A Tour From Trash to Flowers.
Learn about the impressive transformation of Medellin’s former municipal dump into an urban farm and park. Meet and interact with the locals, and listen to their unique stories of one of the most inspirational examples of urban transformation in Colombia.
The Moravia Community in Medellin.
Meet local leaders of Moravia to gain unique insider information about the barrio, its people, and fascinating history. Explore the area guided by locals and experience first-hand the impressive transformation of Medellin’s former open-air dump into an example to the rest of the world.
The Lowdown.
As little as 20 years ago, Medellín was one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
Until the turn of the millennium, the struggles about Pablo Escobar's successor continued, but from 2002 Medellín began to change and the city started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education.
Today the “City of Eternal Spring” is one of the most innovative metropolises in the world.
An essential part in this transformation process are community-based initiatives aiming to fight poverty in the city ́s poorest neighbourhoods.
One impressive project of urban change is the densely populated Moravia district, once Medellín's municipal rubbish dump with an open-air mountain of trash surrounded by a large shantytown, whose residents used to live in almost absolute poverty.
The open garbage dump was operating from 1977 to 1984 and the people living around the trash used everything they found in the garbage and became experts in recycling, built their homes with the material and made anything possible to get an income out of the trash.
Due to Colombia’s armed conflict more and more refugees arrived in Moravia, located right next to the city center. Moravia is known for its strong community spirit and the positive attitude of its people.
Plenty of local community-run projects have transformed Moravia into a model urban centre, with the mound of trash turned into a garden-covered hillside that nowadays represents a landmark of social and urban transformation of Medellín.
On this tour meet personally local leaders of Moravia that provide you with unique insider information about the barrio, its people, and history. Explore the area guided by locals and experience first-hand the impressive transformation of the sector, meet and interact with the locals, and listen to their unique stories of the recent history.
Support directly a community-based project of Moravia and help them to fulfill their dreams of a better life.
FAQs
What’s Included on this tour?
Travel insurance
Private expert guide (English or Spanish)
Meeting local leaders of the Moravia community
Bottle of water (350 ml)
Taxes
What’s not included on this tour?
Services not mentioned in the program.
Tips to driver/guide.
Alcoholic beverages.
Private transport (pick-up & drop-off service at your hotel or Medellin vacation rental).
Who will enjoy this tour?
Independent travelers looking to understand the bigger picture. Visitors looking for a bona fide experience and that want to contribute to the positive development of the city of Medellin.
Is this a private or shared tour?
Private
What time does the tour depart and return?
Everyday | 09:00-13:00
Where does this tour depart from?
From your hotel or Medellin vacation rental.
$58
Per Person
This is a private experience, just for you and your group. That means your guide will meet you at your hotel and you won't be joined by other visitors on the tour. If you would rather book a shared group experience, great for meeting like-minded people sometimes there are fixed departure tours from fixed meeting points that you can join. If you would prefer to join one of these tours, please contact us for more information.
