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Andes

Andes

In this region, you’ll find the most populated cities in the country: Bogota, Medellin and Cali but also some of most quiet and relaxing part of Colombia, the Coffee Region and its typical villages, as well as  colonial towns surrounded by natural landscape composed of volcanoes, lakes, snow covered mountains, forests and Paramos; an ecosystem only found in the northern Andes.
From the highest peaks of the Nevados to the arid valleys of Tatacoa desert, the Andes region in itself is sufficient for a nice and relaxing visit of Colombia’s most significant cultural and natural aspects.

CULTURE & TRADITIONS

Bogota – Central Region

 

Gastronomy

Amongst Bogota’s traditional dishes, the Ajiaco Santafereño stands out. It’s a soup prepared with chicken, different varieties of potatoes, corn cob and guasca (herb). The soup is generally served with milk cream, capers, and avocado.

Cultural Visits

Bogota’s Gold Museum, The District Planetarium, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Independence, the Military Museum, Bolivar Square, the Luis Angel Arango Library, the Sanctuaries of Monserrate, and Guadalupe.

Arts & Crafts

In Cundinamarca, the Fuquene lake provides raw materials to local craftsmen that now occupy the region, a former Muisca (Andean ethnicity) territory. “el Junco” and “la Enea” are two bushes growing on the shores of the lake. Its large leaves are used to make baskets and mats.

Festivals & Cultural Events

Every year in August, during the Summer Festival, the anniversary of Bogota is celebrated, an event featuring several cultural and fun activities for millions of visitors in the Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park. It is considered the most important “free-time” event in Bogota. The Summer Festival is also considered an “activity of social, cultural and sports interest on a national scale”

Coffee Region

 

Gastronomy

Beans served with meat, rice, patacones, avocado, egg, chorizo (sausage), chicharron (fried pork) and plantain form of a local dish called “Bandeja Paisa”. Trouts with patacon in Salento is a must-eat dish. The corn mazamorra sweetened with panela (solid cane sugar) and agua de panela (sugar cane drink) are two of the most iconic drinks in the region.

Cultural Visits

The Manizales Gold Museum, part of the Bank of the Republic, is one of the several gold museums open to public in different cities across the country. The museum is dedicated to the pre-Columbian roots of the Caldas region, exhibiting gold artefacts from the Quimbaya culture and other important ceramics objects. The SAMOGA Interactive Museum of Science and Games, located in front of the Palogrande Stadium, is part of the Universidad Nacional. The museum encourages teenagers to pursue a scientific career, kids to discover science through games, and adults to approach science in a fun way. The Museum of Archeology, part of the Caldas University, exhibits more than 3 700 objects. 90% of those are ceramics, 3% are gold artifacts, 5% are lithic objects and 2% are from organic matter. The Geology Museum, also part of the Caldas University, was founded in 1984 and holds rocks, minerals, and an ample collection of fossils.

Arts & Crafts

Tacuara (bamboo) is used to make traditional handicraft coffee of the region. Decorative as well as functional carved wooden objects such as shelves or toys, clothing etc. The “Cañaza” also called “Tacuara”, a plant part of the bamboo family, is considered one of the most representative endemic plant species of the Andean forest.

Festivals & Cultural Events

The Manizales Fair, taking place in January each year, is inspired by Spanish culture because of the similarity of its customs. Many national and foreign tourists attend the festival and its various events such as the International Queen of Coffee Beauty Pageant, parades, and exhibitions, among others.

Medellin – Antioquia Region

 

Gastronomy

The Bandeja Paisa is considered the most important dish in the Antioquia region. It is characterized by the large variety of ingredients. Indeed, the classic version of the Bandeja Paisa is generally prepared with beans, rice, ground beef, chicharron, chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage), slices of fried plantain, sunny side up fried egg, slices of tomato, avocado, arepa and Hogao (tomato and green onion sauce).

Cultural Visits

The Museum of Antioquia, the major museum in Medellin; the Museum of Modern Art of Medellin, founded in 1978; The University of Antioquia Museum, located on the main square of the campus; El Castillo Museum in Medellin, built in a medieval gothic style in 1930 and opened to public in 1972.

