COLOMBIA T HE CENT RAL ANDES MOUNTAINS, COCORA VALLEY AND T HE COFFEE REGION

Transcription

1 Colombia LUXURY 6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS TREKTRAVEL.COM COLOMBIA T HE CENT RAL ANDES MOUNTAINS, COCORA VALLEY AND T HE COFFEE REGION Lush green valleys. Iconic climbs. And of course, heavenly coffee. Welcome to cycling's newest old friend; the undiscovered country of Colombia. Here, the warm, friendly culture of a bygone era combines with sweeping terrain to provide a welcoming adventure with unbelievably good cycling. This isn't the Colombia you're used to hearing about, join Trek Travel as we slowly unpeel the layers of this South American cycling heaven. Whether it s the short, punchy climbs that test the fitness of the locals or the long ascents that have carved the Colombian champions of the European peloton, this region s got it all. We'll discover the serpentine byways of roads that transcend perfection. By night, we'll relax in two charming boutique hotels, gems of the area, with extra luxurious touches that make all the difference. And when we're not riding, we'll still be exploring-tasting coffee and avocados, visiting farms and roasters, and hiking the Cocora Valley. This certainly isn't the Colombia you'd expect; but it's exactly what you want. From $3899 Rider Type Active Hotel Style Luxury Duration 6 days 5 nights Start End Pereira, Colombia Dates 2 019/Mar/Apr TRIP WOWS Ride the climbs that the world's best climbers train on Stay in two small boutique hotels, one nestled in lush tropical gardens and one among fruit plantations in the Andes Mountains Learn about how coffee is grown and different methods for enjoying it on private tours and tastings Hike the gorgeous Cocora Valley, part of Los Nevados National Park, and see the iconic wax palm

2 Play Tejo, the explosive Colombian national sport DAILY ITINERARY C oc ora Va lle y t o E l C a st illo Approximately 25 miles with 1,400 Avoc a do P la nt a t ion t our As you land in Colombia, you're also stepping into a land steeped in romance, nostalgia and a culture that's inexorably bound to cycling. Your trip starts in Pereira, where you' ll meet your guides and guest counterparts at 10:00 AM. We'll board a one hour shuttle to Salento, and enjoy the first views of the Cocora Valley. We'll arrive at our destination at 11:00, and prepare for our first ride of the trip. Your guides will familiarize you with your Trek bike, including an informal fit session along with safety talks and expectations for the week. We'll enjoy a bite for lunch, get an insider's look at an avocado plantation and then set off on our bikes! This first ride will give you a taste of cycling in Colombia and will take us through Circasia, a quintessential Colombian village and great intro to the culture. After the ride, relax on a scenic shuttle to our hotel for the next few nights. This evening we'll gather for a social hour and dinner at the hotel. Hotel Hacienda Bambusa Lunch Social Hour Dinner V I E W M E E T I N G A N D D E PA R T I N G I N F O R M A T I O N» V I E W M E E T I N G A N D D E PA R T I N G I N F O R M A T I O N»

3 2 C a ic e donia t o E l C a im o Approximately 36 miles with 4,000 C of f e e B a pt ism a t C a f é S a n Albe rt o Our second day in Colombia is sure to amaze and inspire you. After breakfast, we'll board a shuttle to Caicedonia, another small town and our point of departure for the trip's second ride. The valley in front of us has inspired authors, explorers and visionaries with its lush, arid and majestic beauty, and it is sure to inspire you. After a challenging climb, we'll stop for lunch at a charming cafe along the way, and treat ourselves to a coffee baptism-a local ritual designed to educate travelers about the mystique of Colombian cof f ee while awakening their senses to its magic. Choose to ride farther or shuttle back to the hotel, and relax before tonight's dinner. Hotel Hacienda Bambusa 3 TODAY'S HIKE: C oc ora Va lle y H ike Approximately 7.5 miles Arra ya na l t o C oc ora Va lle y Approximately 12 miles with 2,500 P la y T e jo, t he C olom bia n na t iona l sport It's rise and shine for a big day today. It's our signature hike through the famed Corcora loop. We'll start early with a 90-minute shuttle to Sarento, where you can choose to a steep 12-mile road to the trailhead, or transfer like a local and jump in a Jeep Wiley to the start. The Cocora Valley is definitely among one of the most unique, picturesque destinations in Colombia. 180-f oot wax palms shoot into the sky and practically reach the heavens, while the valley below you is vast and undisturbed. Get some photos, watch f or hummingbirds and push your legs to their limits. We'll take a Jeep back to Salento in time for lunch and a game of Tejo, a fun and frenetic local sport. Afterward you'll have time to explore Salento if you'd like. We'll board a shuttle to our new hotel late in the afternoon, and meet again that evening for dinner at our new home for the next 3 nights:. 4 C a rt a go t o Va lle de l C a uc a Approximately 25 miles with 2,700 C of f e e Ta st ing a t C a f é G ra na t e There's nothing like a ride to stretch your legs after a hike, and we've got a beautiful route scheduled for today. After breakfast, we'll shuttle to Cartago, from where we'll start our ride across fields of sugar cane. Stop to sample some sugar cane juice along the way and take in the views as we pedal to the church of Valle del Cauca. From there we'll board a quick shuttle to lunch and a tasting of this region's most authentic coffees at Café Granate. Then it's off to our peaceful hotel for some R&R and a group dinner later that evening.

