Sounds Of Colombia

Arrive in Cartagena, and start the adventure with a welcome cocktail and a wonderful rooftop workshop/ “parranda”  that will introduce you to the music genres of the accordion.  In this no-stage experience you will be able to share, dance, and even play with the musicians of Carmelo Torres y Su Cumbia Sabanera; heirs of Andrés Landero - the king of Accordion Cumbia.  Learn straight from the experts about history, heritage, inspiration, and diversity of the music you’ll listen to. After, you will have dinner with the band members before resting at your hotel. 

Departing early to Montes de María, you will arrive at San Juan to meet Fredis Arrieta, a Gaita Luthier, and Musician. He will guide you through the entire Gaita building process starting with a less than an hour excursion to forage the materials to make the instrument.  You will walk in a rich ecosystem where you will see trees such as Corozo and Cardón from which gaitas are made, and see how the materials are transformed in the workshop.  While seeing the process, you can involve and contribute during the crafting, and in the end be introduced to the instrument, and its bird-inspired sounds.   After, you will enjoy a delicious home-made Sancocho for lunch before heading on a 30 min ride to San Jacinto. After your arrival, you can choose between having a free afternoon to rest or taking a heritage tour. In the evening you will have a group dinner where you will taste the typical Mote de Queso from Montes de María, and you will end the day with a Gaita performance where you can join in and play or enjoy the lively music.

After having your breakfast at San Jacinto, you will head in a 5-hour transfer to Santa Cruz de Mompox, a colorful colonial town that will give you a feeling of being in another time. Recognized as a heritage town, this place will charm you with its abundant history and impressive living culture. After your arrival, you will have a typical lunch by Magdalena River, one of Colombia’s most important rivers, and the one that once brought huge prosperity to Mompox. You will then have a hotel break before having a bike tour through Mompox where you will get to know its many churches, plazas, and charming streets, as well as having a visit to a filigree workshop where you will see amazing crafts and the talented jewel makers that keep alive the long tradition of famous Mompox’s filigree.   After the dinner, you will have a music experience of “Bailes Cantados” (sung dances) with Don Abundio, where you will have a behind the scenes entry to see the elements and masks of a carnival as well as having a complete explanation and demonstration of dances, drums, and singing.