EMERALD ROADS – GREEN VALLEYS AND COFFEE REGION 8 DAY TOUR


Taste with us:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          7 minute read
A Green Mountain Emerald Land. Our Emerald Road’s Green Valleys and Coffee Region Tour starts in Manizales and finishes in Medellin, while weaving through the Heart of the Coffee Cultural (Cafetero region) of Quindio and the Green mountainous regions of Caldas and Antioquia. We explore the vibrant city of Manizales and visit a host of beautiful small friendly authentic villages such as Filandia and Salento. Colombia has a rich cultural heritage and is both ethnically and ecologically diverse, the people here are friendly, curious and engaging. Join us for this incredible road cycling tour that will challenge and reward you in ways unimaginable, in a country that loves cycling and celebrates their champion world class riders with passion.

Emerald Roads – Green Valleys and Coffee Region 8 Day Tour:
– Days: 8 Days/7 Nights
– Starts/Ends: Manizales/Medellin
– Fitness Level:  Intermediate (you currently ride or can ride 200k a week with ease)
– Total Cycling: 6 Days – 344k – 58k per day average
– Group Size: 5 to 7* rider minimum, 10 rider maximum.
– Rider Price: $2760 (USD/EUR/NZD/AUD/CAD) $345 Per Day – $2035 (GBP) $254 GBP Per Day  (everything included)
– NON Rider Price: $1740 (USD/EUR/NZD/AUD/CAD) Per Person (Everything Included)

Different Currency Prices explained: Resident Currency Pricing (RCP)
Pay for this tour in the country currency and economy you live and work within. We think its fair that way. We have 6 currencies (USD/EUR/NZD/AUD/CAD/GBP). If you live in North America (USA or Canada) Great Britain, Europe or the South Pacific (New Zealand or Australia) you will pay in the currency where you live. All other residents of other countries will pay the USD price. *The Tour minimum is 5 riders if bookings paid in (USD/EUR/GBP) currency and 7 riders minimum if bookings paid in (NZD/AUD/CAD) currency. If we get a mix of both that’s ok the tour will be confirmed. Prices may be subject to change on this tour.


2024 Dates:
July 11th – 18th. TBC
Close off Date May 9th: Sign up for this tour with a $500 NZD deposit

Private Tour Dates options:
Get a group of 6 or more riders together and we will organize a private tour for you. To start the conversation contact us

Looking for something Longer? This Tour is part of the Emerald Roads 5 region 19 Day Best of Colombia Tour, we also have a 10 Day Highland and Mountains Tour

Note about fitness levels:
All riders receive a (minimum 8 week) training program for the tours. If you are currently a beginner level rider (100k per week), but want to do this Intermediate fitness level tour. As long as you make a commitment to train to prepare and get to the (200k per week) level we are happy to have you join us on this tour.

Non Rider Option:
Yes you can bring your non riding partner to Colombia. To enjoy all of the non riding sight seeing, excursions and tourism, with additional guided tours in select locations as they join us to follow you on this tour.

Tour Highlights:

  • Riding through the Quindio and Antioquia regions.
  • Sight seeing and visiting Manizales (including walking tours).
  • Relaxing in the Mountain Hot Springs.
  • Visiting a traditional Colombian Coffee Plantation and staying on a Finca (Farm).
  • Hiking the Valle de Cocora.
  • Staying in small authentic Colombian Mountain villages
  • Climbing El Penol in Guatape
  • Feel Good Factor. Making a difference. A percentage of all Tour proceeds goes back to the local communities we visit. We invite you to change other peoples lives while experiencing a trip of a lifetime


Tour Description, Bikes and Itinerary:
This is a medium altitude cycling trip. We start in Manizales 2100m but descend to the Quindio (Cafe Cultural Region) on the first riding day to an average of 1800m. You will acclimatize easily over the first 3 days of cycling.

Bikes:
We recommend you bring your own road bike. But if you wish to hire a bike we have 7 Specialized Tarmac Road Bikes available.
Sizes: 52cm (2), 54cm (3), 56cm (1), 58cm (1)
Price: $252 USD (7 day hire)
Bring your own Pedals and Seat please.
If you choose this option add it when you fill out the booking form.

>Expand Full Itinerary

Day 1: We pick you up from Manizales or Pereira airport
Check into the Hotel outside Manizales. Welcome meeting and tour introduction with our guides, build our bikes and relax. In the afternoon we visit a 100 year old Coffee plantation, later in the day we take walk around Manizales the vibrant modern Colombian University city. In the evening we relax in a wonderful Hot Springs outside the city.

Day 2: 48k (2hrs approx) - 4k Ascent/44k Descent
This is a split ride day with 2 rides. It is also an awesome downhill day as we head south towards the the heart of the Cafe Cultural Quindio region. In the morning we descend 23k from Manizales to Chinchina. We then transfer to the beautiful village of Filandia stop for lunch and then ride the second beautiful 25k descent to Quimbaya. Tonight we stay on a traditional finca (farm)

Day 3: 53k (3hrs approx) - 22k Ascent/20k Descent
We transfer in the morning and do a challenging and spectacular loop from El Caimo to Buenavista. This day features an epic climb to 1922m, fun long descents and another climb to finish at the tiny village over looking the Valle de Cauca of Buenavista.