Arts & Crafts

El Carriel, formerly called Guarniel by the craftsmen making it, is a cultural symbol of Antioquia. Nowadays, the bag takes its name from the English expression “carry-all”. Traditionally used by the arrieros (literally muleteer) to carry the objects they needed for a day of labour in the mountains, this bag is an adaptation of the leather saddle bags used by the Spaniards during the colonial era.

Festivals & Cultural Events

Medellin is covered with flowers during the first days of August. The countryside meets the city during the Flower Fair, ten days to enjoy the everlasting spring. The festival celebrates the Silletera culture, declared national intangible heritage. The silletero parade, a 60-year-old tradition, is the main event of the fair. On this moment, the scents of the fields come to the city and flowers cover the streets of Medellin. A tribute to nature and memory that started in 1957 and takes root in early 20th century when the farmers in nearby Santa Elena used silletas (small chairs) as a mean to transport goods.

Boyaca & Santander Regions

 

Gastronomy

The most typical dish in the Santander region, the goat meat, can be roasted, fried, pan-cooked or stewed. The plate is generally garnished with yucca, potatoes and a local type of arepa, Arepa Santandereana. The other specialities in the region are the Pepitoria (goat tripe), el Mute Santandereano (corn soup), or the soups called Mazamorras.

Cultural Visits

It takes only a 15mn drive from Barichara to the village of Guane, or a 2-hour hike on the Camino Real trail. On the eastern side of Guane’s main square is the Museum of Paleontology and Archeology, founded by the clergyman Isaias Ardilas in 1970. The museum exhibits millions-of-years old fossils as well as ceramics, necklaces, and other objects from the Guane ethnicity. Further south in the Boyaca region, the cities of Tunja, Villa de Leyva, Raquira are major historic landmarks dating back to the colonial era and the spanish conquests of the Cundiboyacense plateau.

Arts & Crafts

Thanks to the culture of cotton, the craftwork of the Guane tribe was dominated by the textile industry and the weaving of blankets. They also used the fique plant and ceiba tree fibers to make hammocks and bags. They use brushes and rollers to paint the cloth with natural tints.

Festivals & Cultural Events

The “Ferias y Fiestas Culturales de la Solidaridad y el Retorno” in Barichara is a festival taking place in October. The event features art exhibitions, music concerts, a cycling race, a horse riding competition, a beauty pageant, and more. In august, a particularly windy season, the colonial and historic Villa de Leyva hosts the Kite Festival. An exhibition during which hundreds of kites are flying over the city’s main square.

Huila

 

Gastronomy

Thanks to the variety of agriculture and mixing of cultures, the gastronomy in Huila is abundant and diverse. The recipes passed down from generation to generation, are an integral part of the regional cultural identity, attracting tourists in search of traditional Huila flavors. The most iconic delicacies are: the Biscocho de Achiras (a small biscuit), el Masato (rice drink), huila roasted pork, Envuelto de Mazorca (steam cooked corn dough), Mazamorra  (corn soup), Mojarra Frita (fried fish).

Cultural Visits

San Agustín Archaeological Park, Alto de los Idolos and Alto de las Piedras Archaeological Park and the Jorge Villamil Museum

Arts & Crafts

Various handicraft objects like fabrics made from fique, hats, ceramics in Pitalito and replicas of the San Agustin sculptures.

Festivals & Cultural Events

Bambuco Pageant and Folkloric Festival during the last week of June every year. The Neiva Jazz Festival.

BOGOTA

Located at an altitude of 2 600 meters, Bogota ranks at the 3rd place of the highest capital in south america. The bustling capital’s main attraction is its historical part, la Candelaria.
Take a walk in la Candelaria, where Bogota was born more than 470 years ago, you can find among others, the Botero Museum and the famous Museum of Gold. On Plaza Bolivar, the main square, you will find the Primatial Cathedral of Bogota surrounded historical and official buildings such as the Palace of Justice and the National Capitol. Don’t miss the most impressive view on the gigantic capital, from Monserrate, a hill on the edge of Downtown.
In Bogota, there are numerous activities possible: Some of the country’s best restaurants, theaters, clubs, huge public parcs etc. Further north, you can visit the modern and residential parts of Colombia. Neighborhood like Usaquén and his sunday flea market or El Retiro (commonly known as la Zona T or Zona Rosa) and its vivid nightlife are good alternatives to la Candelaria.

