Enchanted Colombia

Day 1: Tastes and Traditions

Delve deeper into Medellin's street food repertoire with this half-day culinary adventure. Join your bilingual private guide for a visit to Plaza de Mercado La Minorista and experience a symphony of vibrant sights and aromas. This popular farmers market boasts plenty of delicious exotic fruits and fresh vegetables. Immerse yourself in the energy of this authentic Colombian market before rolling up your sleeves in a private cooking class. Here, you'll learn to make arepas, circular corn cakes that can be filled with other ingredients to create a hearty meal. Put your kitchen skills to the test as you craft these tasty treats and gain insight into their significant role in Colombia's culinary history. 

With a wide range of outstanding restaurants offering top-notch dining experiences, no trip to Medellin is complete without a night of fine fare. Tonight, reservations will be made in advance at the restaurant of your choice, and round-trip transportation in a private vehicle will also be provided. 

Day 2: Nurtured by Nature

Experience the natural beauty of Medellin with your knowledgeable private guide. The journey begins as you head to Santa Elena, drinking in views of a picturesque countryside en-route. Nestled atop the Aburrá Valley, Santa Elena is an oasis of lush vegetation and stunning vistas. Pause to see the town's Silleteros monument, paying tribute to the flower growers who carry heavy displays of stunning floral tapestries on their back. This tradition is honored during the spectacular Festival of Flowers, Medellin's annual festival that celebrates the country's enchanting floral bounty. Continue on to a local flower farm where you'll gain further insight into the history of the silleta. After a brief introduction, enjoy a stroll around the finca's flower crops, where you'll be able to immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of more than 200 plant varieties. Next, enjoy a hands-on experience as you craft your own vibrant silleta and walk in the footsteps of a garden-savvy silletero. Your last stop of the day is the MetroCable of Santa Elena that ascends to Arvi Park. Boasting an elevation of 1,309 feet, this cable car ride invites breath-taking views as you soar to new heights. On arrival, take a leisurely stroll around this ecological nature preserve and peruse local sweets and crafts to find the perfect souvenir.

Day 3: A Change of Scenery

Meet your private driver for a transfer between your accommodations and Medellin Airport. Approximate travel time varies based on the location of your hotel, typically averaging one hour.

Board a flight in Medellin with service to Armenia via Bogota. Approximate flight time is three hours and 40 minutes.

On arrival to Armenia Airport, meet your private driver for a transfer to your hotel in the Quindio Coffee Region. Approximate travel time is one hour.

Welcome to the fantastical and magical Hacienda Bambusa, an oasis of peace and natural beauty. ​Surrounded by the enormous Central Andes Mountain and lush vegetation, the hacienda is a hidden gem amid an unexplored paradise. Hacienda Bambusa offers the ideal setting to relax and enjoy life while in Colombia. Conserving the traditional architecture style of the country's Coffee Region, this stunning estate served as the inspiration for La Casita Madrigal as featured in Disney's Oscar-winning Encanto. 

Day 4: Take to the Trails

Saddle up for adventure at La Maria Reserve, located about 45 minutes southeast from the city of Armenia. After a convenient private transfer whisks you to the reserve, prepare for an incredible horseback ride through Quindio's verdant countryside. Listen to a short safety briefing before your ride begins, traversing incredible terrain atop of a trusted steed. Meander through a variety of landscapes and ecosystems, passing by coffee and maize plantations. Enjoy sightings of locally farmed buffalos as you wind your way through densely wooded trails. Most trails involve some uphill and downhill sections and at least one river crossing, so be prepared for wet feet. At the end of your ride, unwind with well-earned refreshments and time to reminisce about the day’s excursion.

Immerse yourself in the splendor of Hacienda Bambusa with time at leisure. Take to the trails surrounding the hacienda, where you'll encounter an incredible bamboo forest. These forests can be found near rivers, water streams and wetlands, protecting water sources and harboring numerous species of plants and animals. After a leisurely stroll, make a splash at the on-site pool. 

