Bogotá to MedellínColombia’s Cycling Tour Six stages through the Colombian Andes, including Alto de Letras.

Days: 8

Stages: 6

Total distance:
520 kms / 319 mi

Total climbing:
11.500 mts / 35.000 ft

Full Support

Vehicles: 2

Staff: 4

Level: Advanced

Why join this tour

Bogotá–Medellín could be the best week of riding: six stages through the Colombian Andes, including the Alto de Letras an 80 km (50 mi) continuous paved climb with about 3,200 m (10,500 ft) of elevation gain, often cited as one of the longest continuous climbs in the world.

These are just cold numbers, a poor attempt at picturing what this route is about. The reality is more compelling. It’s the imposing size of the Andes, the challenge it represent ride it, the sense of amazement at the endless mountain ranges in every direction.

It’s not only a suffer-fest. It’s an enjoyment-fest.

An achievable challenge with enough support to encourage you to take it head-on.

Gauge the challenge

Tour profile Bogota Medellin including Alto de Letras

Bogotá – Stage 1

80 Kms (50 Mi) / 1200 mts (3900ft)

Stage 2

120 kms (74 Mi) / 2300 mts (9850ft)

Stage 3

110 Kms (70 Mi) / 3800 mts (12467ft)

Stage 4

75 kms (47 Mi) / 1700 mts (5600ft)

Stage 5

110 Kms (70 Mi) / 1200 mts (41600ft)

Stage 6 – Medellín

63 kms (40 Mi) / 1800 mts (6200ft)

Is it for you?

This tour is for apasionados of riding. People who love a challenge: chasing big climbs, discovering new roads, and relishing discovering Colombia’s wild beauty. If you’ve daydreamed about conquering the Andes and heard about Colombia’s cycling obsession, this is your ride. This bold, far-reaching route speaks to adventurers at heart.

This is an advanced-level road cycling tour but it’s not a race. Arriba Travel built the Bogotá–Medellín route for cyclists who want long climbs, new roads, and consecutive days in the saddle. A challenge. Meant to be enjoyed and celebrated, with a full support team.

To arrive prepared, we recommend staying active most days and riding at least three times a week for 90 minutes or more in the weeks leading up to the tour.
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In a Nutshell

  • You enjoy long climbs.
  • You’re comfortable riding several consecutive days.
  • You regularly ride 3+ times a week.
  • You want a challenging road cycling experience.
Guided cycling tour in Colombia — road bike tour Bogotá Medellin.

Highlights of the Bogotá–Medellín route

The best week of riding

A week full of grinding immediately followed by jaw dropping landscapes, this week has it all for cyclist who feel that the world is better experienced on a bike. Long climbs and long swift descents, this is a route that never ceases to amaze.

Alto de Letras

One iconic BIG climb for one iconic tour. Nothing can quite describe what climbing Alto de Letras feels like. Is just worth being experienced.
Check this post to know more about it

The real Colombia

With days averaging 80 km (30 mi) and 2,000 m (6,000 ft) of climbing, the experiences isn’t limited to the bike. There’s a real treasure in the small interactions along the road with the locals. The Colombian hospitality is infectious and make you feel welcome at any given time.

Premium service, Premium accommodation

Every detail is thoughtfully arranged. From the staff to the accommodation and the food, you’ll feel cared for both on and off the bike, letting conversation linger seamlessly at night.

The warm embrace

Feel that glow inside, whether from the sun gently toasting your skin or the genuine warmth of smiling locals. What you’ll take home isn’t empty KOMs, but a sweetness that lingers long after the ride.

Tour Summary

Level

ADVANCED

Duration

8 DAYS / 6 STAGES

Total Distance / Total Elevation

520 Km / 11.500 Mts 

Arrival city / Departure City

Bogotá / Medellín 

Pricing

Full experience (Tour + Single supplement + Bike rental)
$4.930 USD

Riding your own bike (Tour +Single supplement )
$4.520 USD

Riding your own bike (Tour +Bike Rental )
$4.230 USD

Tour

$4.000 USD. 

