You’ll spend 2 nights at a hotel in the capital Bogota, and 7 nights in simple hotels, haciendas or farmhouses along the trail. Rooms are normally shared between two riders and have a bathroom. Exceptionally there may be some rooms shared between 3 riders or with a shared bathroom.
Accommodation is simple as the route passes through areas with few tourists – please note there is no air conditioning, and hot water may be limited. But fans are available and there is normally wifi in the evenings.
Sleeping bags are not required.

Breakfast is served at hotels or eaten with locals. Lunch is either a picnic carried in saddlebags or a home-cooked meal with locals. Dinner is enjoyed at a restaurant or with locals, depending on the day's accommodation. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Breakfasts include eggs, bread, arepas, coffee, tea, chocolate, milk and fruit or juices of tropical fruits (Colombia has a wide variety and availability throughout the year, including pineapple, papaya, melon, mango, grapefruit, passion fruit, etc).

For lunch you can expect sandwiches, accompanied by crisps/snacks, and brownies or cookies for dessert. When possible, you’ll stop at local houses to enjoy home-cooked food, based on beef, pork or chicken accompanied by plantains and salad. Dinners typically include beef or chicken with potatoes, plantains, casava, salad and fruit.

Vegetarian and gluten-free diets can be catered for, but please let us know in advance. Unfortunately, vegan options can’t be accommodated on this trip. If you have allergies or other restrictions, please check with your advisor before booking.

WATER
Do not drink from unknown sources. You will be supplied with fresh water to drink.

Colombia is a tropical country, and weather often depends on the altitude and whether you’re visiting during the dry or rainy season.

Generally speaking, the higher the altitude the cooler the temperature. Bogotá is at 2,600m above sea level and so is rather cold all year round. Cartagena is at sea level and is warm all year round. On this trail, you will be riding in the Santander department which is between 1000 and 1,800m, with an average temperature of 20-30 °C.

In the Santander department, rain is becoming harder to predict, despite the dry and rainy seasons. Rides are planned all year round with rain not normally presenting an issue – but raincoats are a must throughout the season.

Tips are welcomed. We recommend around US$50 - $100 per rider, to be shared between local guides and drivers.

Please pack carefully and sensibly: the following guide is here to give you an idea of what to bring. Your luggage will be carried by a support vehicle during the ride. Please use a soft sided bag which can easily be transported. There is a weight limit of 23kgs for yor main bag. You can also bring a small backpack.

Head
- It is mandatory that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit.
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana

Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and are an extra layer
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Waterproof jacket

Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Casual trousers for the evenings, such as jeans or tracksuit bottoms

Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged.
- Waterproof shoes/boots can be useful if it’s muddy but are optional
- Trainers or equivalent light shoes for moving around in the evenings
- Socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the elements whilst riding.

Nightwear
- Pyjamas

Other useful items
- Swimsuit
- Cosmetics
- Towel - camping ones will both dry and pack more easily
- Small backpack for accessing items required during the day (carried by support crew)
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch
- Water bottle
- Small plastic bags for rubbish
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)
- Power bank

Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel

Other recommendations:
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes / any essentials and valuables in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- Please print copies of your passport and insurance documents and take them with you.
- Backpacks should not be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- Please take your rubbish home with you and try to leave excess packaging material at home before travelling.