Today enjoy a full day private tour of Medellín - the 'City of Eternal Spring' situated in a valley between the central and western Andes mountain ranges, at an altitude of 4,900 ft (1,495 m).
Our tour starts with a visit to Nutibara Hill, which offers panoramic views over the city and a replica of a colourful traditional Colombian village.
Our next stop is the Comuna 13 neighbourhood, one of the poorest areas in the city and once a notorious area of gang and urban guerrilla violence. Here you will see the results of one of the most successful city regeneration projects in the world, with the introduction of motor cycle paths, elevators and cable cars, combined with various community projects. You can admire the marvellous street graffiti and watch young people performing break dancing. While enjoying spectacular views of the city, you will learn more about the transformation of Medellín from one of the most dangerous cities in the world, known for its political violence, drug lords and narco trade, into a fascinating melting pot of cultures with wonderfully warm and friendly people.
We then head into the city for a walking tour around Berrío Park where local musicians play traditional 'guasca' music. This was the historic heart of the city during Spanish colonial times but sadly none of these buildings have survived and today it is an urban plaza that is a meeting point for local residents. We stroll through street markets and past the lovely Gomez murals that portray the history of Medellin to the Botero Plaza. Here you can admire an amazing display of 23 famous sculptures of ’fat’ men, women and animals donated by Fernando Botero to his home town. About 100 examples of his work can be seen in the Antioquia Art Museum opposite this plaza, so ask your guide if you would like to enter see these (pay entrance fee locally).
We also visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, the oldest church in Medellin, the Park of Lights, City Hall and old Railway Station.
After an included lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Botanical Gardens with their wonderful display of orchids and over 1,000 different plant species. Here you can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the lake, tropical forest, orchid garden, palm garden, desert garden and butterfly house. There is also wonderful birdlife.
Note: Let your guide know if you would like to visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest brick cathedral in the world, as it closes at 10.30 am (so you will need to visit this first).