Colombia - Caribbean & Andes One Way Motorcycle Tour

The motorcycles are handed over to us, and we then escape the heat of the city and make our way to Minca, located in the wild and breathtaking mountains of the Sierra Nevada. From Minca, we take a day trip through the famous coffee-growing region. The off-road trails offer spectacular views, and we visit the “La Victoria” coffee farm, where, in addition to a tour, we will of course have the opportunity to taste the coffee.

We leave Minca and follow the main road for a short distance until we reach the off-road trail that takes us high into the mountains to San Javier. This is a small, hidden village that lives entirely from coffee cultivation. Here, in an authentic setting, we can see how coffee beans are planted, harvested, processed, and prepared for export. After lunch with the local farmers, we ride back down into the valley. We spend the night in the neighboring town of Fundación.

From Fundación, we initially ride along paved roads before continuing on hot, sandy trails to Mompóx, a colonial gem of Colombia that, due to its island location, is visited by comparatively few tourists. It is almost like the smaller, more beautiful sister of crowded Cartagena. We have to cross the Río Magdalena, Colombia’s largest river, to reach our destination for the day. The somewhat longer day of riding is well worth it, and you feel a little as though you have stepped into a novel by Gabriel García Márquez.

Today, the motorcycles stay parked. After the first few days of riding, it is time to discover Mompox at a leisurely pace. The historic colonial town on the Río Magdalena once played an important role as a trading center and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the hot midday hours, we take it easy. As soon as the temperatures become more pleasant in the afternoon, it is worth taking a stroll through the streets of the old town and along the Malecón by the river. Colorful colonial houses, historic churches, and shady squares characterize the town. Mompox is also known for its traditional filigree craftsmanship. If you like, you can visit a small silver workshop or browse the little shops selling Colombian handicrafts, sit down at one of the cafés, and simply watch life unfold in the streets.

We leave Mompox early to make the most of the cool morning hours. First, we take a motorized canoe, known as a Johnson, which transports us and the motorcycles to the other side of the river. After this little adventure, a beautiful country road winds its way along the riverbank, passing through several small, idyllic villages. Around midday, we reach the Ruta del Sol, which takes us via Aguachica to San Alberto, where we will spend the night.

Today is full of ADVENTURE! After a gentle off-road section, we reach Sabana de Torres, where the railway line, construction of which began in 1880, starts winding its way through the jungle. The last train passed through here more than 35 years ago, but the bridges and tunnels built through the jungle over decades of work still exist and now serve as our route. We then continue to Girón, where we can relax at a beautiful hotel located in the historic old town.

Out of the city and into the off-road trails! This time, it is the famous Chicamocha Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world, that we will ride through. From Cepitá, we leave the paved road behind and follow a beautiful off-road route through the canyon, offering simply breathtaking views. From barren, rocky stretches to lush jungle sections, this route has it all. Once we reach San Andrés, we stop to enjoy a traditional Colombian almuerzo (lunch), before continuing along a scenic route to Capitanejo.

It is not a long way from Capitanejo to El Cocuy National Park, but it is one of the most spectacular parts of this tour. We ride along the river on gravel roads, passing towering cacti and with the majestic mountains always in the background. This is certainly one of the highlights, especially as, upon arriving in the village, we immediately take a loop through El Cocuy National Park. The route takes us up to an impressive altitude of 4,200 meters, with breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of the mountain range. Simply unique!

We begin the day on a gently winding paved road, leaving it behind in Soatá to spend the next few hours riding along a scenic country road. Via Onzaga and San Joaquín, we enjoy the ever-changing landscape, with river crossings and spectacular mountain panoramas along the way. We also pass an impressive landslide that destroyed much of the surrounding area a few years ago. The power of nature can be felt around every bend in the road. Our destination is Mogotes, a charming little town with an authentic atmosphere.

Today, we ride along small country roads, passing coffee plantations, sugar cane fields, and cattle pastures. Colombia’s smallest municipality, Jordán, currently home to just 54 residents, is also along our route and fascinates us with its secluded location in the canyon. Our destination, however, is Barichara, which holds the title of “Colombia’s Most Beautiful Village” among Colombians. The perfect place to enjoy a day off.

In Barichara, there are various ways to spend the day: either very actively, with white-water rafting or bungee jumping in nearby San Gil, the capital of adventure activities—or at a more leisurely pace, with a TukTuk ride to Guane, where you will find a beautiful viewpoint as well as a fossil museum. Of course, exploring Barichara itself is also well worth it. Discover the historic cobblestone streets, the beautifully laid-out cemetery with its stories, or simply sit in the plaza and enjoy an ice cream... there is something to do for everyone.

We leave Barichara and ride through the picturesque countryside, crossing bridges over the great rivers, following occasionally steep roads to the nearest villages, and riding along roads lined with palm trees. The climate here is pleasant—always warm, but never too hot—simply perfect for a motorcycle tour.

From Barbosa to Florián, it is only a short ride, but today we want to arrive at our overnight destination earlier so that we still have time for a little exploration tour. Florián is located near the Ventanas del Tisquizoque, a spectacular and picturesque waterfall whose caves can also be visited. This will be our afternoon activity.

A different route from yesterday takes us from Florián via Briceño to Muzo. The views are simply spectacular, and the route offers a few highlights, including a river crossing. Along the way, we see guanabana plantations, cocoa fields, and much more. In Muzo, we have arrived in Colombia’s emerald-mining region. This is where the deep-green gemstones for which Colombia is famous are mined.

Our journey to Villa de Leyva today takes us on a varied ride through the department of Boyacá. We start in the emerald region of Muzo, surrounded by lush green mountains, and from there make our way up into the cooler highlands. Along the way, we experience winding mountain roads and ever-changing landscapes. On the way, we pass through the town of Chiquinquirá, where we can visit the large basilica, an important pilgrimage site in Colombia. Continuing along the route, we ride through the village of Ráquira, known for its colorful houses and traditional handicrafts.

Our final day of riding takes us around the area surrounding Villa de Leyva. And there is plenty to offer motorcycle riders. Away from the main roads, a network of small country roads, gravel roads, and unpaved trails winds through Boyacá’s dry, hilly landscape. The landscape around Villa de Leyva also tells an astonishing story. More than 100 million years ago, a tropical sea stretched across the area where we ride our motorcycles today. To this day, numerous fossils of marine animals are found in the region, including ammonites and the remains of large marine reptiles. In the afternoon, we return to Villa de Leyva and hand back the rental motorcycles. We round off the day with a cool drink on the famous Plaza Mayor.

A minibus takes the group from Villa de Leyva to Bogotá in three hours. Upon arrival in Bogotá, we transfer to the centrally located hotel in the La Candelaria district. If time allows, we recommend taking a guided bicycle tour through the city with Bogotá Bike Tours. This allows you to see a lot of the city in a short time and learn more about Colombian culture.

This is where our journey comes to an end, and we take you to Bogotá Airport. An impressive and diverse journey through Colombia comes to an end.