Immerse yourself in the aromatic universe of cacao as you trek through emerald plantations, crush beans, and craft chocolate with your own hands. This journey is both sensory and soulful—revealing Colombia’s cacao heritage and nature’s secrets.
This is the ultimate tour for chocolate lovers and seekers of authentic rural adventure. Set off through undulating hills streaked with bright rivers and shaded by ancient trees, where the cacao pods grow fat and gold among glossy leaves. Guided by expert farmers, you’ll discover how this region’s perfect balance of moisture, altitude, and volcanic soil yields some of Colombia’s most prized cacao beans—a crucial ingredient for the world’s finest chocolates.
Under the tangled canopy, follow the bean-to-bar journey: harvest ripe pods, scoop pulpy beans, and partake in the delicate rituals of fermenting, drying, roasting, and grinding. Engage every sense as the smell of toasted cacao fills the air and your hands mold velvety chocolate. Along the way, learn the secrets of traditional “chupado”-style lunches, where deeply flavored meats and root vegetables are slow-cooked to perfection—hearty and full of history.
Nature is everywhere you look: rainbow-colored tanagers dart between trees, scarlet flowers tumble over fenceposts, and the ever-present backdrop is the distant, snow-capped silhouette of the Andes. Cacao, the “food of the gods,” was once used as currency by indigenous Tolima people—a living link to Colombia’s ancient civilizations.
The day concludes with a chocolatier’s tasting, sampling unique regional varieties and smooth, hand-made bonbons. Leave with a chocolate souvenir and a profound appreciation for the hands, hearts, and landscapes behind every bite. Discovering Tolima’s lush cacao country, you’ll gain more than flavors—you’ll experience the heartfelt stories of the land and its people.
