Colombia tailor made tour, culture & coffee

Planet

As a company we love Latin America and strive to protect the rural and urban landscapes which we take you to visit. We work with local operators which have a proven record in training guides to set a good example in their respect for their surroundings and pass on advice and encouragement to visitors on how to preserve the fragile environment in simple ways, such as by refilling a water bottle, disposing of rubbish responsibly, not disturbing local communities or wildlife and not purchasing items made from endangered animals or plants. When selecting accommodation, we give preference to hotels, lodges and cruise vessels which have a verifiable commitment to eco-friendly practices.

We select our partners with great care to ensure that their values match ours. The supplier of our local services in Colombia is a founding member of Acotur, an association which brings together tour operators across the country so that they can work together to protect Colombia’s natural environments and shape the growing tourism sector in a responsible and sustainable manner. By liaising with the Colombian government on policy, Acotur aims to advocate ecotourism and provide capacity building opportunities for professionals affiliated with the association. Each company within Acotur must fulfil stringent requirements, which include a commitment to benefiting local communities and to the conservation of the environment: eating at local restaurants and employing trained guides who advise travellers on sustainable practices are just some of the ways in which these aims are achieved.

People

In the town of Villa de Leyva you will stay at Posada de San Antonio, three adjoined colonial mansions which have been beautifully restored to retain the original structure, features and atmosphere. Your stay at this family-run guesthouse will give you an insight into the story of the town and an opportunity to learn more about its history and how its cultural heritage is being preserved.

We pride ourselves on delivering our clients truly authentic and unforgettable experiences in Latin America and immersing them in the culture of the places they visit: an integral part of Colombia’s economy is the coffee industry and this holiday will give you the chance to experience life on a real coffee finca. As well as learning about the process of coffee production, you will see how tourism is directly benefitting these coffee farmers whose families have been working this land for generations: in an increasingly competitive market, farmers have opened up their properties to tourists in an effort to bolster business. By staying at a coffee finca such as Casa Delirio, you will be supporting this national industry which keeps so many Colombians in employment, as well as helping to ensure a sustainable future for these farmers.

In addition to this, you will see parts of the country that are less visited by tourists. For example, on your way to Villa de Leyva you will have the chance to stop at the colourful village of Raquira. The clay in the area has meant that the village has been famous for its pottery since the time of the Spanish conquest. It is the best place for buying ceramics and with three quarters of the area’s economy centred around handicrafts, it is a vital part of the region’s income. By purchasing your souvenirs here instead of in the larger cities where you are more likely to find imported mass-produced trinkets, you will be directly contributing to the local economy and supporting the people of the area.