1. Salento: Quindío Magical Towns Private Tour with Local Lunch
The day begins with pickup from your hotel at 8:00 AM and heads to Rio Verde Quindio where a Jeep will be waiting to drive you uphill to Buenavista. Arrive at the top and soak up magnificent views of Cauca Valley then visit a nearby coffee farm to learn about the process of coffee production. Enjoy a tour of the plantation, meet the workers, and discover how coffee is harvested, prepared, and dried. Continue onto the town of Pijao and set off on a walk though the picturesque streets lined with beautiful houses. Admire the array of eclectic buildings painted in vibrant colors and adorned with ornaments. As you explore, learn about the history of this small town and the process of colonization that gave birth to the region, as well as the impact of the ‘coffee boom’. Afterwards, visit a local family’s craft workshop where you can see how traditional crafts are made. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, enjoy a delicious Sancocho for lunch, which is a traditional soup made with large pieces of meat and vegetables served in broth. After a tasty meal, travel to the last stop of the day, another small coffee farm. Learn about the different brewing methods and ingredients that change the taste of coffee, then try a cup yourself. At the end of an unforgettable day begin the return joinery to Rio Verde, soaking up the incredible views as you are dropped off at your hotel.