From Bogota: Mountains & Valleys Off-Road Motorcycle Tour

The best part of this day is the change of pace. You leave Bogotá’s streets behind, climb through more than 400 mountain curves, then trade pavement for dirt tracks, gravel, mud, and remote valleys. It is a proper riding day, not a quick city excursion with a short photo stop.

I like the mix of road surfaces and the meal at La Cocina de V in Choachí. I also like the small group size, capped at five people, and the Sena radios that let you hear your guide while riding. The main catch is simple: you need real motorcycle experience, a valid motorcycle license, and the stamina for a full day in the saddle.

Key points to know before you book

• More than 400 curves: The ride climbs through the Andean mountains on twisty roads before reaching the dirt sections.
• Two to three hours off-road: Expect gravel, sand, mud, uneven tracks, and elevation changes rather than a gentle scenic drive.
• Choachí lunch stop: La Cocina de V serves Colombian and Western-style dishes made with fresh local ingredients.
• Small group of five: The limited group size makes communication and guide support easier.
• Honda XRE 190 included: You can upgrade to a Honda XRE 300 if you want more power and comfort.
• Motorcycle license required: Every rider must be at least 20, bring a passport and valid motorcycle license, and be at least 160 centimeters tall.

Leaving La Candelaria for the mountains

Your day begins at the Loco Moto office in La Candelaria, at Calle 3 #12b-72, Apartment 103. The building is blue, with a yellow and black fence, and sits near a laundromat called The Big Bang Laundry. Ring the bell marked 103 or contact the operator on WhatsApp when you arrive.

Check-in starts at 8:45 AM. Wear long, warm layers, since Bogotá’s mountain air can turn cool as you gain height. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, so arrive in proper closed footwear. Bring your passport and motorcycle license, not just a photo of each on your phone.

The included gear covers the basics: helmet, gloves, jacket, and motorcycle fuel. The motorcycles supplied are Honda XRE 190 models, with an upgrade to an XRE 300 available. The larger bike may appeal to taller or more experienced riders, especially during the long dirt sections, but the supplied information does not specify the upgrade price. Ask before booking if that choice matters to you.

You ride out from Bogotá for about 30 minutes before the first photo stop. This opening stretch helps you settle into the bike and the traffic before the road begins to climb. It is not the most remote part of the day, but it gets you out of the city quickly.

The first climb, with curves in every direction

The mountain road is the day’s first major test. You will work through hundreds of bends as the route climbs into the misty Cundinamarca mountains. The curves are not a backdrop to the ride. They are the ride.

After the initial stretch, you continue for roughly 50 minutes before stopping for local snacks. That break matters. A motorcycle day with constant turns and changing elevation can use more energy than you expect, even if the air feels cool.

The route includes about 80 minutes of riding before the scenic viewpoint section. Along the way, you get changing views over the mountain valleys and time to experience the road at a steady pace. The exact viewpoint is described as a local favorite known mainly to riders and residents. That gives the stop a more personal feel than a large, marked sightseeing platform.

You should also keep your expectations practical. This is an active ride, not a sightseeing bus. You may have to focus on road conditions, other vehicles, loose gravel, and your own riding line. The best views come in the pauses and slower sections, so use the photo stop and scenic break well.

A local viewpoint instead of a standard tourist stop

The scenic stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time to take photographs, catch your breath, and look across the mountain valleys without turning the day into a series of long delays.

This part is especially useful if you want to see a side of the Bogotá region that is hard to reach without your own transport. The route does not simply take you to a famous attraction and return by the same road. It uses the motorcycle to connect the city with high roads, rural bends, and backcountry routes.

The guide adds value here through the Sena communication system. You can hear historical and local information while riding, rather than waiting until the next stop to ask questions. English is the stated tour language, and the experience includes both a live guide and an English audio guide.

The group limit of five is another real advantage. A larger convoy can mean long waits at turns, split-up riders, and less time with the guide. With only a few participants, you have a better chance of getting direct help if a road section feels difficult or you need to adjust your pace.

Switching from pavement to dirt

The first off-road section begins after the viewpoint and lasts about an hour. Later, after lunch, another off-road ride runs for about 105 minutes. Together, that gives you roughly two to three hours on rougher surfaces.

Expect a mixture rather than one single kind of track. The route has been described as including tarmac, sand, gravel, and mud, with tight turns and changing elevation. Conditions can alter how the ride feels, so a dry stretch may be straightforward while a muddy or loose section demands more care.

This is where prior experience matters most. You need to know how to handle a motorcycle before arriving. The operator does not present this as a beginner lesson, and there is no indication that the guide provides basic motorcycle training. If you are still learning clutch control, braking, or balance on loose ground, choose a gentler activity.

The Honda XRE 190 is included and is suited to the mixed-road character of the route. The XRE 300 upgrade could be worth considering if you want stronger performance and a more comfortable ride over the longer off-road portions. Still, a bigger motorcycle is not automatically easier. You should choose the machine you can control confidently.

The guide support is important here. Brandon and Richard are the named guides associated with the experience, and the available feedback gives particular credit to their patience, helpfulness, and support during the ride. Brandon is also noted for explaining the area well. That combination matters more on a rough road than a polished speech at a city attraction.

Lunch in Choachí at La Cocina de V

Lunch comes after the first off-road segment and lasts about an hour. The stop is at La Cocina de V in Choachí, a small-town restaurant serving Colombian and Western-style food made with fresh local ingredients.