What’s included

  • 7 Nights based double accommodation.
  • All meals included.
  • Airport shuttle
  • Detailed trip information.
  • Professionally trained guides
  • Support during the entire route.
  • Transportation and luggage transfer during the trip.

What’s not included

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal items purchased during the trip.
  •  Optional activities not scheduled.
  • Gratuities are optional for your guiding team but
    we suggest a 10%.

BOOK NOW!

Calendar

Find Your Next Ride In Colombia.

“What Cyclists Are Saying”

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Patrick Gagné profile picture
Patrick Gagné
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I had an amazing experience with Tomás. He knows Bogota’s hills by heart and cycling is his passion. Both the climbs and the descent were absolutely spectacular!
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Benjamin Iriarte profile picture
Benjamin Iriarte
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Seriously recommend these guys for bike tours, they really know what they're doing and take care of the riders and experiences with great professionalism.
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Lionel Lande profile picture
Lionel Lande
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Great daily tour with Tomas during my short stay in Bogotá. Everything was well organized, good bike, and he took time to find a nice Jersey for me :) Communication in English was perfect too. I highly recommend his tours and services.
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Matthew Klick profile picture
Matthew Klick
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I was in Bogota for work and reached out ahead of time to see if I could go a short trip. I only had three days so was thinking just day trips from Bogota. Tomás and Cyclota instead shortened the usual 4 day tour for me and I got to get in big, classic climbs and ride beautiful roads with amazing accommodations. It was way more than I could have hoped for. I never would have been able to stitch such a three day trip together with really unique accommodations and great food like that in my own. No way. Oscar and Camilo were fun and super supportive without smothering. It made everything safe and easier for me after a busy work week with no time to have prepare for this. I also borrowed a bike which was excellent and always in tip top shape. Easy, fun, rewarding, and tasty! Will definitely try to make it back.
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K C profile picture
K C
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My spouse and I have cycled all over the world, and Colombia was on our bucket list. Tomas and Cyclota did an amazing job communicating with us and customizing our 7-day tour, riding Bogota area 1 day plus the "La Colonizacion" tour from Medellin. Our guided tour was fantastic in every way. Our cycling guide, Paola, speaks fluent English and is very knowledgeable about the plant and animal life, and the history and culture of all the areas. Oscar, our driver, is a very kind man with an amazing sense of humor. He selected our cafe's for lunch and restaurants each night and all were amazing local and international cuisine. The tours were full of incredible scenery and climbs, and the highlight was our stay high up a mountain ridge near Salgar, La Manchuria coffee farm. All accommodations were lovely and comfortable. The rental bikes were very good quality bicycle that Tomas arranged. All our needs were taken care of from meeting the team at the Bogota airport until we said farewell in Medellin.
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Oscar De Somer profile picture
Oscar De Somer
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Very nice day tour near Bogotá. Tomas has excellent bikes available and can adjust the tour depending on your wishes. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
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Richard Hamilton profile picture
Richard Hamilton
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Cafe de Colombia tour was a fantastic introduction to Colombia by Tomas and Juan. Jugo de Lulo, great accommodations, great coffee, incredible roads and descents to remember forever. We are planning our return trip already - well done and thank you!
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Juan Rivers (soyjuanrivers) profile picture
Juan Rivers (soyjuanrivers)
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Excelente lugar para hacer ciclismo y ver la ciudad de Bogotá desde lo alto, los paisajes son de pelicula, pueblos tipicos con montañas y un clima de 15 grados centígrados, en mi opinión es un paraíso.
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David Glasser profile picture
David Glasser
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Visiting Bogotá and hoping to ride up a hill, I got in touch with Cyclota and on less than a day's notice I was riding up Patios with Tomás. Great bike, great guide. I'm in just barely good enough shape for this ride, and Tomás was supportive and inspiring. I am still working on my Spanish so it helped that he is fluent in English. My only regret is I only get one day on this trip to go out for a ride!

