Colombia Cycling Camp
Colombia Cycling Camp
High altitude and warm weather riding in the ultimate cycling destination
Colombia is fast becoming the Mecca of road cycling and the mountain range above Medellin in Colombia’s Antioquia region is the favourite training spot for pro riders.
Featured Climbs
Alto de la Union, Alto Santa Elena, Alto del Tasajo
Overview
Details
Next Departure
February 1st 2025
From
USD $4,195
Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
Yes
Rental Bike
Not available
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Join our expert ride leaders for an incredible week of cycling in this cycling-obsessed country. Cycling is Colombia’s national sport and every weekend thousands of cyclists take to the roads around Medellin. Little wonder that Colombia has produced so many top pro riders in the past few years!
During the week-long camp you’ll be based at the luxury 4-star Hotel Movich, the preeminent cycling hotel in the country, used by Team Ineos, Bora-Hansgrohe, Soudal Quick-Step and other top pro teams. The hotel is situated at an altitude of 2,200m (7,200ft) and within 5 minutes of Medellin’s International airport making travel in and out so easy. Starting and finishing at the hotel, the daily rides will cover many of the training routes and climbs used by local pros such as Rigoberto Uran and Fernando Gaviria. The rides are tough and the high altitudes add to the challenge, guaranteeing you’ll return home super-fit and ready to impress your local grupetto.
Our regular staff members will provide you with the usual first-class Thomson Support and will be joined by local Colombian riders including Mauricio Ardila, ex-Rabobank professional and winner of the 2004 Tour of Britain. Join us for a week of spectacular and challenging riding in the new hot-spot of road cycling.
Kameron Shahid, USA — 2024
Kam Shahid, USA — 2024
Itinerary
Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
01 | Bienvenido a Medellin! | Hotel Movich | |||
02 | Introductions & Warm-up Ride | Hotel Movich | |||
03 | Alto Medina | Hotel Movich | |||
04 | Concepción | Hotel Movich | |||
05 | Santa Elena & Parque Arvi | Hotel Movich | |||
06 | Abejorral | Hotel Movich | |||
07 | Santa Elena & El Carmen de Viboral | Hotel Movich | |||
08 | Sonson | Hotel Movich | |||
09 | Adios! | ||||
Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Bienvenido a Medellin!
The trip starts in earnest tomorrow (Sunday) but we’ve booked you into the Hotel Movich this evening so you can arrive at any time, check-in and relax. The hotel is situated just 5 minutes from Medellin Airport and a free shuttle is available.
Our staff will meet you after breakfast on Sunday morning.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Introductions & Warm-up Ride
Meet our staff in Reception at the Hotel Movich at 9:00 am for a brief Orientation Meeting where the Thomson Trip Manager will walk you through what to expect during the week ahead. At 10:00 am our mechanics will be on hand to help with the bike build followed by lunch at the hotel pool at 12 noon.
After lunch you’ll head out on your first ride in Colombia. From the hotel you’ll head south to La Ceja, home town of Fernando Gaviria, winner of 2 Tour de France stages and 5 Giro d’Italia stages. In La Ceja you’ll start the climb to Los Enanos then head back to the hotel through Don Diego and El Tablazo.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Alto Medina
Arvi Natural Park is the destination for your first big ride in Colombia. Relax and enjoy the first 15km (9 miles) of the ride, the only flat section of the entire route today. At the end of this flat section you’ll arrive in Guarne which signals the start of the Alto Medina climb.
At the top of the Medina you enter into the Arvi Natural Park and from there until the end of the ride you’ll follow a roller-coaster of short climbs and descents through the magnificent natural splendour of the natural park.
Day 4
Distance
Elevation
Concepción
Today’s ride features a magnificent out-and-back route to the village of Concepción. The road through San Vicente and over the Alto de las Frias was recently paved, opening up this fantastic ride to road bikes – and in true Thomson style we just had to include this new ride in our camp.
