Colombia Multi-Sport

Soaring Andean summits, enigmatic Amazon jungle, roaring rivers and waterfalls, pre-Columbian architecture and multi-cultural communities. Colombia boasts all of South America’s allure, and more. Colombia’s equatorial position affords it a diversity of landscapes matched by few countries. Our trip starts in Bogotá, the bustling cradle of Colombia and third-highest capital city in the world. Throw in another few thousand meters and you’ll find snow-capped peaks, high-altitude lakes and the eerie, unique vegetation of the paramo (high-mountain plains). Colombia’s varied terrain is fertile ground for outdoor adventurers to dive, climb, raft, hike and soar. Colombia boasts alfresco pleasures in all corners, but San Gil is the undisputed adventure capital.

Our multi-sport adventure focuses on the central northern part of Colombia, in the Andean region between Boyaca and Antioquia. Known as Santander, this region is nestled between two mountain ranges, the western (Cordillera Occidental) and the eastern (Cordillera Oriental) and is famous for its wide array of adventure activities and beautiful natural landscapes. Arguably the crown jewel, the Chicamocha Canyon is located 54 km by car from the capital of Bucaramanga at an altitude of 1450 meters above sea level.

Our week of adventures includes tandem paragliding, river rafting Class III-IV (and even optional class V), mountain biking, rappelling, caving, hiking, paddle boarding and tubing. At the day’s end, you’ll return to comfortable accommodations ranging from coffee plantation estates, to jungle cabins and boutique hotels with poolside lounges and private chef. You can rest assured, where ever we hang our hat each night, you can expect beautiful sunsets surrounded by the Colombian mountains, refreshing drinks and outstanding meals.

Our trip also explores Barichara, which is situated at an altitude of 1288 meters above sea level and offers an idyllic climate for adventuring. Founded in 1701, Barichara has a population of 7000 inhabitants and its often referred to as Colombia’s prettiest town. With its cobbled roads lined with beautiful colonial houses, Barichara is one of the few places that has stood the test of time. Ironically, Barichara means a “place of rest” in the ancient Guane indigenous language, but in fairness, the Guane had never been on a ROAM multi-sport adventure before!

Itinerary at a Glance

• Arrive Bogota, Colombia and shuttle to your hotel, check in and meet for welcome dinner and drinks
• Tour Bogota, ride the Monserrate gondola for an outstanding view of the city before afternoon flight to Bucaramunga
• Shuttle to Mesa de los Santos and check in to your accommodations in an organic coffee plantation
• After a delicious breakfast and tasting event, hike into Chicamocha Canyon and on to Tamarindo Eco Lodge
• Raft the Class III-IV rapids of Chicamocha River before an adventurous 4×4 drive to Barichara
• Enjoy a more mellow day as we tour Barichara and area. Learn about Colombian history; take a painting workshop
• Explore the province of Santander by mountain bike before attending a Colombian cooking class
• Rappel down a 180-meter waterfall to swim in calm pools then raft the Class III+ Fonce River
• Travel to Panachi National Park to tandem paraglide with certified instructors
• Fly through one of the largest canyons in South America before enjoying a scenic gondola ride back to Mesa de los Santos
• Return flight to Bogota for a farewell dinner and a final night’s sleep in this hospitable and adventurous nation
• After breakfast shuttle to the airport for flights home or your next adventure

What’s Included:

• Accommodation for 8 nights (see accommodations below)
• Professional guides and equipment
• All your meals as outlined in the itinerary
• Daily Happy hour and two drinks with dinner
• Private hikes, mountain biking, SUP, raft or inflatable kayaking
• 4×4 tour, paragliding and rappelling
• Cooking and painting classes, bilingual guides (Spanish/English)
• Entrance fee to all Parks
• All internal air and land transfers

What to Expect on your Colombia Multi-Sport Adventure

Day One: Arrive in Bogota the capital of Colombia

Today is your arrival day into Colombia. Once you’ve cleared customs, you can take a short complimentary shuttle to the nearby Hotel Habitel. There will be a room waiting for you under your name. Tonight, we’ll meet at 7pm in the lobby for drinks and a welcome dinner.