I like this placement in the day. You get a real break after the first demanding ride, rather than eating quickly at the start and then facing the mountains on a full stomach. Choachí also gives the day a local center. You are not simply circling Bogotá on a closed course. You are stopping in a town and eating a proper meal along the route.

The food is included, as is the earlier snack break. Additional snacks and drinks are not included, so carry some spending money. You may also want extra water, although the tour information does not specify what drinks are supplied.

The restaurant is one of the strongest parts of the experience for anyone who values food as part of a day out. The meal has been singled out as a memorable part of the ride, with a mix of local and familiar choices. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator in advance, since no special menu information is provided.

The long backcountry ride after lunch

The post-lunch section is the heart of the off-road experience. It lasts about 105 minutes and takes you through rugged mountain valleys and rural routes before the group begins the return to Bogotá.

This is not a quick dirt-road sampler. You will spend enough time off pavement to understand whether you truly enjoy trail riding. The surfaces may include gravel, sand, and mud, and the route includes curves and elevation changes. Your arms, hands, and lower back may feel the distance by the end of the day, particularly if you are not used to long motorcycle outings.

The reward is access. A standard car trip might pass through the region, but an off-road motorcycle gives you a closer connection to the road surface and the terrain. You feel each change from pavement to loose ground. You also travel at a pace that lets the views open gradually, instead of flashing past a vehicle window.

Do not book this for a relaxed picnic day. The total outing lasts about eight hours, but the schedule can bring you back just before or just after sunset. The route includes several riding blocks, a photo stop, a snack break, a scenic stop, lunch, and the off-road sections. It is full, physical, and worth treating as the main event of your day.

The return to Bogotá and what the day feels like

After the final dirt section, the ride returns toward Bogotá for about an hour before arriving back at the La Candelaria office. The return may be less dramatic than the mountain climb, but it still forms part of the total riding time.

The weather and road conditions can change the character of the day. Warm clothing is specifically recommended, and that is good advice for a route that moves between city streets, high mountain roads, and valleys. Bring layers that fit under or around the provided jacket.

The route also calls for attention from start to finish. You need to listen to the guide through the Sena radio, manage your own pace, and remain comfortable on a motorcycle for many hours. The small group helps, but it does not remove the physical demands.

At the same time, the experience appears well suited to riders who want variety. You get city departure, mountain curves, local snacks, viewpoints, a town lunch, and extended dirt riding in one day. Few short excursions offer that much change in scenery and road surface.

Is the $146 price good value?

At $146 per person, the cost includes the motorcycle, fuel, helmet, gloves, jacket, guide, Sena communication system, snack, and lunch. You are paying for a full day rather than a short rental, and the inclusion of fuel and meals keeps the final cost easier to judge.

I consider the price reasonable for riders who would otherwise need to arrange a motorcycle, riding gear, fuel, navigation, and a route into Cundinamarca on their own. The guide also handles the route and provides communication and local information, which is valuable when roads become remote or confusing.

The value is weaker if you mainly want mountain views but do not care about riding. You would be paying for a motorcycle-focused day whose main pleasure comes from handling curves and dirt roads. It also may not suit riders who want a large-group social atmosphere, since the maximum group size is only five.

The Honda XRE 300 upgrade could change the final price, so confirm that cost before you commit. You should also budget for extra drinks, souvenirs, and a tip for the guide. Those items are not included.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this tour if you already ride motorcycles and want to see the Bogotá region beyond the usual city attractions. It fits riders who enjoy twisty pavement, unpaved roads, mountain air, and a day that keeps moving.

It is also a strong choice for a solo rider or couple who values a small group and direct guide support. The English-language communication system is useful if you want to learn about the region without stopping constantly.

I would not choose it for a first motorcycle experience, a short half-day outing, or a low-effort sightseeing day. Riders must be 20 or older, at least 160 centimeters tall, and in suitable physical condition. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with pre-existing medical conditions, people without a motorcycle license, or people over 70.

You should also think about the timing. A full day that may finish near sunset leaves little room for another major activity afterward. Plan a quiet evening and keep your schedule flexible.

Should you book the Mountains and Valleys Off-Road Motorcycle Tour?

Book it if the words 400 curves, dirt roads, mountain valleys, and Choachí lunch sound better to you than a standard city excursion. The mix of surfaces, the small group, included gear, and the chance to ride beyond Bogotá make this a strong one-day escape for an experienced motorcyclist.

Skip it if you lack a valid motorcycle license, have little riding experience, or want to spend the day mostly looking out of a vehicle window. For the right rider, the price buys a route that would be difficult to reproduce alone, with Brandon or Richard available through the ride and a proper meal waiting in Choachí.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. That flexibility is useful, but the more important decision is your riding ability. Bring the required documents, dress for cool mountain weather, and book this as a serious riding day rather than a casual tour.

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 must bring the license and passport.

How old do I need to be?

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

What motorcycle is included?

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

Is motorcycle experience required?

Yes. You need prior knowledge and experience riding a motorcycle. This activity is not presented as a beginner riding lesson.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the motorcycle, fuel, helmet, gloves, jacket, guide, Sena radios, a snack, and lunch. Souvenirs, extra snacks and drinks, and gratuity are not included.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at the Loco Moto office in La Candelaria, at Calle 3 #12b-72, Apartment 103. The building is blue with a yellow and black fence, near The Big Bang Laundry.