The Coffee Frontier Ride

Ride through coffee farms, tropical hills and mountain scenery. Learn about the coffee process from cultivation through tasting, and enjoy a picnic among coffee plants beside the Río Claro. The route includes Pijao, Córdoba, Calarcá and Salento; a final ride visits the Cocora Valley and its wax palms, Colombia’s national tree. The source identifies Cocora as a UNESCO World Heritage destination.

This 8-day itinerary includes six riding days. After meeting in Armenia and an introductory coffee tasting and saddlery visit, the ride travels from Buenavista via Córdoba, Hacienda La Joya, La Paloma and Calarcá to Salento, then visits the Cocora Valley. Listed riding legs: Buenavista–Córdoba, 28 km; Córdoba–Hacienda La Joya, 25 km; La Joya–La Paloma, 28 km; and La Paloma–Salento, 30 km. The source does not give a distance for the Cocora Valley ride.

Day 1: meet in Armenia, visit a saddlery, have lunch in the countryside and taste coffee. Day 2: ride Buenavista to Córdoba, with lunch in Pijao and a look at coffee production. Day 3: ride Córdoba to Hacienda La Joya. Day 4: take part in ranch vaquero activities and a sunset ride. Day 5: ride to La Paloma in Calarcá and picnic near Río Claro. Day 6: ride to Salento. Day 7: ride in the Cocora Valley. Day 8: transfer to Armenia airport after breakfast.

The price includes seven nights in authentic, comfortable colonial coffee haciendas or hotels, based on double occupancy. These are working farms rather than properties built for tourism. Rooms may be shared by two, three or four guests; couples are normally placed separately, and bathrooms may be shared by two to four rooms, with some private bathrooms available. Meals are provided according to the program, with special diets requested at booking. Included transfer is to the expedition start; a vehicle supports luggage, and the Day 8 transfer to Armenia airport takes about 1½ hours.

The source rates the ride medium. The horses are described as strong, docile and responsive ‘cruceto’ working horses used for arriero and cattle work. Local long-distance Colombian saddles, saddlebags and rain ponchos are provided. Typical daytime temperatures are 18–25 °C and nights 14–16 °C; rain is possible. National and international flights, travel insurance, alcohol, tips, single occupancy supplement and unlisted private transfers are excluded. Minimum age is 12; the group maximum is 16.