Come to Colombia, the world's leading producer of high quality emeralds, and observe the gems of the best mines in the world: Muzo, Chivor, Coscuez, Gachalá and Peñas Blancas.
Visit the Emerald Trade Center building, located on the Environmental Axis, a representative urban intervention designed by the architect Rogelio Salmona.
Learn to recognize an original emerald and its characteristics while you understand why each emerald is unique. Know the world of informal emerald commerce in the city, an interesting dynamic that is part of the urban landscape of Bogotá.
Discover the world of informal emerald commerce in the city, an interesting dynamic that is an important part of the urban landscape of Bogotá.
Take some time to admire the impressive view of the historic center from the 23rd floor of the Avianca building, in the Emerald Museum.
Departure place
Hotel / Accommodation in Bogotá
Coordinate with the operator.
Itinerary
Day 1
Colombian emerald tour
Discover the world of precious stones and emeralds of the highest quality in the world. Colombian emeralds are famous for their beauty and are considered an essential part of the country's cultural and geological heritage. This tour of Colombian Emeralds invites you to discover the processes of mining, production and stone carving while touring the main emerald trade center located in La Candelaria (the oldest neighborhood in Bogotá). You will visit several places where you will find unique gemstones, sculptures and elegant jewelry designs, which show how Colombian emeralds are exceptional for their color, brightness, purity and size.
You will start your trip in the Santander Park, where you can see several emblematic buildings of Bogotá, such as the old building of the newspaper El Tiempo, the Bank of the Republic, the Gold Museum and the Churches of San Francisco, La Veracruz and La Tercera. There, you will travel to the 23rd floor of the Avianca Building, an architectural landmark of contemporary Bogotá, to enter the International Museum of the Emerald, where you will visit a 27 square meter tunnel with samples of emerald deposits and royal veins extracted from Las minas from Boyacá. Here, you will be able to appreciate the complete process of working with emeralds, from their extraction in the mines to the carving and the elaboration of jewels, which you can see in the Museum's workshop. The collection exhibits unique emeralds from Colombia, such as the Green Fire and the Trapiche Emerald, known for its star shape.
Then, you will walk along the Seventh Race and Jiménez Avenue, the emerald trade center of the city. The road to the Plazoleta del Rosario will allow you to meet the street vendors who buy and sell emeralds as a daily job. However, it is important to highlight the importance of not supporting these informal markets and acquiring precious stones only in authorized and reliable stores. This route will take you to the Environmental Axis, which leads to the emerald commercial sector with the largest number of stores organized in Bogotá. Then, you will enter the Emerald Trade Center, a building with local commercial and export offices.
Finally, you will walk to La Candelaria to finish the tour in the Gallery of Handicrafts and Emeralds of Colombia, where you will have a cup of Colombian coffee and enjoy handicrafts from all over the country. There you will discover the jewels that are made with emeralds and you will learn to recognize authentic emeralds and their value according to their color and carat weight.
Includes
Transportation to and from the hotel.
Entrance to the places visited.
Expert guide in the language of your preference. (Spanish English)
Not included
Meals and drinks not specified.
Activities
Museums, monuments (included)
Guided visits (included)
Notes
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: There may be changes in the route due to external factors. These changes will be notified to you in advance.
