Alyra’s team is developing an amazing expedition for a Montreal high school that will  discover el Eje Cafetero and the northern coastline. In Colombia’s Eje Cafetero, coffee is a way of life. This region is a rich tapestry of rolling hills, quaint villages, gorgeous natural reserves, and gigantic farms growing everything from bananas to plantains and, of course, coffee. The second part of the trip they will explore Cartagena's colonial walled city , the Tayrona National Park and its beaches. The most important objective is to accomplish a development project in order to improve the quality of life in a hosting village in El Eje Cafetero .

PART 1 – Day 1-13: Cartagena and Eje Cafetero (development project in the community of El Tambo)

1. Cartagena
• Learn about the rich history and culture of Cartagena's Old Town
• Enter through La Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower Gate): Mounted in the stone walls that separate the Old Town from the Parque Centenario and modern Cartagena, this beautiful yellow gate gives you the first impression of colonialism’s impact on Cartagena.
• Enjoy a Panoramic View of the City from Street Level in the Plaza de La Aduana
• Experience the Chiva ride (colourfully painted buses blaring Latin music) to visit the San Felipe Fort, the monastery at La Popa, the giant boots, the bays of Bocagrande and Manga and the grand houses of El Cabrero.
2. Eje Cafetero 
• Development project in El Tambo
• Learn about the fauna of flora of the region during short treks to Monte Plumas for bird watching and swimming in the Totui River.
• Learn about local coffee culture: sowing, harvesting, transformation, use and consumption
• Learn about local banana culture: sowing, harvesting, benefit, transformation, use and consumption
• Learn about the traditional fishing practices and play soccer with the locals
• Traditional cooking lesson: Arepas made from corn and banana cakes
• Excursion to the Valle El Cocora: The valley is part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park, incorporated into the existing national park by the Colombian government in 1985. It is the principal location of the national tree and symbol of Colombia, the Quindío wax palm, as well as a wide variety of other flora and fauna (some endangered), all of which are protected under the park's national status.

Day 1: Flight from Montreal and arrival in Cartagena
1 night in a hostel in Cartagena
Internal flight from Cartagena to Pereira (1h15)
Private transport from the airport of Pereira to La Celia (1h30)
Jeep transport from La Celia to El Tambo (40 min)
12 nights in the community of El Tambo in homestays

PART 2 – Days 14-18: Northern coastline and Tayrona

• Enjoy the beach of Palomino: Palomino is a little piece of paradise that you can walk along the seashore, looking for magnificent shells and coral.
• Go tubing on the Palomino River: The Palomino river divides the Colombian regions of Magdalena and La Guajira and Palomino itself sits just on the edge of the La Guajira side. Go tubing it is not only an amazing adventure, it’s a way to spend a day in the sun, discovering the Sierra Nevada Mountains, nature, wildlife, and relaxation. Palomino is also home to a blissful glacier water river which runs down from the Sierra Nevada and into the Caribbean Sea.
• Excursion in the Tayrona National Park: The concession of the Tayrona National Park was created in 1964 and it is located on the Caribbean Coast in the north of Colombia. It has not only an immense natural importance in this region, but it is also a cultural treasure. A long time ago, small groups of hunters and gatherers inhabited the park, and towards the VI and the VII century, both the coast and the mountain of the park were habited by the famous Tayrona tribe. You can admire their culture nowadays, because the Koguis, their direct descendants, as well as three other indigenous groups, still live in these areas and they maintain many of their traditions.

 Internal flight from Pereira to Santa Marta with connection in Bogota (4h30 including connection time)
Private transport from Santa Marta to Palomino beach (2h)
3 nights in a hostel in Palomino
Private transport from Palomino to Cartagena (6h)
1 night in a hostel in Cartagena
Day 18: departure to Montreal and arrival in Montreal

• Preps

  Travel documents
  A valid passport that expires at least 6 months after the date of your return flight back home.

  Luggage
  The least amount of luggage possible. We recommend bags that are practical and easy to carry. One large bag and a small day back-pack is ideal.

  Health
  We recommend you consult your local medical travel clinic (or doctor) a few months before leaving in order to ensure you have the necessary vaccines. Your medical insurance card might not cover costs incurred due to injuries or health costs when you are abroad. If you need to travel with medication of some kind, please bring a doctor’s prescription.

  Safety
  We recommend you bring a concealed belt that can hold your important documents, credit cards and currencies. It is illegal to take any objects found in archeological sites or any natural resources from any of the national parks, ecological reserves, protectorates or any other sites visited.

  Insurance
  Find information of our availaible travel insurance: All inclusive travel policy and Youth travel policy.

• These prices include

  • International flights from Montreal and back;
  • Alyra’s CO (Creative Organizer) accompanying the group 24/7;
  • Local transportation;
  • Lodging (in the community): in host families, 2 per family for students;
  • Lodging (outside the community): multiple occupancy for students;
  • Food: 3 meals a day (Local authentic food will be served);
  • Snacks and potable water at all times;
  • Organization of the community projects and coordination with the local community leader and members;
  • Non-alcoholic drinks and potable water during meals;
  • Activities/visits mentioned with local guides (when mentioned);
  • Entrance tickets for museums, parks, sites, etc mentioned in the itinerary;
  • Tips to local guides, drivers, restaurants, etc.;                                                                              •  Insurance Package: Medical coverage.                                                                                               • 0.1% for the OPC (Consumer Protection Office).

• These prices do not include

  • Visa expenses (for non-canadian passports)
  • Souvenirs/gifts you decide to buy;
  • Transportation from the school to the airport and back;
  • Laundry and any other personal expenses.