Embark on an exhilarating motorcycle adventure through Colombia, where every twist and turn unveils the country's diverse landscapes and rich cultural tapestry.
Starting from the vibrant city of Bogotá, this meticulously crafted guided motorcycle tour seamlessly blends the thrill of riding with exploration, immersing you in Colombia's natural wonders and captivating traditions. The journey takes you from the historic streets of Villa de Leyva to the mesmerizing Páramo in El Cocuy, where Adventure Bikes navigate challenging terrains at over 4000 meters, surrounded by the unique flora of towering "Frailejones."
As you traverse the off-road paths through Chicamocha Canyon, Barichara, and Girón, the adventure not only offers stunning views but also introduces you to Colombia's rich history. Feel the adrenaline rush as you ride on forgotten jungle railroad tracks to Aguachica and soak in the colonial charm of Mompox. The expedition culminates on the Caribbean coast in Santa Marta, where you can extend your journey with options like a beach vacation, exploring Tayrona National Park, hiking to Ciudad Perdida, or discovering the colonial beauty of Cartagena. This Colombian motorcycle adventure is more than just a ride; it's an immersive exploration of culture, nature, and adventure, creating lasting memories as you embrace the freedom of the open road. Seize the opportunity; your journey awaits!
We organise this trip alternately from north to south and from south to north.
Start 7th January 2025 North - South
Start 25th January 2025 South - North Ladies only
Start 15th March North - South
Everything you need to know about this tour. Do you have any further questions? Please contact us!
Arrival in Bogotá and transfer to the centrally located hotel in the La Calendaria district. For an immersive experience and an opportunity to explore the cityefficiently, we recommend indulging in a guided bike tour with Bogotá Bike Tours . This excursion allows you to explore the city in a short span while gaining insights into Colombia's rich culture. Make the most of your time in Bogotá with this captivating bike tour experience.
We leave the turbulent city of Bogotá and are taken to the hotel in the pretty colonial town of Villa de Leyva in 3 hours. We pick up the motorbikes and go on a round trip on small country lanes and get used to the light adventure bikes. The surrounding area is characterised by a picturesque mountain landscape with rolling hills and impressive rock formations. The fossilised dinosaur foot printis also located nearby. Villa de Leyva is famous throughout the country for its huge colonial plaza.
Gear up for an exciting guided motorbike tour! With our luggage securely stowed in the support vehicle, we head to Mongui, a tranquil village famed for its football production. We ride through varied areas on good roads that include a lot of arable farming. We visit the historical monument of Pantano de Vargas where, in 1819, an army of Venezuelans and Colombians led by Simón Bolivar prevented Spanish troops from entering Bogotá, thus contributing to Colombia's independence. Mongui is situated at a respectable altitude of 2560 meters above sea level, so it can be a bit cool after sunset, similar to the climate in Bogotá. Therefore, it's not surprising that in some restaurants, you can order mulled wine.
A winding tarred road leads us via Paz de Rio in the direction of Jericó. From here we continue off-road on our rental adventure bikes, the track is slightly bumpy but easy and uncomplicated to ride. The breathtaking views, featuring bare rocks, rugged precipices, green valleys, and pine forests are so spectacular that you want to stop at almost every corner. An absolute highlight awaits us shortly before our arrival - we drive through the páramo at an altitude of over 4000 metres with its famous "frailejones",cactus-like, metre-high plants unique to a few South American regions. At the same time, the snow-covered peaks of El Cocuy National Park appear in front of us. Simply WOW!
Please don't be fooled by the low kilometre count, because we ride another lap on our motorbikes through the El Cocuy National Park before we make our way to Málaga. From El Cocuy, the village that lies at an altitude of around 2800 metres, we gradually climb up to 4200 metres and enjoy the view of a whole chain of majestic mountains between 5000 and 6000 metres high in thin air.
The "descent" towards Málaga is also mostly off-road and leads along a gently rolling track through the most beautiful areas and down into the warm valley.
Our journey today is hardly inferior to that of the day before yesterday, as we cross the famous Chicamocha Canyon on a small off-road track. This canyon isthe second largest in the world, with a maximum depth of 2000 metres, an area of 108,000 hectares and a length of 227 kilometres - impressive in every respect. Once we arrive in Barichara, we can reflect on everything we have seen and experienced over a delicious meal and a glass of wine. Barichara holds the title of 'Colombia's most beautiful village,' a distinction proudly acknowledged by Colombians. Indulge in the culinary delights of its renowned restaurants as you soak in the charm and beauty of this exceptional destination where we will stay 2 nights.
Barichara is a captivating destination. It offers a nice blend of shopping, dining and adventure. There are great restaurants, lots of arts and crafts and adventurous activities such as rafting, bungee jumping and horse riding. For those seeking relaxation, watch the vibrant hustle and bustle on the plaza or go to see the impressive craftsmanship of local stonemasons just outside the city gates. Barichara is also famous for its 'hormigas culonas’. Don't miss the chance tosavor these roasted ants that stand out as a local delicacy. A nice excursion from Barichara is the charming village of Guane, seamlessly connected by the historic Camino Real, adding a touch of history and authenticity to your journey.
