)

07:00 PM This event sets the stage for our upcoming journey, providing an opportunity to connect with fellow travelers, discuss the travel plan, and ensure everyone is well-prepared for the adventures ahead. For this, we will go to KUNA MYA for dinner, an  innovative boutique market and sustainable farming restaurant proposal that dedicates its dishes to their roots in the region of Cundinamarca. Delight yourself with the traditional tastes combined with an incredible offer of organic and local products. It is the first departmental showcase of Cundinamarca that directly markets products of Cundinamarca origin, promoting products from artisans and producers, who receive fair economic recognition of their work, technical support to perfect their technique and training to adjust the promotion of their brand.   

Day 2: Paloquemao Market Fruit Tour - Bogota City Tour with Bolivar Square, Botero & Gold Museum (B/L/-)

08:30 AM The fruit tour is a private experience that will engage you with the vast diversity of food, geography and cultural practices of Colombia in just one place: the Paloquemao Plaza, the only market in the world where you can find up to 67 different fruits! An expert guide, who has worked with the market community since 2015, will connect you with farmers and merchants so that you can learn about their family businesses and community projects such as "Back to the plaza" and "Hello my friend". Your guide will also teach you how to properly choose, open and prepare Colombian fruits like a pro! After you've had your fill, you’ll learn about the importance of cleaning, drying and storing the fruit seeds, as well as get some tips for eating healthier, organic and diverse. Finally, you will give a toast for Colombia, the world's fruit reserve, in an exclusive tasting of refreshing juices and fruit extracts.

12:00 PM Bogotá City Tour is the most comprehensive way to see the relevant sights of the city in one day. You will be guided by a knowledgeable guide who will teach you about historical and current facts of Colombia. The first stop will be a visit through the picturesque cobbled streets of La Candelaria. You will visit the Botero Museum, which features works of the eccentric artist who has become an icon of Colombian contemporary art, Fernando Botero. You will have a stop at Chorro de Quevedo to appreciate the diverse contrasts that the historical center offers and learn more about Bogotá's history.

After the walking tour in La Candelaria, you will reach Plaza de Bolívar; The main square of the city. The square is surrounded by administrative and governmental buildings that have been fundamental to the historical processes of the country that you will know through the tour guide. Finally, you will walk through Jimenez Avenue to visit an impressive collection of indigenous gold pieces at the Gold Museum. End your tour in Bogotá with a visit to Monserrate. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city and savor a warm drink to acclimatize to the cool temperatures after sunset. It's the perfect way to conclude your journey.

Day 3: Flight Ticket BOG-PEI - Coffee Tour at Finca el Ocaso (B/L/-)

01:30 PM Colombia's Coffee Region is recognized for its strong coffee-growing tradition, colorful and ornamented architecture, and rich biodiversity. During this visit, you'll be able to learn and experience all of them at this typical coffee farm that will surprise you with its organic and tasty coffee.  As a starting point, you will hear the story of the Coffee Region, and understand its development and culture which went hand in hand with the coffee growing economy. With the historical part all covered, you'll move on to discover the step by step agricultural process a coffee seed goes through until it produces high-quality coffee beans. Going on a trail surrounded by diverse plants, birds, and clean water, you will understand how this special ecosystem provides great conditions for coffee farming. 

After, you will get to know the delicate selection process and treatment that follows the hand-made harvest. Finally, you will immerse into the aroma produced by different types of coffee roasting and grounding with the help of knowledgeable coffee tasters. They will guide you through a coffee tasting experience where you will learn how to recognize special flavors present in Colombian Coffee. 

Day 4: Visit to the Cocora Valley Towering Wax Palms and Salento Town (B/L/-)

08:00 AM Start your day with a morning visit to Cocora Valley. Embark on a 2-3 hour trek amidst towering wax palms and stunning landscapes. After your hike, head to the charming town of Salento for lunch, included in the tour. Enjoy a delicious meal, then stroll through Salento's artisan streets and visit scenic lookouts. Experience the local culture and vibrant atmosphere. Transfers are provided in classic Jeep Willys vehicles, adding an authentic touch to your adventure.

