Contact us for more info about Colombia Road Cycling Adventure

We don't currently have scheduled dates for this tour, however please let us know you're interested and when you'd like to go and we will endeavour to provide you with a tour to meet your needs.

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    Colombia Road Cycling Adventure

    13 Day Road Cycling Tour from $7231 NZD
    (5/5) from 4 reviews

    Contact us for more info about Colombia Road Cycling Adventure

    We don't currently have scheduled dates for this tour, however please let us know you're interested and when you'd like to go and we will endeavour to provide you with a tour to meet your needs.

      [recaptcha]

      If the cycling gods could have designed their own country, it would probably look something like Colombia. Here, the Andes mountains split into three huge ranges, providing plenty of opportunities for epic climbs as well as some dramatic descents! Join us as we slowly unpeel the layers of this South American cycling heaven. The region has it all, with its mix of sweeping terrain, short punchy climbs and of course the long ascents and switchbacks that have carved the Colombian champions of European pelotons.

      We’ll also visit farms, sample local food and drink coffee at traditional coffee roasters. At night our accommodation will be a mix of charming (often boutique) hotels. Throughout the tour you will be fully supported by local guides and drivers who take pleasure in showcasing their beautiful country.

      13 Days
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      • Availability Guide:
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      • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

      Reviews for Colombia Road Cycling Adventure - Tour

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      My sole reason for going on the Colombia bike tour was to do the big Letra climb of 4,000 m
      Whilst it was a big highlight to complete, so to was the diverse scenery of the country. We enjoyed the warmth and beach near Catagena and then the beautiful green lush mountain areas from Medallion to Bogota
      We were well supported on our ride by the local team. The Colombian people were friendly and overall I picked up a good vibe. I also enjoyed the balance of riding and non riding activities including rafting, walking and swimming.
      This was not a country previously on my radar but I can recommend it as a great option to experience South America.

      Robin Oakley September 21, 2023

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      Wow - thank you GCA with the opportunity for an experience of a lifetime !
      Fantastic package of adventure cycling Colombia, immersing yourself, with a team of like minded fun travellers, into the Colombian culture, of awesome food, numerous native wildlife/bush, impressive highly populated landscapes, ‘working’ a local coffee plantation.. followed by a taste test !, incredible art, all within our historical cycling destinations & on water in the jungle, interacting with beautiful local Colombian people, tied to SO much history…..

      Julie James September 21, 2023

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      I simply loved every aspect of my South American experience. The biking and scenery were exceptional.The people are super friendly and helpful. The food, wine and company were amazing! Thanks Global Cycling for again giving me real life experiences!

      Bruce Murray September 13, 2023

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      I have now completed seven cycling tours with Global Cycling Adventures. The first was in 2014 and the most recent was this year - 2023. The Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia tours exceeded my expectations in every way! The cycling was exceptional - dramatic scenery the entire trip, at a manageable but satisfying pace. Highlight of the trip would be the scaling of the ‘Paramo de Letras’ in Colombia – a climb of some 81 kilometers. I cannot speak highly enough of the friendly style, professionalism, organisational ability and dedication to an enjoyable trip. The daily briefings and route management by the tour staff ensured a problem free and safe ride each day. The organisation of the trip, both pre-planning and during the tour was impeccable.

      Greg Griffith August 25, 2023

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      This trip not only provided us with great experiences and memories, but altered our perceptions. Both Medellin and Bogota have ‘reputations’. A visit to the barrios of Medellin revealed a vibrant and purposeful community and a successful recovery, and like our experiences in Bogotá, we delighted in the hospitality of their peoples. The memory of humming birds feeding off our hands in a mountain ecco lodge is etched in our memories as was the dramatic and varied landscape and the lush and beautiful vegetation.

      Marion Heller August 25, 2023

      Medellín to Bogota

      Medellín
      • Road Cycling
      • Grade
      • Minimum group size 4
      • USD 590 single room surcharge
      • USD 650 e-bike hire (subject to change)
      • Road bike: please bring your own
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      Colombia Road Cycling Adventure Fitness and Preparation

      Accommodation will be a mix of charming (often boutique), hotels and resorts.

      Colombia has become a very friendly and popular travel destination which may not be the Colombia you're used to hearing about.  Although some areas do need to be avoided, generally it's safe for visitors.

      Full Itinerary

      DAY 1

      Arrival Day: Medellín

      No cycling

      Our adventure starts in Medellin, a city known for its music, museums and friendly people. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the tour hotel. Situated in the narrow Aburra Valley, Medellín packs the punch of a city twice its size. Its skyline reaches for the heavens, and high-rise apartments and office buildings are set against a backdrop of jagged peaks in every direction. The pleasant climate gives rise to its nickname ‘the City of Eternal Spring’. The city has a colourful past and is well set up for visitors to explore via its modern metro. Our first group meeting will be at the hotel before we head out for dinner.

