Riding the Colombian Andes

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 riders 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. Riders 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, the tour drives north for a gentle warm-up ride in the Andean foothills, leading to the cliffs of Suesca. Over the next few days, the cycling gets longer, higher and tougher through an agrarian hinterland filled with cattle ranches, farmlands and artisan villages, before crossing the Candelaria Desert with its ancient astronomical observatory. After a night in colonial Villa de Leyva, the route transitions into the highlands of Santander, past waterfalls and stone churches, before a final climb into Barichara, one of Colombia's most beautiful heritage towns, explored on foot before transferring to Bucaramanga.

Highlights:

• Ride past Tomine Lake and the rugged climbing cliffs of Suesca
• Visit artisan ruana-weaving and pottery towns of Cucunubá and Ráquira
• Cross the Candelaria Desert, an arid highland moorland, to the "Witches Yard" observatory
• Explore colonial Villa de Leyva and the clay-built Terracotta House
• Visit the dramatic Los Caballeros Waterfalls in Santander's coffee country
• Finish with a climb into cliffside Barichara, one of Colombia's Pueblos Patrimonio heritage towns

Surface and terrain:
A mix of rough, rocky gravel roads and paved secondary roads, hilly and changeable throughout with frequent steep, technical climbs and descents. Elevations range from 1,500m to over 3,000m. Average climbing is 1,097m/day, among the highest of any SpiceRoads tour.

Weather:
Colombia has no traditional seasons, only dry periods (December–March, July–September) and rainy periods (April–June, October–November), though rain is possible any time. Bogotá and high-altitude sections can be chilly, especially mornings and evenings; strong equatorial UV requires sun protection.

Suitable for:
Rated "Hard" difficulty. Suited to riders with good fitness comfortable on mountain or gravel bikes navigating rocky roads for extended periods, with some technical downhill sections requiring care. No rest days, though afternoons are free and transfers are available for weary riders. Group size 4–12, minimum age 18.