Colombia's Coffee Country - Salento to Manizales.
.
|
August 13 - 21, 2016
I'm so excited about this trip I don't know where to begin! The hotels are amazing. The scenery is gorgeous. The people are some of the friendliest I've ever met... anywhere. And it's the middle of the dry season with average temperatures in the low 80's and twelve hours of sunlight every day.
$1599 includes airfare from JFK on Avianca, all air taxes and fuel surcharges, transfers between all destinations in Colombia, four nights in Salento tin the gorgeous La Moreleja Hotel with breakfasts, two nights at the La Quinta ranch with breakfasts, lunches and dinner two nights at the Termales de Otona Hotel with breakfasts and a pre-departure orientation. Reserve your space. No money due now.
Salento is a pretty little Spanish colonial town nestled in the Andes in the heart of Colombia's coffee country. It's a "tourist" town only in good ways. It's got everything you need and it hasn't been discovered by Americans yet so it's not overpriced... far from it! There's plenty to do in and around town... coffee plantation tours (including a really good one 10 minutes walk from the center of town), horseback riding, hiking in the Cocora Valley with 200 foot tall palm trees that look like something out of a Dr. Suess book and a cafe stop half way around the walk with more hummingbirds than you can count. And don't be surprised if you see Juan Valdez walking down the street... seriously.
Manizales is one of the three main cities that make up the Coffee Triangle, and it's got a cool vibe. The public transit system is a series of ultra modern cable cars that criss cross the mountain ridges to take you to the various neighborhoods... for 75 cents! Manizales is a quaint, mountainous city that has the look and feel of a European university town. Home to 6 colleges and universities, it is also the regional center of art and culture, with the Manizales International Theater and Jazz Festivals. Hotel La Moreleja. A gem of a boutique hotel in the heart of Salento. This will be our base for four days while we explore the town and surrounding countryside. La Quinta is a traditional cattle ranch that extends to the foothills of the Los Nevados Mountains National Park, located in the Colombian Coffee Region. It has it's own thermal water baths, seven amazing natural waterfalls and spectacular scenery - perfect for horseback riding, hiking, relaxation, meditation and adventure. Their chef will prepare all our meals during our two night stay here, while we relax before our trip to Manizales and the thermal baths of El Otono. Hotel Termales el Otoño in Manizales, Colombia. Just 25 minutes from the city proper, with stunning views. A great base to explore the city from... Once that's done, reward yourself with a dip at one of the thermal pools heated by the nearby volcano. Paradise. Reserve your space. No money due now.
Colombia’s Coffee Country from Salento to Manizales
Itinerary Aug 13, 2016. Saturday Day 1 Arrive in Pereira, Colombia after our flight on Avianca. Transfer by private coach from airport to Hotel La Moraleja in Salento where we will stay for 4 nights. The rest of the day is free to rest, relax and explore. Salento is a beautiful village with friendly locals and lots of restaurants! Aug 14, 2016. Sunday Day 2 Breakfast served at hotel. 10:00am meet for a private tour of Don Eduardo’s Coffee Plantation. Rest of the day free at your leisure. Overnight in the La Moraleja Hotel. Suggest: A game of Tejo? Or maybe futbol? Aug 15, 2016. Monday Day 3 Breakfast served at hotel. Rest of the day free at your leisure. Overnight in the La Moraleja Hotel. Suggest: Meet 8am in the main square for jeep ride to the Cocora ValleyDay for 5 hour guided hike through the cloud forest to see the 200’ tall palm trees and hummingbirds. Aug 16, 2016. Tuesday Day 4 Breakfast served at hotel. Day free at your leisure. Overnight in the La Moraleja Hotel. Suggest: Day trip to visit some of the local Paisa villages and take a swim in the Rio Verde with the locals. Aug 17, 2105. Wednesday Day 5 Breakfast served at hotel. Meet in front of hotel to board our private coach for transfer to La Quinta ranch. Along the way we trade our bus for a chiva (open air brightly painted party bus), then horses and mules for the final leg. All meals will be provided while we stay at La Quinta.This place is beyond description with waterfalls, volcanic hot spring fed swimming pool and starry nights you’ll never forget. Not to mention the home cooked food! Aug 18, 2016. Thursday Day 6 Breakfast, lunch and dinner served at La Quinta. The day is free to enjoy at your leisure. Opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and quiet relaxation at it finest. Overnight in La Quinta ranch. Aug 19, 2016. Friday Day 7 After breakfast we will begin our journey to Hotel Otono. Overnight at Termales del Otono with volcanic hot springs. Aug 20, 2016. Saturday Day 8 Breakfast served at hotel. Day free at your leisure. Overnight in Termales del Otono. Suggest: A visit to the nearby city of Manizales and take a ride on their very unique public transit system… cable cars that traverse the steep mountainous terrain. Aug 21, 2016. Sunday Day 9 Breakfast served at hotel. Meet in lobby. Our coach departs 9:30am for transfer to airport for flight home on Avianca Airlines. Reserve your space. No money due now.
This is the beautiful ranch we stay at on our Colombian trip to the Andes Coffee Country. No cell or internet service. Accessible only by horseback. Volcanic hot spring fed swimming pool and rustic luxury.
|