Redesigned

Riding the Colombian Andes

Day 1 Meet in Bogotá

Welcome to Bogotá, Colombia’s buzzing capital, located at an altitude of 2,640 metres in the heart of the northern Andes! We suggest arriving a day or two before the tour begins to acclimate yourself to high-altitude living and exploring Bogotá, a city awash with vibrant street art, fascinating museums, lively cafés & bars, and a rich blend of colonial and modern architecture. On arrival day, we meet at our tour hotel in the late afternoon and head out for a trip briefing and welcome dinner. Please let us know if you require assistance with airport transfers and pre-tour hotel bookings.

B.O.G Hotel
Dinner

Day 2 Bogotá - Guasca - Suesca

This morning, we transfer around 1.5 hours out of Bogotá to our cycling start point in the municipality of Guasca. Our first ride offers a gentle introduction to the agrarian landscapes of the Andean foothills, with a route that’s neither too steep nor technical. We start with a 10 km stretch passing cattle ranches before climbing the slopes surrounding Tomine Lake, an expansive reservoir nestled among lush green hills. After descending to the tree-lined lakeside and skirting along the shore for about 10 km, we spill back out onto the plains, where a final stretch leads to the charming town of Suesca. Known for its rugged cliffs, Suesca is a haven for rock climbers. As for us cyclists, we’ll take it easy and soak in the laid-back atmosphere of this small Colombian town, nestled in the Andean highlands.

Casona Quesada
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 41km
+435m
-533m

Day 3 Suesca - Cucunubá

Today’s route kicks off with a literal rocky start! Departing from Suesca, we head north, tackling an 8 km ascent along a narrow gravel road that winds through rolling hills. This climb brings us close to 3,000 metres above sea level, where we’re greeted by a landscape of vast open pastures interspersed with patches of montane forest. From there, we ride 20 km along quiet farmer roads that rise and fall gently with the contours of the highlands, part of the time riding alongside a ridge that offers views over scenic Suesca Lake. The final 5 km is a fun, fast descent straight into the municipality of Cucunubá, where we stay at a peaceful rural hotel. Known for its renowned wool craftsmanship, this area offers a chance to visit local artisans who handcraft traditional ruanas, thick Andean ponchos.

Hotel Estancia Cucunuvaca
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 33km
+902m
-929m

Day 4 Cucunubá - Ráquira

Today’s ride takes us from one small Andean town to the next, transitioning from agricultural landscapes of potato fields and dairy ranches to the rugged mountains of the Ráquira region. From Cucunubá, a short but spicy climb brings us to Lenguazaque. After some time on a provincial road, at the 15 km mark, we veer onto gravel roads etched into the valley slopes, facing a challenging yet memorable climb followed by a technical descent — this section is optional and can be skipped by continuing along the flatter provincial road. We regroup in Guacheta and continue on a quiet provincial road, conquering another climb into forested hills before a gradual descent into Ráquira. Known as the “capital of pottery,” Ráquira is famous for its colourful, hand-painted ceramics, blending indigenous, colonial, and contemporary styles. After exploring its labyrinthine streets, we take a final 2 km climb to our cosy highland BnB-style hotel. Unwind with a cold cerveza and enjoy the stunning views!

Ráquira Silvestre
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 65km
+1924m
-2178m

Day 5 Ráquira - Candelaria Desert - Villa de Leyva

From our mountain hotel, we retrace yesterday’s uphill ride in reverse (with a short initial climb to get started!). We then face the crossing of the Candelaria Desert, an arid, high-altitude moorland, also known as the “desert of souls” due to its tranquil atmosphere, providing a stark contrast to the surrounding vibrant landscapes. After 20 km, a tough climb takes us into the heart of the desert, with striking visuals surrounding us. At the top of the first ridge, we stop to pause at the mystical “El Patio de Brujas” or “Witches Yard,” an indigenous astronomical observatory. From here, we encounter a few undulations as we traverse the barren lands, but by the 26 km mark, we begin our descent, with some technical sections that test our focus and agility. Back on level ground, we enjoy a gentler, mostly paved stretch into Villa de Leyva, one of Colombia’s best-preserved colonial towns, renowned for its historical charm, cobblestone streets, and vibrant cultural life. The afternoon is free to explore the town and visit the Terracotta House, a unique structure built entirely of clay.

Hotel Plazuela de San Agustín
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 41km
+1054m
-1208m

Day 6 Villa de Leyva - Moniquirá

From the edge of the montane desert, we gradually ascend to Gachantivá along a scenic route that reveals the mountains surrounding Villa de Leyva in all their rugged charm. Riding at an easy pace, we savour the crunch of gravel beneath our wheels! At 25 km, we pause by a peaceful lagoon nestled in forest, then set off downhill through mildly technical turns, descending to the rocky banks of the Moniquirá River. The final 10 km takes us through rolling hills dotted with pastures, farms, and small villages, arriving in the quaint town of Moniquirá, known as the "Sweet Capital of Boyacá,” famous for bocadillo veleño, a traditional Colombian guava jelly snack. In the afternoon, you can head to a local artisanal producer to sample this tasty, energy-boosting treat—a favourite among cyclists across Colombia!

