Bike Colombia

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Day 1 Thurs Bogota -Popayan

Fly from Bogota to the beautiful city of Popayan.You will be transferred to your hotel

Accommodation: Hotel La Plazuela

                             www.hotellaplazuela.com.co

This small colonial city is famous for its chalk-white facades( its nickname is La Cuidad Blanca or the"White City") and is second only to Caratagena as Colombia's most impressive colonial settlement.

Day 2 Fri   Popayan (B, L)

This morning drive to the indigenous mountain village of Cocouco(2650m) where you can bathe in the hot thermal springs. Then jump on the bikes and start the 30km leisurely ride back to Popayan.The route is mainly downhill on a paved road with very little traffic

This afternoon a walking tour around Popayan 

Day 3 Sat  Popayan-Salento (B, L)

We travel by van into the heart of the countrys coffee production to Armenia , situated in the mountains with steep slopes all round. Continue through the peaceful surroundings of the lush green countryside to arrive at a converted finca(coffee farm).Learn about the coffee production and then commence a ride through to Salento

Accommodation: Hotel Finca El Rancho de Salento

                              http://elranchosalento.com

30kmwith some uphill

Day 4 Sun  Salento (B, L)

Our bike tour goes through the beautiful Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape, declared a World Heritage by UNESCO. You will be riding through Coffee and Plantain plantations, bamboo forests, exotic fruits among other native species. You will also be able to watch the beauty and diverse Colombian wildlife: birds, butterflies, etc. Ride through stunning country lanes to the charming traditional coffee town of Salento. Then a truly epic ride up through the Cocora Valley , see the 60m tall palm trees!

52 Km with some uphill

Day 5 Mon Salento - Filandia--Cerritos (B,L)

Our bike tour goes through the beautiful Colombian coffee cultural landscape, declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.Ride through stunning country lanes to the charming town of Filandia. We'll take  a break here before setting off on a beautiful stretch of road down to Quimbaya and onwards to Alcala, one of the tour highlights. Continue to Cerritos 

Accommodation: Hotel San Antonio del Cerro

                            www.hotelsanantoniodelcerro.com.co

40km with some uphill

Day 6 Tues Cerritos -Jardin (B,L)

  Continue riding through the heart of the country towards Ansermas , a lovely town , then by van to Jardin ,an Andean town known for its brightly painted houses , colourful floral displays and milk candies 

 Distance 20km: elevation500mt

Day 7 Wed Jardin (B,L) 

Discover by bike the heritage architecture of the town,waterfalls, coffee areas, mountains rich in nature and life -a day of stunning vistas 

35km  with some uphill

Day 8 Thurs Jardin -Medellin (B,L)

This morning  continue  by van  to Medellin 

The city of Medellin sits in a narrow valley originally inhabited by the Aburras Indians. It is the second largest city in Colombia and is said to be, "One of the most beautiful cities in South America." by experienced travelers who have discovered the magic of Colombia. Medellin's pleasant spring-like climate year round makes it known as 'La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera' or "City of the Eternal Spring". Medellin is a safe, modern city filled with sophistication and charm from its Spanish heritage.It is known by its cultural encounters, the warmth of its people and the amazing views that are accompanied by clear blue skies and beautiful sunsets

Best way to see Medellin is by bike . The route will orient you to the rest of the city and our guide's local knowledge and insight are invaluable. The trip is about 20 km and takes about 3-4 hours. Although most of the tour is flat, there are two challenging climbs that are rewarded with fantastic views. Also, you may be required to lift your bike to occasionally climb stairs so we can use walking bridges to avoid dangerous highway crossings

Distance 20km 

Sample Medellin's  famous  nightlife in the Zona Rosa 

Day 9 Fri Medellin (B, L)

Travel to the Santa Fe region. From the highlands through cloud forests, we descend for more than 1700m down into the Cauca River Gorge, over 35km in length, along exuberant landscapes with breathtaking views to the valleys below. Passing through various ecosystems, colourful towns and farmlands, this full day of adventure offers varied riding terrain with many "single track" trail options. The tour ends just outside Santa Fe, a very historical and patrimonial city which we then visit before returning to Medellin

Distance: 40km with some elevation

Day 10 Sat Medellin- Bogota (B)

This  afternoon  transfer to the airport  for a  short  flight to  Bogota and transfer to the hotel 

Accommodation: Hotel B3 Virrey  

                             https://hotelesb3.com 

Day 11 Sun Bogota (B)

Ride in the world-famous Ciclovía – when major avenues are closed to cars and fill with cyclists, skaters, joggers and walkers!

We head to the colourful streets of La Candeleria, something not to be missed are the"chocolaterias "where you can sample the famous Bogotano hot chocolate.

This afternoon you might like to head out of town and take the cable car up Mount Monserrate for magnificent views of the city or visit the splendid Gold Museum (optional)

Day 12 Mon Bogota -Villa de Leyva (B, L)

We depart to the town of Cucunuba and commence a ride towards Require. Then to Villa de Leyva which is one of the most beautiful colonial villages in Colombia. Declared National Monument in 1945, the village has been preserved in it's entirely with cobblestone roads, tiled roofs and whitewashed buildings.

