From Bogota: Mountains & Valleys Off-Road Motorcycle Tour

The best part of this day is the mix of road surfaces and scenery. You climb out of Bogotá through more than 400 twisting curves, then trade smooth pavement for gravel, sand, mud, and rough mountain tracks. It is a proper ride, not a sightseeing trip with a short motorcycle loop attached.

I like the small group of no more than five riders, which lets the guide manage the pace and offer useful help. I also like the stop at La Cocina de V in Choachí, where lunch gives the day a real local flavor instead of another rushed roadside meal. The main catch is simple: you need solid motorcycle experience, a valid motorcycle license, and the stamina for a long day in the saddle.

Key points

• More than 400 curves carry you from Bogotá into the misty Cundinamarca mountains.
• Two to three hours of off-road riding add gravel, sand, mud, dirt, and steep elevation changes.
• Lunch at La Cocina de V in Choachí is included, along with a countryside snack stop.
• Brandon and Richard have guided this route, with Sena radios for communication and local information.
• The Honda XRE 190 is included, with an upgrade to the more powerful XRE 300.
• A valid motorcycle license and prior riding experience are required, and riders must be at least 20 years old.

Why this ride makes a strong Bogotá day trip

Bogotá is a huge city, but the mountains begin quickly once you leave its streets. This tour uses that advantage well. You spend the morning climbing into Cundinamarca, where the air cools, the road bends again and again, and city views give way to valleys and remote backcountry.

I would choose this trip if I wanted a day outside Bogotá that felt active and useful, not passive. You get scenery, Colombian food, and a real motorcycle route in one outing. The ride also has enough variety to keep the day from feeling repetitive.

The advertised duration is eight hours, but the route details add up to a full day, with departure at about 8:45 AM and a return near sunset. That timing matters. You should not schedule a tight evening plan, airport transfer, or late dinner reservation immediately afterward.

Meeting in La Candelaria before the first climb

The ride begins at Cra. 3 #12b-72, Apartment 103, in Bogotá’s La Candelaria district. The office sits in a blue building with a yellow and black fence, beside a laundromat called The Big Bang Laundry. Ring the bell marked 103 or contact the team on WhatsApp when you arrive.

This is a city meeting point, so allow a little time to find the building and get organized. Bring your passport and motorcycle license. You also need warm clothing, even if Bogotá feels mild when you set out. Mountain temperatures can change as you gain height.

The tour supplies the motorcycle, helmet, gloves, jacket, fuel, and Sena communication radios. Wear long, practical clothing and closed shoes. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed, and that rule makes good sense once the route turns rough.

The Honda XRE 190 and the optional XRE 300 upgrade

The standard motorcycle is a Honda XRE 190. It is paired with protective gear and fuel, so the listed price covers the main riding costs rather than leaving you to sort out a rental bike separately.

You can upgrade to a Honda XRE 300 if you want more power and a more comfortable ride. That may appeal to taller or more experienced riders, especially during the longer off-road sections and changing elevations. The tour advises riders to be at least 160 centimeters, or about 5 feet 3 inches, for safe and comfortable operation.

I would think carefully about your own riding background before booking. This is not a lesson for a beginner. You must already know how to ride a motorcycle, and you will face pavement, gravel, sand, mud, and uneven dirt roads in one day.

Leaving Bogotá through a maze of curves

The opening ride lasts about 30 minutes through the Bogotá area. It gives you time to settle onto the bike, get used to the controls, and leave the city behind.

Then comes a 15-minute photo stop. The exact view can depend on the route and conditions, but the early stop breaks up the climb and gives you a chance to take pictures before the day gets more demanding.

The next paved ride lasts about 50 minutes. This is where the route begins to feel like a mountain trip rather than a city rental. You will work through repeated bends as the road climbs into the misty hills. The claim of more than 400 curves is not a throwaway detail. You need to enjoy turning, braking, and changing pace, because curves define much of the ride.

This section is also where the Sena radios earn their place. The guide can communicate with the group while riding and share information about the area. The system is more useful than trying to shout instructions over engines and wind.

A countryside snack stop and a local riding viewpoint

After the first long stretch, the group stops for local snacks for about 15 minutes. It is a short pause, but it helps. Mountain riding takes concentration, and a quick break lets you eat, drink, and reset before the longer run into Cundinamarca.

The route then continues for about 80 minutes. Along the way, you stop for scenic views for roughly 30 minutes. The guides describe one overlook as a place mainly known to local riders and people who know the area well. It is presented as one of the emotional high points of the day, with broad mountain views and a sense of distance from Bogotá.

I like that the trip gives the viewpoint room rather than treating it as a quick photo pullout. A good mountain stop is not only about taking a picture. It lets you appreciate how quickly the city has disappeared and how much the road has climbed.

Still, mountain weather can affect what you see. Mist, clouds, or changing conditions may soften the views. Book this for the ride itself, not only for a perfect panorama.

Two to three hours on dirt, gravel, and mud

The first off-road section lasts about one hour, followed by lunch, then another section of about 105 minutes. Together, you get roughly two to three hours on dirt and backcountry routes.

This is the part that separates the experience from a standard motorcycle day trip. You may encounter gravel, sand, mud, tarmac, and uneven mountain surfaces. The variety is a major strength, but it also raises the physical demand. You need to stay alert, keep your balance, and accept that the bike and your clothes may get dirty.

