medellin to the coffee area, 12 days - cfm...
TRANSCRIPT
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