Coffee & Cocoa This is the second section of the South American Epic, Bogota to Quito From Columbia’s capital we begin a two days massive descent into the Magdalena River Valley. The next night will be spent gazing at millions of stars from the Desierto de la Tatacoa. We climb up into the Cordillera Central. After more tough but beautiful days of cycling we cross into Ecuador.
Coffee & Cocoa
After an enjoyable 2 rest days in Colombia's capital, exploring its historic centre - La Candelaria - or indulging in a steaming mug of canelazo, our riders will begin a massive descent (almost 5000m in 2 days) into the Magdalena River valley. The next night will be spent gazing at millions of stars from the Desierto de la Tatacoa. Then we will climb up into the Cordillera Central where, after 2 challenging days of elevation gain, we can relax on a rest day in Parque Arquelogico San Augustin. Here riders can enjoy the 500 life-sized statues left by the little known ancient peoples or go whitewater rafting in the nearby Rio Magdalena.
Five more tough but beautiful days of cycling brings us to Ipiales, the border crossing into Ecuador and the home of the Santuario de Las Lajas, a spectacular neo-Gothic church and the destination for pilgrims in search of a miracle. Then it is another ascent to almost 4000m before we drop down into Ibbara for a refreshing Helados de paila, a local hand-made sorbet. Thence we cross the Equator and spin into the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, which marks the end of this section.
22-Jul - Bogota - Anapoima
23-Jul - Anapoima - Prado 146 km
24-Jul - Prado - Desierto de la Tatocoa 95 km
25-Jul - Desierto de la Tatocoa - Hobo 104 km
26-Jul - Hobo - Timana 112 km
27-Jul - Timana - San Agustin 55 km
28-Jul - Rest Day - San Agustin
29-Jul - San Agustin - Coconuco 111 km
30-Jul - Coconuco - Patia 125 km
31-Jul - Patia - San Pedro de Cartago 89 km
01-Aug - San Pedro de Cartago - Pasto 78 km
02-Aug - Rest Day - Pasto
03-Aug - Pasto - Ipiales 85 km
04-Aug - Ipiales - El Angel 81 km
05-Aug - El Angel - Otavalo 86 km
06-Aug - Otavalo - Quito 119 km
