Alyra’s team is developing an amazing expedition for a  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 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 1-17: Cartagena and Eje Cafetero (development project in the community of El Silencio)

1. Cartagena

• Guided visit of Cartagena's Old Town: 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) for our last night in Cartagena

  2. Eje Cafetero 
• Development project in El Silencio (Province of La Celia - Department of Risaralda): The Alyra team defines its social purpose as a moral, ethical and financial support for the development of sustainable projects in communities in need, where the challenges relate mainly to technological development and governance. Our main objective is to improve the quality of life in the communities we visit and to cooperate to find the paths to make projects happen. The Alyra team will determine which project we will undertake depending on the community’s priorities for 2020.
  3. Participative Workshops On some of the days students will be divided into groups that will follow a coordinated rotation between work and leisure time, with the goal of creating a balance between productivity and fun workshops. The objective is to give the opportunity to the students to discover the cultural life of El Silenciowhile participating in activities with local villagers. While one of the groups is working on the IDProject, the second group will participe in cultural workshops.
• Excursion to the Valle El Cocora and discover the village of the charming Salento: The valley is part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park. 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. 
• Excursion to learn about the fauna of flora of the region by visiting the Verdum Park. 
• Learn about local coffee culture: sowing, harvesting, transformation, use and consumption
• Learn about local banana culture: sowing, harvesting, benefit, transformation, use and consumption
• Play soccer with the locals and salsa dance lesson!!
• Traditional cooking lesson: Arepas made from corn and banana cakes 
• Community cinema: an activity in community to watch movies about IDP students local culture
• Theater show night prepared by the IDP students. 

Day 1: Direct flight from Montreal and arrival in Cartagena (5h50)
1 night in a hostel in Cartagena
Internal flight from Cartagena to Pereira (1h21)
1 night in a hostel in Pereira
Private transport from the airport of Pereira to La Celia (1h30)
Jeep transport from La Celia to the host community (15 min)
15 nights in homestays

PART 2 – Day 18-22: Northern coastline and Tayrona (itinerary coming soon)

• 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.

• 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 or 3 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;
  • 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.