Colombia's Wild Southern Heart: 13-Day Andes Grand Tour

Starting and finishing in Bogotá, this is our grand tour of Colombia's wild south. Thirteen days of twisty mountain passes across three branches of the Andes, from the Tatacoa desert and the ancient statues of San Agustín to the Mocoa jungle, the coffee region and the volcanic Nevado del Ruiz.

Off the bike: desert star-gazing, jungle waterfalls and caves, coffee farms, tejo and hot springs, plus two rest days.

DAY 1: BOGOTÁ TO GIRARDOT (4.5 hrs)
Tequendama waterfall, Andean passes and an evening cruise on the Magdalena River.
DAY 2: GIRARDOT TO TATACOA (2.5 hrs)
Explore the Tatacoa desert, then an observatory by our funky desert lodging.
DAY 3: TATACOA TO SAN AGUSTÍN (6 hrs)
Lunch under a 500-year-old tree in Gigante, then poolside above San Agustín.
DAY 4: SAN AGUSTÍN TO MOCOA (3.5 hrs)
The UNESCO archaeological park, then Andes views to our jungle hideaway.
DAY 5: MOCOA REST DAY
Hikes, waterfalls and caves, or massages, cocktails and pools. Or both.
DAY 6: MOCOA TO PASTO (4.5 hrs)
The Devil's Trampoline: four hours off-road on a narrow road clinging to a cliff.
DAY 7: PASTO TO POPAYÁN (5.5 hrs)
Deep canyons, the Juanambú bridge and a night in Colombia's "white city".
DAY 8: POPAYÁN TO LA UNIÓN (5 hrs)
Western Andes twisties, lunch near Cali and stories at Donkey Sunrise, a biker haven.
DAY 9: LA UNIÓN REST DAY
Chill, swim, or join an optional half-day enduro ride.
DAY 10: LA UNIÓN TO SALENTO (5.5 hrs)
A coffee farm tour, tejo (beer and explosives) and dinner in Salento.
DAY 11: SALENTO TO NEVADO DEL RUIZ (2.5 hrs)
Coffee farm or Cocora Valley palms, then thermal pools at our hot spring lodge.
DAY 12: NEVADO DEL RUIZ TO HONDA (4.5 hrs)
Over the volcanic Ruiz pass, past the blue lagoon and frailejón fields.
DAY 13: HONDA TO BOGOTÁ (4.5 hrs)
Up and over the central Andes, back to Bogotá for a farewell dinner.

Optional Day 14: add the emerald mines of Chivor.

Best for: Riders comfortable with long days in the saddle. Mostly paved twisties, some off-road.