How we make the magic happen

Providing the most memorable week of your year is quite a task that requires  a multitude of moving parts to fall into place at the right time. We have aligned everything to make it happen. Our staff, the hotels, and equipment are all ready. These tour days you are about to embark on are a celebration of life. We know it. 

The Staff

We guarantee small groups, up to 12 customers, and each group has two support vehicles, and two riding guides. This a 1:3 Staff to customers ratio. The Guides are your Wingman, while the drivers are our Angels.
Max group size: 12
Guides : 3
Drivers (Road’s angles): 2
Support Vehicles: 2

The hotels

Along the meticulously planned route, we chase exclusivity wherever we can, and when the road winds into the mountains with simple, authentic charm, we lean right in. The ride — and the mountains — always come first.

The bikes

We partnered with Time for their exclusive bikes. Their good manners inspire confidence and refinement on the road. Paired with Ultegra Di2 and carbon wheels, they smooth every climb and descent. Feeling daunted? Grab an E-bike — same care, same ride quality.

The secret

The  real magic is mixing emotions and objects to create the best week of your year. Something you will remember in the years to come.

Day By Day

THE ROAD TO ADVENTURE

Day 1
Arrival to Bogotá
Day 2
Bogotá – Cachipay
Day 3
Cachipay – Honda
Day 4
Honda – Manizales
Day 5
Manizales – Anserma
Day 6
Anserma – La Pintada
Day 7
La Pintada – Medellín
Day 8
Departure from Medellín

Arrival to Bogotá

  • Arrival and welcome dinner.
  • Bike setup and final checks.
  • Meet the crew and riders.
Day 1

BOOK THIS TOUR

Bring your partner

Share the adventure

If you can almost feel the warm breeze running through the coffee bushes but wonder if these gentler days might fit your partner too — they will. With most rides wrapped up by early afternoon, we’ve planned the rest of each day so you can explore Colombia’s rich culture together. Coffee tastings, farm experiences, watching hummingbirds and orchids in bloom — it’s all here to turn this into a shared adventure you’ll both remember.

Answering your mom’s questions: FAQ

Absolutely, others have done it, we aren’t dare devils, and we want to come home to family. Our protocols and local expertise prioritize your safety. Remember our mantra!
To arrive to this tour fly to Bogota’s international airport (BOG) and fly out of Medellín international airport (MED)
 The weather is year-round perfect cycling weather, temperatures are altitude depending but mostly mid 20°C , lower 8°, higher 35°C. Rain, you never know these are the Andes!
Colombia is known stunning landscape, challenging mountains and thrilling descents, but more importantly warm people and strong cycling culture that respect the cyclist. 
A delicious mix of hearty local flavors and high-end cuisine. Fresh, clean, and incredible variety! On a special diet? Vegan? Celiac?  Let us know and our magical staff will take care of that for you!
Yes. Partners aren’t riding will join coffee farm visits, tastings, gentle hikes in the mountains, birdwatching and back horse riding. and afternoon walks through each town along the route
Next available tour! We can ride 365 days a year in Colombia. We are equatorial so temperature doesn’t change a lot

Answering your riding buddy questions.

The level for this trip is Advanced. Meaning we will spend big day on the bike and you have to be used to climb for several hours.
Yes, we offer bike rentals. We have some great Time bikes fitted with Ultegra di” 11 speed and carbon wheels.
The roads on this trip are for the most part in great conditions. There’s the occasional section with poor seal, but in general they are smooth.
Yes! this is our flagship tour. We can’t exclude the best well known climb in Colombia. The route climbs Alto de Letras, an 80 km (50 mi) continuous ascent with about 3,200 m (10,500 ft) of elevation gain, from Mariquita toward Manizales.
 It will be safely waiting for you in Medellin.