The guide’s role matters most here. Brandon has been praised for being helpful and well informed about the area, while Richard has been described as patient, kind, and supportive throughout the ride. Those qualities are important on changing terrain. A calm guide can help a group keep moving without turning every difficult patch into a stressful moment.

The small group size also helps. With a maximum of five participants, the pace can be easier to manage than on a large convoy. You still need to follow the guide and ride within your ability, but there is less chance of feeling lost in a crowd.

Lunch at La Cocina de V in Choachí

Lunch takes place at La Cocina de V in Choachí, a small town in Cundinamarca. The restaurant serves traditional Colombian dishes alongside Western-style food, using fresh local ingredients.

This is more than a fuel stop. Choachí gives the route a human pause between the morning climb and the afternoon dirt riding. You can sit down, eat properly, and recover before returning to the bike.

Food can make or break a long riding day. Here, lunch is included, so you do not have to search for a restaurant while wearing riding gear or worry about losing time. One of the strongest impressions from this tour is the quality of the meal in the small town, with one rider calling it the best meal of a Colombia trip. That is a strong endorsement of the food portion, though tastes naturally vary.

Additional drinks and snacks are not included. If you need more than the supplied snack and lunch, carry extra money or ask the guide where you can buy something along the way.

The afternoon return through Cundinamarca

After lunch, you return to the dirt for about 105 minutes. This is the longest single riding block in the schedule, and it comes after several hours on the road. By this point, tiredness can affect concentration, so ride conservatively and tell the guide if you need a short pause.

The afternoon route continues through mountain valleys and remote roads before reconnecting with the paved ride toward Bogotá. You get elevation changes, open views, and a different feel from the morning climb. The route is not designed as a sightseeing circuit with the same road repeated in reverse.

The final ride through the Bogotá area takes about an hour. The official return point is the same La Candelaria office where you started. Since the day can run until just before or after sunset, keep your evening flexible.

What the $146 price covers

At $146 per person, this is not the cheapest way to leave Bogotá. The value comes from the amount packed into the day: a motorcycle, fuel, helmet, gloves, jacket, guide, Sena radio, snack, lunch, and a full route through paved and off-road terrain.

A self-arranged rental would still require you to choose a bike, plan the route, manage fuel, find safe dirt roads, and organize lunch. The guide also handles the route knowledge and group communication. For a rider who wants a ready-made mountain day without doing that work, the price is reasonable.

The Honda XRE 300 upgrade costs extra, though the additional amount is not provided here. Ask for the current price before booking if the larger motorcycle matters to you.

Souvenirs, extra drinks, extra snacks, and a tip for the guide are not included. I would budget for those separately. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund and reserve now while paying later, which helps if your Bogotá plans are still shifting.

Who should book this motorcycle tour

This trip suits an experienced rider who wants a demanding day with real road variety. You should enjoy curves, feel comfortable on a motorcycle already, and be ready for several hours of riding in changing conditions.

It is especially appealing if you have already seen central Bogotá and want a close-to-the-city escape with more substance than a short photo trip. The route combines Colombian countryside, a small-town meal, local viewpoints, and off-road riding without requiring an overnight stay.

It is not suitable for anyone without a motorcycle license, riders under 20, pregnant women, people over 70, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. The operator also advises against booking if you are under 160 centimeters tall.

The English-speaking guides and included radios make the tour accessible for English-speaking riders. Just remember that communication support does not replace riding skill. You need to arrive ready to control the bike yourself.

Practical tips for a better ride

Bring your passport and valid motorcycle license, not just a photo of either document unless the operator confirms that is acceptable. Wear warm layers, because the mountain air can feel much cooler than Bogotá.

Eat a sensible breakfast before check-in. Lunch is included, but the schedule has long riding blocks and only a short snack stop earlier in the day. Bring some extra money for drinks or added food.

Take the gear rules seriously. Closed shoes are essential, and the supplied jacket, gloves, and helmet are part of the safety setup. If you are considering the XRE 300, ask about the upgrade before arrival rather than assuming one will be available.

Finally, do not pack the day too tightly. The return can be around sunset, and mountain routes can take longer when conditions change.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full motorcycle day, not a gentle ride with a few scenic stops. The strongest reasons are the huge number of curves, the two to three hours of off-road riding, the small group, and the included lunch in Choachí.

Skip it if you are a beginner, uncomfortable with mud and gravel, short on time, or hoping to spend most of the day relaxing. For an experienced rider with a valid license, the $146 price buys a well-rounded escape from Bogotá, with Brandon and Richard adding the guidance and local context that make a difficult route easier to enjoy.

FAQ

Do I need a motorcycle license to join the tour?

Yes. Every rider must have a valid motorcycle driver’s license from their home country and a passport.

How old must I be to participate?

All riders must be at least 20 years old. The tour is not suitable for people over 70.

How much riding is off-road?

The route includes about two to three hours of off-road riding, split into a one-hour section before lunch and a 105-minute section after lunch.

What motorcycle is included?

The standard motorcycle is a Honda XRE 190. An upgrade to a Honda XRE 300 is available for an additional charge.

What equipment is supplied?

The tour includes a helmet, gloves, jacket, fuel, and a Sena radio for communication and information from the guide.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at La Cocina de V in Choachí is included, as is a countryside snack stop. Extra snacks and drinks are not included.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at Cra. 3 #12b-72, Apartment 103, in La Candelaria, Bogotá.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring your passport, motorcycle license, and warm clothing. Wear closed footwear because sandals and flip flops are not allowed.