2) Soon we'll arrive to a gorgeous local family Cacao farm, immersed in natural beauty, full of a diverse of crops, flowers and plants, where we'll live an authentic Cacao experience that will take you through the entire process of making chocolate, from the Cacao tree to the drink and chocolate bar! Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Antioquia, you'll understand the art and science of Cacao and it's incredible history. From picking the fruit to roasting the Cacao Nibs, we'll see first hand the complexity and dedication that goes into producing a simple cup of chocolate. This is the process we will see: 1. Cacao Cultivation These trees thrive in tropical climates, not higher than 1500 metres, producing cacao pods that are the starting point of chocolate, that are this fascinating and unique oval shaped fruits of all colours. You'll see the different stages of growth and learn about the importance of the environment in cultivating high-quality cacao beans.

2. Harvesting the Pods Next, we'll witness the harvesting process. Farmers carefully handpick the ripe cacao pods, that are ready once they have a good size and bright colour, which are then opened to reveal the cacao beans hidden inside a sweet, sticky and delicious pulp. Then is hanged upside down for a few hours, so gravity pulls the pulp down to earth and leaves the beans barely with any meat. 3. Fermentation The freshly harvested beans are then placed in shallow wooden boxes, barrils or covered with banana leaves to ferment for 5-6 days. This critical stage develops the beans' flavour and colour, affecting the quality and taste of the final chocolate. 4. Drying the Beans After fermentation, the beans are spread out under the sun to dry, covered in a plastic bag creating a type of green house effect. This process usually takes several days depending on the sun, ensuring the beans reach the proper moisture content.

5. Roasting Once the beans are dry, they are roasted to bring out their rich, mysterious and complex flavours. The roasting time and temperature vary depending on the desired flavour profile. On the tour, you'll see the roasting process in action and perhaps sample some freshly roasted beans!! 6. Winnowing Roasted beans are then cracked and winnowed, which separates the cacao nibs from the husks. The nibs are the purest form of cacao and are the essential ingredient in making chocolate. You'll get to see how machinery or traditional methods are used to perform this separation, it's simply amazing and magical. 7. Grinding The cacao nibs are ground into a thick paste known as chocolate liquor or cocoa mass. This step usually involves heavy machinery that crushes the nibs, but we'll use a very traditional and resourceful method, releasing their natural ingredients (cocoa butter) and transforming them into a smooth, liquid form, which we will use to exfoliate after in the river!!

8. Conching The chocolate liquor is then refined through a process called conching, where it is continuously mixed and aerated at controlled temperatures. This step can last from several hours to several days, depending on the desired smoothness and flavour, impacting the final product's texture and taste. 9. Tempering To achieve the perfect snap and glossy finish, the chocolate is tempered. This involves carefully cooling and reheating the chocolate to stabilise the cocoa butter crystals. You'll observe the precise techniques used to temper chocolate and perhaps try your hand at it! 10. Moulding and Packaging Finally, the tempered chocolate is poured into moulds to create bars, truffles, or other delicious shapes. After cooling and hardening, the chocolate is ready to be packaged. We'll make and package our own chocolate bar and take it home as souvenir!!

After our enriching cacao experience at the farm, we'll head to a stunning, crystal-clear river with a small waterfall. Here, we'll use the cocoa butter we made earlier for an exfoliating session, we'll spread it all over our body to slough off dead skin cells, moisturise and rejuvenate our skin, and we'll finish with a great natural massage inside the waterfall. This natural treat will leave you feeling refreshed and literally glowing!!