Colombia Gravel Adventure

Scheduled

7 nights

Advanced

386 km

8880 m

Colombia Gravel Cycling Tour Eat Sleep Cycle
ColombiaColombia Gravel Adventure

Summary

Welcome to the coffee-scented mountains of the Western Colombian Andes. Filled with brightly colored towns and enchanting landscapes, Colombia’s main coffee-growing region is like something out of a fairytale, and perfect to discover Colombia by bike.

Our journey starts in the modern city of Medellín, city of eternal spring and birthplace of colourful Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Take in a 380 km loop east from Medellín into the mountains, past volcanoes and through coffee plantations. Stay in a magical mix of boutique guesthouses, rural eco-lodges & finish in style at a 5* hotel in the centre of Medellín.

Enjoy warm hospitality, delicious fresh food and soak up coffee culture.

DURATION

8 days / 7 nights

DISTANCE

386 km

HOTELS
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
REGION

Colombia

Terrain

Gravel

LEVEL

Advanced

Average Distance X DAY

55 km

Average Time X DAY

2 h 45 min

PRICE PER PERSON FROM€ 3.899
Book now with a 30% DEPOSITfrom € 1170

TOUR highlights

Discover Medellín by bike, the 'city of eternal spring' nestled on a high plane in the Andes mountains

Ride through Colombian coffee plantations & taste the best coffee in the world at its source

Bathe in the thermal waters at Termales Espiritu Santo

Discover the lush jungles & forests where Pablo Escobar built his luxury estate

Stay in local guesthouses, boutique hotels & finish in 5* luxury in Medellín

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?

Advanced

Rated 3 out of 4 our Advanced tours are designed for people who ride regularly and want back to back challenging days on the bike. Riders should be confident riding in a small group, comfortable on extended climbs (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents. E-bikes are available on all of our tours.

ITINERARY

Day 1

Welcome to Medellín!

Meet your guides and fellow riders in Medellín Centre and transfer (1 hour 40 mins) to our starting point on the shores of the Embalse del Peñol at 2,000 m altitude. We'll enjoy a relaxed afternoon getting the bikes set up and going for a warm-up ride before settling in to our first evening meal together.

EAT

Light lunch & evening meal

SLEEP

Hotel Boato

CYCLE

Warm-up ride, 35 km 580 m

Day 1

Guatape to San Luis

The next day adventure calls! We strike a course south east through the forest. During the ride we'll descend from 2,000 m altitude to 600 m - rest assured there are still some good climbs to tackle en route! At the end of the ride we'll take a short transfer to tonight's hotel in Nápoles. In the afternoon there's an opportunity to visit Hacienda Nápoles, the estate of notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

EAT

Breakfast, lunch & evening meal

SLEEP

Hotel Arboreo

CYCLE

60 km, 845 m

Day 1

Doradal to La Cachaza

Our rest day ride takes us further south at lower altitudes. Cross from Antioquia to Caldas through farmland and open pastures. We'll pass through the town of San Miguel and hug the route of the Rio La Miel. In the afternoon relax in nature at our eco hotel or visit the Botanical Gardens of Magdalena - a centre dedicated to preserving the biodiversity of the region.

EAT

Breakfast, lunch & evening meal

SLEEP

La Cachaza

CYCLE

37 km, 240 m

Day 1

La Cachaza to Norcasia

Today the climbing starts again as we start the journey west back towards Medellín. Our rolling route takes us towards the mountains on gravel tracks and a quiet country road. Farmland will give way to tropical vegetation as the altitude goes up! At our resting place in Norcasia a short detour to see the Mirador del Embalse Amaní is a must.

EAT

Breakfast, lunch & evening meal

SLEEP

Hotel Boutique Avani

CYCLE

64 km, 1268 m

Day 1

Avani to Termales

Enjoy a spectacular day in the rural hills of Colombia! Ride west into the hills through coffee plantations and back into the Antioquia region. Our highest point of the day is 1,600 m, when we pass the Volcán el Escondido. At the end of the ride enjoy quality recovery in the natural hot springs. Disconnect and unwind in the spa or take a dip in the river.

EAT

Breakfast, lunch & evening meal

SLEEP

Termales Espiritu Santo

CYCLE

66 km, 1789 m

Day 1

Termales to Sonson

The Queen stage of the tour packs a leg-sapping 2,500 m of elevation into just 55 km of riding. Climb high into the mountains on a mix of gravel & paved roads. Sleep in Sonson, a local town at 2,500 m. This is rural Colombia!

