What's Included:
Our trips and rentals include reliable easy to ride motorcycles, all riding gear, beautiful hotels, and off-the-beaten-path locations for an authentic experience Colombian experience.
✓ Adventure Motorcycle
✓ Unlimited Mileage
✓ Accommodations in hotels
✓ All airport and hotel transfers
✓ Fuel and road tolls
✓ Protective gear including helmet, jacket, gloves, knee protection
✓ Rain Gear
✓ Cellphone holder
✓ Wireless / USB Charger
✓ Basic emergency medical insurance
✓ High-quality 50 liter dry bags
✓ Locking 50 liter top box
✓ Tire repair kit including electric air pump and tire tubes
✓ Luggage storage at our office
✓ 24 hour customer support for any needs or emergencies during the trip.
Not Included in Guided Trips:
❌ Lunch and Dinner
❌ Alcoholic Beverages
7 DAY / COLOMBIA ROUTE 60
Journey to the Lost Emerald City. A True Off-Road Motorcycle Adventure on the Backroads of Colombia
VISIT GUATAPE, CIMITARRA, FLORIAN, MUZO, LA DORADA AND MEDELLIN
TOTAL DISTANCE / 817 km (507 mi)
RIDING CONDITIONS / 50% Paved / 50% Off-Road
SKILL LEVEL / Intermediate
MAX ELEVATION / 123 m (404 ft)
MIN ELEVATION / 919 m (3015 ft)
HIGHLIGHTS
Closed to the public for years. Now open for the first time in decades.
Buy emeralds from miners in the field
Off-road motorcycle riding
Off-the-beaten-path
Waterfall in mountain top cave
Majestic views around every corner
Mine for your own emeralds
Visit rarely visited towns and villages
Great food, beer, and rum!
RIDE DESCRIPTION
VISIT THE WORLD CAPITAL OF EMERALDS
A unique experience to what was formerly the most dangerous place in Colombia Deep in the rugged eastern portion of the Colombian Andes in the department of Boyaca lies the town of Muzo, known as the Emerald Capital of The World.
Of all the emeralds in the world, most of them come from Colombia. It is estimated that Colombia accounts for 70-90% of the world's emerald market. Deep in the eastern portion of the Colombian Andes lies the department of Boyacá, known as the world capital of Emeralds.
Drive off-road through rugged terrain, cross mountain ranges, and streams see amazing vistas and waterfalls, and finally get the chance to and interact with local emerald miners. You can even buy emeralds directly from the miners in the field!
Truly a once in a lifetime adventure and completely different than any other trip you have ever taken. The perfect South America motorcycle tour to hang out with your friends and experience a remote and rarely seen part of Colombia.
We've been there, it's safe, and our clients find it one of the most interesting and fascinating places to discover.
Now grab some buddies, and let's go on an adventure motorcycle tour in Colombia!
What to Expect:
Our routes are made for intermediate riders.
The mild off-road sections are simply unpaved roads where cars can easily drive.
Rides are at a relaxed pace and our guides are very patient with everyone.
We calculate 5 hours of actual driving time per day but with stops for pictures, breaks and lunch, each day is a full 8 hours of being out and about.
There is always plenty of time to explore the towns and have a nice relaxing meal after we arrive.
ROUTE MAPS & NOTES
IS COLOMBIA SAFE?
The answer is a resounding YES. Colombia is exactly the opposite of what Netflix Narcos series portrays. People have to realize that Pablo Escobar was killed three decades ago. We've led hundreds of tours around the country and have never had any problems with security.
Anthony Bourdain summed it up perfectly:
"If you want to find bad people in Colombia, you can surely find them, as you could in New York or Los Angeles. But nowhere have my crew and I been treated better or with more kindness and generosity. I'd bring my family on vacation there in a heartbeat. And hope to soon. As I said before: Colombians are proud. Let them show you what they are proud of."
ITINERARY
Day 1 / Arrival in Medellin
Recommended Hotel:
Inntu Hotel Laureles
Courtesy airport pickup: Upon arrival at the José María Córdova International Airport, a driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a sign with your name and wearing a fluorescent shirt for easy identification. They will then take you directly to the Inntu Hotel in the Laureles neighborhood.
The Inntu Hotel is located in the trendy Laureles neighborhood of Medellin, a vibrant area known for its tree-lined streets, outdoor cafes, and eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. The hotel itself is a contemporary, eco-friendly property that offers guests a comfortable and stylish stay, with amenities such as a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city, a fitness center, and a restaurant serving organic cuisine. The neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a lively and authentic Medellin experience with plenty of opportunities for exploring, shopping, and dining. Its central location also makes it an ideal base for visitors to explore other areas of the city, with easy access to major attractions.
THREE BOOKING OPTIONS
① All-Inclusive Guided Tours
Our all-inclusive tours include a knowledgeable local guide / mechanic, fully prepped adventure motorcycle, motorcycle gear, prepaid and booked hotels. Single occupancy hotel rooms- your own private room each night at no extra charge.
