Colombia cycling trip

The best part of this nine-day private cycling trip is the range. You move from Medellín’s city streets to reservoir country, flower-growing hills, rural farms, and coffee slopes, with plenty of hard climbing along the way. This is not a gentle sightseeing ride. It is a serious Colombian cycling holiday with strong support.

I like the careful daily handling, especially the airport pickup, bike fitting, planned meals, and support vehicle. I also like the human side: Tomas and Marcela keep communication clear, while riders such as Daniel and Jessica help set the pace and offer encouragement on the climbs. The main drawback is the physical demand. You need a moderate level of fitness, and the 23-kilometer first-category climb on Day 7 is no casual pedal.

Key points to know before booking

• A true point-to-point cycling week: You ride from Medellín toward Guatapé, Parque Arví, and Antioquia’s coffee country instead of seeing Colombia from a bus window.
• Serious mountain riding: Expect category climbs, steep slopes, and a 23-kilometer ascent known locally as Colombia’s Mont Ventoux.
• Strong road support: The cycling team rides at the front and rear, with a support vehicle and motorcyclist described as part of the daily setup.
• Food is part of the experience: Eight breakfasts, seven lunches, and eight dinners are included, with meals tied closely to the day’s route.
• Culture beyond the saddle: You visit Guatapé, learn about Colombian coffee, ride through Medellín neighborhoods, and hear about the city’s social transformation.
• Bike rental is extra: Bring your own bike or budget separately for rental and confirm the fit before setting out.

What this Medellín cycling trip is really like

This trip uses cycling as a way to connect several parts of Antioquia. You do not simply ride loops from one hotel. The route changes in character every few days, and that gives the trip its appeal.

The opening days focus on getting used to Colombia’s hills and road rhythm. Then the route moves toward Guatapé and Parque Arví before heading south into coffee country. By the end, you have seen city neighborhoods, reservoir views, farms, river valleys, and high coffee-growing ground.

The price is $2,974.36 per person. That is a substantial amount, but it covers a lot of the costly pieces of a supported cycling trip: accommodation arrangements, daily meals, airport transfers described in the program, route support, bike assembly or fitting, and transport between riding areas. Flights and bike rental are not included, and the package does not cover services or products not specifically listed.

I would judge the value mainly by how much independent planning you want to avoid. If you tried to arrange the hotels, restaurant bookings, bike transport, route support, and transfers yourself, the price would become easier to understand. If you already have local contacts and prefer to ride independently, it may feel expensive.

Day 1: Landing in Rionegro and settling in

Your trip begins at José María Córdova Airport in Rionegro, the airport serving Medellín. The pickup is useful because the airport is outside the central city area, and arriving with cycling equipment can make the first transfer awkward.

The team assembles your bike, or gives a quick fitting if you are renting one. This is the time to raise concerns about saddle height, reach, gearing, or anything else that could bother you over a week of climbing.

A welcome meal introduces Colombian cooking before the riding begins. Colombia’s food changes from region to region, so this dinner gives you a first taste of the country as well as the group. The team also explains the route and the practical details of the week.

The organization begins early. One rider had already arrived in Colombia before the cycling portion and received airport timing from Marcela, while Tomas had shared the trip details and answered questions ahead of arrival. That kind of communication matters on a trip with changing hotels and long riding days.

Day 2: El Retiro and your first Colombian hills

The first ride is an acclimatization day around Parque Municipal El Retiro. That sounds gentle, but Colombian cycling has a way of introducing itself through short, sharp climbs called repechos.

You use this ride to learn the local rhythm and practice the tips needed for Colombian roads. The exact mileage is not provided, but the day is scheduled for about eight hours, so this is more than a quick spin.

El Retiro is known for woodwork and has a small-town feel. You stay in the area for the next three nights, giving you a stable base during the opening section. I like this choice because it keeps the first part from becoming a daily hotel shuffle.

Do not judge your whole week by this first ride. It is meant to help you find your legs, but the route becomes harder later. Use the day to check your bike, ask questions, and learn how the support system works.

Day 3: Reservoir roads, Piedra del Peñol, and Guatapé

The ride to Guatapé is one of the most visually memorable days. The route passes near Piedra del Peñol, the huge rock rising to 2,135 meters, or 7,005 feet. Reaching the top requires 659 steps.