ZIPAQUIRÁ

Half an hour away from Bogota, near the city of Zipaquira, you’ll find an amazing architectural feat crafted by Catholic workers from a depleted salt mine: the Cathedral of Zipaquira.
Today, you can observe some impressive sculptures made of salt and marble in the tunnels leading to the heart of the mine and its central chamber during this voyage underground.

PONT DE BOYACÁ

C’est l’un des sites historiques les plus importants de la région et l’un des symboles de la nation. Le site se situe à l’endroit même où s’est déroulée la fameuse bataille de Boyaca qui mena à la séparation de l’Espagne vis à vis de ses colonies, donnant ainsi naissance à la Grande Colombie (Colombie, Equateur et Venezuela).
Les différents monuments du parc rendent hommage aux hommes ayant œuvré pour l’indépendance de la nation.
Vous pourrez arpenter les allées de ce parc qui vous mèneront à la découverte du monument de Simon Bolivar (Le Libérateur), de la place des drapeaux, du Chaudron de l’indépendance, de l’Arc de Triomphe, de la Pierre de la Légion Britannique et le symbolique pont de Boyacá.

VILLA DE LEYVA

When reaching Villa de Leyva, the biggest surprise is the climate. The landscape changes drastically from the temperate green area to a dry and sandy valley alike southern Spain.
Villa de Leyva is commonly known for the richness of its architecture dating back to the 17th century, its churches and convents such as Nuestra Señora del Rosario and the Santo Ecce Homo. It is also the home of the heroes of the nation, Antonio Ricaurte, Antonio Nariño and Simon Bolivar who spent time in the town during the war of independence.

RAQUIRA

Raquira is a small village where pottery is the main industry. Most of the shops offer different kind of objects made of clay. The town is also known for its market and the abundance of fruits and vegetables  that you can find there.
While visiting this charming town, you’ll be able to make a stop in one of the ceramic workshop and practice your skills with a local craftsman.

BARICHARA

When entering Barichara, a village on top of hill facing the Suarez Canyon, the most striking is the calm and silence that you will find there. The quiet cobblestone-paved-streets offers you the possibility to take a nice stroll, admire the architecture of the colonial houses made of rammed earth and clay tiles.
Near Barichara is Guane, an even smaller village that you can access through a path dating back from the colonial era, the Camino Real. In Guane, named after one of the local precolumbian ethnic groups,  you can visit the Paleontological Museum where you can observe fossils that are millions of years old. Back to Barichara,  why not pay a visit to the local craftsmen using Fique, a vegetal fiber woven into bags, or visit a pottery workshop.

MEDELLIN

Capital of the Antioquia region, “La Ciudad Paisa” (Paisa City), is famous for different reasons…
Nowadays, it’s a safe and modern place that have been recently named the most innovative city in the world for its avant-garde architecture.
Hometown of Fernando Botero, the famous Colombian artist, you will see here and there some of his statues donated to his beloved city. Medellin is also a youthful and partying city where street art can be found at every corner.

PARC ARVI - MEDELLIN

Il s’agit d’une magnifique zone forestière écotouristique située à quelques minutes de la ville de Medellin. On peut y accéder facilement en voiture ou en téléphérique depuis Medellin et par la même occasion profiter d’une vue imprenable sur la ville du printemps éternel, mais aussi sur la réserve. Le site propose des visites le long de sentiers écologique promettant un moment de détente dans la nature.

GUATAPÉ

This beautiful little town is located only 2 hours away from Medellin, in the middle of the Antioquia countryside, next to an artificial lake.
In Guatapé, every single building shows different patterns, the owner of each house originally decorates his wall, turning the city into an open-air art gallery. The other unmissable attraction in Guatapé is the Rock of Peñol. A 220 meters-high rock and its 725 stairs. From the top of this gigantic megalith, you can enjoy the most beautiful view in the world, a 360° landscape over Lake Guatapé.

