CFM Travel

Medellin to the Coffee Area, 12 days

via Salamina Mountainbike

Introduction: Colombia is one of the most beautiful countries in South

America, but very few have visited this paradise of nature and friendly

people. Colombians increasingly love biking, making it an even greater

experience to do a biking holiday in Colombia. This is an amazing tour

through some of the best scenery of Antioquia and the Coffee Region. We

will be passing through wonderful green landscapes, with coffee plantations

and charming colonial villages. Most of the trip is on dirt road but some parts

are paved.

There will at all times be an excellent bike guide and a support vehicle. Most

meals are included.

CFM Travel

PROGRAM

Day 1: Arrival at Medellin airport at transport to our hotel in El Poblado.

We have the opportunity to go to the Parque Lleras and a nice restaurant or bar.

Meals included: none

Day 2: City tour in Medellin

Sunday in Colombia is cycle day. Each Sunday and on public

holidays from 8 am until 2 pm certain main streets of the main

cities in Colombia are closed to cars and designated as ' ciclovia' :

available for the exclusive use of runners, skaters, and bicyclists.

Many people use this opportunity to do some exercise, but also

parks are crowded with people enjoying the day off. This morning

we will sort our bikes out in good time then join the locals in a

bike ride around city.

After lunch, we will do a guided tour around the city, and also

experience the innovative system of metro combined with cable

cars, that has connected the poorer “comunas” with the city, and

improved living standards and decreased crime dramatically.

Meals included: B

Day 3: Medellin to Santa Fe Antioquia.

Colombia is a terrain ideally suited to cyclists who love hills. We

begin with a climb of some 14 km. The rest of our day will be a

downhill journey all the way to Santa Fe De Antioquia as we drop to 509m over a distance

of approximately 50 km. Santa Fe De Antioquia, a former gold mining town, and very

important in the early history of the post-Hispanic era. The town is built along the banks of

the Rio Cauca. Its narrow streets are characterized by colonial architecture: the

whitewashed buildings are often built around courtyards with intricately carved woodwork

framing the windows and doorways.

Meals included: B,L

Day 4: Santa Fe to La Pintada Antioquia.

Around a 120 km trip on paved road. It is a

quite long route today, but relatively easy. It

starts by dropping some 100 meters and after

that we continue slightly ascending. Again, a

very beautiful scenery while approaching the

Coffee Region. La Pintada is situated along the

Cauca River and is mainly involved in cattle

production.

Meals included: B,L,D

CFM Travel Day 5: La Pintada – Aguadas

We have around 45 km on primarily dirt road, with

quite a lot of uphill today. We start at around 500

m.a.s. and end well above an altitude of 2000

m.a.s. Set on the edge of the Caldas mountains at

the Northern end of the Caldas department,

Aguadas is a 19th century town known as the 'city

of mists'. It is a typical traditional village,

preserving the customs of the Paisa people in the

landscape, architecture and folklore. You will

receive a traditional warm welcome.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 6 : Aguadas – Salamina

Beautiful scenery on dirt road and the distance will be some 50 km including a number of

ascents and descents before we arrive at Salamina. Salamina is, like Cocora valley, known

for its beautiful surroundings, and the village is adorable.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 7: Salamina

This is a rest day, where we are given the

option to simply enjoy the life on the coffee

finca we are staying, or go for a more

organized tour. Salamina is famous for its

surrounding- lovely green valleys and a

pleasant climate. Also, the village is beautiful

and worth visiting.

Meals included: B

Day 8 : Salamina – Neyra

We will cycle some 50 km today up and down

winding roads. Highest point is above 2000 meters. Neyra is a charming little village with

beautiful surroundings.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 9 : Neyra – Manizales

This is an easy day in preparation for the last days of the trip. You have time this afternoon

to explore Manizales. Attractions include the gold museum and the Cathedral which is the

third tallest in Latin America, at 113 meters. Manizales, the principal city of the Caldas

region, is known as the 'city of the open door' because of its friendly inhabitants. Manizales

is situated on top of a number of hills at around 2000 m.a.s.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 10 : Manizales – Chinchiná

This is in the middle of the Coffee Region and we are surrounded by coffee and green

mountains all day. We begin on paved road and end on dirt road and the total distance is

CFM Travel some 55 kilometers.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 11 : Chinchiná - Pereira

We will be driving on a mix of paved and narrow dirt roads

to pass this beautiful area with coffee farms, Eucalyptus

plantations and natural rain forest. We are then brought

to our hotel in Pereira, situated in lush green surroundings

and with a nice pool.

Meals included: B, L

Day 12: End of tour

Transport to Airport at Pereira for flight out

Meals included: B

Options for the following days:

There are several options – the program ends here or we

can spend some days in Pereira doing some great 1-day

trips up towards the close by volcanoes, hot springs etc. Or we can move on to Salento and

spend some days there hiking or mountain-biking.

The price includes - 3 nights in 3-4 * hotels in shared double room with private bath/toilet

- 8 nights in 2* hotels in small villages - with private bath/toilet

- Meals as described in the program

- Bicycle Guide and support vehicle on all cycling days

- All transportation as described in the program

- An authentic trip - here come virtually no other mountain-bike tourists. The people are

very friendly and helpful and we are in a safe area of Colombia.

Price does not include - International flights

- Travel Insurance

- Drinks and meals not mentioned in the program

- tips for the guide and driver

- Rent of mountainbike

Price estimate* (based on a group of 10 participants)

Pr. person in shared double room: 825 USD Single room supplement: 195 USD

Bike Hire in Colombia: 130 USD

* tourleader 50% of above prices