One of the things Colombia is well known for is the great coffee. Therefore, a visit to the Coffee Region, a UNESCO World Heritage site that covers Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda and the north of the Cauca Valley, is an obvious choice for anyone interested in coffee production.
The Coffee Triangle however, has much more to offer than just coffee – the incredible landscape and mountainous area is also fascinating to anyone interested in nature and wildlife.
There are many places and activities to choose from. Some of the highlight include a hike through the wax palm forest of the Cocora Valley, a visit to the beautiful towns Salento and Finlandia and of course a coffee tasting at one of the many ecological coffee farms.
If you enjoy theme parks then the National Coffee Park might be something for you. If you would like to see a variety of hummingbirds, a visit to the humming bird sanctuary in the Cocora Valley would be a great opportunity for you. The Butterfly Garden is great for anyone you would like to be able to see many colourful butterflies in one spot. If you are more adventurous and enjoy the outdoors, a hike through the Los Nevados National Natural Park might be something for you. If you prefer enjoying the natural environment and are looking for wellness, a visit to one of the hot springs in the area might be a great choice for you. As you see, there are many things you can do in the Coffee Region. You just have to choose.
Below you will find some itinerary ideas for a visit to the Coffee Triangle.
On this 4 day tour would will stay at a coffee farm and learn about the process of coffee production. You will also wander through the Cocora Valley and visit the beautiful town Salento. Furthermore, you will get the chance to visit a local market, buy fresh ingredients and prepare a traditional Colombian dish.
See below for more information about the activities of each day. Starting price: 708 USD
Your English-speaking guide will be waiting for you at the airport and bring you to the coffee farm Hacienda Combia where you will be staying for the next few days. You will have the afternoon free to relax and acclimatise.
Accommodation: Hacienda Combia
After breakfast and private transfer to Salento you will hop on an immaculate old Willy´s jeep and wind your way through super-scenic Valle del Cocora, a valley that is famous for its supply of the national tree, the wax palm. After a walk in the beautiful surroundings you will make your way to Salento. You will have time for lunch and can explore this charming and colourful town before you head back to the hotel in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Hacienda Combia (Breakfast)
Today you will visit the local market in Santa Rosa de Cabal where you will buy fresh ingredients with the help of your guide for today’s lunch. You will then head to the Hacienda Santa Clara where the chef will assist and lead the cooking process of the Sancocho, a typical Colombian dish. While preparing your lunch, you will enjoy some delicious appetizers and drinks.
Once you have arrived back at the hotel, you we will have the chance to get behind the scenes of coffee production. You will shadow the staff of one of the Hacienda Combia to see the entire process from start to finish. After seeing the coffee process from the field you will set out in search of the end product and a coffee tasting session.
Accommodation: Hacienda Combia (Breakfast & Lunch)
Your driver will bring you to the airport in time for your flight.
Accommodation: none (Breakfast)
This 4 day tour in the Coffee Region of Colombia will show you some of the highlight and natural wonders of the area. You will walk through the Cocora Valley and visit Salento and will explore the Quindio Botanical Garden with many plant species and over 2000 butterflies. You will also learn about the coffee production process and will get the chance to try some of the best coffees in the world.
See below for more information about the activities of each day. Starting price: 1.204 USD
You will be welcomed at the airport by your guide and will be driven to your beautiful hotel with pool. You can enjoy the hotel facilities and relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Hacienda Bambusa (Dinner)
Your driver will pick you up after breakfast to bring you to Salento where you will drive through the beautiful Valle del Cocora on an old Willy´s jeep. The Valle del Cocora is famous for its wax palms. After time to explore the area you will head to Salento. There, you can have lunch and learn more about the colourful town before heading back to the hotel in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Hacienda Bambusa (Breakfast & Dinner)
After breakfast you will explore the Quindío Botanical Garden which houses more than 600 different species of plants and 70 species of birds and is home to one of the largest and most beautiful butterfly habitats in the world with more than 2000 species.
