Epic Colombia
with Rob Taylor
Epic Colombia with Rob Taylor
Huge climbs and incredible landscapes in the most exciting cycling destination on the planet
Epic doesn’t quite do Colombia justice. Our Epic Colombia Challenge offers you the opportunity to ride some 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
December 9th 2023
From
USD $7,295
Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
No
Rental Bike
USD $550
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Not for the faint of heart, our Epic 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!
The first week of the trip features a series of rides around Medellin, the mecca of Colombian cycling. From Medelllin, 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 & your first ride in Colombia | Hotel Movich | |||
| 03 | Guatapé | Hotel Movich | |||
| 04 | Abejorral | Hotel Movich | |||
| 05 | Santa Elena & El Carmen de Viboral | Hotel Movich | |||
| 06 | Sonson | Hotel Movich | |||
| 07 | Santa Elena & Parque Arvi | Hotel Movich | |||
| 08 | The start of the journey! | Hotel Villa Camila | |||
| 09 | Into Coffee Country | Hotel Sonesta Pereira | |||
| 10 | Salento and the Cocora Valley | Hotel Salento Real | |||
| 11 | Alto de Letras (from the easy side) | Hotel Boutique Posada las Trampas | |||
| 12 | Over the Alto de la Mona to Guaduas | Hotel Boutique Posada las Trampas | |||
| 13 | The Queen Stage - Alto de Letras | Hotel Termales el Otoño | |||
| 14 | 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 in the Hotel Reception at 9:00am tomorrow morning.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
Introductions & your first ride in Colombia
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.
Arvi Natural Park is the destination for your first big ride in Colombia. 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 enjoy a roller-coaster of short climbs and descents through the magnificent natural splendour of the Natural Park.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
Guatapé
Today’s destination is the town of Guatapé which claims to be the most colourful town in Colombia. Along the way you’ll stop at the famous Peñón de Guatapé for some extra training. The Peñón is a massive rock that sticks out of the surrounding landscape – and our staff will encourage you to climb the 740 steps to the top (yes – that’s correct – 740 steps!). The magnificent views of the huge reservoir and hundreds of islands below make it well worth the extra effort.
There’s also a fair bit of climbing to do – on the bike. Only one long climb, the Alto del Chocho, but there are lots of short, steep climbs – and a total elevation of just under 2,000m (6,500ft)for the day.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Map & Profile
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No major climbs today | |||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Alto Medina |
5.7% | 2 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
| Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alto del Chocho |
5% | 3 | ||
|
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
|
|||||
Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
| Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | |||||||
Dec 9 - 22 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $7,295
|
USD $950 |
n/a |
Book this trip | |
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
|
|
| What's Included |
|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
| 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 |
Rental Bikes
Frame
Felt FR Advanced
Groupset
2023 SRAM Force AXS 12-speed
Weight
7.7kg (size 53)
Wheels
Reynolds AR46 DB Custom
Chainrings
48x35
Cassette
10-33
Sizes
47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
Price
USD $550
Epic Colombia with Rob Taylor
Not for the faint of heart, our Epic Colombia Challenge features the very best of Colombian cycling
