Climbing in the Bogota Countryside

Bogota is not only Colombia's center for government, industry, culture and arts, it is also the country's center for rock climbing. The mountains and valleys around Bogota have the highest concentration of climbing areas in the country and they are all within a couple of hours of the city. This climbing trip takes you to three of the best destinations and lets you experience the full spectrum of Colombian rock climbing: from 8 foot (2.5 meter) boulder problems to 400 foot (120 meter) traditional routes; from following bolts in balmy Machetá to cleaning cams in the cool climate of Suesca. This trip is also a great way to see the Cundinamarca department's stunning Andean landscape.

Whether you are an enthusiastic novice, a seasoned crusher, or a sporadic climber who just enjoys getting out in nature, this is an extraordinary adventure that will stand out in your climbing memories.

Note: If you want to focus on a particular place or type of climbing (e.g. sport climbing only) we are happy to customize this trip for you.

Highlights and activities

• Climb in three areas with different rock types, environments and climbing disciplines (sport climbing, bouldering and traditional climbing).
• Enjoy camping in a forest surrounded by cliffs, hills and boulders.

• camping
• rock climbing

1. 

   Day 1: Sport climbing in Machetá

   Your guide picks you up in Bogota and you drive two hours north on scenic mountain roads to the warmer municipality of Machetá. You park at a country house with a view of the Tenza valley and hike 20 minutes to the cliff. The beige sandstone walls of Machetá are dramatic overhangs and roofs on the side of a mountain ridge. It is one of the most recently developed sport climbing areas in Colombia with over 30 routes currently and more being bolted. Most of Machetás routes are fun and burly overhangs that range from 5.10a to 5.13+ YDS (6a to 8a French) but it also has a collection of moderate climbs s of 5.7 to 5.9 YDS (4 to 5b French) on vertical rock with positive holds and edges. You spend the day climbing 40 to 70 foot (12 to 21 meter) routes with the Tenza valley as your backdrop and spend the night back at the country house.

2. 

   Day 2: Bouldering in Sutatausa

   After an early breakfast you drive two hours northwest to the boulder-strewn hills of Sutatausa. The problems in this bouldering wonderland are endless, ranging from V0 to V10 and higher. Depending on where and how hard you want to climb hikes can take from 10 to 30 minutes. Some boulders are in wide open hillsides and others are in shady forests. No matter where you choose to go the scenery is idyllic and the problems are plentiful. Bouldering is the best way to improve climbing technique and your expert guide will be your attentive spotter and coach. A few hard sport routes are also available if you miss climbing with a rope. At the end of the day you head to a nearby campground with bathrooms and hot showers and spend the night in a tent under the stars.

3. 

   Day 3: Multi-pitch traditional climbing in Suesca

   From Sutatausa you drive south for an hour and a half to Suesca's towering gray cliff that stretches for over a mile. Suesca is the birthplace of climbing in Colombia and continues to be the sport's mecca for locals because of the sheer quantity, variety and quality of its routes. Its surprisingly bullet hard sandstone wall has over 300 routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.14 YDS (4 to 8b+ French) and has everything from slabs to roofs and from splitter cracks to huecos. While Suesca has a great collection of single pitch sport routes the highlight of the place are its long unbolted lines. The highest section of the wall is 430 feet (130 meters) high and climbed in four pitches. You spend the day climbing multi-pitch routes and enjoying the view of fields and forests from hundreds of feet up. In late afternoon, with many meters added to your vertical mileage and many new experiences under your climbing belt, you make the one and a half hour drive back to Bogota.

This adventure is offered throughout the year. Contact us to schedule your Private Tour.

Includes

• Private transportation (pick up and drop off in Bogota).
• Accommodations (tent and inflatable sleeping pad for first night).
• All meals from lunch of Day 1 to lunch of Day 3.
• Harness, rope, helmet, crash pads, climbing hardware.
• Guiding service.
• Entrance fees.

Excludes

• Sleeping bag.
• Climbing shoes and chalk bag.
• Travel insurance.

• This trip is suitable for beginners but you will need your own rock climbing shoes and chalk bag.
• This adventure is done at high altitude. We recommend acclimatizing in Bogota for at least one full day prior to going on this trip.