Hotel Casona del Virrey
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 41km
+947m
-1423m

Day 7 Moniquirá - Vado Real

Today’s ride takes us through the hidden paths of the Santander region, filled with coffee fields, sugarcane plantations, and a variety of other crops draped across the landscape. Starting from Moniquirá’s lively central plaza, overlooked by a beautiful church, we enjoy mostly smooth pavement for the first 15 km. Once we reach the small town of Togüi, nestled into the hillsides, we switch to gravel for the next 15 km, delving deep into this remote, rural hinterland in the Andean foothills. The ride is peaceful, interrupted only by the occasional vehicle, donkey, or cow crossing our path! A few kilometres after passing through the town of Chirataque, we switch from narrow backcountry roads to the provincial throughway, following it for a short distance to the charming village of Vado Real, where we saddle off for the day and immerse ourselves in the rustic charm of Colombia, far off the beaten path.

Hotel House Birding
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 40km
+829m
-1035m

Day 8 Vado Real - Guadalupe

If you’re up for an early challenge, then the morning’s steep 4 km climb out of Vado Real is sure to get your heart rate up! For a more relaxed start, take your time with a cup of coffee and hitch a ride with our support vehicle to the top of the pass. From there, we enjoy an undulating ride with sweeping views of Santander's lush coffee fields and vast sugarcane plantations, culminating in a thrilling 3 km downhill on a paved road. Then it’s back up again to reach the magnificent Los Caballeros Waterfalls, where the water cascades dramatically over the cliffs. After a break here we continue along tree-lined gravel roads, climbing higher to a ridge which then has us floating above the valleys for 10 blissful kilometres. Finally, a smooth paved descent brings us into Guadalupe, with its picturesque plaza and stone church.

Hotel Casa Santo Domingo
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 38km
+1052m
-1071m

Day 9 Guadalupe - Socorro

We head out of Guadalupe with an exhilarating 8 km downhill into the wilds of the Suárez River Canyon. Then, it's uphill on the other side! We pace ourselves during an 8 km ascent with steep climbs and hairpin turns, all while enjoying stunning views. After regrouping in the mountain town of Contratación, we continue on a 40 km jaunt through the picturesque highlands of Santander. The ride trends downhill overall, but there are enough climbs to keep our legs busy until we meet the Suárez River again at the 58 km mark. Here, you have an option: tackle a gradual 10 km climb or hop in the support vehicle to reach the lively town of Socorro where we end today’s ride. Be sure to visit the town’s stone basilica, famous for its remarkable architecture, both inside and out.

Hotel Turístico El Cedral
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 68km
+2184m
-2425m

Day 10 Socorro - Barichara

Our final riding day starts with another scenic traverse of the Suárez Canyon, featuring a thrilling 5 km plunge down to the valley floor, followed by a tough 5 km climb up the hillsides. We wind our way along the cultivated slopes before a gentle downhill brings us back to the banks of the Suárez River by the 20 km point. We cross an iron suspension bridge and enjoy a flat zip on a gravel road cutting across the lush valley floor. A final, leg-testing 10 km climb on a winding paved road takes us to the top of Mesa de los Santos, a plateau with breathtaking views overlooking the Suárez Canyon. Once we complete the climb, the final few kilometres are a real treat, as the road is carved into the steep cliffs, offering stunning views as we make our way into Barichara — one of Colombia’s most beautiful heritage towns, where we’ll spend our last two nights. Riding through Barichara to reach our boutique hotel, we get our first taste of the cobblestone streets, tree-lined plazas, clay-tile-roofed houses, and laid-back charm that make this town such a gem!

Casa Barichara Boutique
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 43km
+1261m
-1197m

Day 11 Barichara Exploration

After 9 days of cycling through the Colombian Andes, today we rest our legs as we discover historic Barichara on foot. Barichara ranks among Colombia’s most stunning towns, recognized as one of the country’s 17 Pueblos Patrimonio — historic towns celebrated for their well-preserved culture, traditions, and architecture. Starting from the peaceful central square, we’ll step into the town’s Cathedral, with its simple yet elegant colonial design. We then stroll through the town, paying attention to the conservation of traditional house-building techniques using native terracotta-coloured soil and bamboo. We also visit the town’s cemetery to see the intricate, colourful tombstones that celebrate life rather than mourning death. Finally, we visit a viewpoint overlooking the Suárez River Canyon, where we not only enjoy stunning views but are also reminded of the epic cycling we’ve done through this beautiful region. In the afternoon, you have time to go cafe hopping or relax at the hotel before we reconvene for a well-deserved farewell dinner.

Casa Barichara Boutique
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Barichara - Bucaramanga (Departure)

The tour ends with a transfer to Bucaramanga (around 3 - 3.5 hours), where we’ll drop you off at your post-tour hotel or the airport. Please let us know if you need assistance with hotel bookings or airport transfers. If it’s your first time in Colombia, we suggest spending a day or two in Bucaramanga, the lively capital of Santander Department, filled with scenic parks and a vibrant coffee culture. The city is also the gateway to Chicamocha Canyon, one of Colombia's most dramatic natural wonders, best appreciated via a cable-car ride.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.