This time we travelled with tour guide Brita and team from Villa de Leyva to Santa Marta. We first travelled on great off-road tracks to the highest pass of our trip, the El Cocuy National Park. We had a fantastic view of the snow-covered mountains during the journey. The motorbikes are perfect for these off-road routes and so we were able to cross the 2nd largest canyon in the world over the next few days and then cruise along cool jungle routes. We spent the night in pretty towns like Barichara, Girón and Mompos and the whole programme was very varied. Brita simply knows the best spots, she finds hidden restaurants, the best juice stands and the nicest hotels. She also speaks fluent Spanish. I found everything perfectly organised.
Our route today takes us off-road over the scenic hills to Zapatoca. Here we have a delightful break and enjoy a very typical lunch at a charming courtyard that houses a "Don Quixote" museum. Our adventure continues again through the awe-inspiring Chicamocha Canyon, this time on a winding tarred road with fascinating and mesmerizing views. At arrival in Girón, we are accommodated in a beautiful hotel nestled in the heart of the old town centre.
Another highlight awaits us today: a forgotten railway line cutting through the lush Colombian jungle – a hidden gem awaiting discovery. Departing from the bustling town of Girón, our journey takes a turn after just under an hour, leading us off the main road and into the heart of the jungle. This route, once traversed by an ancient railway line, offers a unique experience as we navigate through bridges and tunnels that still stand, providing a fascinating glimpse into the past. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscape, making this leg of the tour an absolute highlight. Our destination for the day is Aguachica, where were turn to sea level, and it is therefore a few degrees warmer.
The swamp landscape lies flat and shimmering in the heat ahead of us. Pack enough water, because it's going to be a hot day! After the initial tarred road, we arrive in Mompox on small off-road trails - not without first taking a small boat, across the Rio Magdalena, the huge river that is vital to Colombia. Mompox is like a little Cartagena, it enchants with its colonial style and its location right on the river. In recent years, a lot has been invested in renovating the beautiful old buildings here, and a cocktail with a view of the river in the setting sun is a must!
Feel the enduring warmth as we journey through the day, traversing the opposite bank of the Magdalena River on dusty off-road trails across the flat lands. Our route takes us through small, authentic villages, untouched by the influx of tourists. Cattle farming is practised here, the view sweeps far across the fields, which mainly feed the heat-adapted humpback cattle.
From Fundación, we first ride through Aracataca, the birthplace of the famous Colombian Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Márquez. From there it is only ashort distance on the Ruta del Sol, the major north-south highway, before veering onto an exciting and exhilarating off-road track through the hinterlands. This route offers a unique perspective into the daily life and endeavors of the rural population. We pass through Ciénaga, a vibrant little coastal village, before continuing along a well-paved road leading to Santa Marta. After dropping off the motorbikes, we reunite for a memorable farewell dinner near the beach, celebrating the shared experiences of our motorcycle adventure.
The trip ends here and we take you to the airport in Santa Marta. Feel free to prolong your adventure independently by indulging in a sun-soaked beach holiday, exploring the enchanting Tayrona National Park, embarking on a captivating hike to Ciudad Perdida, or immersing yourself in the charm of thecolonial city of Cartagena. We can recommend Mira Mundo Travel based in Medellin.
During this trip we ride on local AKT 200cc Adventure Bikes - Made in Colombia.
During our trip through Colombia we ride on a wide arrange of road surfaces, under various circumstances. Sometimes we ride over good tar roads, over sand, dusty washboard roads, over rocky roads, and over high mountain ranges. We don't remain on high altitudes for a long time so altitude issues won’t occur. Some days we cover more distance than other days, but there is always enough time and opportunity to stop on the way, take pictures, visit villages or rest.
About half of the route takes place on unpaved roads. So off-road experience is necessary. We recommend to take offroad basic training classes as preparation for this trip. In doing so, you learn how best to handle the motorcycle off-road. It will alsoincrease your riding pleasure. The motorcycles are light and handy adventure bikes, perfect for a combination of paved and unpaved routes. This tour is not suitable for beginners.
High temperatures can be found especially in the north and move around the whole year, both in the dry and rainy seasons, at an average of around 30°Celsius(86F). There are large temperature differences from 15° Celsius (59F) to the extreme heat of 38° Celsius (100F). Chances of rain always lure in the mountains.
A helmet is mandatory, as well as protective clothing, good gloves and boots or sturdy shoes. Because of the warm temperatures in the north (+ 30° C) it is advisable to wear breathable protective clothing. Ensure adequate ventilation for jacket sand pants. Pack warm clothes for the colder regions. We recommend an open dual-sport helmet with protective glasses that locks out the dust. Furthermore do yourself a favour with a pair of good sunglasses and rain protection gear.
For Colombia you need your valid driver's license together with a valid international driver's license and a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). You are responsible to find out VISA requirements specifically belonging to the passport you hold. You can verify up to date information from your local embassy, or consulate in your country of citizenship or find this information online for example via https://visacentral.com/
Consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. It is your responsibility to make sure that you obtain your visa and have immunizations completed in time.
For non-USA-passport holders, a U.S. travel authorization called ESTA is required for a transit flight across the United States. More information athttps://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/.
The motorbike comes with a standard liability insurance. This insurance covers physical damage to third parties. Material damage to third parties is not insured. Damage to the motorcycle is not covered by the basic insurance. You are liable for costs of damage to the motorcycle caused by yourself.
Rider starting at: € 3150,-
Pillion: x
Single room occupancy additional charge: € 290,-
Pocket money to bring with you: € 450,-*
Minimum number of riding participants: 6
Maximum number of riding participants: 10
Maximum number of pillion riders: 0
This tour is available on these dates:
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