JARDIN

Whenever the Paisas of Medellin want to escape the noise of their bustling city, they head to one of the many picturesque villages in the area. Among them is Jardin, a welcoming town surrounded by green forests and mountains.
Jardin is a typical Paisa village, with its colored walls and balconies, a cable car leads you to one of the hills around offering an amazing view over the town. The surrounding nature gives you the opportunity to hike, ride a horse and explore different caves. You will be amazed by the warm welcome of the locals.

PARC NATIONAL DU CANYON DU CHICAMOCHA

Ce par thématique offre un mélange entre aventure et identité colombienne. Il y’est en effet possible de pratiquer diverses activités à sensations, tyrolienne, saut à l’élastique, buggy et même parapente, et par la même occasion faire la découverte de la culture locale et nationale auprès des échoppes de Mesa de Los Santos et déguster un café produit localement en profitant d’une vue plongeante sur le gigantesque Canyon du Chicamocha.

LAC DE TOTA

Tota est un lieu de détente et de farniente où vous pourrez tirer avantage de toutes les activités qu’offre cette lagune d’une superficie de 60 km², la deuxième plus grande lagune en Amérique latine.
Une fois à Paipa, vous pourrez faire une halte à “el Salitre”, l’une des plus anciennes haciendas de la région, déclarée monument national.

PARC NATIONAL NATUREL DU COCUY

Le Mont Cocuy se trouve à une demi heure de la municipalité du même nom. Au sein de cette  montagne, les visiteurs se voient offrir un cadre exceptionnel composé de plaines arborant une multitude de frailejones de pics aux neiges éternels, d’immenses glaciers et d’étendues d’eau naturelles.
La visite du Cocuy nécessite une certaine forme physique, il s’agit là d’un trekking assez exigeant. Vous traverserez El paso del Conejo (passage du Lapin) menant à la lagune Grande de la Sierra, puis atteindrez El Pulpito del Diablo, un énorme rocher de forme rectangulaire et de couleur sombre, mesurant près de 70 mètres de hauteur, qui émerge des neiges situées à plus de 4800 mètres d’altitude.

PARC NATIONAL NATUREL NEVADOS

L’imposant Parc National Naturel Los Nevados se trouve au sein de la région du café, dans la chaine volcanique composée du Nevado del Ruiz, du Nevado Santa Isabel et du Nevado del Tolima. Ce parc fut créé dans le but de protéger un écosystème de grande importance dont des glaciers, des páramos et de hautes forêts andines. Un espace géré par divers acteurs au niveau local, départemental et régional ayant pour but le maintien et la protection des paysages exceptionnel de cette partie des Andes colombiennes.

PARC NATIONAL NATUREL CHINGAZA

Le Parc National Naturel Chingaza est un trésor naturel et culturel situé non-loin de la capitale. La magie de ses montagnes garde les secrets et l’esprit hérité des Muiscas et des Guayupes, les peoples indigènes qui occupaient ce territoire.
De nos jours, c’est un refuge pour les espèces de faune et de flore andine que les visiteurs peuvent observer discrètement. Ce Parc est situé sur la cordillère orientale des Andes, au nord-Est de Bogota et s’étend sur 11 municipalités, 7 de Cundinamarca : Fómeque, Choachí, La Calera, Guasca, Junín, Gachalá et Medina, et 4 du département frontalier du Meta : San Juanito, El Calvario, Restrepo et Cumaral.

PARC NATIONAL NATUREL PURACÉ

Déclaré Réserve de la Biosphère en 1979 par l’UNESCO, le Parc National Naturel Puracé est une région volcanique comme l’indiquent ses multiples gisements de souffre, ainsi que son nom qui en langage Quechua signifie “montagne de feu”. C’est dans le région que les plus grands fleuves de Colombie tels que le Magdalena, le Cauca, le Patia et le Caqueta prennent leurs sources. La Région héberge aussi près de 30 lagunes des plus reposantes aux eaux cristallines.

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The most bustling cities in Colombia: Bogota, Medellin, and the most quiet and relaxing parts of Colombia, the Coffee Triangle and San Agustin. Tour Colombia.

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