From Bogota: Mountains & Valleys Off-Road Motorcycle Tour

The city disappears fast. This full-day ride takes you from Bogotá into Cundinamarca’s misty mountain roads, across more than 400 curves, and into remote valleys where the pavement gives way to dirt, gravel, mud, and sand. I especially like the mix of serious riding and local food, plus the small group size of no more than five participants. I also like that Sena radios let you stay in touch with the guide while learning about the area.

The main consideration is simple: this is not a beginner motorcycle outing. You need a valid motorcycle license from your home country, prior riding experience, a passport, and enough confidence to handle long stretches of twisty road and two to three hours off-road. Riders must be at least 20 years old, and anyone under 160 centimeters may find the bikes hard to operate safely.

What makes this ride worth your day

• More than 400 curves: The route climbs from Bogotá into the Andean mountains on roads built for riders who enjoy tight bends and changing elevation.
• A real mix of surfaces: You move from paved roads to sand, gravel, mud, and dirt tracks, so the day feels like a proper off-road ride rather than a scenic motorcycle transfer.
• Lunch in Choachí: La Cocina de V serves traditional Colombian and Western-style food made with fresh local ingredients.
• A local rider’s viewpoint: One scenic overlook is described as a place known mainly to local riders, giving the route a more personal feel than a standard coach excursion.
• Small groups and radio contact: With up to five participants, the guide can keep a closer eye on the group, while Sena radios help with directions and commentary.
• Two motorcycle choices: The standard Honda XRE 190 is included, with an upgrade to a more powerful Honda XRE 300 for riders who want extra comfort and ability on rough ground.

Starting in La Candelaria at 8:45 AM

Your day begins at the operator’s office in La Candelaria, Bogotá’s old center. The meeting point is listed as Calle 3 #12b-72, Apartment 103. Look for a blue building with a yellow and black fence, beside The Big Bang Laundry, then ring the bell marked 103 or contact the team on WhatsApp when you arrive.

Check-in starts at 8:45 AM. You should arrive with your passport and motorcycle license ready. Wear warm clothing and closed shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and that rule makes sense once you leave the city and begin gaining altitude.

The tour includes a Honda XRE 190, helmet, gloves, jacket, fuel, and a guide. The XRE 190 is a practical choice for a mixed-surface route. If you are taller, heavier, or simply prefer more power and a roomier ride, ask about the Honda XRE 300 upgrade before booking. The additional cost is not specified, so you will want to confirm it directly.

Climbing through Bogotá’s mountain roads

The first motorcycle section lasts about 30 minutes, followed by a short 15-minute photo stop. This early pause gives you a chance to take in the change from urban streets to mountain surroundings and to settle into the pace of the day.

Then comes another 50-minute road section before a local snack stop. The route is known for its curves, and the total number is impressive: more than 400 across the day. You should expect a steady rhythm of bends rather than long, straight stretches where you can relax your hands and mind.

That rhythm is a big part of the appeal. The road becomes the activity. You are not simply being carried to a viewpoint, and you are not stopping every few minutes for a staged photo. You are riding through the curves, watching the weather shift, and learning how the motorcycle responds as the road surface changes.

The possible downside is fatigue. Several hours of riding, especially on winding roads, can be tiring even for an experienced rider. If you are prone to motion sickness, stiff shoulders, or discomfort on a motorcycle, this may not be the right day trip.

Snack break and the local overlook

After the first major road sections, the tour pauses for local snacks. The stop is brief, about 15 minutes, but it breaks up the climb and gives you a chance to drink, stretch, and check your equipment.

The next ride through Cundinamarca lasts roughly 80 minutes, followed by a 30-minute scenic stop. This is one of the more memorable parts of the route because the guide takes you to an overlook known mainly to local riders. The exact name is not provided, but the point is clear: this is not a standard city tour viewpoint that every bus group visits.

Bring a phone or camera, but do not let the photo stop become the whole point. The value here is the setting you reach by motorcycle. You earn the view through the ride, and the stop gives you time to appreciate the mountain roads, valleys, and changing elevation.

The weather can change quickly in the highlands. Warm layers are specifically recommended, and you should take that advice seriously. Bogotá can feel cool already, while exposed mountain viewpoints may be colder, mistier, or wetter.

Two to three hours on dirt roads

After the scenic stop, the route turns properly off-road. One section is listed at about an hour, followed by lunch, and a second section lasts about 105 minutes. Taken together, that gives you two to three hours on rough mountain and backcountry routes.

This is where the tour earns its name. You may encounter dirt, gravel, sand, mud, and tarmac in the same day. That variety was one of the strongest points in the available feedback, and it is also the clearest reason to choose this trip over a normal motorcycle rental.

The road surfaces demand attention. You will need to manage your speed, watch the line through corners, and stay ready for changes under the tires. A rider with prior motorcycle experience should find the variety rewarding. Someone who has only ridden a scooter around town may find it too demanding.

The guide’s Sena radio is useful here. Communication matters when a group is spread out on a twisty route or when the surface becomes rough. The system also carries historical and local information, so you are not left guessing where you are or why a particular route matters.

The small group limit is another practical advantage. A maximum of five participants is much easier to manage than a large convoy. The guide can give more direct help, and the ride is less likely to feel like a slow-moving parade.

Lunch at La Cocina de V in Choachí

Lunch comes after the first off-road section in the town of Choachí. La Cocina de V is described as a cozy restaurant serving both traditional Colombian dishes and Western-style food made with fresh local ingredients.