In the afternoon, you will have the chance to get behind the scenes of coffee production. You will shadow the staff of the finca San Alberto to see the entire process from start to finish.You will end the afternoon with a delightful coffee tasting session.
Accommodation: Hacienda Bambusa (Breakfast & Dinner)
Your driver will pick you up from the hotel to bring you to the airport in time for your flight.
Accommodation: none (Breakfast)
This 6 day adventure will take you on a true expeditionary style 4 days trek taking you right across the Los Nevados National Park, from the famous Cocora valley to the mountain city of Manizales. You will attempt to summit the unique and very special tropical glacier, Santa Isabel and immerse yourselves in the flora and birdlife unique to the Andean tropical forests, the unique paramo ecosystem, glacial lagoons, volcanoes and glacial peaks.
Colombia is the second most biodiverse country on the planet, and we can’t wait to show you why it is regarded as such! From South to the North, let’s explore this special area of stunning natural beauty.
See below for more information about the activities of each day. Starting price: 937 USD
Your guide will pick you up from the airport in Armenia or Pereira and bring you to Salento, a charming little town where you will be staying the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Mirador del Cocora
Early in the morning you will head to the meeting point, where you will be introduced to your guide/s before heading to the breakfast stop. Once full from your hearty breakfast, you all jump into a traditional Colombian ‘Willis’ jeep to the start of the trek at the Cocora Valley. You will start walking at an altitude of 2,390 meters towards the forest, where you can see the valley of wax palms. A day dominated by ascent, you continue ascending through the forest until you reach your final destination of Day 1, the farm “La Argentina”, at an altitude of 3,400 meters.
Accommodation: Finca La Argentina (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Following a typical and delicious breakfast prepared by your hosts at Finca La Argentina, you will leave for your day exploring the Paramo ecosystem. You start the ascent from the “La Argentina” farm to the Buenos Aires sector at 3,750 meters, getting closer and closer to the Los Nevados National Natural Park. Here you will have a quick break, gathering your strength to make the ascent amongst the paramo and frailejones to an altitude of 4,045 meters and a majestic view point of the extinct volcano, the Paramillo del Quindío (4,750 meters). Here is your crossing point into the department of Risaralda, home to the finca El Berlín (3,700 meters) and your home for the evening.
Accommodation: Finca El Berlin (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After breakfast you start your way towards the Otun river canyon until you reach the Otun lagoon, the largest in the park and of glacial origin. It is fed mainly by the thaw of the majestic Nevado de Santa Isabel with it’s glacial summit of 5,000 meters. If the weather is good, you will be able to see this mighty peak as well as the surrounding area of natural beauty in full spread. From here you pass through, arguably, some of the most beautiful area of paramo in the National Park, before finally reaching your final point of the days hike, the rural farm Campo Alegre. Here you prepare and rest for what is to come – the final physical challenge – the summit of Nevado Santa Isabel.
Accommodation: Campo Alegre (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
The day starts early at 2am. After a hot drink and light breakfast you will jump on a 1 hour 4×4 ride to the starting point of the trek. The first part of the trek will start in the paramo heading towards the glacier edge of the Santa Isabel Nevado, a distance of just 3,7 kilometers, but with an altitude gain of over 1,000 meters. At this point you and your guide will prepare your ice-climbing equipment and then continue until, about 2 hours later, you will find yourself on top of the world at 5,000 meters. After enjoying the incredible views you then descend back to your transport before heading to Manizales around 5pm, after a delicious celebratory lunch en route.
You will reach your hotel in the late afternoon for a well-deserved rest.
Accommodation: Finca Romelia (Breakfast & Lunch)
Today you will get the chance to discover the orchid nursery at the Finca Romelia. Finca Romelia possesses one of the largest and varied private collections in the country, including approximately 832 species, with special attention to the native species.
Then, in time for your flight, your driver will bring you to the airport in Manizales.
Accommodation: none (Breakfast)
Please contact us for more information or to book one of the tours in the Coffee Triangle. Remember we can also tailor a trip to your wishes and needs.
