Nariño & The Volcanic Highlands
September 21 — 28, 2025
6 stages | 7 nights
$ XXXX USD
🇪🇨 Crossing Borders
🌋 Five Volcanoes
🇪🇨 Crossing Borders 🌋 Five Volcanoes
Nariño is Colombia’s southern highland gem, near the Ecuadorian border. With volcanic peaks, crater lakes, and wide-open páramos, it’s one of the country’s most scenic and overlooked regions.
This six-stage adventure loops around five iconic volcanoes: Galeras, Cumbal, Azufral, Chiles, and Doña Juana, and crosses into Ecuador to El Ángel and Tulcán.
Quick hits:
Total Distance:
~600 km (370 mi)Total Elevation Gain:
~13,600 m↑ (44,600 ft↑)Starting Point:
Pasto (Antonio Nariño Airport)Ending Point:
Ipiales (San Luis Airport)Difficulty:
AdvancedHighlights:
Five Volcanoes, Ecuador-crossing, high-altitude páramos, crater lakes.
Why Nariño?
Tucked into Colombia’s southern highlands, Nariño blends volcanic terrain with rich Indigenous and Afro-Colombian heritage. Crisp air, high-altitude climbs, and valleys shaped by ancient eruptions. Expect punchy climbs and long, scenic stretches.
Off the bike, there’s Pasto’s UNESCO-listed carnival, roadside markets with tamales and roast cuy (guinea pig), and views that feel more Swiss Alps than South America.
The Experience
Colombia’s Volcanic Frontier
Five volcanoes. High-altitude páramos. Crater lakes and deep canyons. Nariño’s terrain is wild and rarely ridden. Each stage dives deeper into this rugged southern highland.
Flavors of the Southern Highlands
Volcanic soil grows some of Colombia’s best coffee. Expect bold brews, fresh Andean cheese, and empanadas de añejo.
What’s included:
✔︎ A support vehicle + a motorbike.
✔︎ Top-rated accommodations (double occupancy).
✔︎ Daily breakfasts.
✔︎ Nutrition & hydration. (water, fruits, local snacks, bars, gels)
✔︎ Travel accident insurance.
✔︎ Airport transfers (Arrival and departure)
✔︎ Professional photography and a short film.
What’s not included:
✘ Your flights.
✘ Alcoholic beverages.
✘ Lunches and dinners.
✘ Local accommodation tax.
✘ Your shopping!
Getting There:
Fly into Pasto
Arrive at Antonio Nariño Airport (PSO), the gateway to Colombia’s volcanic highlands. Pasto is famous for:
Carnaval de Negros y Blancos – One of Colombia’s most vibrant festivals
High-altitude culture – Andean traditions, colonial streets, and a cool mountain vibe
Stay (Pasto):
Stay at a boutique hotel in the heart of Pasto. Double rooms with a post-ride spa access.
Stage 1: Juanambú Canyon
Route: Pasto — Cañon Juanambú loop
Distance: 100 km (62 mi)
Elevation Gain: 2500 m↑ (8200 ft↑)
An out-and-back loop from Pasto to the Juanambú Canyon, known for its dramatic landscapes and a historic battleground. Expect a long steady climb and winding descents through Colombia’s second-largest canyon. It’s a scenic intro to Nariño’s terrain and culture.
Stage 2: Páramo & lake loop
Route: Pasto – Páramo Bordoncillo – La Cocha
Distance: 85 km (53 mi)
Elevation Gain: 2,000 m↑ (6600 ft↑)
Stage 2 climbs from Pasto into the high-altitude Páramo Bordoncillo, a unique ecosystem between 3,300 and 3,400 meters known for its rare wildlife and distinctive flora. The route then descends to Laguna de la Cocha, Colombia’s second-largest natural lake, surrounded by wetlands and traditional wooden homes in the village of El Encano. This stage offers a blend of challenging terrain and serene landscapes, showcasing the ecological diversity of Nariño.
Stage 3: Galeras Volcano loop
Route: Pasto – Consaca – Yacuanquer – Pasto
Distance: 115 km (72 mi)
Elevation Gain: 2,800 m↑ (9200 ft↑)
Stage 3 loops around Galeras, one of Colombia’s most active volcanoes. The ride flows through Consacá and Yacuanquer on quiet roads lined with farmland, rolling hills, and wide-open views of the highlands. Expect small towns, fresh mountain air, and a lot of climbing.
Rest day
Activity TBD
Stage 4: Ipiales Southbound
Route: Pasto – Ipiales
Distance: 85 km (53 mi)
Elevation Gain: 2,300 m↑ (7500 ft↑)
Stage 4 takes you from Pasto to Ipiales, traversing the Altiplano Nariñense, a high-altitude plateau averaging around 2,700 meters above sea level. The route offers a mix of rolling hills and expansive views of the Andean highlands, with the Guáitara River carving deep canyons through the landscape.
Stay (Ipiales):
Stay at a highly-rated boutique hotel with mountain views, and private bathrooms. On-site spa, sauna, gym, and a restaurant.
Stage 5: The Queen Stage
Route: Ipiales — Pedregal — Tuquerres
Distance: 125 km (78 mi)
Elevation Gain: 2,600 m↑ (8500 ft↑)
The Nariño iconic loop takes you through the high plains between Ipiales and Túquerres, with wide views of Volcán Cumbal, the second-highest volcano in Colombia. Its snow-capped peak often appears above the clouds, adding dramatic flair to the steady climbs and open landscapes.
Stage 6: Ecuador crossing
Route: Ipiales — Tulcan — Tufiño — Chiles
Distance: 85 km (53 mi)
Elevation Gain: 1,400 m↑ (4600 ft↑)
Stage 6 crosses from Ipiales into Ecuador, ascending through the high-altitude páramo near Tufiño. The route offers expansive views of the Andes and passes by Chiles Volcano, a 4,748-meter stratovolcano on the border. The terrain features rolling hills and open grasslands, with occasional fog and cool temperatures. This stage combines cross-border adventure with the unique landscapes of the northern Andes.
Final stop: Ipiales
After the last stage, fly out from Ipiales’ San Luis Airport with frequent direct flights to Bogotá.
Ipiales sits near the Ecuador border at 2,900 meters. It’s best known for the Santuario de Las Lajas, a dramatic church built into a canyon. The town has a mix of Andean culture, border-town buzz, and great street food. A fitting end to the ride.
Are you joining us?
We need the final number of people to book all accommodations and, more importantly, the van!
If you’re unsure or cannot commit before the deadline but are interested, please let us know, and we can figure something out.
Please RSVP by June 30th.
Back to all tours
«
Back to all tours «