Colombia El Dorado

Day 1 - Home - Medellin
For those who did not buy this tour as a package tour including the flight ticket, this day does not apply. 

Day 2 - Medellin - Guatepe Lake
Because it takes some time to get used to the time and the temperature, we take it easy on this day. We take delivery of the bikes and drive quietly out of the city. Immediately we enter the mountains and drive a short route to the Guatepe reservoir. We spend the night on the shore on the north side overlooking the lake.

Day 3 - Guatepe - Berrio
We drive around the south side of the lake. This gives fantastic views over the hundreds of islands. We stop for coffee with a view of the village of Virgen del Carmen. We then meander further through the lake area and drive on unpaved paths to the east. We spend the night just outside the villages of Berrio.



Day 4 - Berrio - Zapatoca
We now enter the valley between the two mountain ranges that run through the country from north to south. So we descend, follow the main road through the valley, and then climb back into the mountains. The last part goes through a network of unpaved paths. We end in Zapatoca a small typical Colombian mountain village with only one or two guesthouses.

Day 5 - Zapatoca - Dutama
Today we ride one of the most fantastic routes through the mountains. The first few hours we are still meandering on the asphalt. After the early lunch or coffee in San Gil, the route is unpaved, and we climb to more than 4000 meters. We pass Indian villages that live in tree houses and brave a river crossing several times. Dutama is a small town with a few basic hotels.

Day 6 - Dutama - Villa de Leyva
After yesterday's beautiful ride, it was a quiet day. It is just under 100 kilometers through rolling hills. The rest of the day you can visit the beautiful traditional town of Villa de Leyva, the large square, the small streets, all in white. Maybe there will be a performance on the square.



Day 7 - Villa de Leyva - Bogota, Day 8 - Bogotá - Stay
We can also drive around it. But now that we're so close, we might as well pay a visit to the capital. We will stay for two nights. You can use the day to take a bike ride through the old quarters. The city has had a bad name for a long time, but things have gotten better here too. There is a nice market, terraces, and shopping centers.

Day 9 - Bogotá - Espinal
We avoid the main road out of the city. Driving on narrower roads through the mountains to the southeast. We drive along some unpaved paths to the small town of Espinal. This is located in the lowlands between the two mountain ranges.

Day 10 - Espinal - Tatacoa
We stay in the lowlands, and via a route on mainly narrower roads, we drive into the desert area of Colombia. This one is called the Tatacoa desert. It's not like the saraha, but it's dry, warm, sandy and there are huge cacti. The area is known for its clear starry skies. We stay in a camp in the desert.



Day 11 - Tatacoa - La Plata
We drive a short distance through the desert and then arrive at the river. We have to wait for the canoe boats that can take us to the other side. Then we get on the main road to the south. After a lunch stop in Neiva, we drive via back roads towards the Embasle Betainia, a beautiful large natural lake. We drive along the north coast, we stop for coffee or lunch in Yaguare, the village on the shore. Then drive further through the agricultural fields and arrive in the small village of La Plata. We will try to stay in the beautiful hotel with a view over the valley.

Day 12 - La Plata - San Augustin
Again, a nice shortcut route to San Augustin. We follow narrow paths in front of the fields and over the hills. Near San Augustin are the archaeological finds of the same name. Large statues that resemble the Mayan gods can be found here in the park. We spend the night just outside the village in a beautiful location.

Day 13 - San Augustin - Popayan, Day 14 - Popayan - stay
In the morning, we visit the archaeological park if you haven't done this the day before. Then we drive quietly on a beautiful route to Popayan, we enter the mountains again. Popayan is a colonial village that is definitely worth a day trip. There are beautiful Spanish buildings, churches, and a beautiful square. In the narrow streets with white houses, you imagine yourself back in time.
 

Day 15 - Popayan - Palmira
A long day today. Because we want to avoid the main road, we take shortcuts on mostly gravel roads. We don't spend the night in Palmira itself, but a little further in a national park. We have a nice view over the Nirvana National Park.

Day 16 - Palmira - Armenia
In addition to Armenia, there are also places in this region with the names Albania, Montenegro, and perhaps more southern European countries. Today we meander through the mountains with beautiful views while we end up at an altitude of over 3500 meters. Then follows a descent and we arrive in the small village of Armenia.

Day 17 - Armenia - Jardin
A beautiful route through the coffee plantations through the heart of the country. Especially the last part just before Jardin is beautiful



Day 18 - Jardin - Medellin
A nice final ride with the highlight being a ride over the railway bridge or the railway tunnel for those who dare. We have plenty of time so you might want to drive up and down a few times. Then we come back to the city of Medellin.

Day 19 - Medellin - Stay
At the end, you will have a day of accommodation to get to know the city better and relax for a while before flying back home.

Day 20 - Medellin - Departure
In the morning, you will be taken to the airport.

Day 21 - Arrival - Home