The rock is an important landmark, but the day is not only about climbing those steps. You finish in Guatapé, have lunch, and walk through town to learn about its past. This gives the day a welcome change of pace after hours in the saddle.

The schedule runs about 11 hours, making it one of the longest days. You should expect the combination of riding, lunch, and walking to fill most of the day. If you are tired after the cycling, the town visit may feel like extra work, but it is also the chance to see a Colombian place that you would miss on a purely athletic itinerary.

Guatapé sits beside one of Colombia’s main power-generation reservoirs. The water and hills give this section a different look from the roads around Medellín. Bring enough patience for stops and photos, because this is a day to notice the setting, not just chase the clock.

Day 4: Parque Arví, steep slopes, and Medellín’s changing neighborhoods

Day 4 returns to the hills near Parque Arví and the flower-growing region associated with the silleteros. The cycling includes a well-known category 2 climb, followed by a series of steep slopes.

This is a demanding day, but it also explains why Antioquia has produced so many strong cyclists. The road repeatedly tests your ability to manage effort. Short steep sections can be harder than one steady climb, so keep something in reserve.

After the ride, you reach a country hotel where you can shower and have lunch. That practical break is valuable. You are not expected to finish a long ride and immediately begin a city tour without cleaning up or eating.

The second half of the day takes you into Medellín. You leave the forest and visit one of the city’s important neighborhoods, an area linked with Medellín’s social change and development. The guides explain how the city was named the world’s most innovative city, giving context to the neighborhoods instead of treating them as a quick photo stop.

The full day lasts about ten hours. It combines hard cycling with a social and urban lesson, so it may feel packed. That is part of the appeal, but it is not a restful day.

Day 5: Seeing Medellín by bike

Using a bicycle to explore Medellín lets you cover more ground than a walking tour while still seeing the city at street level. The day includes several neighborhoods, a food-focused outing, and time to understand the city’s character.

The schedule is about eight hours. Lunch comes before the transfer toward the coffee region, so this is both a city day and a moving day.

Medellín is often reduced to a story about innovation, but riding through its neighborhoods gives you a more useful view. You see how the city is arranged and how quickly the setting changes as you move away from the center. The program’s focus on food also helps connect the urban visit to daily life rather than making it only about cycling.

You should be ready for a transition after lunch. The second half of the trip shifts away from city riding and toward longer mountain roads, farms, rivers, and coffee-growing areas.

Day 6: Crossing the Cauca River into coffee country

The sixth day brings some of the trip’s biggest changes in climate and scenery. Cerro Tusa, a pyramid-shaped mountain, serves as a reference point. The mountain has spiritual importance connected to Indigenous offerings, and it also appears in the imagery associated with coffee grower Juan Valdez.

The route drops as low as about 600 meters above sea level before crossing the Cauca River. The Cauca is one of Colombia’s major rivers, and crossing it marks a clear change in the ride.

From there, you follow the San Juan River and begin climbing again. At roughly 1,400 meters, or 4,500 feet, coffee crops begin to appear. The shifting elevation is one of the reasons this tour feels varied. You are not riding through one unchanging climate for a week.

This is a ten-hour day, and the route combines heat, river sections, and renewed climbing. Pace yourself early. The most useful support on a long day is not only mechanical help, but also regular access to drinks and energy food. The cycling team is described as keeping riders supplied with drinks and energy bars.

Day 7: The 23-kilometer climb

Day 7 is the big test. You begin with a visit to a typical farm, where you learn about coffee production in Colombia. That stop gives meaning to the crops you saw the day before.

Then comes the major ascent: a 23-kilometer first-category climb known as Colombia’s Mont Ventoux. This is the day to be honest about your fitness. You do not need to be a professional cyclist, but you need enough endurance to spend a long time climbing.

The route reaches a village known as one of Antioquia’s most beautiful, with Republican-style architecture, dramatic topography, coffee culture, and horses. The precise town name is not supplied, so confirm the full route if that detail matters to you.

This is also a good day to use the support team wisely. The cycling group is described as having one rider in front and one at the back, along with a support vehicle and motorcyclist. That setup can make a long climb feel less isolated, especially if you are the least experienced rider in your group.

