Bogotá

Art & Craft Workshops

Begin your day with convenient hotel pickup to comfortably start your journey toward the town of Zipaquirá. This will be a somewhat long drive of about 2 hours, so feel free to take a nap, watch the Bogotá savanna through the window, or make small talk to your driver about anything in Colombia. Upon arrival, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá will be the first stop. Skip the ticket lines and go directly to the entrance to pick up an audio guide. Then, begin discovering an incredible monument of faith that’s a unique architectural marvel. When booking, you can choose a personal live guide instead of an audio guide, if you prefer.  Once inside, you’ll be guided through the stations that represent the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross). Understand the details in each corner of the works of art, and visit famous sights inside the halls such as the water mirrors, the virtual reality theater with its 3D movie, the dome, and a balcony where you can observe the world's largest underground cross. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Miner's Route and take part in a salt workshop if you select the option. The route is a 45-minute tour where you become a salt miner for a day, whereas the workshop consists of an explanation about salt mining and carving. To top off your experience, carve your own piece of salt to take home as a souvenir. After your visit, your driver will be waiting outside to take you back to Zipaquirá village. Here, enjoy some time to take a look around and have lunch in one of the local restaurants. From there, you will be taken back to Bogotá and dropped off at your hotel.

After meeting at the center, you will meet your guide who is a jeweler with her own collection of rings, earrings and necklaces produced by herself in a local co-workshop. By creating your own ring, you will learn how emeralds have become the most important and precious stone for Colombians, as well as about their influence in Colombian society and economy. You will work in the middle of the emerald and jewelry cluster of Bogota, one of the leading cities for this industry in South America. Your experience will begin at the La Casa de la Moneda Museum, where you will learn the importance that metals had throughout pre-Hispanic and colonial times. After you get inspired by the crown jewels, you will go to your guide's workshop where she will teach you how to create your own emerald ring. You will decide the shape, the stone, and the design of your silver ring, learning the several steps in the production of a ring at your guide's advisory. At the conclusion of your tour, you will be able to wear your own creation, an authentic emerald Colombian ring.

The historical district of Bogota, commonly known as La Candelaria, is one of the most famous neighborhoods in the city. It is renowned for its breathtaking colonial streets, Baroque catholic temples, and colorful houses. Throughout history, it has been a political, religious and economic center, with many deep secrets to tell. On the other hand, cacao is the Colombian product of the moment. Its production and exportation has sky rocketed over the past few years due to its mind-blowing quality. Coffee from this region is well known around the world for its magnificent aromas and soft flavors. This tour combines the best of both worlds, with a walking tour and a cacao and coffee workshop. You will receive an intimate view of the country on this epic journey, which acquaints you with all of your favorite sites, churches, and stories. You’ll explore the most atmospheric and lesser-seen paths in La Candelaria. Throughout your walking tour, you will stop at a local shop where a professional barista will be waiting for you. There, you will have the opportunity to experience and unleash the true flavors of Colombian coffee and cacao. You will begin by trying 2 different brewing methods of specialty coffee, followed by two origins of cacao and ending with an ancestral beverage. Before you leave, your barista will guide you step by step as you create your own piece of latte art.

Explore Colombia's rich cocoa tradition in a chocolate-making workshop. Learn about different types of local cocoa, sample chocolates from 5 different regions, and make your very own chocolate truffles to take home as the perfect souvenir from Bogotá. Discover Colombia's chocolate production process from your guide, as well as the different tropical fruits that Colombian cocoa is paired with. Sample different cocoas, before choosing your favorite flavor to make your own handmade chocolate truffles. Pop your chocolates in a small gift box to take home — to enjoy for yourself or as a gift. Finally, indulge in a pastry and hot chocolate treat to wrap up your tour. Enjoy a choice between a traditional almojábana, carimañola, pandebono, puff pastry, empanadas, mantecada, or an arepa. Best of all, know that you are helping support local Colombian businesses by embarking on this chocolate tour.