Day 5
Distance
Elevation
Santa Elena & Parque Arvi
A beautiful ride today, again through the Arvi Natural Park. A few minutes after leaving the hotel you’ll find yourself already on the main climb of the day, the 8km (5 miles) climb to Santa Elena – and a huge favorite with the local pros. From Santa Elena you’ll continue the ride northwards into the Arvi Natural Park and eventually to the Alto Medina from the opposite side that we rode on Monday. On the way, there’s a bit of a surprise: a cobbled section that many of the local pros use to prepare for Paris-Roubaix and Flanders Classics.
Day 6
Distance
Elevation
Abejorral
A challenging ride today and definitely a day where you’ll need your climbing legs. Our ride has no less than 6 categorised climbs and a total elevation gain of almost 2,900m (9,500ft). Your destination is the beautiful colonial town of Abejorral, which was recently declared a national monument in Colombia.
The ride is a roller-coaster through rural Antioquia. Enjoy the riding along traffic-free, quiet roads that wind their way through the green fields and valleys of this beautiful part of the Andes mountains.
Day 7
Distance
Elevation
Santa Elena & El Carmen de Viboral
After yesterday’s big ride and another big ride on the agenda for tomorrow, we’ve prepared a shorter ride today. From the hotel it’s all climbing for the first 10km until you reach Santa Elena. The rest of the ride is typical Antioquia rolling terrain, through Retiro and La Ceja and eventually to the ceramic capital of El Carmen de Viboral where you can admire the local artisans at work whilst enjoying a coffee in the main plaza.
Day 8
Distance
Elevation
Sonson
The trip concludes with an epic ride that’s one of the favorites of the local pros.
From the hotel , you’ll head south to La Ceja where you’ll start the climb to Alto de la Union, one of the key climbs used by local riders, like Rigoberto Uran, to train for the Grand Tours. The ride continues through the town of La Union with a series of ups and downs, culminating in the 6km (4 miles) climb to Sonson. Enjoy a coffee in Sonson before heading back to La Union and eventually down the Alto de La Union descent to La Ceja and the final 20km (12 miles) back to the hotel. A magnificent ride that will challenge even the strongest riders – and a fitting way to end your week in Colombia!
Day 9
Distance
Elevation
Adios!
Sadly, your Colombia Cycling Camp has come to an end.
Feel free to leave at whatever time suits you best. The Hotel Movich is just 5 minutes from Medellin Airport and provides free shuttles throughout the day.
Map & Profile
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No major climbs today |
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Enanos |
7% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Alto Medina |
5.7% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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6-8
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alto de las Frias from Concepción |
6.8% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Alto Santa Elena |
5.9% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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El Tambo |
6.3% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Alto Estadero North side |
6.2% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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6-8
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Partidas Guaico |
5.6% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Alto Estadero South Side |
7.3% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Alto Basurero |
5.4% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Alto Pantanillo from La Ceja |
5.9% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Alto Santa Elena |
5.9% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Alto de la Union |
5.5% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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Alto del Tasajo |
6.9% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
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Puente Aures |
6.8% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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No major climbs today |
Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | |||||||
Book this tripClosed
|
Nov 30 - Dec 8 |
Closed |
Places Available |
USD $4,195
|
USD $750 |
USD $1,190 |
Book this trip |
2025 | |||||||
Feb 1 - 9 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $4,195
|
USD $700 |
USD $1,190 |
Book this trip |
Waiting List
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Trip Hotels
Hotel Movich
What's Included
What's Included | What's Not Included |
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Accommodations & Meals
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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What's Included |
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Accommodations & Meals
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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What's Not Included |
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Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
Pickup Location | Time |
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No organised pick-up. Hotel Movich provides a free shuttle service from Medellin Airport. Journey Time = 5 minutes |
Departure
Drop Off Location | Time |
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Hotel Movich provides a free shuttle service to Medellin Airport. Journey Time = 5 minutes |
Colombia Cycling Camp
High altitude and all-year round warm weather. Is this the perfect cycling escape? We think so!