The Colombian Andes form the northernmost stretch of this majestic South American mountain range. Lofty peaks shrouded in cloud forests, rugged canyons carved by rushing rivers, and foothills dotted with cattle pastures and coffee plantations create an intriguing landscape for a bike journey. A long history and living heritage are ever-present in the traditions of indigenous groups and the terracotta-hued architecture of towns built by Spanish explorers. This 12-day bike journey takes us from the capital, Bogotá, north through the Departments of Boyacá and Santander, riding from one heritage-rich Andean town to the next, each seemingly lifted from a painting. We tackle gravel roads, conquer technical climbs and descents, take in breathtaking views, sip fresh coffee, discover local crafts, savour traditional cuisine, and embrace the spirited charm of Colombian hospitality!

Starting from Bogotá’s high-altitude urban buzz, we drive north for a gentle warm-up ride in the Andean foothills, leading us to the cliffs of Suarez. Over the next few days, the cycling gets longer, higher, and tougher as we ride a mix of paved and gravel roads through an agrarian hinterland filled with cattle ranches, farmlands, and villages where artisans craft colourful ponchos and intricate ceramics. Next, the scenery shifts dramatically as we traverse the Candelaria Desert – the “desert of souls” – with its arid moorlands, rocky paths, and an ancient astronomical observatory. After a night in Villa de Leyva, one of Colombia’s best-preserved colonial towns, we transition into the highlands of Santander, riding past waterfalls, through rainforests, and past stone churches. The final two riding days take us up and down the Suarez River valley along winding gravel roads, culminating in an ascent to Barichara, one of the country's most beautiful heritage towns, perched atop a plateau. We end by exploring this gem of a town on foot before transferring to Bucaramanga for onward flights or extended stays.

Join us on this adrenaline-pumping, culturally-enriching bike adventure through the Colombian Andes!

Bikes

Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section.

If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a mountain bike, preferably with front suspension, in good mechanical order.

We also have Gravel bikes available for hire, but they are limited in number & size - please send an email to us to check on availability.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

Passports and Visas

Travellers from Australia, the United Kingdom, US, Canada and the EU do not need a visa to enter Colombia for a visit of fewer than 90 days. Citizens of certain countries need to present a tourist visa to gain entry. These can be processed at the Colombian embassies and consulates abroad. You can check if you need a visa or not in the link here

Health

No vaccinations are not considered necessary to enter Colombia, however, if you wish to visit tourist sites such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, the Tayrona National Park or the different Amazon reserves, the Colombian authorities will require that you are properly vaccinated against yellow fever. Remember that this vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before travelling to these destinations.

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Weather

One of the most surprising things about Colombia for foreign visitors is the unchanging nature of its climate all year round. This is because the country is located on the Equator, which means the sun rises and sets at the same time all year round and the season stays the same, unlike almost every other country in the world. There are just the dry seasons (from December to January and July to August) and the rainy seasons (from April to May and September to October). However rain is always a possibility and you will need to bring a waterproof jacket and pants, while Bogota can get quite cold so bring a fleece and some colder weather riding gear such as arm-warmers and a gilet for the days at altitude. Sun cream is also a must, as is a covering for your head.

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Food

Colombian food is a unique blend of indigenous and European traditions with a strong Afro-Caribbean influence and is noted for its diversity and quality. The two largest indigenous groups before the European conquest were the Tairona, who lived along the Caribbean coast, and the Muisca, who lived in the highlands to the South. Arepas, made from ground corn, are one of the oldest cooked dishes in Colombian cuisine and it is believed that the name derives from the word for corn in the Chibcha languages. In Bogotá and the Andean region, Ajiaco is the traditional dish. It is also a type of soup made with chicken and potatoes, and flavoured with a locally grown herb called "guasca". You will have lots of opportunities to try the local cuisine and we work hard to make sure you sample a wide variety of typical dishes during your time in Colombia.

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Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy restoring local fruit and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. But you may also want to bring electrolytes in powder or tablet form. Alcoholic drinks are available everywhere, but are NOT included in the price.

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Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

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Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra US Dollars for possible incidentals that might arise. It is always wise to have some paper currency in case of ATM absence or credit card problems. This will save you a lot of unnecessary worries. It is also customary to tip local tour guides and drivers; however, the amount you give should be dependent on the level of service you receive.

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Money

The Colombian peso is the country's legal tender. It is generally identified with the abbreviation COP, and you'll find that the official peso symbol ($) is used locally. A wide selection of banknotes and coins are used. You will find 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 peso coins and 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 peso banknotes. ATMs that accept major credit cards can be found in all sizable towns and cities. It’s best to use credit cards as a backup for cash. There are many foreign exchange offices in every city and town and at major attractions. The best currencies to take are US dollars.

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Be Aware

Overall, the level of petty crime is much less than in most Western countries. However, take the usual precautions about avoiding rowdy political demonstrations, not flashing money around and being aware of pickpockets in crowded places.

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