Bogotá and Coffee Plantations

Discover the culture and charm of Bogotá, followed by three days of exploring Colombia’s rich agriculture zone where the main crop of coffee is produced. You’ll stay in a lovingly restored “finca” or hacienda, and experience the pleasant climate and diverse flora of the area. Visit Botanical gardens and a butterfly farm, explore the coffee growing process and tour nearby national reserve. Time to observe & explore the local way of life in nearby towns. Each night return to the peacefulness of your hacienda. No matter what your interests, you’ll enjoy the rich diversity and charming life-style of the coffee growing region.

2007 Departures: Daily on request.  We recommend arrival on Monday thru Friday, to allow for best museum visits.

2007 Prices:  $925

• Plus local airfares Bogotá -Armenia- Bogotá approximately $225, subject to change
• Rates are per person, based on double occupancy. 2-4 travelers.
• Single supplement available on request
• Prices Valid until Dec 15, 2007

Note: This tour is a suggested, customized itinerary that is very flexible. We can make changes in hotels, excursions and destinations to suit your travel dates, style and budget.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival in Bogotá . After clearing customs and immigration, you are met by our local representative and transferred to the Hotel de la Ville. Check in for a two-night stay.

Bogotá is the capital of the Republic of Colombia. The city is located on the high plateau called ‘Sabana de Bogota’, at an altitude of 2640 meters (8600 feet) above sea level, surrounded by the eastern range of the Andes. It was founded in 1538 by the Spaniard Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Since that time and mostly since the end of World War II, Bogotá has grown rapidly to a real metropolis. The actual population of the city is about 7 million inhabitants. Because of the fast growing development of Bogotá , you will see many contrasts, such as skyscrapers standing side by side with old houses of one level or high-powered automobiles sharing a modern expressway with mule carts.

Day 2: This morning you’ll enjoy a half-day city tour of Bogotá . Drive through the colonial section of La Candelaria, short stops for photographs at Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of Bogota. Here you will see the Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal's Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall. Visit to the famous Gold Museum, which houses the world greatest collection of pre-hispanic Indian gold crafts. Afterwards visit the Fernando Botero Museum that contains paintings and sculptures of this famous contemporary Colombian artist. The tour lasts approximately 4 ½ hours. Return to your hotel with free time to explore the city on your own. (B)

NOTE : The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and the Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Day 3: Transfer to the Airport to take the morning flight to city Armenia.

On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Hacienda Brasilia. This hacienda is located about 20 minutes from the city of Armenia. It has very nice gardens, a swimming pool, a stream nearby to take a swim and very comfortable rooms with private bathroom. After you settle in to your room, depart in the afternoon for a visit to the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Park. Return to the hacienda for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 4: After breakfast depart on a morning tour to the "National Park of Coffee", located in Montenegro. At this museum you can observe the coffee culture in Colombia from planting, to ripening, collecting, washing and drying. Continue to the town of Córdoba to visit the experimental centre of bamboo. Return to the hacienda in the afternoon for dinner and overnight. (B, L)

Day 5: After breakfast depart for the town of Salento and admire one of the typical towns of the Coffee Region. Observe the typical architecture of their houses and the daily way of life. Continue to the Cocora Valley , part of the Natural reserve of ACAIME, to observe the wax palm, national tree of Colombia. Return to the hacienda for dinner and overnight. (B, L)

Day 6 : Morning at leisure with opportunity to enjoy the nice swimming pool and lovely grounds of the hacienda. In the afternoon you’ll be met and transferred to the airport for your flight to Bogotá . You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to the Hotel de la Ville. (B)

Day 7: Transfer to the Airport to take flight for the next destination. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Trip notes:

• This trip begins and ends in Bogotá, which can be reached by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines.
• Order of tours may by switched due to operating hours of museums and archaeological sites.
• Domestic flights Bogotá -Armenia- Bogotá are required for this itinerary. Approximate cost is $225, subject to change.
• Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted international airfares from most US cities, local airpasses, and complete land packages through-out Latin America.

Description of Hotels:

Bogotá :

• HOTEL DE LA VILLE. Hotel in Art Nouveau style located in the northern area of the city. 40 minutes from the airport. 32 rooms w. Bath, minibar, safetybox, phone, TV, restaurant, bar.

Armenia:

• HACIENDA BRASILIA Located 20 minutes from Armenia, this hacienda offers 15 rooms with private bathroom and TV. All rooms face ample corridors with hammocks. Two kiosks with restaurants, a swimming pool, gardens. Following a path through the gardens, passengers reach a stream with a natural pool to enjoy a pleasant bath.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.