Day 4: Ride 30k (2hrs approx) and Hiking (3hrs) - 17k Ascent/14k Descent
We transfer in the morning to Filandia 1898m and descend at first and then climb turn towards Filandias sister village of Salento continuing on to the end of the road at 2384m where we take lunch and begin the spectacular 3hr hike of the Valle de Cocora. On the way we visit the Humming bird house and see 7 different species of humming birds. Returning to the trail head, for fun we take a (traditional transport in this area) Willys Jeep ride back to town. Tonight we stay in the colourful and vibrant village of Salento.

Day 5: 70k (4hrs approx) - 31k Ascent/38k Descent
We transfer early in the morning to Manizales. Where we begin in a very unique way the beautifully scenic ride to Salamina. This day starts of with a long descent and is peppered with challenging climbs throughout on this roller coaster course.Tonight we stay in Salamina.

Day 6: 48k (3hrs approx) - 26k Ascent/19k Descent
A short day on beautiful narrow low traffic roads above the river valleys to the high coffee village of Aquadas (2158m).

Day 7: 95k (3hrs approx) - 28k Ascent/38k Descent
We transfer early in the morning to Sonson. Where we start with an awesome 7k descent on the fast and scenic roads to Marilla. On the way we stop in the cycling friendly town of Le Ceya. From Marilla we transfer to beautiful Pueblo de Zocalos on the lake, better known as Guatape (1885m).
We re-pack our bikes and have a Farewell Dinner Party.

Day 8: The Tour Ends, Farewell

But not before early In the morning we explore Guatape some more and walk the climb to El Penon de Guatape the stunning vertical rock with views of the whole area. Then we transfer you by shuttle to the Rionegro (Medellin Airport) or Medellin city and other transport.

>Collapse Full Itinerary

Rider Price Includes:

    • All Transportation and Airport transfers
    • Technical support: Unpacking/packing bike plus bike assembly/disassembly
    • Professional Local Colombian guides (Bilingual Spanish/English)
    • 10 riders to 1 Support vehicle ratio
    • Meals (All Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners)  Light picnic style Lunch on the rides (sometimes we stop at restaurants also)
    • Healthy snacks and hydration during the rides
    • Cycling training program and advice by ex Professional rider and Cycling Coach ($600 USD value)
    • Body/Bike fit check and Climbing/Descending/Cornering instruction on Tour ($200 USD value)
    • Advanced Oxygen Enhancing Nutritional Supplements and Drinks ($100 USD value)
    • Daily after ride Yoga/Stretching classes
    • Beyond Andes Cycling Jersey
    • 7 nights accommodations at Hotels, Eco lodges, and Luxury B+B’s. Accommodations are Twin shared – (Single Room Supplement add $230 USD)
    • Farewell Dinner Party
      Other activities:.
    • Hiking the Valle de Cocora.
    • Plantation Coffee Tour entrance ticket
    • Guatape El Penol entrance tickets
Non Rider Price Includes:
    • All Transportation and Airport transfers
    • Meals (All Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners)  Light picnic style Lunch (sometimes we stop at restaurants also)
    • Daily Yoga/Stretching classes
    • 7 nights accommodations at Hotels, Eco lodges, and Luxury B+B’s. Accommodations are Twin shared
    • Farewell Dinner Party
      Other activities:..
    • Plantation Coffee Tour entrance ticket
    • Guatape El Penol entrance tickets
    • Hiking the Valle de Cocora.
    • Guided tours in select Colombian Tours and Cities


Not included:

    • Flights (International and domestic)
    • Insurance – Travel, Personal and Equipment
    • Hotel charges such as mini bar and phone
    • Tips in restaurants and hotels
    • Alcoholic/ non-alcoholic beverages
    • Any other items not listed as included

Booking and other important Info:

  • The close off date to book this Tour is TBC.
  • Bookings are open. To book this Tour please click through to fill out the Booking Form and submit.
  • Once you have submitted the form you will be redirected to pay your $500 NZD tour deposit (+ $30.25 active processing fee) by Credit Card with our secure payment system using Active Network Endurance.
  • Your reservation of a place in your chosen Tour will be confirmed by email along with other detailed information once we have received your deposit.
  • The Deposit is Fully Refundable (less any Transaction fees) if the Tour minimum bookings are not reached by the Close Off Date or the Tour is canceled or postponed due to issues related to Covid 19 and travel restrictions. We will refund your deposit within 3 weeks following the close off date.
  • We have a minimum of 5 to 7 riders to Guarantee this tour. Please Do Not Book your Plane Tickets until you have received notification from us that we have Guaranteed this tour.
  • If You Cancel your booking the Tour deposit is not refundable. It is however transferable and maybe applied to other later date tours (with the payment of a $300 NZD re – booking fee).
  • This tour is for Intermediate and advanced fitness riders only, NOT for recreational cyclists. You have a road bike and you ride it regularly. All riders are requested and expected to follow the training program to prepare for this tour. We want you to come on this tour prepared so you will enjoy it more. You must be able to easily ride multiple back to back 200k weeks before you get to Colombia.
  • Insurance. You are required as a condition of booking to be insured against medical and personal accident risks. We recommend that you take out a policy once you have received confirmation that the tour is Guaranteed, which covers trip cancellation, your bike, baggage and equipment.
  • Flight Information. We will email you flight information and recommended bike and equipment set up details.
  • Full tour payment is due 1 Month before the tour.
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Photo credits: Antonio ‘alitas’ Juan.