Road cycling on the coffee road in Colombia

The day is dedicated to exploring Colombia’s capital city.

Bogota was founded in 1538 by the Spanish in the heart of the country. Surrounded by forested mountain ranges, the city extends over a plain of high plateau and today has a population of more than 8 million people. The day’s tour will focus on the colonial area of ​​La Candelaria, where the government headquarters and the main monuments are located, and will end with a cable car ride to enjoy sweeping views of the city and plain.

Lunch near the hotel.

In the afternoon, 2 possible options:

1/ Visit the Museum of Gold which is considered the most beautiful museum in the country with an impressive collection of more than 50,000 gold coins.

2/ Bike into the mountains toward the Virgin of Guadalupe, a lookout located above the city (for a total of 8kms climbed).

You’re free in the evening to dine where you wish. Overnight in Bogota.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Early morning departure by vehicle leaving Bogota for the small town of Facatativá, located at the end of the central plateau (2800m) about 60km from the capital.

We then do a leisurely 20km cycle before making a 15km descent that ends at the Magdalena River.

From the descent, we’ll do a good climb before arriving in the village of Viani, population 2000, a village literally lost in the middle of nowhere. The climb isn’t too taxing and makes a great introduction and welcome to Colombia.

You’re free in the evening to dine where you wish. Overnight in Viani.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Technical cycling info:

• Distance: 15 km
• Duration: approx. 1 hour
• Elevation change: start at 2587m, finish at 1412m (+ 310M / -1320M)
• Estimated temperature: 24°C on departure and 28°C on arrival

We’ll descend from Viani to the Magdalena River with a few gentle climbs to make the route more interesting. As we descend further, the landscape changes, becoming more arid, before reaching the village of Cambao located in the Magdalena Valley.

Lunch in the village before hitting the road again for a 20 km crossing over to the other side of the valley where the landscape seems to be flooded with rice paddies.

Once there, in the heart of the valley, you’ll have the option to do the last 40km either by vehicle or by bike, heading to the small town of Mariquita.

You’re free in the evening to dine where you wish. Overnight in Mariquita

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Technical cycling info:

• Distance: 100 km
• Duration: approx. 3h30
• Elevation change: start at 472m, pass at 3683m, finish at 2103m (+ 3611M / -1980M)
• Estimated temperature: 28°C at the start and 30°C at the finish

For those who would like to climb the pass, there will be an early departure (6:30) by bike directly from the hotel. The climb is over a distance of about 90 km and can take up to 8 hours to reach the pass depending on your pace, located at an altitude of 3600m with a total elevation gain of 3400m.

For those who would prefer to go by vehicle, we’ll depart around 9am to join the rest of the group at the pass and enjoy the descent to Manizales.

Arrive in Manizales (2050m above sea level) at the end of the day, after a big day of cycling and a few hundred calories burned!

You’re free in the evening to dine where you wish. Overnight in Manizales.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Technical cycling info:

• Distance: 120 km
• Duration: approx. 8h
• Elevation change: start at 1412m, finish at 472m (+ 260M / -1083M)
• Estimated temperature: 30°C at the start and 25°C at the finish (15°C at the pass)

Manizales is the capital of the Caldas region, one of the 3 main regions of the Coffee Triangle.

This unique city hangs on a ridge with its 370,000 inhabitants literally living on a slope (some of the streets and alleys are on a 45 degree angle). Despite its size, the city seems more like a big country village, though quite lively due to its vibrant university life. From the centre, you can see the snowy peaks of Los Nevados National Park located a few kilometres away.

There’s the option of a free day to explore the city. Otherwise we’ll hike (about a 3 hour walk) through Los Nevados Park. The national park covers an area of more than 500 km2 and consists of 8 volcanoes, the highest of which – called Nevado del Ruiz – rises more than 5300m high.

And for the bravest, we’ll bike towards the pass located at the entrance of the park (about 40km) to join the rest of the group and begin the hike exploring the flora and fauna in this incredibly diverse area.

At the end of the hike, we’ll visit the natural thermal springs near Manizales and relax a bit in the area’s warm baths.

You’re free in the evening to dine where you wish. Overnight in Manizales.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Technical cycling info:

• Distance: 55 km
• Duration: approx. 2 hours
• Elevation change: start at 2103m, finish at 788m (+ 890M / -2210M)
• Estimated temperature: 25°C

Depart by bike from the hotel for a 10 km descent towards Neira, a traditional village bathed in the soft mist of the morning.

The day of cycling is rough and uneven punctuated with climbs and descents over a distance of about 5kms, passing through many colonial-style villages that date back to the 17th century, marked by baroque-style churches in the main squares. These villages are the oldest in the region and make up the famous Coffee Triangle, appearing like little fortresses positioned on the mountain ridge.

The plantations and their haciendas are mostly concentrated in the bottom of the valleys.

From the village of Filadelfia, the road offers a panoramic view of the valley, winding along the ridge before plunging toward the Cauca River. After crossing the bridge, the descent continues along the river towards Manizales, making it a horseshoe-shaped circuit.

You’re free in the evening to dine where you wish. Overnight in Manizales.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Depart from Manizales by bike to descend once again, but this time on the southern slope. The descent is almost 20 km toward the coffee plantations of the Risaralda region, before reaching Pereira, the region’s capital, located at 1400m above sea level. Check in at the hotel located in the chic and dynamic city centre.

