The Best Bike Routes in South America – Departures.com

February 4, 2019

Central Andes, Colombia
Nicknamed the land of climbers for its steep hills, Colombia has produced some of the Tour de France’s top competitors. Trek Travel has created an itinerary that lets you test your mettle on the climbs that the pros train on. You’ll be cycling through Colombian coffee country, which means plenty of stops to caffeinate at local cafes and on tours of coffee farms. Bragging rights will be earned the final day, when riders climb 4,400 feet over 44 miles from Sazagua to Caz del Chorizo.

Trek Travel — E-Bike Maximum Assisted Speeds
E-bike maximum assisted speeds

Most countries cap pedal-assist at 15 mph (25 km/h). The US, Canada, and New Zealand allow more. Here's where each Trek Travel e-bike tops out.

28 mph · 45 km/h

United States & New Zealand

Verve+ (NZ only) Checkpoint+
20 mph · 32 km/h

United States & Canada

Verve+
15 mph · 25 km/h

All other countries

Verve+ Checkpoint+ Domane+ Allant+

Speeds shown are pedal-assist cutoffs in accordance with each country's local regulations. Riders can always pedal beyond these speeds — the motor simply stops providing assistance.

Private

This date is reserved for a private group.

Please call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735 for help in finding another trip or date.

Hotel Differences

Trek Travel offers three hotel levels to match your style. Luxury hotels provide elegant, thoughtful touches with exceptional hospitality. Explorer hotels blend modern amenities with local charm in unique settings. Comfort hotels are casual and conveniently located near Trek Travel activities.

Activity Levels

Learn about activity levels here

Level 1:

Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Level 2:

Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Level 3:

Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Level 4:

Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel: 4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic Bike:

Explore beautiful destinations with a curated blend of guided activities, local cuisine, handpicked accommodations, and itineraries to suit every traveler, from laid-back adventures to luxurious escapes.

Gravel:

Venture off the beaten path to unforgettable places, with fully-supported routes that combine gravel and paved roads in classic Trek Travel style.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Pro Race:

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Hiking & Walking:

Step into adventure with carefully designed routes, unparalleled hospitality, and deep-routed local connections.

Ride Camp:

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

Self-Guided:

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself