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 $5787 NZD

    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]

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

      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 can 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.

      Medellín to Bogota

      Medellín
      • Road Cycling
      • Grade
      • Group size: maximum 20
      • USD490 single room surcharge
      • Bring your own road bike
      • USD330 mountain bike hire
      • USD600 e-bike hire
      • Terms & Conditions for this tour vary from the Standard Terms & Conditions
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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.

      Meals: Dinner

      DAY 2

      Medellín

      Cycling: 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 a cable car ride over the Barrios.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

      DAY 3

      Medellín to Guatape

      Cycling: 76 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 to Cocorna

      Cycling: 67 km

      As we make our way to Cocorna, the ride will be a gentle (almost flat) climb until the 50 km mark, from where we’ll descend into the town. Cocorna is surrounded by several waterfalls and creeks, making it a good place for swimming and other water activities!

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 5

      Cocorna to Reserve Rio Claro

      Cycling: 86 km

      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 with 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: 53 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

      Cycling: 103 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. Its mostly downhill from here through the mountainous coffee growing region to Manizales, a midsize city with steep streets and well known for its culture and theatre festivals.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 9

      Manizales (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 just sit back, watch and listen. Disconnect from the world and take a hike through the protected forest which has a wide range of native flora and fauna. These ecological trails also lead to a number of waterfalls. Take a whole day to reconnect with nature.

      Meals: Breakfast

      DAY 10

      Manizales to Pereira

      Cycling: 78 km

      We’ll venture deep into Colombia’s coffee producing region as we head towards Pereira, located in the foothills of the Andes. The route is mostly downhill except for a shortish climb right before the final descent into Pereira. After 76 km we arrive in the town of Santa Rosa de Cabal where we’ll stop for lunch. Here we can also do an optional tour to understand the process of coffee-making from ‘bean to cup’. We’ll transfer the last 18km to Pereira (or cycle if you wish).

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 11

      Pereira to Giradot

      Cycling: 98 km

      We’ll pass through some interesting towns this morning as we ride from Pereira to the entrance of a tunnel (at 58 km). From here our transfer to the upper part of the mountain includes 2 more tunnels. Our next (40 km) ride leads us down to Boquerón, a small town located on the outskirts of Ibagué. The city of Ibagué is known for its musical heritage and is often referred to as Colombia’s ‘City of Music’. After lunch its just a 1 hour transfer to Girardot.

      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      DAY 12

      Giradot to Bogota

      Cycling: ~10 km

      After breakfast it’s a 3 to 4 hour transfer (144km) 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 by bike before celebrating 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 driver(s)
      • Cycling guide(s)
      • Drinking water while cycling
      • Route maps and profiles

      Tour Excludes:

      • International & domestic flights and airport taxes
      • 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