EAT

Breakfast, lunch & evening meal

SLEEP

Hotel El Tesoro

CYCLE

55 km 2512 m

Day 1

Mezopotamia to El Retiro

Today's grand finale is takes us cycling in coffee region. Ride on gravel tracks at alitude for the first half of the ride and enjoy a great descent to Nazareth. At the base of our last climb we'll stop for a delicious coffee at Café Finca El Reposo - taste the world's best coffee at it's source! Our final climb takes us to El Retiro and the end of the road. After lunch we'll take a transfer to Medellín and celebrate the end of the ride in style!

EAT

Breakfast, lunch & evening meal

SLEEP

Click Clack Hotel

CYCLE

69 km, 1647 m

Day 1

Adios Colombia!

It's time to say adios to this beautiful country. Plan your onward travel from our last hotel in Medellín centre.

EAT

Breakfast

SLEEP

CYCLE

THE TOUR
IN DETAIL

RIDE SUPPORT

Full Support

Enjoy full ride support from our professional guide team & support vehicle.

The ride support vehicle is stocked with natural ride nutrition, electrolytes and water, as well as a full set of tools to resolve any mechanicals. On selected days the support crew will serve a delicious picnic lunch in a scenic location en route. Enjoy local foods chosen to keep you feeling energized and healthy.

Eat Sleep Cycle guides are experienced riders from all walks of life united by a love of cycling who’ll help to keep the group safe, motivated and savouring the trip of a lifetime.

All guests will receive access to our digital Road Book and routes, giving everyone the flexibility to ride at their own pace.

HOTELS

Hotels shown are examples and are subject to change

BIKE HIRE

Not included
Bike hire is not included in the tour. Add bike rental to the trip from €40 per day

Adventure Gravel Bike

Gravel Adventure

Ask us about available bikes to rent for this tour. We recommend an adventure style gravel bike, with a relaxed geometry, 47c tyres and plently of gears for the climbs.

THE GUIDES

Esteban

Esteban is a Colombian cyclist passionate about everything with two wheels, mainly gravel! An expert in tours through Colombia, Esteban dedicates his time to traveling and knowing the best routes through his country.

Ariel

Ariel is a triathlete from Argentina and has always loved to ride. After pursuing a sensible career in sales in Barcelona Ariel joined our Cycling Tours team to focus his life & career on... cycling!

Ariel

Details

LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION

HOW TO GET HERE

Travel to Medellín

MEETING POINT

Medellín City Centre

TIME

12 noon

DEPARTURE

Medellín City Centre

WHAT THE TOUR INCLUDES

CYCLING

Full Support

ACCOMMODATION

Local guesthouses & boutique hotels

FOOD

Full board

TRANSFERS

Inlcuded from the meeting point in Medellín & back to Medellín

BIKE RENTAL

Not included - available on request

EAT SLEEP CYCLE LOCATION

ESC Colombia

Colombia is a magical country in South America that’s home to the majestic Andes mountains and has a wonderful climate for cycling all year around. As one of the world’s main producers of coffee it makes sense that cycling is Colombia’s national sport. Expect a warm-welcome from a population of cycling aficionados and prepare to get off the beaten track on our Colombia cycling tours.

Ready
to ride?

RESERVATION
& PAYMENT

If you have any questions about our tours, dates, or anything else, contact us here
/1
DEPOSIT

A 30% deposit will secure your place on the tour

/2
FINAL BALANCE

The final balance is due 90 days before the tour departs

Single Occupancy:  PLUS €399
Saturday

14 December 2024

Saturday

21 December 2024

€3.899Book now
Monday

17 February 2025

Monday

24 February 2025

€3.899Book now
Monday

17 March 2025

Monday

24 March 2025

€3.899Book now
Monday

21 July 2025

Monday

28 July 2025

€3.899Book now
Monday

4 August 2025

Monday

11 August 2025

€3.899Book now
Start

Custom

Finish

Custom

€ Custom
MORE INFO

Any Questions?CONTACT US

FAQs

1

What happens if I need to cancel the trip?

We have a flexible cancelation policy – please take a look at our cancellation policy at the time of booking. If you have any doubts please reach out and we’re happy to help.

1

Is the tour the right level for me?

We rate our tours from Level 1 (Leisure) to Level 4 (Epic). Each tour contains a description of the level, expected daily ride time, distance and elevation. If you have any doubts we’re more that happy to speak to you on the phone and help to find you the perfect trip!

1

What about bikes? Can I hire one or should I bring my own?

We recommend that you hire a bike for your tour and will work with you after you book to help you to choose the best size and model for your ride style. If you prefer to bring your bike, it’s no problem. Please be aware that on some of our epic trips we charge a supplement to transport your bike box to our finishing location. If you have any doubts, please ask!

1

Is insurance included?

Insurance is not included in our tour packages. We highly recommend contracting travel insurance at the time of reservation with a company from where you are from.

Health insurance which covers you for illness or injury whilst cycling in your chosen destination is mandatory, we’ll ask you for details of your insurance providor before you travel.

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