COLOMBIA

Starting your exciting adventure, Stage 1 takes you on a 15 km cycling journey through Colombia's Tatacoa Desert. Ride along gently uphill gravel roads surrounded by stunning red and grey rock formations, rugged canyons, and vast semi-arid plains.

Stage 2 involves a 16 km ascent to Alto El Verjón, just east of Bogotá, with a 690-meter elevation gain. You will experience hairpin turns, diverse ecosystems like cloud forests and páramo, and stunning views of the city.

Conquer Stage 3 next, which features a 16 km climb to Nevado del Ruiz in Caldas, with a 918-meter elevation gain. As you ascend through lush coffee plantations in Manizales, part of Colombia's Coffee Triangle, you'll approach the active stratovolcano near a national park. Here, you'll reach high-altitude páramo, home to unique flora like the 'frailejones.'

Next, Stage 4 features an 18-kilometer ride on the Rionegro–San Vicente Ferrer route, with a 367-meter elevation gain and gentle climbs. Located near San Vicente Ferrer in Antioquia, this scenic stretch offers rolling green hills, forests, and farmland. It showcases the picturesque rural landscape and expansive views of the valleys and distant mountains typical of the Antioquian highlands.

Stage 5 is a feast for the eyes, taking you through El Peñol-Guatapé, featuring the iconic El Peñol Rock and the colourful town of Guatapé in Antioquia. This undulating 18 km route includes a 345-meter ascent and showcases the stunning granite monolith with its 708-step stairway, along with views of the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir. Guatapé is renowned for its vibrant buildings adorned with zócalos—hand-painted designs reflecting local culture and artistry.

To wrap up your Colombian experience, Stage 6 involves a final ascent from La Palma to Santa Elena near Medellín, a 14-kilometer cycling route with nearly 500 meters of elevation gain. This famous climb passes through vibrant flower farms, offering stunning views of the Aburrá Valley and the city. It holds special significance during the Festival of the Flowers when the area comes alive with colour and festivities.

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