Day 5: Santa Rosa de Cabal Thermal Springs and Filandia (B/-/-)

08:00 AM Your day begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel in Salento. A comfortable vehicle will be provided for your transportation throughout the day. You will begin your day by visiting the beautiful town of Santa Rosa de Cabal, located in the coffee region of Colombia, famous for its rejuvenating thermal hot springs. Relax, unwind, and immerse yourself in the therapeutic waters of Termales de Santa Rosa, while enjoying the stunning natural surroundings. Enjoy the soothing sensation as the thermal water revitalizes your body and calms your mind. During your tour, you will have one hour for lunch at Santa Rosa de Cabal (not included). After lunch, you will continue to the picturesque town of Filandia, a similar typical town like Salento with various artisan shops, boutique coffee shops and typical hotels decorating the cobblestone streets with their colorful facades. You will have the chance to visit the Plaza and the main church and the "Bejuco" and "Canasto" museums.  

Day 6: Flight Ticket PEI-MDE - Afro Tour in the Comuna 13 (B/-/-)

Comuna 13 has become a synonym for transformation and resilience and a definite must-visit for travelers in Medellín. On this tour you will immerse into this inspiring place, visiting three different neighborhoods within the Comuna and learning beyond its history directly from impressive artists who led impactful projects that managed to transform Colombia’s most feared district.  

You will be picked up at your hotel to take you to San Javier, Comuna 13’s entry before moving on to the highest part of the Comuna, Nuevos Conquistadores neighborhood. At this place, you can see Medellín’s rural outskirts and have a privileged view over Comuna 13 and the entire city. Descending through El Corazón, Independencias, and El Salado neighborhoods you will learn the impressive story of how dances and musical culture helped local youth and led into a more peaceful context.  You will understand the dimensions of the transformation as you hear the locals narrating the rough context that they had to face years before due to gang wars, para-military groups, and urban guerillas. 

To give you a first-hand experience of the activities that held the community together, you will visit Son Bata’s music studio where local musicians recorded one of their hits “ Estamos Melos” and learn how to play it with percussions instructed by the experts. After this easy and enjoyable activity, you can get loose and learn how to dance with one of the best dancers at Son Batá who will lead you into making great steps, easily and in no time!  Finally, you will have a local snack before returning to your hotel with the company of our guide.

Day 7: Guatapé and El Peñol Tour - Luxe Boat Trip (B/L/-)

08:00 AM Discover the colors and charm of Guatape, the Andean resort town two hours east of Medellin. Start the day scaling the seemingly endless steps to El Peñol’s summit, then wander cobblestoned streets that bear stories and brightly painted facades, and finish with lunch and a relaxing float on the lake surrounded by serene scenes in every direction.

Day 8: Flight Ticket MDE-SMR - Beach and relaxation time in the Tayrona (B/-/-)

After a morning flight from Medellín to Santa Marta, enjoy a seamless transfer to your hotel in the stunning Tayrona area. Spend the day at leisure, soaking up the sun on pristine beaches and taking in the breathtaking coastal scenery. Relax with the sound of waves and the warmth of the Caribbean breeze. Explore nearby natural wonders or simply unwind at the hotel. Whether you choose to swim, sunbathe, or stroll along the shore, this day offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure in one of Colombia's most beautiful coastal regions.

Day 9: Trek to Cabo San Juan - Tayrona National Natural Park (B/L/-)

This is the most popular National Park in Colombia. Turquoise waters, golden sand, rugged rainforest and glaciers further up in the peaks. Tayrona is really something special. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain in the world, sink into the sea like the fingers of a giant hand, forming bays and inlets of singular beauty. Its golden sand beaches bordered by tropical rainforests and bathed by the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, make Tayrona Park one of the most beautiful places in the country. It has a variety of trails that penetrate the rainforest and archaeological sites of great cultural importance.