4 5 C a sa de l C horiz o t o R e st a ura nt e Mira dor Approximately 44 miles with 4,400 Our last full day in the region will be a full-bodied sample of Colombia's best riding. Today we mount our bikes for the longest ride of the week-44 miles and 4,000 from Sazagua to Casa del Chorizo. This challenging route will test your legs, but we promise the views will be worth it! Our ride passes through beautiful Finlandia for lunch, a little shopping and an awe-inspiring view at the town's scenic overlook. Then, it's back on the bike if you'd like or straight to the hotel via shuttle for some downtime before a very special social hour, dinner and bonfire. We'll toast a week of adventure and the new relationships we've made! Breakfast Lunch Social Hour Dinner 6 E xot ic Fruit Ta st ing What better way to say goodbye to this special country than with a flight of exotic fruit awaiting you for breakfast on your final morning? We'll sample it all before saying our final goodbyes. At 10:00 AM, you'll board a private shuttle f or a 15-minute ride f rom to Mateçana International Airport. Please do not schedule any flights before noon. Alternatively, choose to stay three days more for the chance to ride Alto de Letras, the longest climb in the world! See our add-on option for more information. Breakfast C oc ora Va lle y t o E l C a st illo Approximately 25 miles with 1,400 As you land in Colombia, you're also stepping into a land steeped in romance, nostalgia and a culture that's inexorably bound to cycling. Your trip starts in Pereira, where you' ll meet your guides and guest counterparts at 10:00 AM. We'll board a one hour shuttle to Salento, and enjoy the first views of the Cocora Valley. We'll arrive at our destination at 11:00, and prepare for our first ride of the trip. Your guides will familiarize you with your Trek bike, including an informal fit session along with safety talks and expectations for the week. We'll enjoy a bite for lunch at an avocado plantation and then set off on our bikes! This first ride will give you a taste of cycling in Colombia and will take us through Circasia, a quintessential Colombian village and great intro to the culture. After the ride, relax on a scenic shuttle to our hotel for the next few nights. This evening we'll gather for a social hour and dinner at the hotel. Hotel Hacienda Bambusa Lunch Social Hour Dinner V I E W M E E T I N G A N D D E PA R T I N G I N F O R M A T I O N» V I E W M E E T I N G A N D D E PA R T I N G I N F O R M A T I O N»

