16-Day Colombia Coffee, Cacao & Culture
Trip Highlights
☑️ Tropical fruit tasting at Paloquemao market in Bogotá
☑️ Empanada-making workshop with a local cook
☑️ Wool workshop and game of tejo with locals, Villa de Leyva
☑️ Clay painting workshop with Barichara’s local artists
☑️ Hike along El Camino Real to the village of Guane
☑️ Volunteering in Medellín community kitchen and salsa lesson with local kids
☑️ Orchid eco-trail with 5,000-plus specimens and hummingbirds, La Ceja
☑️ Artisanal ceramics heritage visit, El Carmen de Viboral
☑️ El Peñol panoramic views across the lagoon and Guatape village
☑️ Cacao and chocolate tasting at Casa Rivera del Cacao estate
☑️ Cloud forest hike in Colombia’s Middle Magdalena Valley
☑️ Coffee tasting at a family-owned coffee farm
☑️ Rum tasting led by one of Colombia’s top five mixologists in Cartagena
☑️ Bazurto Market fresh produce visit followed by Caribbean cooking workshop
☑️ Traditional drum workshop, La Boquilla fishing village
☑️ Full beach day on Isla Grande, Rosario Islands
Trip Details
| Dates | Price AUD (per person twin share) |
|---|---|
|
|
|
$2,468 AUD
Private Supplement: +$694
|
|
|
|
$2,468 AUD
Private Supplement: +$694
|
Price
- 30-day cooling-off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
- Partial private supplement available (max 6 spots) – Private supplement is not available on Days 9, 10, 11. Accommodation for these nights is twin-share rooms.
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Trip length
16 days, 15 nights
Meeting point
BH Bicentenario Hotel, Bogotá
Ending point
Hotel OSH Getsemani, Cartagena
Group size
Maximum 14
Participation requirements
Please see our “Is this trip right for you?” section under the Participation Tab.
Included
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Meals: 15 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners
- Flight, private vehicle transportation, boat
- 15 nights boutique accommodation
- 3x domestic flights
- A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leader
- All listed activities and more!
Not included
- International Flights
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other personal expenses
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)
Click the tabs to find out more
Day 1 – Arriving in Bogotá
¡Bienvenidos a Colombia! As you touch down and step off the plane, you might still feel like you’re up in the clouds. Understandable, as you’ve arrived at one of the world’s most sky-high capital cities! At 2,600 metres, Bogotá is the fourth-highest capital in the world and the starting point of your journey.
Take a moment to unwind from the flight but then get ready, because the fun begins straight away. You’ll get right to making friends with your fellow Patchies and tasting Colombian culture over a welcome dinner that immediately puts the country’s flavours front and centre.
Accommodation: BH Bicentenario Hotel or similar, Bogota
Included: Dinner
Day 2 – A Taste of Bogotá
Did you wake up hungry for new experiences and… delicious food? You’re in luck because today you’re exploring Bogotá in the best possible way – by wandering the historic streets of the city and visiting the famous Paloquemao market. The market hits all your senses at once – it’s always lively, always busy and filled to the brim with fruits and vegetables for you to sink your teeth into. Have you ever had a guanabana before?
Most of Bogotá’s restaurants get their produce at Paloquemao market so you may feel like a real Colombian chef even before you’ve finished this afternoon’s empanada workshop. Talk about hands-on learning! Find out how to make the popular snack while picking up bits of local knowledge. This is how you really drench yourself in the culture and tastes of Colombia.
Accommodation: BH Bicentenario Hotel or similar, Bogota
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Villa de Leyva
Up bright and early, with a strong hit of local coffee, you’re on the road. Sun rises, landscapes whoosh past the windows, and road-trip vibes carry you all the way to Villa de Leyva. And that’s just the ride to get to the main event! Once you arrive, you’ll dive right into the skills of the local craftsmen. It’s not every day that you learn how to make wool and play tejo in an Andean village, shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals.
The cherry (or more likely, ciurela) on top? You’ll spend your afternoon walking the streets of Villa de Leyva, peeking your head in the handicraft shops, have another cup of fresh coffee and learn even more about the centuries-old history of the village.
Accommodation: Campanario de La Villa Hotel or similar, Villa de Leyva
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 – The Art of Barichara
Another early morning road trip – you Patchies are pros now – takes you up to an altitude of 1,340 metres and the town of Barichara, where the air hums with creativity. A real sanctuary for artists and craftsmen of all kinds, Barichara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s easy to understand why, the second you arrive. You’ll immediately get swept up in Barichara’s cobblestone streets, winding up and down to offer you a cosy look into workshops and studios. Don’t miss the view of the Canyon de Suárez from the top – an artwork in its own right.
Take inspiration from all these impressions as you roll up your sleeves for a clay-painting workshop in the afternoon. You don’t have to think you’re an artist to give in to the magic of creating alongside your fellow Patchies – mixing paint, laughter and chatter to create a piece that’s as colourful and unique as your day in Barichara.
Accommodation: Terra Barichara Hotel or similar, Barichara
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 – El Camino Real
Today, exchange sandals and paintbrushes for your most trusty walking boots as you set off on a moderately long, but so-rewarding hike along El Camino Real. The pebbles of the ancient path crunch with each footstep you take,surrounded by vast, eye-popping views.
Your road to the village of Guane may leave you feeling connected to every traveller who’s walked the Camino Real before you. And the feeling of being part of history won’t go away once you arrive. The quiet village seems to be frozen in time even as the Suarez River bubbles and rushes past. Take a moment to put your backpack down here and enjoy a well-earned lunch before returning to Barichara. (Don’t worry, you’ve had enough of a hike today! You and your Patchie crew will pile in on local tuk tuks for the journey back).
Finish the day at a family-owned tobacco farm to discover an imperative part of the Colombian way of life.
Accommodation: Terra Barichara Hotel or similar, Barichara
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 – Towards Medellín
Fasten your seatbelt, it’s time to fly off to Medellín for the next part of your adventure. As soon as you check into your hotel, you’ll get right to blending in with the locals – you and your fellow Patchies will hop on public transport on your way to explore the city’s centre. Take in the monuments and plazas, and make sure to snap a picture by the “Yo ♡ Medellín” sign downtown. Not because it’s the trendy thing to do but because the city’s charm is undeniable and falling in love with it is delightfully easy!
Accommodation: Quinta Ladera Hotel or similar, Medellin
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Volunteering in Medellín
Today is a special one, as you meet the local community and experience for yourself the ongoing efforts in making Medellín a safe and happy place to live. You’ll be volunteering in Comuna 3, Manrique, a neighbourhood that has risen from violence and conflict into a place now known for its art and strong community spirit. First, learn the history of Manrique with a visit around the neighbourhood. Once you know the challenging origins of the Comuna, and all that it’s taken to build up the community that you see today, being here takes on a different meaning.
Whether you’re tending to a vegetable garden, helping out at the community kitchens or even joining the local children for a salsa lesson, get ready to step up to whatever the community needs from you.
Accommodation: Quinta Ladera Hotel or similar, Medellin
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 – The Orchids of La Ceja
Yesterday was about the community. Today? It’s time for something quite different. How about 5,000-plus orchid specimens along an eco trail in a small Colombian town? That’s exactly what you’ll get on today’s day trip to La Ceja, where the trail’s remarkable collection might just outdo even your wildest flower dreams. And to top it all off, the sweet nectar of the many (did we mention many?) orchids attract the hummingbirds, adding another layer of can-you-believe-it to your visit. Then, it’s time to return to the world of humans.
And artists, actually, as you spend the afternoon exploring El Carmen de Viboral, a town famous for its intricate and colourful ceramics. It’s easy to see how nature and artists coexist here, drawing inspiration and honouring each other in everything from orchid petals to handcrafted clay plates.
Accommodation: Alfahar Hotel or similar, El Carmen de Viboral
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9 – El Peñol and Guatape
Your bags are packed for another flight across Colombia but there’s two more things on the must-see list before your afternoon takeoff! Prepare for some cardio as you head out to climb the steps of El Peñol for the absolutely-worth-it panoramic view across the lagoon. Blue water, tumbling greenery, cobblestone and brick rooftops all come together to create a picture in your mind that you’re sure to return to – long after your trip is over.
With a point of your finger you can spot your next stop, too… down there in the lagoon, the village of Guatape awaits. Guatape dazzles you from the first step. Turn one way, it’s decorative painted walls, another, it’s an ornate church. Walk around to understand how the harmony with the lakeside nature earns Guatape its natural and environmental heritage site title – all before flying to Pereira and falling asleep on a coffee and cacao farm.
Accommodation: Casa Rivera del Cacao or similar, Cordoba
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10 – Casa Rivera del Cacao
It’s time for a sweet treat of epic proportions. Today, you’ll see how chocolate gets made – all the way from cocoa crops to the delicious final product – on a tour of the Casa Rivera del Cacao estate, one of the world’s best cacao producers. You’ll learn about each step of cacao processing and before you even ask, yes, the tour of the estate does include sampling the rich, freshly-made chocolate.
This evening – after your chocolate foray – lets you wind down from the excitement (and okay, maybe a bit of a sugar rush) with a cocktail in hand as the sun sets over the coffee plantations.
Accommodation: Casa Rivera del Cacao or similar, Cordoba
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11 – Into the Cloud Forest
You’re only a short jeep ride away from a hike that almost can’t be described in words. The cloud forest you’re about to enter, El Silencio, is appropriately named The Silence.
Wind through a forest of centuries-old oak trees and Quindío wax palms – Colombia’s national tree – still thriving in its natural, untouched habitat. As the yellow-eared parrots fly above and you take in the low-hanging cover that puts the cloud in cloud forest, you’ll feel a deep sense of connection to nature.
Come back down to earth in the village of Pijao, strolling down cobblestone streets, dipping into a craft shop or lingering over a cup of coffee at one of the typical village cafes.
Accommodation: Casa Rivera del Cacao or similar, Cordoba
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12 – Coffee For The Road
You can’t leave the coffee region without one last taste of the effort behind a great cup. A visit to a traditional family-owned coffee farm will introduce you to both the process of growing coffee and the history of the people who have perfected the craft. Learn all about the origin of the coffee trade, the processes that every bag of coffee beans requires and the tradesmen’s efforts to keep coffee production sustainable and in favour of local biodiversity.
But best of all, you will of course taste the coffee! Your tour will culminate with a sensory tasting which is as exciting as it sounds – sample coffee products and learn how to talk about the flavours like a real coffee professional.
On your flight to Cartagena this afternoon, take a moment to remember what you’ve learned – you’ve so much to share over coffee you’ve brewed with your friends back home!
Accommodation: Osh Hotel or similar, Cartagena
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13 – Cartagena
Your first day on the coast is all about exploring, Caribbean style. Get ready for a long, exciting day of wandering the streets of Cartagena and taking in the colourful blend of colonial architecture and coastal spirit. The day is yours to walk around (and take as many pictures as you want!) solo or alongside your fellow Patchies but one thing is certain – in the evening, you’ll be reuniting for a proper Caribbean nightcap.
Round off your day with a rum tasting, sampling fine Colombian rums aged for up to 27 years. The tasting is led by one of Colombia’s top five mixologists and you get to sample chocolate along the way, so the evening is sure to be both delicious and extremely memorable. Salud!
Accommodation: Osh Hotel or similar, Cartagena
Included: Breakfast
Day 14 – La Boquilla
Head out hungry and bring a tote bag today. You’ll be going to the Bazurto Market, a real local treasure filled to the brim with delicious fruits just waiting to be tasted. It’s another market-to-kitchen experience as you take your delicious fresh produce inspiration right to a cooking workshop. With the help of a skilled chef as your guide, you’ll pick up enough Caribbean cooking savvy to impress everyone back home.
And if you’re still hungry for something else, the end of the day takes you to a fishing village where you get to taste some local food and participate in a traditional drum workshop. Those memorable Caribbean rhythms right in your hands – don’t they make the food taste better?
Accommodation: Osh Hotel or similar, Cartagena
Included: Breakfast
Day 15 – Beaches of La Isla Grande
The final day of your Patch journey should be bittersweet but it’s hard to feel anything other than absolute joy when you get to spend it basking in the sun and enjoying a full beach day on the Rosario Islands with your Patchies. How many times can you say, “Are we dreaming?”
It’s a day of lasts: one last cup of great Colombian coffee, one last round of ice cold rum cocktails and last-minute pictures with the girls, all to the sound of the Caribbean waters lapping the sands. By the time evening falls in Cartagena, the goodbye blues might begin to set in, but even then you’ll enjoy the final hours of this trip with can’t-help-it belly laughs.
Accommodation: Osh Hotel or similar, Cartagena
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 16 – Adiós, Colombia
And just like that, your Colombian adventure wraps up. From quiet mountain mornings to sweet tropical fruits, the moments you’ve shared with your Patchie friends will stay with you long after the last cup of coffee.
For now, it’s time to swap contact details, zip up your bags and head home.
As you say adiós to Colombia through the plane window, think of all you’ve seen and learned. Then get right to daydreaming about your next adventure!
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
Is This Trip Right For You?
You love travelling and enjoying most of your time in a country.
You don’t like being rushed or herded around B-grade attractions, but you also understand that some places are worth the wait in line.
You’re open-minded and open-hearted. You try to embrace the little things. You understand that even in the best vehicles, the air-con sometimes breaks. Even in the best restaurants, the service sometimes is a little slow. This is just part of the adventure, and you choose to be gracious.
You also know that a ‘great trip’ doesn’t have to mean sprinting from place to place. The best moments so often come when you hit the pause button, sit still, and just take it all in.
You’re young enough at heart to know that sometimes the best opportunities come when you’re least expecting it. You understand that doing things right doesn’t always mean following a strict routine.
You enjoy trying new food, visiting new places, and making new friends. You make a great travel buddy and you love to share experiences with others. You understand that to fit in with local cultures, sometimes that involves trying something you haven’t tried before, or sitting on the floor to eat with a nomad family.
Does that sound like you? We’d love to invite you to travel with us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD : USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD : 0.68 USD.
A deposit of 25% is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 30 days. (Applicable to all bookings made at least 120 days before trip departure.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
This is the most frequently asked question we get!
Nearly everyone is in their 50s and 60s, with some people above and below (but of course, everyone is welcome!)
Most Patchies come alone and are matched with a room-mate. Remember, you don’t need to pay for a single supplement if you come solo. We will place you with a similarly-aged roommate.
The typical Patchie has travelled a LOT, is a well-seasoned adventurer, and is not easily thrown by small things. However, many Patchies tell us that this is their first ever group tour. Many of our guests have avoided tours to this point as they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.
Oh, and one last thing:
Patchies are warm, generous, and kind. We knew it would be like this, but we weren’t expecting it to be *quite* like this. We’re so blessed as a business to have the customers we do; we consider ourselves to be some of the luckiest people in the world.
Level 2 or Moderate
You’ll need a moderate level of fitness for this trip. If you can walk 3 – 4 hours at an easy pace on undulating and uneven ground, you’ll be fine. There will be days where you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet and times when you’ll need to get on and off different types of transport, including boats. You may need to occasionally sit on the floor and from time to time, you must be ok with using a squat toilet – we do our best to accommodate what you’re used to (all hotel rooms have sit down toilets) but when you’re on-the-road, sometimes it’s the only choice available.
Activities are optional, meaning that if you don’t feel like it, you can skip it, but it will be impossible to enjoy your trip if you’re not able to do a walking tour for a full afternoon. Unfortunately, this tour cannot accommodate people requiring walking aids.
On Day 5, a hike to Guane is included. The distance is 7 km, and it usually takes around 3 hours to complete, with an elevation gain of about 81 meters. You’ll be walking along the famous Camino Real, a historic paved path rather than a wild forest trail. After the hike, you’ll return comfortably by tuk-tuk.
On Day 11, you’ll be hiking in the Cloud Forest. The walk is flexible and can be adjusted to the group’s pace and preferences, ranging from a short 300-meter walk to a longer 6–12 km hike. Together with your guide, you will decide on the distance that feels right for the group on the day.
Aussies and Kiwis do not need a visa to visit Colombia.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
We’ll be updating this section with the tipping amount and how it’s distributed, soon.
This trip begins in Bogota, and ends in Cartagena. We recommend that you fly into El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, as that is where your hotel transfer will be waiting for you. The most convenient departure airport is Rafael Núñez International Airport. Both transfers – on arrival and on departure are included in your price.
Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier is recommended. If possible, come one day early to settle in. We can organise additional hotel nights for you at cost.
The opportunity to do laundry during your trip is possible and best left for stays that are for more than one night. Your guide will be able to assist with recommendations during your trip.
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
