Ecuador to Colombia Explorer - 19 Days
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Overview
Highlights
- The Coffee Triangle – learn about coffee farming at local ranch in Armenia
- Cocora Valley – take a hike in the home of Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm, the tallest variety of palm tree in the world
- Quito - independently explore Ecuador's capital and visit the Equatorial Monument
- Otavalo – discover the rich cultural heritage and excellent handicrafts market full of artisan goods
- Ipiales - visit the jaw dropping Santuario Las Lejas church.
- Popayan - beautiful town and former colonial capital. Opt to relax in the volcanic thermal springs nearby or trek to the summit of the towering Purace volcano.
- Salento – stroll through this charming town with its preserved colonial bahareque architecture and streets lined with restaurants, bars and shops
- Manizales & the coffee region. Stay at a coffee plantation and take a guided tour and learn about coffee cultivation and production.
- Medellin - Famous for its pleasant weather, it earns the nickname “the City of Eternal Spring”
- Santa Cruz de Lorica - colonial town where we learn how the traditional Vueltiao hat is made
What's this trip about?
Details
Destinations
Trip includes
- 14 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 2 dinners.
- 8 nights multishare hostels, 7 nights basic and comfortable hotels, 1 night camping and 2 nights sleeping in hammocks on the beach
- Services of 2 crew (Drivers/Tour Leaders), with local guides along the way
- Visit to the equator at Mitad del Mundo
- Visit to the church of Santuario Las Lejas near the Ecuador/Colombia border.
- Half-day guided trek through the spectacular Cocora Valley
- Guided tour of a coffee plantation
- 2 night trip into Tayrona National Park
- Half day guided walking tour of Cartegena
- Transportation in an overland expedition vehicle. plus 4 x 4 and ferry.
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Make your own way to our hotel in Quito. There is a group meeting at 6pm tonight where you will meet the rest of your group and crew.
Quito - Otavalo. Departing the Ecuadorian capital we take a short drive to Mitad el Mundo, a monument on the Equator. Later we continue to Otavalo where we camp for the night in the grounds of a lovely guesthouse.
Otovalo - Ipiales (Colombia). We depart Ecuador today as we travel into neighbouring Colombia. After clearing the border at Ipiales we take a visit to the Santuario Las Lajas - a spectacular church built on a bridge in the middle of a canyon - certainly a sight to behold.
Ipiales - Popayan. On day 4 we drive to the quaint town and former colonial capital of Popayan. Day 5 is at leisure to explore Popayan or to head out on some treks or other optional activities (see Trip Notes for more details).
Continuing north on day 6 we drive to the little town of Salento - known as the gateway to the breathtaking Valle de Cocora. On day 7 we take an escorted walk through the Cocora Valley to marvel at the Quidio wax palm trees - Colombia's national tree and the biggest palm trees in the world.
Salento - Manizales. A short drive on day 8 takes us to our hacienda in the heart of Colombia's coffee region. If the weather is in our favour then we will take a trip to explore nearby Los Nevados National Park. On day 9 we tour a coffee plantation and learn all about its cultivation.
Manizales - Medellin. Our journey on day 10 takes us to the exciting city of Medellin where we spend the next 3 nights. On day 11 we will take a guided walking tour of the city and day 12 is at leisure for you to further explore or just relax. Our accommodation in Med...
Medellin - Santa Cruz de Lorica. Leaving Medellin on day 13 we continue north to the pretty town of Santa Cruz de Lorica. Day 14 is at leisure to explore the city, learn about the traditional hats made here or even travel to the coast for some beach time in San Bernardo del Viento.
Santa Cruz de Lorica - Tayrona National Park. Departing Santa Cruz de Lorica we head to one of Colombia's most beautiful national parks - Tayrona. We'll be leaving our main luggage on our truck as we pack a day pack for the night. we'll take a moderate walk into the ...
Tayroma National Park - Cartagena. We depart idyllic Tayroma this morning we take our last journey in our truck as we head to Cartagena - our final destination. Our accommodation here is a lovely hotel on the outskirts of the historical centre.
Today we take a walking tour of Cartagena in the morning before an afternoon at leisure. There are many optional activities to enjoy in the city - see the Trip Notes for more information.
Arrangements finish this morning after hotel check out.
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Dates & Availability
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Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Escaping a cold London winter back in 1998, we followed the sun for a colourful adventure around the world. Discovering amazing history, interesting cultures and the jaw-dropping beauty of our planet, the friends we made along the way made our journey all the more special. Inspired to share our experiences, the seeds were sown and On The Go Tours was born.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Items of a personal nature, additional meals and drinks
- International flights and visas
- Tipping – an entirely personal gesture
- Sleeping bag and roll mat - please bring your own for camping
- Local payment - $580pp, paid in USD
Accommodation
Minimum age 12, no maximum. Anyone 70 and over to complete our Tour Suitability Form
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