Discover the Coffee Axis: 7 days for Risaralda, Quindío and Caldas

Today I share with you several recommendations on whaté do día a díto in a itinerary seven daysíace in the beautiful Coffee Axis touring Risaralda, Quindíor and Caldas.

one hears, Colombian Coffee Axis and I'm sure you imagine heat, montañso and clear, a lot of coffeeé, but the truth is that there is a lot, much más to explore and places you don't knowíwe love that it existsían.

I was there for a whole week, almost 8 días sí we count the round trip from Quito, in many of the placesás beautiful areas of the Coffee Axis. Enjoy your landscapes, food, the warmth of its people and I was able to learn a lot about the culture and the pride of being Colombian.

Every time I travel I understandás a cada paíyes and I can understand tooén cóThat is why they have become a tourist power.íworld stic, and in the case of Colombia, despite all the historyórica situationón of internal conflict, They have bet all their cards on tourism being the way to get ahead, and they have achieved it.

The passionón with which tourism is done, It is enviable and worth replicating. With this introduce usón, I am going to share with you the itinerary that I took during the beautiful tour of this area, that grows more and moreás and it's all thanks to tourism.

The Coffee Axis has it all, itinerary día a día

I was part of the First International Meeting of Tourism Journalists, which gave me the opportunity to visit Risaralda, Quindíor and Caldas, part of the famous axis, what's worth saying, jamás habíto known, así that the expectation was very high and créI hope I don't disappointó not even a little.

The idea of ​​this itinerary is to give you an idea of ​​what you canían do, but of course, everything dependá weather, personal tastes and budget you have, but it will surely serve youá as a good base to plan your own adventure.

Before starting, I leave you a large part of the tour on video, that will surely motivate themá aún más to know this coffee area Colombia available on my YouTube channel:

We start.

Recommendations to know the Axis

First of all, I leave you some recommendations that will surely beán very úuseful to put together your itinerary:

• Élittle ideal: The best étime to visit the Coffee Region is during the dry season, between December and March, although any élittle of theñor has its charm.
• ¿Alone or with guía?
  • Depends on your budget, but you can organize everything on your own, spaghettién tenderáIt's a good experience.
  • If you are looking for a guía, I recommend Juan Diego, this is your numberúmero: +57 316 4483787
• Durationón: Recommend a durationón mínima de 4-5 díto enjoy the main attractions.
• Transport:
  • Car rental: Ideal for greater flexibility and exploring at your own pace.
  • Transport público: Local buses connect the main towns and cities, but it takes a long timeás time.
  • Organized tours: Optionsón cófashion for those who prefer not to plan everything and their budget is más alto.
• Accommodation:
  • • coffee farms: self experienceéethics and direct contact with the coffee culture.
    • Boutique hotels: In the towns, offer comfort and charm.
    • economical accommodationsómonkeys or Airbnb: Optionsón for budget travelers.
• Currency: colombian peso, I recommend taking it directly from an ATM to have the official change.
• Clothes:
  • I recommend you wear clothesómoda, light and alsoén warm if you go to Los Nevados National Park.

¿Whaté to do in the Coffee Axis día by día?

Let's get to the point and the second recommendationóWhat I can do is plan ahead to purchase tickets and hotel reservations., since this area is known for its múmultiple events during the yearñO. With this in mind, así It was my coffee trip, a very good trip full of food and great moments:

Día 1: Immersionón in the world of coffeeé

Our adventure beganó in Risaralda, where we dive into the heartón of Colombian coffee culture. After arriving at Mateca airportña, We head to the Bombay Hacienda, a hostel with very traditional colonial architecture.

Al díto next and now sí formally starting the tour, We headed to the traditional El Roble restaurant and thenés to charge energyíThat's how we went to the Coffee Parké, a park hasático that allowed usó learn about the history and culture of coffee in a fun and educational wayé Colombian. Hereí you can enjoy attractions such as ridingñand Russia, the telephoneérich and spectacularálive asses. The day endedó with a delicious dinner at El Solar Restaurant, where we could taste t dishesípeaks of the regionón.

Día 2: Between charming towns and captivating landscapes

The second díof our adventure took usó to explore some of the towns mápicturesque s of QuindíO. We begin our day in RECUCA, which is the Coffee Culture Tour, where visitors can learn in detail the production processón of coffeeé, all in a relaxed atmosphere and with some guíso much fun that I'm sure to doáMay you never forget this place.

Later, We are heading to Finland, a town that captivated meó with its colonial architecture and its quiet atmosphere. We visited the Filandia Viewpoint, from where we could enjoy a panoramic viewánot from the valley. The Coffeeé Municipal was the perfect place to take a break and enjoy a delicious coffeeé Colombian while watching people go by.

In the afternoon, we arrive in Salento, the heartón of tourism in QuindíO. We walk through its cobbled streets, admiring the colorful houses and souvenir shops. Hereí I recommend you arrive in a classácool ride in Willys, about 4 cars×4 very common in this area.