50-60 km with some elevation

Accommodation: Hotel Arcadia Colonial

                             www.hotelarcadiacolonial.co

Day 13 Tues Villa de Leyva (B, L)

We explore Villa de Leyva and surroundings. We will discover one of the most important paleontology regions in South America. This valley is an ancient ocean floor, home to many dinosaur fossils, as well as thousands of ammonites from the Cretaceous period. Evidence is found everywhere including decorations in floors and buildings. We prepare our mountain bikes for a 20 Km ride along the country side. En route we visit El Infiernito, a dry area with waterholes, and the Paleontological Museum which displays the most important assortment of fossils in South America. Here we find the most complete Kronosaurus fossil known to date.

Our ride continues all the way to El Monasterio, a magnificent structure originally built in 1620 that was visited by Simon Bolivar himself. It has a great collection of religious and colonial art, as well as Muisca Indian displays – all adorned with fossils from the area. We return to Villa the Leyva to relax in its time suspended streets and coffee shops.

30 Km with some elevation

Day 14 Wed Villa de Leyva- Barichara (B, L)

Today we start early by van driving towards San Gil.Enjoy the beautiful landscapes along the Suarez River Canyon . Then commence a 35km bike towards Barichara, a perfectly preserved Spanish town declared National Monument in 1978. Barichara is a charming colonial town with a magical ambience. Its cobblestone streets, red tiled roofs, squares, and laid back lifestyle give us the feeling of being transported to another era.

Accommodation: Hotel Mision de Santa Barbara

   www.hostalmisionsantabarbarbara.com

Day 15 Thurs Barichara (B, L)

We start the day at 2000m above the town. Descend 25km down by bike the the base of the majestic Suarez Canyon passing through scenic agricultural landscapes. Then explore Barichara by bike and you will see why Barichara is deemed "the most beautiful pueblo in Colombia".

After lunch some more rolling cross country biking descending another 25km

Day 16 Fri Barichara - Bucamaranga (B, L)

Begin the day with a hike on a historica trail that was originally built by the Guane. During the colonial era, this trail was rebuilt in stone by the Spanish to gain access to the Atlantic . Along the way we get great views to the gorge below and excellent birding, as a high concentration of species feed and inhabit this area . At the end of this 7km hike we reach Guane, another colonial town that seems lost in time. It has a dreamlike feel and great Spanish architecture. We visit the local anthropological museum to learn about the extinct Guane culture.

In the afternoon, we bike into the Chicamocha River Gorge, the country's most scenic canyon, also known as the "Grand Canyon of Colombia". The ride starts at the edge of the canyon along a dirt road that zigzags down into the bottom of the gorge. We will feel the rising heat during this exhilarating downhill as we descend 1,400 m. The environment here is a unique dry forest filled with acacia, agave and cacti. Here we can also find remnants of a tropical forest where howler monkeys still survive. Other species found in this area are: iguanas, falcons and eagles. At the end of this 16 Km ride we will reach the town of Jordan at 430m. Located along the Royal Road from the Andes to the Caribbean, El Jordan used to be a prosperous merchant trade center. Today it has an eerie feeling, as it seems to be abandoned. We continue our journey to the city of Bucamaranga

Accommodation: Hotel Ciudad Bonita

www.hotelcuidadbonita.com.co

Day 17 Sat Bucamaranga - Bogota (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bogota and connect with your international flight

OR

Day 17 Sat Bogota - Cartagena (B)

Connect from Bogota by air to Cartagena de Indias , a lovely walled city which has preserved its colonial heritage and UNESCO World Heritage site . Cartagena was the major trading port from South America to Spain and saw numerous battles for control as its key position as a trading port . Its captivating streets move to a laid back Caribbean rhythm

From Milke Newell's interpretation of the Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel, Love in the Time of Cholera to Robert de Niro's The Mission, Cartagena has been the backdrop to some cinema classics.

Transfer to your hotel Accommodation: Hotel Don Pedro Heredia www.hoteldonpedroheredia.com

Day 18 Cartagena (B)

Walking tour of the old city this morning.

Gold-crafting indigenous tribes, Spanish colonialism, pirates and corsairs, African slaves, fortifications, Catholicism, and the Inquistion, immigrants, independence, cholera, drugs,crime,beauty pageants, books,art and movies - Cartagena has led a very interesting life!

With such a fascinating and turbulent history, you can bet your arepa e huevo that there are plenty of must-see sites.

Day 19 Mon Cartagena (B)

Day free to explore Cartagena or we would suggest a trip to the beautiful Rosario Islands

Day 20 Tues Depart Cartagena (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight departure

Dates & Prices:

Departures:

23 May 2024

Prices per person

2024   Double/Twin  NZ$6490

Single supplement           $750


NB Costs are subject to currency fluctuations & based on a minimum of 6 people travelling

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