② Motorcycle + Hotels
(aka Self-Guided + Hotels)
Our self-guided tours include a fully prepped adventure motorcycle, prepaid and booked hotels, motorcycle gear, detailed route map, and 24-hour customer support. Single occupancy hotel rooms- your own private room each night at no extra charge.
③ Motorcycle Rental Only
(aka Self-Guided)
Fully prepped adventure motorcycle rental. All motorcycle gear included as well as 24-hour customer support. Explore on your own or with a group of friends. Let us help you plan a great trip.
FEATURED IN
Day 2 / Medellin to Cimtrarra
Leave Medellin in the morning and head off through Bello, Antioquia as we wind our way through the mountains of Colombia. After coming down from one mountain range we spend the night on the edge of the Magdelena River as we rest up for the next day.
Recommended Hotel:
Hotel Alkala
Overnight Parking:
Hotel Alkala
Day 3 / Cimitarra to Windows of Tisquizoque
After breakfast and large coffee, we cross the hot plains and begin our ascent into Colombia's wild Cordillera Oriental mountain range. We drive to Florian, Santander home of the Windows of Tisquizoque, a remote and rarely visited three-tiered waterfall plummets from a mountain cave with amazing views over the countryside. We will spend the day exploring the huge 650ft cave, taking pictures, and swimming in the pool below the waterfall.
Recommended Hotel:
Thysqua Refugio
Overnight Parking:
Thysqua Refugio
Day 4 / Florian to Muzo, Boyacá
Recommended Hotel:
Hotel Cristal
Overnight Parking:
Hotel Cristal
Today we take the motorcycles to Muzo, Boyacá the world capital of emeralds. These emerald mines have been in operation since 1594 when the Spanish conquered the Chibchan Indians. Muzo is known not only for the number of emeralds it produces but also for their superb quality and color with the Muzo mine producing the world's highest quality gems known for their warm, grassy-green color, with hints of yellow. Muzo is also the source of the Atocha emeralds.
The Atocha Emeralds
The Atocha Emeralds refer to the Emeralds originally of Muzo and Chivor origins in Colombia, which were rediscovered from the high profile shipwreck of the Spanish treasure galleon, the “Nuestra Senora de Atocha” which sank in a hurricane off the coast of Florida on September 6, 1622, about 35 miles (56 km) west of Key West.
The “Atocha” was only, one of 28 ships that constituted the Spanish treasure fleet, Tierra Firme, that left Havana for Spain on September 4th, 1622. The holds of the ships carried the wealth of an Empire, consisting of gold and emeralds from Colombia, silver from Peru and Mexico, pearls from Venezuela, and gemstones from Brazil. However, the most richly laden of all the ships was the “Atocha” whose astonishing cargo consisted of 125 gold bars and discs, 24 tons of silver bullion in the form of 1038 ingots, 180,000 pesos of silver coins, and dozens of chests of emeralds and other gemstones.
The total weight of emeralds carried by the “Nuestra Senora de Atocha” in several chests was estimated to be around 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg), equivalent to 135,000-160,000 carats. Out of this only around 6 pounds (2.7 kg) of emeralds have been re-discovered, equivalent to about 13,500 carats. This represents about 6,000 uncut rough emeralds.
On July 20, 1985, Mel Fisher discovered the shipwreck of the Nuestra Senora De Atocha off the Florida Keys. The cargo's value was estimated to be worth around $400 million making it the most valuable shipwreck in history.
This is a rare trapache emerald, an emerald that was infused by carbon during its formation, causing the emerald to split off on each crystal face, causing a sort of gem flower.
Day 5 / Emerald Mining in Muzo, Boyacá
Recommended Hotel:
Hotel Cristal
Overnight Parking:
Hotel Cristal
Today we visit the Emerald mining area. In the 1980s drug dealers fought the country's leading emerald mining families for rights to the emeralds. The mine owners fought back, turning Muzo into the most dangerous place in Colombia, and by the end of the decade, more than 6,000 people had been killed. Inevitably - as is often the case in Colombia - many of them were civilians caught up in the gun battles between rival paramilitary forces.
Now Muzo is a peaceful and beautiful place where we will be able to watch informal emerald miners known as guaqeros scour the river beds along the Itoco river in the Muzo valley in search of precious stones. This is a great opportunity for documentary photography as well as a chance to speak with emerald miners about life in the mining camps and surrounding areas.
Day 6 / Muzo to Doradal
Recommended Hotel:
Hotel Monte Bello
Overnight Parking:
Hotel Monte Bello
The adventure isn't over yet. Get ready for off-road motorcycle riding as we leave from Muzo and drive through the heart of the Colombian Emerald mining zone passing through the towns of Coscuez and Otanche. The area is extremely remote but at the same time very beautiful and awe-inspiring.
Day 7 / Doradal to Medellin
Recommended Hotel:
Diez Hotel Categoria
Today wind through the mountains before winding up into the mountain range of Medellin and ending the trip back home in beautiful Medellin.
