Wax palms in San Felix near Salamina between Manizales and Medellin

From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

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This travel module takes you through Colombia’s Andean heartland. Along the way, you’ll visit vibrant cities, charming colonial towns, and lush coffee landscapes. The route combines culture, nature, and rural life. It also works well as part of a longer itinerary starting or ending in Medellín or Bogotá.

From Medellín, the route heads into the scenic Coffee Region Colombia and Colonial Towns. First, visit Salamina and Manizales. Both towns are known for their colonial architecture, coffee traditions, and dramatic mountain scenery. Then, continue through the rolling Andes towards Honda. This historic town lies on the banks of the Magdalena River. It is known for its colonial heritage, historic bridges, and warm climate.

Along the way, you’ll experience Colombia’s diversity at a relaxed pace. Walk along cobblestone streets and explore traditional plazas. Visit coffee fincas and enjoy sweeping views across the Andes. At the same time, you’ll gain insight into local life and regional traditions.

The module also works well as a connection between Colombia’s central Andes and its major cities. For example, you can combine it with coastal or Amazonian destinations. It can also connect naturally with a longer route between Medellín and Bogotá.

Whether you travel towards Medellín or continue south-east towards Bogotá, this journey offers a varied look at Colombia’s cultural landscapes. It brings together colonial heritage, mountain scenery, coffee culture, and rural life in one relaxed route.

Read more: From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

Fast Facts

Duration: 8

Days

Departs From: Medellín

Ends In: Bogotá

Travel Styles:
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Tour Map


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Tour Itinerary


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Day 1

Welcome to Colombia! Over the next few days, let yourself be inspired by the hospitality and small everyday treasures of Colombia, savour typical delicacies and fresh fruit! Transfer from José María Córdova airport to the hotel.

Read more: From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

Location: Medellín

Accommodation: Lettera Hotel

Type:

Room Basis: B&B: Bed and Breakfast

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Day 2

Medellín – the ‘city of eternal spring’ – is considered the most innovative city in Latin America today. Its history is closely linked to the life and work of Pablo Escobar and extreme gang violence. In the last twenty years, however, Medellín has undergone a drastic transformation. An innovative urban development programme has transformed the face of one of the world’s most dangerous cities into a model of urban change. Explore the second largest city in Colombia. Wander through the colourful hustle and bustle of the city centre to the famous Plaza Botero and marvel at the statues of Fernando Botero, which have since become the city’s landmark. Take the cable car up to the Santo Domingo district, once notorious for its gang violence. The cable car was developed to connect the city centre and the poor districts and thus involve the people living there in city life. Afterwards, you will admire Medellín’s latest innovation to improve the quality of life of the population – the unique open-air escalators of Comuna 13 (the details of the tour can be arranged on site with the guide according to your wishes).

Read more: From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

Location: Medellín

Accommodation: Lettera Hotel

Type:

Room Basis: B&B: Bed and Breakfast

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Day 3

The route between Salamina and Medellín is characterised by the steep green mountain slopes and the deep valley of the Río Cauca. Winding roads with marvellous views alternate with the crossing of deep valleys and the tributaries of the Cauca.

Read more: From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

Location: Salamina

Type:

Room Basis: B&B: Bed and Breakfast

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Day 4

With a private vehicle (jeep or car) we drive to the beautiful mountain town of Marulanda, known for its sheep wool-based handicrafts. Shortly before arriving in Marulanda, we will start a one and a half hour hike to a farm in the middle of the ‘Valle de Cabras’, a spectacular route where you will discover the richness and beauty of a wax palm forest.  At the farm, we will be welcomed by a traditional farming family with whom we will share a delicious, typical lunch. We then continue our tour through this beautiful valley with the tallest palm trees and return along a different path that takes about two and a half hours, passing a waterfall and crossing a river until we reach the road again. Full of experiences and good energy, we drive back to Salamina.

Read more: From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

Location: Salamina

Type:

Room Basis: B&B: Bed and Breakfast

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Day 5

You leave the idyllic village of Salamina and drive through the green and mountainous landscape of the coffee zone. The typical coffee valleys that stretch along the mountain slopes will guide you all the way to Manizales.

Read more: From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

Location: Manizales

Accommodation: Hacienda Venecia

Room Basis: Half Board – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

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Day 6

At the hacienda, you will start the coffee tour at the Hacienda Venecia guest house. There you will talk about coffee, its preparation, roasting, quality features and the characteristics that make up the diversity of coffee varieties in the world. The tour continues with the expert through the farm’s coffee plantations, where you will learn to appreciate the work of the coffee picker. You will get to know the famous wet mill that characterises Colombian coffee. Finally, you will visit the main house of the hacienda, where you will learn about the typical architecture and history of this marvellous place.

Read more: From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

Location: Manizales

Accommodation: Hacienda Venecia

Room Basis: Half Board – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

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Day 7

From the steep bends of the Nevado del Ruiz to the Alto de las Letras, today’s journey leads into the valley of the Magdalena River to Honda.

Read more: From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

Location: Honda

Room Basis: B&B: Bed and Breakfast

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Day 8

The journey continues through a very varied landscape, past the different climatic zones of the Andes, up into the eastern Andes Cordillera. Due to the proximity to the Magdalena River, you can see impressive landscapes along the way. On the way, you can make a stop at the Piedra de Capira, from where Alexander von Humboldt was able to enjoy the marvellous view. From Bogotá, the journey can be planned flexibly.

Read more: From Medellín to Bogotá: Coffee & the Andes

Location: Honda

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Accommodation in specified hotels incl. breakfast.

Private transport with Spanish-speaking driver.

Tour guide and entrance fees as stated in the tour description.

Catering as specified in the tour description.

Colombian SIM card.
 

International flights.

Personal expenses.

Gratuities.

Airport and harbour taxes (Port of Cartagena approx. EUR 12.00 per person).

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