Day 5: Hidden Gems

Delve deep into natural wonders and charming towns in this engaging Quindio excursion. Set out with your private driver and guide to explore alluring Salento town, showcasing an array of colorful homes and an undeniable charm. Marvel at the area's old-world architecture, feeling as if you've journeyed back in time. Immerse yourself in the town's coffee culture with a latte-art workshop where you'll learn how to create designs atop of Colombia's best brew. Next, venture into the spectacular Cocora Valley, departing Salento by jeep. This remarkable landscape is home to soaring wax palms, dotting a vast expanse of unspoiled greenery. Here you'll find picture-perfect verdant terrain soaring towards the clouds. Stretch your legs during a light hike among some of the tallest palms on the planet, drinking in views of Corcora's surreal beauty. Today's activity also includes lunch and a coffee break, ensuring plenty of fuel for non-stop adventure.

Day 6: The Journey Continues…

Meet your private driver and English-speaking guide for a transfer to Armenia Airport. Approximate travel duration is one hour.

Board a flight in Armenia with service to Cartagena via Bogota. Flight duration is approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

Set out with your private driver and English-speaking guide for a transfer between your hotel and Cartagena Airport. Approximate travel time varies based on the location of your hotel, typically averaging 30 minutes.

Tonight, savor the tantalizing flavors of El Gobernador Restaurant, recognized as one of the best gastro-houses in Cartagena. Led by chef Viviana Lievano, the cuisine centers on traditional local staples, all prepared with ecologically sustainable products. The tasting menu offers unforgettable flavors spread across nine courses, highlighted by delights such as the famous Coco Loco dessert. Found inside Bastión Luxury Hotel, El Gobernador by Rausch represents the best in Colombian gastronomy, serving delicious creations a la carte or as part of their renowned tasting menu. Tonight, reservations will be made in advance so you can experience El Gobernador by Rausch for yourself.

Day 7: Secrets of the City

Visit the streets of Getsemani to see colorful umbrellas, street art, street sellers, cafes and restaurants. Experience Cartagena from a new perspective as you explore the Getsemani neighborhood with your private bilingual guide. Discover colorful houses and incredible street art, admiring the vibrant graffiti painted created by local artists. These beautiful murals reflect a range of themes, from underlying social commentary to celebrations of local culture. Wander through several sites of interest and gain insight into their history with the help of your knowledgeable guide. As your eyes are delighted by the flower-filled

colonial style houses of Getsemani, your ears will be treated to the sounds of vallenatos - traditional Colombian folk music. After your tour, take a seat as a local artist skillfully sketches a portrait of you and your loved ones. A unique gift and one-of-a-kind way to capture your time in historic Cartagena.

Spend time at leisure making a splash at the Sofitel Legend's inviting swimming pool. Enjoy a unique atmosphere while basking in Cartagena’s sun and its tropical climate. Found next to the hotel’s swimming pool, a convenient bar offers refreshing cocktails alongside a variety of tasty treats.

Day 8: Cultural Immersion

An exclusive and truly tasty experience, this private chocolate bar workshop is designed to delight junior vacationers. Kids between the ages of 5-14 years are invited to put their skills to the test during a hands-on chocolate making demonstration. Children will be able concoct their own personalized creation, then satisfy their sweet tooth by sampling their own unique bar. This engaging activity is an ideal way to introduce young ones to an important Colombian treasure while teaching them how to make a well-deserved treat.

Surrender to the enticing rhythms of Cartagena during an unforgettable private drumming class. Visit the site of Batambora, a school created by young entrepreneurs from La Boquilla's Afro-descendant community. La Boquilla is a fishing village with Afro-Caribbean roots, which, for more than 200 years, has worked to preserve its ancestral rituals. Experience the magic of Afro-Colombian drums as you gain insight into the techniques and rhythms of this musical tradition. Learn the basic beats of the Alegre drum, play the Colombian cumbia, and lose yourself in the undeniable rhythms of the Caribbean coast. Under the guidance of an expert instructor, you’ll be drumming like a local in no time.