5 2 C a ic e donia t o E l C a im o Approximately 36 miles with 4,000 Our second day in Colombia is sure to amaze and inspire you. After breakfast, we'll board a shuttle to Caicedonia, another small town and our point of departure for the trip's second ride. The valley in front of us has inspired authors, explorers and visionaries with its lush, arid and majestic beauty, and it is sure to inspire you. After a challenging climb, we'll stop for lunch at a charming cafe along the way, then later treat ourselves to a coffee with a view from Cafe San Alberto. Choose to ride farther or shuttle back to the hotel, and relax before tonight's dinner. Hotel Hacienda Bambusa 3 TODAY'S HIKE: C oc ora Va lle y H ike Approximately 7.5 miles Arra ya na l t o C oc ora Va lle y Approximately 12 miles with 2,500 P la y T e jo, t he C olom bia n na t iona l sport It's rise and shine for a big day today. It's our signature hike through the famed Corcora loop. We'll start early with a 90-minute shuttle to Sarento, where you can choose to a steep 12-mile road to the trailhead, or transfer like a local and jump in a Jeep Wiley to the start. The Cocora Valley is definitely among one of the most unique, picturesque destinations in Colombia. 180-f oot wax palms shoot into the sky and practically reach the heavens, while the valley below you is vast and undisturbed. Get some photos, watch f or hummingbirds and push your legs to their limits. We'll take a Jeep back to Salento in time for lunch and a game of Tejo, a fun and frenetic local sport. Afterward you'll have time to explore Salento if you'd like. We'll board a shuttle to our new hotel late in the afternoon, and meet again that evening for dinner at our new home for the next 3 nights:. 4 C a rt a go t o Va lle de l C a uc a Approximately 25 miles with 2,700 C of f e e Ta st ing a t C a f é G ra na t e There's nothing like a ride to stretch your legs after a hike, and we've got a beautiful route scheduled for today. After breakfast, we'll shuttle to Cartago, from where we'll start our ride across fields of sugar cane. Stop to sample some sugar cane juice along the way and take in the views as we pedal to the church of Valle del Cauca. From there we'll board a quick shuttle to lunch and a tasting of this region's most authentic coffees at Café Granate. Then it's off to our peaceful hotel for some R&R and a group dinner later that evening.

6 5 C a sa de l C horiz o t o R e st a ura nt e Mira dor Approximately 44 miles with 4,400 Our last full day in the region will be a full-bodied sample of Colombia's best riding. Today we mount our bikes for the longest ride of the week-44 miles and 4,000 from Sazagua to Casa del Chorizo. This challenging route will test your legs, but we promise the views will be worth it! Our ride passes through beautiful Finlandia for lunch, a little shopping and an awe-inspiring view at the town's scenic overlook. Then, it's back on the bike if you'd like or straight to the hotel via shuttle for some downtime before a very special social hour, dinner and bonfire. We'll toast a week of adventure and the new relationships we've made! Breakfast Lunch Social Hour Dinner 6 E xot ic Fruit Ta st ing a nd T ra pic he Tour What better way to say goodbye to this special country than with a flight of exotic fruit awaiting you for breakfast on your final morning? After breakfast, we'll learn about sugar cane production on our private Trapiche Tour. We'll then say our final goodbyes at 10:00 AM when you'll board a private shuttle for a 15-minute ride from Hotel Sazagua to Mateçana International Airport. Please do not schedule any f lights bef ore noon. Alternatively, choose to stay three days more for the chance to ride Alto de Letras, the longest climb in the world! See our add-on option for more information. Breakfast MEDELLIN ADD ON PACKAGE ADD ON ACTIV ITY: D isc ove r Me de llín and Romera Ecological Park PRICE: $ pe r pe rson $200 single occupancy upgrade DURATION: 3 da ys, 2 night s 1-3 Upon arrival to the Medellín airport, you' ll transf er by private shuttle into the city of Medellín where you' ll enjoy an afternoon tour and explore any of the following attractions: a Cable Car ride, Comuna 13, Botero Square and Antioquia Museum. On day two, we'll hike with a guide to an ecological park in the corner of the Aburrá Valley called Reserva La Romera. On the final day, enjoy breakfast at the hotel or in the city before boarding a private shuttle back to the Medellín airport. Hotel Patio del Mundo 2 Breakfasts 1 Lunch LETRAS ADD ON PACKAGE