That combination is useful for a mixed group. You can try something local without forcing yourself into a meal you may not recognize, and the Western options provide a familiar fallback. The stop lasts about an hour, which gives you time to eat properly rather than grabbing food while standing beside the motorcycles.

The food is one of the most praised parts of the day. One rider called the meal the best of a Colombia trip, served in a small town during the mountain ride. That is exactly the kind of pause that makes a motorcycle excursion feel connected to place. You are not eating at a roadside chain or returning to Bogotá for lunch. You are stopping in Choachí, in the middle of the route, with the morning ride still fresh in your mind.

Lunch is also a sensible midpoint. After mountain curves and rough roads, you need time to refuel before another long off-road section. Food, water, and a short rest can make the second half much more enjoyable.

The second off-road section and ride back

After lunch, you return to the dirt for about 105 minutes. This is the longest single riding segment on the schedule, and it may feel different from the morning because you will already have several hours in the saddle.

You should pace yourself. The goal is not to race the guide or prove anything to the other riders. Stay within your comfort level, use the radio when you need help, and let the guide set a safe rhythm. The route is designed around curves, valleys, and surface changes, not speed.

The day then turns back toward the Bogotá region for about an hour of riding before returning to the La Candelaria office. The schedule describes an eight-hour experience, but the full route can bring you back just before or just after sunset. Traffic, road conditions, stops, and the pace of the group can affect the finish time.

That late return is worth planning around. Do not schedule a tight evening reservation or airport transfer immediately after the tour. You will also want time to return equipment and get settled before heading elsewhere in the city.

Guide quality and communication

The guide can make or break a motorcycle tour, and this experience has received especially strong praise in that area. Brandon is described as helpful and well informed about the region, while Richard is praised for being kind and supportive throughout the ride. Another rider singled out the guide’s patience and helpful manner.

Those details matter because off-road riding involves more than pointing out scenery. You may need advice on a rough patch, reassurance on a difficult curve, or a clear instruction before a change in road surface. A patient guide is more valuable than a fast one.

The Sena radios add another layer of comfort. You can receive route information and historical context while riding, rather than waiting until the next stop. In a group of up to five, communication should be relatively direct, although you still need to pay attention to the road first.

The tour is offered in English, with an English-speaking live guide and English audio support.

What the $146 price includes

At $146 per person, this is not a cheap way to rent a motorcycle for a few hours. It is a guided full-day trip with a route into the mountains, fuel, motorcycle equipment, snacks, lunch, radio communication, and a guide.

That bundle improves the value. You do not need to plan the route, find a suitable off-road road system, arrange fuel, or work out how to reach Choachí on your own. You also get a structured day that combines paved mountain riding, scenic stops, local food, and rougher backcountry sections.

The standard Honda XRE 190 is included. Fuel, helmet, gloves, and jacket are also covered. Souvenirs, extra snacks and drinks, and a tip for the guide are not included.

I see the price as reasonable for riders who want a complete experience rather than a basic bike rental. It is less attractive if you already know the region, have your own motorcycle, and prefer to ride independently. The route planning and guide support are the main parts of the value.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later also make it easier to fit into a changing Colombia itinerary.

Who should book this motorcycle tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to confident motorcycle riders who want a full day outside Bogotá. You should already know how to ride a motorcycle, handle curves, and respond to loose or uneven surfaces.

The trip suits you if you want:

• A demanding but manageable day on paved and unpaved roads
• Mountain scenery without arranging your own route
• A small group rather than a large organized excursion
• Local food in Choachí
• A guide who can communicate by radio
• A motorcycle experience with real off-road sections

I would not choose it for a first motorcycle lesson, a relaxed sightseeing day, or a short photo trip. The combination of elevation changes, more than 400 curves, and up to three hours off-road requires physical focus.

You must be at least 20 and no older than 70, according to the stated restrictions. The tour is not suitable for pregnant people, anyone with pre-existing medical conditions, or anyone without a motorcycle license. Riders should be at least 160 centimeters tall for safe and comfortable operation.

Final call: book it if you want the road itself to be the attraction

Book this tour if you see Bogotá as a starting point, not the whole destination. The strongest features are the demanding mountain route, the changing road surfaces, the quiet local viewpoint, and the lunch in Choachí. Brandon and Richard also appear to bring the patient, practical guidance this sort of ride needs.

Skip it if you lack motorcycle experience, dislike long days in the saddle, or want a simple countryside drive. For the right rider, $146 buys far more than transport. It buys a carefully planned day of curves, dirt, mountain air, local food, and a view reached under your own power.

FAQ

Do I need a motorcycle license to join the tour?

Yes. Every rider must bring a valid motorcycle driver’s license from their home country, along with a passport.

How old must I be to participate?

All riders must be at least 20 years old. The activity is also listed as unsuitable for people over 70.

What motorcycle is included?

The standard motorcycle is a Honda XRE 190. An upgrade to a Honda XRE 300 is available for a more powerful and comfortable ride.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at La Cocina de V in Choachí is included, along with a snack. Additional snacks and drinks are not included.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a helmet, gloves, jacket, motorcycle, fuel, and Sena radios for communication and route information.

How much off-road riding is included?

The route includes about two to three hours of off-road riding through mountain valleys and backcountry roads, with surfaces that can include dirt, gravel, sand, mud, and tarmac.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is the operator’s office in La Candelaria at Calle 3 #12b-72, Apartment 103. It is in a blue building with a yellow and black fence, beside The Big Bang Laundry.