Riding Colombia's Coffee Highlands

We ride a total of 268 km over seven cycling days. The first three rides are based out of our coffee estate near Manizales: Day 1 is a loop ride, Day 2 is a transfer out with a ride back to the hotel, and Day 4 is a ride out followed by a transfer back. On Day 5, we ride hotel-to-hotel; Day 6 involves a transfer out and a ride to our next destination, and Day 7 is a local loop. Finally, Day 9 is a transfer out and a ride back to the hotel. This carefully calibrated flow allows us to optimise time spent cycling on the Coffee Region’s most scenic trails and roads while leaving plenty of time to explore and relax off the bikes. Non-cycling highlights include Los Nevados National Park, a coffee workshop, a visit to an orchid and hummingbird sanctuary, a hike through the Cocora Valley, and the La Carbonera Wax Palm Reserve. You can also look forward to immersing yourself in the rich traditions of the Coffee Cultural Landscape, with its rustic fincas and colourful pueblos. It goes without saying that coffee lovers are in for a real treat on this tour!

The trip is fully supported, and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of water and refreshments along the way.

Suitability: This tour is suitable for cyclists with a good level of physical fitness. While the average distance is around 38 km per day, we are in the Andes; you should be prepared for a steady rhythm of climbing and descending. Some ascents are gradual, while others are short but steep—and the downhills are just as prominent. You should be comfortable on a mountain bike and have experience navigating rocky roads for extended periods. There are some challenging technical sections, and particular care is required on the steeper descents. While there are no scheduled rest days, Day 8 is spent off the bikes as we hike through the Cocora Valley (a moderately challenging walk), and there is free time in the afternoons to relax and recharge. Less experienced riders are welcome but should prepare in advance to manage the climbs and technical sections comfortably. A support vehicle follows the group throughout the journey, though please note it cannot always follow directly, instead meeting the riders at regular intervals.

Biking Conditions: The route is designed with an approximate 25/75 split between paved and unpaved surfaces. The condition of the unpaved sections varies widely, ranging from hard-packed and level to loose, bumpy terrain; meanwhile, paved roads are either tarmac or concrete and, though often smooth, can contain potholes and debris. Although much of the journey follows quiet countryside roads with minimal traffic, we will regularly share the space with cars, motorbikes, buses, and the region’s iconic Willys Jeeps. There are a handful of unavoidable sections along provincial main roads, though these are few and far between. Rain is common in Colombia year-round and the mountains, in particular, can be prone to fog, but heavy downpours are usually brief. We generally ride rain or shine, though at the guide’s discretion — or based on your own comfort level — modifications to the route can be made. Whether the roads are muddy from rain or dusty from the sun, it is all part of the Andean adventure!

Hotels: The properties on this tour are a highlight in their own right. Days 1–4 are spent at a boutique coffee hacienda featuring large verandahs and period furniture. Day 5 is at a beautiful highland lodge, while Days 6–7 in Filandia offer a true standout: a cycling hotel designed and built by cyclists, for cyclists. Yes, there is a spa. Our hotel in Salento, where we spend two nights, is part of a working dairy farm that blends traditional architecture with modern comforts. Throughout the journey, you can expect clean rooms, hot showers, and professional service. Depending on the property, extras include inviting pools, exceptional views, and delectable local cuisine. Please note that while English is widely spoken in the Colombian service industry, it cannot always be expected in more remote regions.

Bikes

We understand that many riders prefer the performance and familiarity of their own equipment; therefore, personal bicycles are more than welcome on this tour. If you choose to bring your own, please ensure it is a Mountain Bike (MTB) or a Hybrid bike specifically designed for rugged terrain and unpaved surfaces. It is essential that your bicycle is in excellent mechanical condition before the start of the trip. For those who prefer to travel light, high-quality rentals are available locally for the fee listed in our pricing section. We provide Specialized or similar MTB models, with specific assignments based on size and availability. We also offer a limited selection of E-Bikes for hire. Since availability is restricted by quantity and frame size, please contact us via email as soon as possible to check for options and secure your reservation.

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.

If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:

FLEXIBLE BOOKING CONDITIONS

CONFIRMING YOUR BOOKING

Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.

You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.

TRIP STATUS

There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.

BOOKING ONLINE

From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).

If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

BOOKING OFFLINE

Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.

The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.

In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.

In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.

The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.

FULL FLEXIBILITY FOR TOUR CANCELATIONS

If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).

If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).

Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.

If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.

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