7 1 ADD ON ACTIV ITY: C lim b Alt o de L e t ra s Approximately 50 miles and 12,500 PRICE: $ pe r pe rson $200 single occupancy upgrade DURATION: 3 da ys, 2 night s First, we will transfer by private shuttle from to Mariquita. After a 4.5 hour drive (during which we'll stop for lunch), hop on your included Domane SL 7 and stretch your legs in preparation for tomorrow's big ride. We'll then dine at the hotel this evening. On day two, wake early to start the climb up Letras! This climb is the longest in the world, at 50 miles in length and 13,000 feet of elevation gain. Celebrate at the top, enjoy a welldeserved lunch and then shuttle to your hotel where you can bask in the thermal hot springs to help you recover. We'll dine at the hotel this evening as well. On the final day, you'll depart on a private transfer to the Pereira Airport. HOTELS: Hotel Posada Las Trampas and Hotel Termales del Ruiz 2 Breakfasts 2 Lunches 2 dinners Snacks and drinks for the ride WHAT'S INCLUDED For us, the details matter most Every moment of a Trek Travel bike trip has more than you could have ever dreamed. More romance. More scenery. More choice. It's the little additions to every Trek Travel cycling vacation that make it truly special. And that's how we help you creat e more memories. What's Included 5 nights of accommodation at handpicked hotels Two experienced guides t o provide local knowledge, support, and camaraderie Daily route support with both guides and our support van Daily breakfast, 5 lunches and 5 dinners 2 social hours of drinks and hors d'oeuvres Ride a Trek Domane SL 7 Up to three daily route options on riding days Snacks and drinks for each day's ride Trek Travel Bont rager cycling jersey and socks t o keep Trek Travel water bottles to keep Each bike is equipped with a Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer, flat pack, front and rear Bontrager Flare R lights, a Bont rager saddle and pedals (Shimano clipless road pedals, Shimano clipless mount ain pedals, caged or flat pedals) All gratuities for drivers, local experts and hospitality staff All luggage t ransfers and t ransport at ion during your t rip A personalized photobook of your trip Entrance fees for all activities, private tours and events Gear Trek Domane SL 7 carbon road bike with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting Trek Travel Bont rager cycling jersey and socks t o keep Trek Travel water bottles to keep Shimano clipless road pedals, Shimano clipless mount ain pedals, caged or flat pedals Bont rager helmet and saddle Bontrager front and rear Flare R lights and a flat pack Garmin Edge 1030 GPS comput er Upgrade your bike to include carbon wheels (+$200) Coupon valued up to $500 off a new Trek Bicycle. Your coupon will be delivered via prior to your trip. You may bring your own pedals and saddle on the trip. Your guides will install your gear on the first day during your bike fit. T HANK YOUR GUIDES, BY T IPPING Grat uit ies for your Trek Travel guides are not included in your t rip price. We recommend t ipping % of your t rip price for the guide team. Local currency is preferred and unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips amongst t hemselves. Please t ip your guides at your discret ion, based on t heir level of professionalism, guest care and service.

8 What s Not Included Airfare and transportation to and from the trip pick-up/drop-off locations Lodging before and after the trip Personal it ems purchased during t he t rip Opt ional act ivit ies not scheduled by Trek Travel On select trips some meals are not included. On these trips, Trek Travel invites you to explore the local cuisine at your leisure. HOTELS HOT EL HACIENDA BAMBUS A AR M EN I A, Q U I N D Í O, CO LO M B I A A small bout ique luxury hot el built of bamboo and clay, t his hacienda is nestled in the Central Andes Mount ain range among plant ain, orange, and pineapple plant at ions. It is surrounded by lush carefully t ended gardens and provides t he perfect sanctuary from the daily grind. HOT EL BOUT IQUE S AZAGUA PER EI R A, CO LO M B I A Designed in t he colonial st yle, t his boutique hotel features antique furniture and a natural-style spa built wit h locally sourced materials. Its garden features palms and ot her t ropical plant s, and its rooms includes all the amenities of home, and a little somet hing ext ra. MEETING & DEPARTING How To Get There We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the trip start, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-relat ed delays. We recommend that you fly into Mat eçana Int ernat ional Airport (PEI). From Mat eçana Int ernat ional Airport, you can take a taxi to Hot el Sonest a Pereira for approximat ely $10, and it will t ake approximat ely fift een minut es. Meeting Time And Location Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Hotel Sonesta Pereira (Km 7 Vía Cerritos, Pereira, Colombia) at 10:00 AM on the first day of the trip. From Hotel Sonest Pereira, we will shuttle approximately one hour to Salento. Please have your riding gear in your carry-on and separat e from your luggage. When we arrive, you'll have a chance to visit an avocado plantation and have lunch. Your guides will also fit you t o your bikes and before long, you'll be off on your first ride of the week! If you will be late for the pick-up or are going to miss it altogether, please inform your guides. You will receive an a week before the trip start with their names and contact details. If you cannot reach them, please call our first hot el, Hot el Hacienda Bambusa ( ), and leave a message wit h your expect ed arrival t ime and cont act det ails. Departing Time And Location You will say farewell to your guides at 10:00 AM at the Hotel Boutique Sazagua and take a short private shuttle to the Mateçana International Airport, arriving around 10:30 AM. Please do not schedule any flight s before

