Private Tour: Peacebuilding in Antioquia – From Coca Fields to Cocoa!

The "Private Tour: Peacebuilding in Antioquia – From Coca Fields to Cocoa!" offers a unique opportunity to explore the transformative journey of local farmers in Colombia. By engaging with a community-run cacao project, participants can witness firsthand the positive impact of transitioning from illegal coca cultivation to sustainable cacao farming. This immersive experience not only delves into the cacao production process but also highlights the resilience and hope fostered by this agricultural shift. With hands-on activities, traditional Colombian cuisine, and expert guidance, this tour promises to provide a deeper understanding of the region’s remarkable progress towards peace and prosperity.

Key Points

• Explore a UN-sponsored cacao project in San Francisco, Antioquia, that assists local farmers in transitioning from illegal coca crops to sustainable cacao cultivation.
• Participate in a hands-on chocolate-making workshop and learn about the cacao production process, from harvesting to fermentation and drying.
• Engage with the local community and hear their stories of resilience as they move away from the drug economy towards a fair, ethical cacao supply chain.
• Enjoy a traditional Colombian lunch while discovering how the cacao initiative fosters peace and stability in the region.
• Set out on a private, family-friendly tour with accessibility for wheelchairs, strollers, and service animals, with all transportation, entrance fees, and taxes included.

Tour Overview and Highlights

This private tour offers an immersive experience exploring the impact of cacao cultivation on local communities in the town of San Francisco, Antioquia.

Over 10 hours, you’ll visit a UN-sponsored cacao project and learn about the transition from illegal crops. The tour includes a chocolate-making workshop, traditional lunch, and round-trip hotel transport.

It’s family-friendly with vegetarian options. Your expert bilingual guide will provide insights into the local history during the civil war. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and infant seats are available.

Prices start from $256, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. The tour begins at 8:00 am, with guidance available in multiple languages upon request.

Cacao Project and Community Engagement

The tour’s central focus is a community-run cacao project sponsored by the United Nations. This initiative aims to support local farmers in transitioning from growing illegal crops to cultivating cacao.

During the tour, visitors will learn about the cacao plantation and explore the local community’s history during the civil war. The tour offers a unique opportunity to engage with this grassroots project and understand its impact.

Some key highlights include:

1. Learning about the community’s efforts to shift from coca to cacao cultivation
2. Exploring the cacao plantation and understanding the production process
3. Discovering the project’s role in fostering peace and economic stability
4. Engaging with local community members and hearing their stories

Included in the Tour

The tour includes several key components to provide visitors with a comprehensive and engaging experience.

Private transportation ensures participants are picked up from and dropped off at their accommodations. An expert bilingual guide leads the excursion, sharing insights into the local community’s history and the cacao project supported by the United Nations.

Participants can look forward to an exclusive chocolate-making workshop and a traditional Colombian lunch, complemented by coffee and bottled water.

All entrance fees, travel insurance, and taxes are included, making this a hassle-free tour.

The experience caters to diverse needs, being wheelchair and stroller accessible and welcoming service animals.

Accessibility and Recommendations

Wheelchair accessibility, stroller access, and service animals are welcomed on this tour, ensuring an inclusive experience for all participants.

The tour organizers provide the following recommendations to enhance your experience:

1. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for tropical weather.
2. Apply sunscreen and bring a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
3. Stay hydrated by drinking the complimentary bottled water provided.
4. Dress in layers, as the temperature may vary throughout the day.

With these considerations in mind, you can fully learn about the exploration of cacao cultivation and the local community’s peacebuilding efforts.

Booking Information and Policies

Depending on group size, the tour cost starts from $256.00.

Booking this private tour is straightforward, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and the tour can accommodate requests for guidance in German, French, Italian, and Portuguese upon request.

Only your group will participate in this exclusive tour, which departs at 8:00 am. Travelers can expect a comprehensive tour package that includes private transportation, an expert bilingual guide, a chocolate workshop, a traditional lunch, coffee break, water, travel insurance, and all entrance fees.

Exploring San Francisco, Antioquia

Although the tour begins in Medellín, the main focus centers around the town of San Francisco in Antioquia. Nestled in the Andes, this community has a rich history intertwined with the cacao industry and the region’s turbulent past.

Visitors will:

1. Explore the community-run cacao project, learning how it supports local farmers transitioning from illegal crops.
2. Witness the cacao plantation and gain insights into the town’s history during the civil war.
3. Participate in an exclusive chocolate-making workshop, delving into the art of cacao processing.
4. Savor a traditional lunch, seeing the local culinary traditions.

This immersive experience offers a unique window into the resilience and transformation of San Francisco, showcasing the power of cacao-driven peacebuilding efforts.

Cacao Cultivation and Production

As visitors arrive at the community-run cacao project, they’ll witness the intricate process of cacao cultivation and production.

The project, sponsored by the United Nations, aims to support local farmers transitioning from illegal crops. Guests will learn about the history of the cacao plantation and its role during the civil war.

They’ll observe the careful harvesting, fermenting, and drying of the cacao pods, which are then transformed into rich, aromatic chocolate through an exclusive workshop.

This hands-on experience offers a deeper understanding of the community’s resilience and the positive impact of the cacao initiative on local livelihoods.

Transitioning From Coca to Cocoa

The community-run cacao project has stepped in to help local farmers move away from cultivating illegal coca crops, offering them an alternative path to sustainable livelihoods.

The project aims to:

1. Provide training and resources for farmers to transition to cacao cultivation.
2. Ensure a fair, ethical supply chain that benefits the local community.
3. Promote cacao as a legal, lucrative crop to replace the illicit coca trade.
4. Foster peace and stability in the region by transitioning away from the drug economy.

Through this initiative, the community is reclaiming their land, restoring their economic self-sufficiency, and working towards a brighter, more prosperous future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the History of the Cacao Farming Community in San Francisco?

The cacao farming community in San Francisco has transitioned from growing illegal crops to cultivating cacao. Supported by a UN-sponsored project, local farmers are now working to rebuild their livelihoods and community after the civil war.

How Does This Tour Support the Local Economy and Community Development?

This tour supports the local economy and community development by providing income and opportunities for cacao farmers transitioning from illegal crops. It also raises awareness of their efforts to build sustainable livelihoods through ethical cacao production.

Can I Bring My Own Food or Dietary Preferences on the Tour?

Yes, you can accommodate your own dietary preferences on the tour. The tour includes a traditional lunch, but vegetarian options are available. Feel free to bring any additional food or snacks to suit your needs.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour or Add Additional Activities?

Yes, there are options to extend the tour or add additional activities. Guests can inquire about customizing their experience, such as visiting more community projects or extending the duration, when booking the tour.

How Does This Tour Contribute to Sustainable and Ethical Cacao Production?

This tour supports sustainable and ethical cacao production by partnering with a community-run project that helps local farmers transition from illegal crops to cacao cultivation. It provides training and economic opportunities, promoting environmental and social responsibility.

Recap

This immersive tour offers a unique opportunity to witness the transformative journey of local farmers, transitioning from illegal coca cultivation to sustainable cacao farming. By engaging with a community-run cacao project, participants gain valuable insights into the positive impact of this agricultural shift on local livelihoods and the resilience fostered by this shift towards a more peaceful and prosperous future.