Day 10: Transfer from Santa Marta to Cartagena (5h) Cartagena City Tour with San Felipe Castle and La Popa Convent (B/-/-)

08:00 AM Enjoy a comfortable private transfer between Santa Marta and Cartagena. Travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver, offering door-to-door service. The scenic journey along the Caribbean coast takes approximately 4-5 hours, providing a relaxed and hassle-free experience.

02:30 PM This tour begins with a visit to the San Felipe Castle, a fort built by the Spanish on top of a mountain to gain control of the bay. There, you will have the opportunity to discover the impressive architecture and history behind it. The city tour of Cartagena will continue with a pleasant walk through the Historic Center where you will visit the Clock Tower in the Plaza de la Aduana, a place used for the trade of enslaved Africans during the colonial period.  Then you will go to the square in front of the San Pedro Claver Church, a historic church that exhibits art and religious history. In that square we will have a short break for a refreshing juice or coffee. From there, we continue to Plaza de Bolivar surrounded by some of the city's most iconic colonial buildings. Visit the Monastery of La Popa built on the XVII century, go to the highest point of the city for an incredible lookout Finally we will leave through the Clock Tower to pass by Centenario Park, a beautiful oasis in the middle of downtown where free sloths, marmosets, iguanas and other animals live (not in cages and not permitted to touch!!) and finish our tour in Getsemaní, a very special neighborhood, very colorful, full of graffiti, flowers, colorful houses and music everywhere.

Day 11: Canoe Trip in the Mangroves - Drums at the Beach - Farewell dinner at Mar y Zielo (B/-/D)

02:30 PM Mangroves are swamp ecosystems of the incredible diversity that are key for the environmental balance of many tropical coastal areas. This is the place where a big part of the maritime life originates. They work as a natural barrier to protect the land from natural disasters and make a unique scenario for being in close contact with nature. This canoe trip will take you through the channels and tunnels formed by dense mangrove swamp forests at Cienaga de la Virgen. Here, you will go deeply into the heart of this ecosystem, making stops at small hideaways where biodiversity reveals the treasures that surround this magnificent place. This tour takes place in La Boquilla; here you’ll find mainly fishing communities of Afro-Colombian families. The contrast between this area and the heart of Cartagena couldn’t be any bigger, but that is exactly what makes this excursion so attractive and appealing to adventurous souls. Enjoy this experience with a bilingual guide

04:30 PM On our Drums at the Beach, you’ll hunt down the energetic rhythms of Afro-Colombian sounds and genres with experts. At a local music school, teachers and drum makers will explain to you the ins and outs of the traditional rhythms of Colombia’s Caribbean Coast and the instruments used to play them. Historically, drums have been instruments of culture, communication, and resistance to African populations in America. These rhythms remain in Colombian culture, serving as tools for transformation and resistance. You’ll be able to feel and observe this spirit around you in La Boquilla. After a short introduction, you’ll learn some basic rhythms to play on the classic tambores to join a jam session with the group. This usually includes a chance to observe the impressive dances and moves of the locals. With your visit to the music school, you will also be supporting a social project of La Boquilla. The school teaches music to the kids of the neighborhood as a way to keep them away from trouble and child labor. This way, the peoples’ music, and rhythms are kept alive and are still deeply connected to their culture in this thriving neighborhood. After your experience, you’ll be taken back to Cartagena.

07:30 PM As the evening unfolds, the enchanting atmosphere sets the stage for a dining experience that not only satisfies your palate but also captures the essence of Cartagena's vibrant culture and stunning surroundings. Mar y Zielo is more than just a restaurant; it's a sensory journey, a celebration of Cartagena's beauty and gastronomic excellence, and the perfect way for a visitor to immerse themselves in the magic of this coastal gem. This farewell dinner marks the grand conclusion of your unforgettable journey through Colombia, offering a final toast to the memories made and the adventures shared.

Day 12: Cartagena group and individual transfer out (B-/-)

As your unforgettable journey with Impulse comes to a close, we'll arrange a convenient transfer from Cartagena to the airport at your preferred departure time. Enjoy one last glimpse of Cartagena's vibrant streets and historic charm as you make your way to the airport. Thank you for joining us on this adventure. We hope you return home filled with good energy and cherished memories. Safe travels!