Colombian Coffee to Coast Tour – Capurgana

You will arrive in Medellin and stay at a lovely boutique guest house, in the heart of “El Poblado”, the “zona rosa” or “hot spot” of Medellin (area for nightlife and shopping). Spend the evening strolling though the tree-lined streets and sample international cuisine. Relax in a cafe overlooking the Parque Lleras, or dance the night away in nearby nightclubs and upscale bars.

After breakfast provided at our accommodation, you will be swept up from your hotel and taken on the day tour of your choice. You will then return to enjoy the evening in Poblado, Medellin, or venture out into other regions of the city if you’re feeling adventurous. Some options include:

• Guatape & El Peñol Rock
• Jardin
• Santa Fe de Antioquia
• Rio Claro Nature Reserve
• Tamesis Waterfall Rappelling
• Rionegro Cycling Tour

After breakfast at our hotel, you will travel your traditional lodging in the heart of the coffee region, Hacienda Venecia, where the sun warms the ground, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air. Dinner and coffee will be provided upon arrival.

Day 4 – Cultural Coffee Tour
Be prepared to galavant over coffee country, and experience the entire coffee process, from start to finish. You will wake up to the sound of the birds, and float out to freshly brewed coffee. After breakfast you will participate in an onsite tour of the coffee finca. You will learn all about the coffee process from plant to cup. Use all of your senses to learn about what makes a good cup of coffee. Eat a delicious lunch in the hacienda and enjoy the sights and sounds of the farm. After lunch your guides will take you to Alto de la Mina. This finca was established in 1854 during the “gold rush”, and is still a working coffee farm today. Cesar, your guide, has cultivated a small museum with historical artifacts and a fascinating timeline of his family’s history and the history of the area. Sample award winning coffee and learn more about the coffee process. Cesar has also created coffee processing machinery of his own out or recycled materials. Enjoy dinner in a local homestyle restaurant, and get a good night’s sleep.

Wake up to another morning of delicious coffee, breakfast and sunshine. After breakfast, you will receive a tour of nearby petroglyphs. After the tour you will travel to beautiful thermal springs fed by a heated waterfall. On your way, you’ll stop for lunch in Santa Rosa de Cabal. You will rest your head just steps away from private pools of thermal water, where the minerals in the water have many health benefits for the mind, body and spirit. Enjoy dinner in the dining room, and sleep soundly after enjoying hours in the thermal waters.

You will spend a full day at the thermal baths. In the late morning, you will participate in a guided eco-hike, where you will learn all about the flora and fauna in the area, as well as the astounding geology that has formed the thermal baths. Enjoy a refreshing outdoor shower. Savor your meals in the dining room or by the pool. Swim in a geothermal heated river at the “Pozos del Amor”. Breathe in the crisp mountain air. This truly is paradise.

After breakfast you will travel to Salento, a sleepy colonial town. If you happen to be here on a Saturday or Sunday, expect the streets to be full of tourists and vendors. You will be staying in a sweet guesthouse. Take a walk up the long staircase at the end of the main street to catch the sunset from the top of the hill. Play on the swings, grab a snack from the vendor at the top of the hill, or just soak in the view. You may want to play “Tejo”, Colombia’s national game, which requires of gunpowder and beer. Enjoy.

After breakfast you will walk 4 blocks to the town square, where you will catch a “Willie” jeep to the Valle del Cocora. Check the schedule for the jeeps at the guest house, as the times may change according to the season. Hike through sun drenched landscape, marveling at the tallest palm trees in the world. Breathe the fresh mountain air as you sit next to a rushing waterfall. Enjoy hiking through the varied desert valley and fresh mountain climates in this region. This afternoon you will travel to our eco-hotel close to Pereira. Dinner will be waiting for you – a great way to end your day and reward your self after a long day of hiking.

After breakfast you will travel to Capurgana. Ask us about land and air travel options. You will arrive in Avocado Bay, where your hosts will receive you warmly and welcome you with open arms and a welcome beverage! This accommodation boasts of sustainable water and energy practices, which your hosts will be happy to show you. Your hosts will treat you to a delicious lunch before you relax and enjoy the tropical sunshine, private beach, and lovely fresh water river for swimming. Dinner is provided, as well as afternoon drinks. Fall asleep to the sounds of the wind and the waves in this secluded and tasteful eco-hotel.

Wake up to the sound of the waves and the play of sunshine through your open window. This morning after breakfast you will take a boat ride to the picturesque Playa Soledad, or “Solitude Beach” where you can spend the afternoon snorkeling and kayaking. Nothing can compare to sipping a beer or juice as you let the Caribbean blue waves wash over your legs on a secluded beach. Your host will transport you back to your hotel paradise for another scrumptious lunch. The afternoon is yours to explore or just relax in a hammock in under blue skies. See our travel guide for ideas. Ask your hosts about borrowing mountain bikes, and snorkeling gear. Afternoon drinks and dinner will satisfy your palate as you enjoy another meal cooked and eaten in the beautiful outdoor kitchen and dining space of our eco-hotel.

After breakfast you will have an eco hike through the tropical rain forest with ocean views and rocky cliffs to La Mora. On this hike you will discover the amazing biodiversity of the Darien Gap and hear howler monkeys in the distance as you see toucans and giant Morpho butterflies fluttering by.

After breakfast your hosts will sweep you off to the sweet fishing village of Sapzurro. Accessible only by private boat, Sapzurro boast of beautiful crescent shaped, palm tree laden beaches in the area. You will have the opportunity to take a 30 minute hike across the border to “La Miel”, the first established town in Panama. The beaches here are pretty too, and the hike is well rewarded with incredible views of both Sapzurro and La Miel from the path. You will have a delicious lunch of fried red snapper, fried plantains, rice, avocado and salad in Sapzurro. In the afternoon you will ride the boat along the coast back to Avocado bay to spend your last evening in tropical paradise.

Day 13- Travel to Medellin
After breakfast, your hosts will transport you to the dock in Capurgana. You will then return to Medellin and spend your last night at our guesthouse in El Poblado. Savor lunch at Crepes and Waffles (the ice cream is yummy too!), and visit the Botero museum in the afternoon. Enjoy the nightlife in Parque Lleras, or simply relax before your journey home.