Itinerary:
Day 1: Bogotá. Arrive at any time.
Accommodation: Hotel Retiro 84 (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Meet your CEO and group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2: Bogotá/Armenia. Enjoy breakfast in Bogotá before boarding a flight to Armenia, in Colombia's coffee region. Spend two nights outside Armenia in a traditional hacienda.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hostal Mi Monaco (or similar) - Hacienda
Today's activities:
- Plane: Bogotá - Armenia. Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Hacienda Stay: Spend the night in a traditional hacienda (Spanish for "estate") and coffee farm and get a closer look at life in Colombia's beautiful coffee region.
Day 3: Armenia. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Visit Armenia market before coffee farm tour in the Calarcá area to learn more about the coffee culture here.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Hostal Mi Monaco (or similar) - Hacienda
Today's activities:
- Armenia Market Visit: Visit the city's historic, bustling market centre. Frequented daily by Armenia's residents and chefs alike, Armenia Market offers everything from new-age ingredients to traditional Colombian staples. Get caught up in the whirlwind of food stalls, flower shops, boutiques and cafés before determining your route through the market to sample the best the city has to offer.
- Coffee Farm Tour: Visit a local coffee farm to learn more about the production of this important crop, from the planting stage all the way to your coffee mug, and savour a taste of this famous export.
- Hacienda Stay: Spend the night in a traditional hacienda (Spanish for "estate") and coffee farm and get a closer look at life in Colombia's beautiful coffee region.
Day 4: Armenia/Salento. Take a morning hike through the Cocora Valley before an afternoon arrival to Salento. Continue the full coffee experience in the region of Quindío.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: El Rancho de Salento (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Entrance Fee Cocora Valley: Head into the Cocora Valley by private vehicle and take in the magnificent views. Get active with a hike through the area and learn more about this fertile region.
- Private Vehicle: Armenia - Salento, 30 minutes. Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 5: Salento/Medellín. Drive through beautiful landscapes to Medellín. Opt to explore the city in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Seven Inn Medellin (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Local Bus: Salento - Medellin, 8 hours. Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Day 6: Medellín. Enjoy a neighbourhood tour of the city and learn the fascinating recent history of the city's ongoing transformation. Spend the rest of the day with free time to explore this vibrant city.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Seven Inn Medellin (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Medellín City Tour: Medellín. Really get to know Colombia's second largest city with a neighbourhood tour. Medellín has been revitalized since the issues of the 80s and 90s and is now one of South America's most innovative and artistic cities. Explore the city's varied barrios filled with shops, green parks, museums, churches, markets, and delicious cuisine.
- Free Time: Opt to visit the famous rock El Peñol or hop on a sightseeing bus. Ride the MetroCable, part of Medellin's public transportation, for sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Day 7: Medellín. Enjoy another free day and opt to visit the nearby town of Guatapé, with its colourful houses and famous rock. Or ride the metrocable, a cable car part of Medellín's public transportation, for sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Seven Inn Medellin (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Free Time: Enjoy another full day to explore one of Colombia's most popular cities.
Day 8: Medellín/Cartagena. Hop on a morning flight to Cartagena and arrive in time to spend the afternoon exploring the old walled city. Opt for dinner and a night out in this lively town.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Dorado Plaza Centro Histórico (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Plane: Medellin - Cartagena, 1 hour and 15 minutes. Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Orientation With CEO: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Day 9: Cartagena. Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Today's activities:
- Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Next Steps
Ready to go? Simply request a spot via your MyIVHQ profile, and our team will reach out with availability and seasonal pricing details.
This tour can be completed before or after your volunteering experience in Colombia, we'll help with recommendations to bridge any gaps between your volunteer program and the tour. These arrangements are your responsibility and we can provide you with personalized transit and accommodation advice to make your travel straightforward.
Best of all, you’ll be in great hands with our trusted partners who have led sustainable, community-first travel for 30 years. Your adventure makes a real, positive difference every step of the way.
Please note that exact activities and timing can vary depending on the season and availability. Don't worry, your tour provider will share your final, confirmed itinerary once your dates are set!
Let’s get your journey started!
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