Epic Trans Colombia
Epic Trans Colombia
Huge climbs and incredible landscapes in the most exciting cycling destination on the planet
Epic doesn’t quite do Colombia justice. Our Trans-Colombia Challenge offers you the opportunity to ride one of the most challenging routes in Colombia, including the famous Alto de Letras.
Featured Climbs
Alto de Letras, Alto del Tabor, Alto de la Mona
Overview
Details
Next Departure
No Upcoming Departures
Duration
Non-Rider Friendly
No
Rental Bike
Not available
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Not for the faint of heart, our Trans-Colombia Challenge features the best of Colombian cycling.
The highlight of the trip is the 80km (50 miles) climb to Alto de Letras, known as the longest climb in the world. And in true Thomson style you’ll ride Letras not once, but twice – from both sides!
Starting in Medellin, the mecca of Colombian cycling, our route takes us south over the Andes mountains. You’ll ride through the coffee plantations of the world-famous Coffee Triangle which claims to produce the worlds best coffee.
From the Coffee Triangle you’ll head over to Los Nevados National Park where the Nevado del Ruiz volcano lies under its blanket of snow and glaciers, at an elevation of over 5000m (16,500ft). Los Nevados also hosts our final challenge – the unbelievable 80km (50 miles) climb to Alto de Letras!
Itinerary
| Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Bienvenido a Medellin! | Hotel Movich | |||
| 02 | Introductions & Warm-up Ride | Hotel Movich | |||
| 03 | The start of the journey! | Hotel Villa Camila | |||
| 04 | Into Coffee Country | Hotel Sonesta Pereira | |||
| 05 | Salento and the Cocora Valley | Hotel Salento Real | |||
| 06 | Alto de Letras (from the easy side) | Hotel Boutique Posada las Trampas | |||
| 07 | Over the Alto de la Mona to Guaduas | Hotel Boutique Posada las Trampas | |||
| 08 | The Queen Stage - Alto de Letras | Hotel Termales el Otoño | |||
| 09 | Adios! | ||||
| Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Bienvenido a Medellin!
The trip starts in earnest tomorrow (Saturday) 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 in the Hotel Reception at 9:00am tomorrow 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, and the start of the short climb to Los Enanos.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
The start of the journey!
Your journey across Colombia starts today. Medellin is the mecca of cycling in Colombia and you’ll join the local pelotons through the centre of the city (on closed roads). We’ve rarely seen so many cyclists, even at the Tour de France, and this short ride through Medellin really highlights the astonishing boom in Colombian cycling. From Medellin you’ll head into the Andes and your first major climb, the Cat. 2 climb to La Fredonia.
Tip: if you live at lower altitudes, don’t push too hard on these first couple of rides. It will take you a few days to get acclimatised to the altitude. You’ll note a shortness of breath on the climbs and if you ride with a powermeter, you’ll be surprised at you’re overall drop in power.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
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 (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
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>15
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| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alto Santa Elena |
5.9% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
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>15
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La Fredonia from Las Palomas |
7.5% | 2 | ||
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Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
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Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount |
|---|
Waiting List
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Trip Hotels
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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| What's Included |
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Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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| What's Not Included |
|
Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
| Pickup Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
No organised pick-up. Take the free shuttle from Medellin Airport to the Hotel Movich (journey time = 5 minutes) |
Anytime |
Departure
| Drop Off Location | Time |
|---|---|
|
Manizales Airport |
9:00am |
Epic Trans Colombia
Not for the faint of heart, our Trans-Colombia Challenge features the best of Colombian cycling