Do not treat the climb as a race unless the guides tell you otherwise. A steady pace, sensible hydration, and saving energy for the upper section will serve you better than a fast first hour.

Day 8: The final challenge and a Medellín evening

The last riding day includes one more challenge before you shower at a country road hotel and have lunch. A transfer then helps avoid traffic on the return to Medellín.

Back in the city, you pack the bikes and attend a closing event. That wrap-up gives the week a proper finish instead of simply dropping you at a hotel after the final ride.

The last night is open for celebrating and exploring Medellín’s nightlife. The program does not specify a particular venue, so you have room to choose how quiet or lively you want the evening to be.

This day is listed at about ten hours, so do not expect an early finish. The final transfer, bike packing, and closing event all take time.

Meals, hotels, bikes, and support

Eight breakfasts, seven lunches, and eight dinners are included. The meals are not an afterthought. Daily lunch and dinner arrangements are communicated in advance, which means you spend less time wondering where to eat after a long ride.

The dining quality described for the trip is consistently high, and the welcome meal introduces regional Colombian cooking. Still, exact restaurants and menus can change, so anyone with dietary needs should ask before booking.

Accommodation includes a stay in or near El Retiro for the first three nights and country hotels during the rural sections. One arrival arrangement included a large room, balcony, and views over the old town. That is useful context, but you should confirm the exact hotels and room setup for your dates.

Bike rental is not included. If you rent, the program provides a quick fitting, while riders bringing their own bike benefit from assembly on arrival. Ask about frame sizes, pedals, gearing, spare parts, and transport before paying, since the supplied details do not spell out the rental fleet.

The support structure is one of the strongest practical features. Tomas and Marcela handle communication and coordination. Daniel, Jessica, and other Colombia Cycling team members provide riding support, encouragement, drinks, and energy bars. The front and rear riders, support vehicle, and motorcyclist add reassurance on unfamiliar roads.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this trip if you want hard cycling combined with Colombian culture. It suits riders who enjoy long days, mountain roads, changing elevations, and the satisfaction of reaching a difficult summit.

It also works well for a rider who wants support without giving up a personal group experience. The activity is private, so only your group participates. That gives you more control than a large scheduled departure, although the day’s route remains demanding.

I would hesitate if your idea of a cycling holiday means short rides, generous free time, or flat roads. The itinerary includes several ten-hour days, an 11-hour day, steep slopes, and a 23-kilometer category climb. Moderate fitness is required, and a stronger base will make the trip far more enjoyable.

The trip has a strong balance of sport and place. You ride through meaningful parts of Antioquia, eat local food, visit Guatapé, learn about coffee, and spend time in Medellín. Just remember that the price does not include bike rental, flights, or unspecified services.

Should you book Colombia Cycling?

Book it if you want a fully supported mountain cycling trip and you value organization as much as the roads. The airport pickup, bike preparation, planned meals, rural hotels, route support, and clear communication from Tomas and Marcela remove many common headaches.

Think twice if you are not comfortable with long climbs or if you want a flexible holiday with plenty of unscheduled time. For a fit rider who wants to see Antioquia through its roads, farms, neighborhoods, and coffee country, this is a serious but rewarding choice.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Weather or minimum-participant issues can also lead to a rescheduled date or full refund under the stated policy. Confirm current availability, rental-bike details, and the exact hotel plan before booking.

FAQ

How long is the Colombia cycling trip?

The trip lasts approximately nine days, beginning with arrival and bike setup in Medellín and ending with an airport transfer on Day 9.

Where does the trip begin?

It begins with pickup at José María Córdova Airport in Rionegro, the airport serving Medellín.

Is bike rental included?

No. Bike rental is not included in the listed price.

What level of fitness do I need?

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. The route includes steep slopes, category climbs, long riding days, and a 23-kilometer first-category climb.

What meals are included?

The package includes eight breakfasts, seven lunches, and eight dinners.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Does the trip include support on the road?

The cycling setup includes riders at the front and rear, a support vehicle, and a motorcyclist. The cycling team also provides encouragement, drinks, and energy bars.

What happens if the trip is canceled because of bad weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.