The afternoon is free to enjoy the city with the option of cycling to the village of Marcella. The road from Pereira ascends gradually over 35 km, blending into the dense greenery of the rainforest. On the way, we’ll pass through several small active communities of tropical plantations before arriving in La Marsella Plaza. We’ll take the same road to return to the hotel in Pereira.

You’re free in the evening to dine where you wish. Overnight in Pereira.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Technical cycling info:

• Distance: 105 km
• Duration: approx. 4h
• Elevation change: start at 2103m, finish at 1311m (+ 893M / -1786M)
• Estimated temperature: 25°C at the start and 30°C at the finish

Leave the city by vehicle to avoid traffic. We’ll be leaving the province of Risaralda to enter the third and last region of the Coffee Triangle, Quindio, which also happens to be the best known as well as the least mountainous area of the Triangle.

The region is comprised of large valleys with some of the most fertile land in the country. On this stretch of Los Nevados National Park, the road follows the ridge line on a gradual gentle incline for a moderate slope of 3%.

It then branches off onto a small country road toward the charming and colourful colonial village of Salento.

Lunch in Salento and check in at the hotel.

Located at an altitude of 1895m in the foothills of the Cordillera, Salento is a small village of only 6000 people. Bathed in tropical heat, a breeze descends from the mountain every night to cool things down. The town straddles the cities of Pereira and Armenia and has become one of the most popular destinations in the Coffee Triangle, serving as a base for exploring the surrounding nature. The town also has many great restaurants and shops selling local artisanal products.

Free afternoon, with the option of some outdoor activities such as horseback riding in the countryside.

You’re free in the evening to dine where you wish. Overnight in Salento.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Technical cycling info:

• Distance: 35 km
• Duration: approx. 2 hours
• Elevation change: start at 1311m, finish at 2000m (+ 1007M / -201M)
• Estimated temperature: 30°C

Depart the hotel by bike and head towards the Cocora Valley, home to the famous giant wax palm – a national symbol of Colombia. The road descends from the top of the village down to the river before going up the valley to the village of Cocora, known for its fresh trout.

Here, we’ll have lunch and you’ll have the chance to enjoy some of the region’s specialties.

After lunch, you can return to the hotel by bike or hike for 2 hours in the national park, exploring the richness of park’s local flora and fauna.

Return at the end of the afternoon to Salento, by vehicle or bike.

You’re free in the evening to dine where you wish. Overnight in Salento.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Depart the hotel by bike heading for the valleys of Quindio, passing through several traditional colonial villages. Quindio is a fairly lush region of broad grasslands dotted with coffee plantations, African palms, bananas, and last but not least, the numerous varieties of fruit, making this whole region one huge orchard.

Each village we pass is a brilliant little jewel and Filandia is a great example with its colourful houses and church in the main square. the ”pueblo” Filandia is a good example with its church and colorful houses.

From Filandia, the road follows a narrow ridge, offering a panoramic view of the entire region before descending gradually into bamboo forests and the cascading streams that flow nearby. The descent ends in the heart of the coffee region in the small village of Montenegro.

After Montenegro, the road continues on a small country road that leads to Parque del Cafe and its many coffee plantations offering lodging to passersby.

Overnight in an authentic colonial hacienda.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Technical cycling info:

• Distance: 60 km
• Duration: approx. 2 hours
• Elevation change: start at 2000m, arrival at 1264m (+ 255M / -1106M)
• Estimated temperature: 28°C

Depart by vehicle from the hacienda to the city of Armenia over a distance of 50 km (1450m above sea level).

This last day of cycling begins with an impressive climb to the famous La Linea Pass at 3276m above sea level. The climb is only 25kms, but it’s a steep incline with several sections at a 10% slope. It is a spectacular climb known throughout the country and one that you’ll remember for years to come… the perfect way to end your journey!

Once we reach the pass, we’ll descend to 1074m and the small city of Ibagué (population 600,000) – with a few small climbs at the end. The lush magical landscape gradually begins to change as we descend into the Colombian Savannah. Ibagué is not quite like the quiet colonial villages of the Coffee Triangle, but rather a buzz of movement and noise typical of a jungle town, where the hum of mototaxi engines can be heard at every street corner.

The city doesn’t really hold much charm, but it’s still quite exotic, moving at a much different pace from the rest of Colombia.

Overnight in Ibague.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Technical cycling info:

• Distance: 85 km
• Duration: approx. 4h30
• Elevation change: start at 1377m, pass at 3276, finish at 1222m (+ 2089M / -2244M)
• Estimated temperature: 28°C at the start and 30°C at the finish (12°C at the pass)

For those who are not quite satisfied, a 50 kilometre morning bike ride towards Bogota. We’ll pass through a few villages as well as a canyon at the mouth of the springs of the Maranon River before making the long ascent back to Bogotá by vehicle.

Lunch en route and arrival in Bogotá late afternoon.

Check in at the hotel followed by a bike disassembly workshop and then you’ll be free for the evening to dine where you wish.

Overnight in Bogota

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Technical cycling info:

• Distance: 75 km
• Duration: approx. 3h
• Elevation change: start at 3249m, finish at 2329m (+ 110M / -897M)
• Estimated temperature: 30°C