Día 3: Adventures in nature and relaxationón in the thermals

The third díof our trip took usó to Caldas, a department known for its natural landscapes and hot springs. Our first stop was Nevado del Ruiz, a flightán asset that he left usó breathless with its imposing beauty. We take a walk along one of the enabled trails, and we were able to appreciate the force of nature up close. The sensationón of being in front of a volcanoán asset was indescribable.

Afterés of our adventure in Nevado del Ruiz, We head to the Ruiz Hot Springs, an ideal place to relax and unwind.

In the afternoon, We visit the city of Manizales, known as the «City of Open Doors». We walk through its streets, admiring its colonial architecture and enjoying the nightlife in the «Tango Street».

Día 4: Discovering the history and culture of Caldas

The fourth díof our adventure took usó to explore some of the towns más picturesque buildings of Caldas. We begin our day in Pueblo Rico, a town with a rich history. We walked through its streets on a mule and were able to enjoy a wonderful landscape. We found a smallñor family restaurant where we try a delicious dish típeak of the regionóWhat was the three-story Paisa tray?, crazy.

Later, we headed to Neira, a charming city with a growing tourist offerística and where we test the cork, a kind of marshmallow, but with an additional ingredient, it's better to ask it when it'sén ahí.

In the afternoon, we arrived at Salamis, one of the townsás beautiful of Colombia. We walk through its cobbled streets, admiring the colonial architecture and visiting the House of Culture. In the Oscar P Studio Houseérez, We were able to enjoy the dishes of this renowned Colombian chef.

Día 5: Flavors and aromas of the Coffee Axis

The fifth díPart of our adventure was dedicated to discovering the flavors and aromas of the Coffee Region. We begin our day at the Fogón of stick, where we learned to prepare t dishesípeaks of the regionón. We were able to learn about the manufacturing processón of the panel, definitely something you don't knowía and part mátravel idea, learn new things.

Later, We head to the Licorera de Caldas, one of the más important of Colombia. We take a tour of the fáfactory and we learned about the manufacturing processón of different liquors. We tried some of their drinks and were surprised by their flavor and power, if you understand me.

In the afternoon, we explore the rainforest, a place full of life and color. We take a walk along trails surrounded by nature and observe various species of plants and animals. The experience was very relaxing and allowed usó connect with nature.

To end the dayía, we visited the fábrica Buencafé, where we could learn about the production processón of coffeeé instantáneo. We were impressed by the technologyíused in this process, nothing is as simple as we think. And if you don't knowían, this brand is one of the más consumed in Ecuador.

We finished the dayíat the San Vicente Hot Springs, perfect to relax and recover in the hot springsás natives of Colombia.

Día 6: Rirasaldens flavors and traditions

The sixth dayíof our adventure took usó to explore Risaralda, a department known for its productionón of chorizo. We begin our day in Santa Rosa de Cabal, a small townñor but full of charm. We visit its central square, church and a restaurant mámagic called Campoalegre Danced.

Later, we head to the FáDon Julio Chorizo ​​Factory, where we could observe the manufacturing process up close.ón of this product típico. We participated in a production workshopón of chorizo ​​and we learned this complex, but now ultra modern process and clear, We tried chorizo, what's worth saying?, it doesn't look like anythingúnother that I have tried.

Día 7: Final adventures in Pereira

He sébest y úlast díof our adventure took usó to explore Pereira, the capital of Risaralda. We started our day in Ukumari, a park hasápenthouse dedicated to conservationón of the Colombian fauna. Allí, We were able to observe different species of animals up close., like jaguars, spectacled bears and many más. We participated in a guided tour and learned about the importance of protecting biodiversity.

Disfrutamos de una deliciosa comida en el Restaurante O´Brasileiro Rodizio y fuimos poniendo así fin a este enorme recorrido por el Eje Cafetero colombiano.

At night, nos dirigimos a Tuirak, what to beá en muy poco tiempo el hotel de moda a las afueras de Pereira. Cuenta con un ambiente moderno, pero que cuida las tradiciones de construcción locales, promete ser el nuevo lugar de moda una vez inaugurado.

Al día siguiente volvimos a Quito desde el Aeropuerto Internacional MatecañPereira's.

Itinerario completo

Así, llegamos al fin de este recorrido que me permitió conocer gente maravillosa y conocer cómo se hace un buen turismo con enfoque en las personas y en el medio ambiente. No podía cerrar esta amplia guía con el itinerario completo para que lo tengan a la mano para que armen su viaje (rotate the screen if it isán watching on cell phone):

I hope this guíMay it be useful and encourage you to visit this beautiful area, I won't regret itán. Any additional questions, you can do it for me hereí or on my social networks.

Special thanks to all companies and entities púbattles that made this journey possible, but above all to Enfoque del Café Magazineé y a Big Bus Tours.