      Meals: Dinner

      DAY 2

      Medellín

      Cycling: approx 20 km

      Today we’ll acclimatize to the Colombian way of life as we explore the city by bike. We’ll drink premium coffee, sample local fruit, visit some of the top attractions and maybe take an optional cable car ride over the Barrios.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

      DAY 3

      Medellín to Guatape

      Cycling: approx 74 km

      Now in the saddle, we have our first introduction to Colombia’s famous hilly terrain! From Medellín as we head east, we start with a reasonably challenging 16km climb on a good tarseal road. At the top of the climb (at 2,609m asl) we’ll take a well-earned break before continuing to Guatape on a mostly downhill and flatter route. The small town of Guatape was named after the native chief of the tribes that lived here. It’s situated on the shore of a beautiful lake between mountains. We may have the option of a little trip to the Piedra del Peñol, a famous giant rock, which is a well-known and popular tourist site.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 4

      Guatape: ride to waterfall

      Cycling: 28 km one way

      Its only 28km to the amazing La Cazuela waterfall and guess what, its mainly downhill!! After a refreshing swim we’ll have lunch nearby. Now, will you choose to ride back up the hill to the Guatape hotel or take a lift? Later this afternoon you may be tempted to climb the 649 steps to the top of the giant granite rock.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

      DAY 5

      Guatape to Reserve Rio Claro

      Cycling: approx 90 km

      After a 1.5hr (60 km) transfer to the outskirts of Cocorna, our ride starts with a 28km downhill. Cycling to the reserve of Rio Claro is very special, as few people know that within just 3 hours of Colombia’s second biggest city, lies a stunning area of protected tropical rainforest. Most people tend to associate tropical jungles with Colombia’s Amazon region and don’t realise that the middle and lower-lengths of the Magdalena Valley were once covered in lush tropical rainforest, protecting thousands of important species. Sadly, much of that jungle is now under threat, but several important conservation pockets still exist, Rio Claro being one of them.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 6

      Reserve Rio Claro (Rafting Trip)

      Rafting

      As we navigate our way down the river ‘Rio Claro’ in inflatable rafts, we’ll be surrounded by the exuberant tropical rainforest that covers the entire canyon. This guided trip gives us an excellent opportunity to appreciate the amazing biodiversity of the region as we’ll be totally immersed in thick jungle which lines both sides of the riverbank. We’ll finish under an imposing vaulted limestone ceiling that is testimony to the transformative powers of the river’s water cutting into the bedrock. It will be spectacular to see water droplets falling from gigantic stalactites that hang from the towering limestone cliff.

      Meals: Breakfast

      DAY 7

      Rerserve Rio Claro to Mariquita

      Cycling: approx 54 km

      Firstly, a bus transfer takes us over a mountain to the town of La Dorada from where we start our ride. On flat terrain, today is an easy stage which helps us to prepare for tomorrow’s big day to Manizales, the longest climb of the tour.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 8

      Mariquita to Manizales Mountain Lodge

      Cycling: approx 81 km

      Our challenge today and a tour highlight, is the ‘Paramo de Letras’, one of the longest and most demanding climbs in the world. This is where Colombian cyclists train for international competitions. The top of the 81km climb sits at 3,600m above sea level and by this time you will have achieved nearly 4,000m of climbing. Here we load up and transfer to our unique lodge tucked away in the mountains. With its thermal springs, birdlife wonderland and fantastic views, it’s a great location for tomorrow’s well deserved rest day.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 9

      Manizales Mountain Lodge (rest day)

      Cycling: none

      A day to rest, recover and explore! This location gives us the privilege of having a wide range of outstanding bird species right on our doorstep. There will be plenty of activity around the hotel so sit back, watch and listen. You may like to take a hike through the protected forest which has a wide range of flora and fauna plus a number of waterfalls

      Meals: Breakfast

      DAY 10

      Manizales Mountain Lodge to Salento

      Cycling: approx 99 km

      After a short transfer back to the top of Letras Pass it’s a 40km descent venturing deep into Colombia’s coffee producing region. Today’s ride is mostly downhill except for a shortish climb before the descent towards Pereira, a city located in the foothills of the Andes. Our ride finishes after a small climb before the village of Altagracia. We’ll stop here for lunch before visiting La Divisa de don Juan coffee plantation where we’ll take a tour and of course taste their famous coffee. Then we’ll transfer to Salento, a town of many colours and stories. Located in the mesmerizing landscape of the Cocora Valley, its home to rare parrots and the world’s tallest palm trees.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 11

      Salento: Cocora Valley ride

      Cycling: approx 48 km

      Another day where we don’t have to pack our bags! Its a short drive from Salento up the Cocora Valley in the Los Nevados National Park. After admiring the world’s tallest palm trees (up to 60m) we’re back on our bikes. It’s a beautiful and mainly downhill ride, finishing in Alcala. We’ll have lunch at Restaurante la Reserva del Colibri before transferring back to Salento.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

      DAY 12

      Salento to Bogota

      Cycling: none

      After breakfast it’s a 7 to 8 hour transfer (305km) to Colombia’s capital city of Bogota. This high altitude city (at 2,640m) with its cobblestoned centre, is engaging and vibrant. It features colonial buildings, museums, old houses, churches, convents, as well as many bars and restaurants. This afternoon we’ll explore the interesting parts of Bogota on foot, accompanied by a local guide. Then we’ll celebrate the end of the tour with a farewell dinner.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 13

      Departure from Bogota

      Cycling: none

      We bid you farewell as our tour finishes today after breakfast. Please arrange your own transfer to the airport or you may like to stay a few more days in Bogota.

      Meals: Breakfast

      Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

      Tour Includes:

      • Accommodation mainly 3* to 4* hotels
      • Meals as listed in the itinerary
      • Group arrival transfer (day 1)
      • Rafting (day 6)
      • Support vehicle(s) and tourguide(s)
      • Drinking water while cycling
      • Route maps and profiles

      Tour Excludes:

      • International & domestic flights and airport taxes
      • E-bike hire (extra cost)
      • Meals not listed in the itinerary
      • Passport and Travel Visa requirements
      • Travel insurance (compulsory)
      • Optional trips, sightseeing tours, entrance fees to sites
      • Pre and post tour nights
      • Personal expenses and drinks (except water while cycling)
      • Departure transfer to Bogota airport (day 13)
      • Single room surcharge
      • Tip for guides and drivers