Overnight Hotel Habitel

Day Two: City tour of Bogota, flight to Bucaramunga

We’ll have a big breakfast for a busy day ahead. Today, we will visit the Gold Museum, ride the Monserrate gondola for an incredible view of the city, then grab a tasty lunch in the famous Candelaria region. In the afternoon, we will zip back to the airport for a domestic flight to Bucaramunga, where our adventures truly begin as we travel to Mesa de los Santos and check into Hacienda el Roble, an organic coffee plantation, where we will dine and spend the night.

Overnight Hacienda el Roble

Day Three: Coffee tour, hike and jungle arrival

This morning we will have a glorious breakfast, a coffee tour and tasting event. After lunch we will depart on a hike while our bags are shuttled to our next destination. The hike into the Chicamocha Canyon follows an ancestral pathway all the way down to our next lodgings, El Tamarindo Eco Lodge. Upon arrival you will be enveloped in an atmosphere of tranquility and nature surrounded by natural pools.

Overnight El Tamarindo Eco Lodge

Day Four: Whitewater Rafting the Chicamocha River

Wake up to the sound of birds, Colombian coffee and get ready for the thrill of a lifetime. Today, you will learn about the history of Colombia while exploring some amazing Class III-IV rapids in the Chicamocha Canyon. This canyon is well known for its high cliffs that formed around 30 million years ago. The river is breathtaking and rarely traveled. We’ll stop at a beautiful beach for snacks and eventually lunch at the takeout and confluence of the Suarez River. Climbing out of the Chicamocha Canyon in our 4×4’s is also part of the adventure as we wind our way up with stops for incredible views.

Overnight at a boutique hotel in Barichara

Day Five: Hike and/or artisan experience

Today will be a more mellow hike as you recuperate from your last few days of adventuring. Guests will experience a completely different part of Barichara, as you explore colonial trails taking in the scenic views. Expect to learn a lot about Colombian history as you travel through charming little towns and local farms. Today we’ll be treated to views of the Suarez Canyon as we hike down to Guane. Discover your inner artist with the painting workshop using different colors of the earth native to Santander and indulge in the flavors of authentic Colombian food along the way.

Overnight Barichara

Day Six: Mountain biking the Colombian countryside, cooking class

Be ready to explore the unique terrain of the province of Santander. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and cliff faces that will get your adrenaline pumping, these trails are sure to take your breath away in the best kind of way. Today’s ride would be the equivalent of blue level trails in North America. You’ll spend the night immersing yourself in true Colombian culture mingling with the locals in the small towns of this farmland community. The day will end with a culinary adventure as you learn to cook Colombian cuisine.

Overnight Hotel Yahri

Day Seven: Whitewater rafting the Rio Fonce, rappelling Cascadas de Juan Curi

The day’s excitement starts with a mellow hike and rappelling down a spectacular 180 meter waterfall where you can swim and relax in the natural pools. Later, you will raft the class III+ Fonce River and challenge her rapids by raft, SUP or inflatable kayak. You will truly appreciate the incredibly lush vegetation and rich lands that surround this river valley.

Overnight Hotel Yahri

Day Eight: Paragliding, gondolas and scenic splendor

After breakfast we’ll make the trip to Panachi National Park to tandem paraglide with certified instructors through one of the largest canyons on the American continent. You’ll fly effortlessly like a condor soaking up the vistas and land in a beautiful river valley. From here, we’ll take a scenic gondola ride back to Mesa de los Santos and shuttle back to Bucaramanga for flights to Bogota. Tonight, we’ll have a farewell dinner and toast to our incredible experiences and the wonderful people of Colombia we’ve met along the way.

Dinner and overnight Hotel Habitel

Day Nine: Departure

After breakfast you can take the shuttle to the airport for flights home or onward to other adventures in Colombia or neighbouring Ecuador, yet another ROAM Adventure hotspot!

Accommodations:

Hotel Habitel | Bogota

Hacienda el Roble | Mesa de los Santos

El Tamarindo Eco Lodge | Chicamoca River

Hotel Yahri | Barichara