9 noon. Alternatively, choose to stay three days more for the chance to ride Alto de Letras, the longest climb in the world! See our add-on option it ineraries for more informat ion. THE CH ARLEE Before: Medellín, Colombia When you set foot in Medellin, you'll underst and why it's known as the City of Eternal Spring. Its temperate climate attracts visit ors and expat riat es alike. Set in the Aburrá Valley in the Andes Mountains, the city is surrounded by seven lush hills and features the bustling activity of a city twice its size. A perfect t ravel dest inat ion, it is an outdoor mecca and a hotbed of cultural activity where you can experience cut t ing edge art and archit ect ure as well as enjoy the hottest cuisine. It was chosen as one of the world's most innovative cities in 2013, and continues to grow in popularity as more people are drawn to its blend of tradition and innovation. We recommend t he following accommodat ions for your pre-t rip hot el: This elegant hotel in the heart of Medellín features a beautiful collection of art work in t he rooms and common areas (pict ured above). hecharlee.com/home $210 PARK 1 0 HOTEL This contemporary hotel in the city of eternal spring features spacious rooms, two restaurants and a spa. elpark10.com.co $150 PATIO DEL MUNDO This lovingly restored villa in the heart of Medellín features a lush tropical garden and beautiful views. iodelmundo.com $150 FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CASA MEDIN A After: Bogotá, Colombia Bogotá is a vibrant and sophisticated city, great to explore for the culture, history, food and out door experiences. It s hist orical cent er, La Candelaria, will welcome you with its cobbled st reet s, well preserved colonial buildings, museums, rest aurant s and shopping. We recommend t he following accommodat ions for your post-trip hotel: Nestled in the Zona G, the epicenter of fine cuisine in Bogotá, this stately hotel is recognized as one of the city's finest (pictured above). acm $450 SOFITEL VICTORIA REGIA This French style hotel combines the classic and contemporary in one luxurious experience locat ed in one of t he most exclusive neighborhoods of the city. el.accorhot els.com/gb/hot el-0561-sofit el-bogot a-vict oriaregia/index.shtml $200 MERCURE BOGOTÁ BH RE TIRO Located close to the T zone, one of the cities most vibrant neighborhoods, this modern hotel will be a comfortable base from which to explore Bogotá. els.com/gb/hot el-a536-mercure-bogot a-bh-ret iro/index.sht ml $100 * Hotels listed above are loc al properties we love. We do not have spec ial rates available.

10 FAQS What Are The Daily Rides Like? Rider Type 3 - Active Average Daily Mileage 24 Terrain Hilly Average Daily Elevat ion 2,500 feet Total Miles 142 Tot al Elevat ion 15,000 feet Averages and totals are calculated from our "Today s Ride" opt ions. The terrain is varied with some mount ainous areas and occasional steep climbs. Some days the hills are short and rolling while ot hers include sust ained climbing. Colombia is best suit ed for our Type 3 Riders. Our Trek Travel guides can also easily accommodat e Type 2 Riders, who seek less mileage or fewer uphills, with a boost in the van. Type 4+ Riders will enjoy the extra mileage the avid route options offer. What are the options for a non-rider travel companion? On most Trek Travel trips, we offer non-riding options for riders who want to take the afternoon off, or travel companions who want to spend little or no time in the saddle. Some of these options may need to be scheduled before your trip please contact one of our Trip Consultants for more information. Expenses and/or related transportation to these activities may not be included in the trip price. Some non-riding options on this trip are: Tour an avocado plantation Experience a coffee baptism Explore in a Jeep Wily Hike the Cocora Valley Play the local sport of Tejo Tour a coffee plantation and taste its finest samples Savor exot ic, locally-sourced fruit s. Trip Changes See itinerary for specific daily ride distances and elevation options. On all of our vacat ions, Trek Travel st rives t o find quiet, paved secondary roads or bike paths to experience a region; busy roads are avoided as much as possible. Our itineraries are an approximation of our trips. Trek Travel strives to offer every guest a vacation of a lifetime on every trip. At times routes, hotels, activities, etc. listed here may change at the discretion of the trip designer or guides to improve the trip experience.