Having never really done a tour of any kind in the past, I was surprised at how organic everything felt. There was always an opportunity to detour, try new food, check out cultural things, relax, be lazy, etc. but somehow we still achieved all our goals. Having the opportunity to do some pretty hard climbing was great.
Colombia Classic - Gym to Crag Edition
Perfect for beginners without outdoor experience and intermediates looking to learn new skills
Expert Guides will show you the ropes and teach you new skills
Learn how to use equipment safely and identify hazards
Feel the freedom of climbing high on inspiring cliffs
Make new friends and climbing partners from around the globe
Take your love for indoor climbing to the outdoors!
Highlights:
Rope Up and Skill Up with the best guides in Colombia
Small groups and passionate guides = personalized instruction and mentorship
Find comfort and community at unique lodges run by climbers, for climbers
Discover Colombia’s heartbeat during exciting “rest day” activities and cultural side trips
Click the tabs for more trip info
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
$2,760 USD per person (based on double occupancy)
*25% deposit required to book your spot. ($690 USD)
Full payment required 30 days before tour departure.
Departure Dates
2024:
- Saturday, May 4th – Monday, May 13th
- Saturday, May 18th – Monday, May 27th
- Saturday, June 1st – Monday, June 10th
Meeting point
Bogota airport
Duration
10 days, 9 nights
Group size
Minimum: 2
Maximum: 8
Participation requirements
- 18+
- Suitable for all climbers
Included
- 7 days climbing at the two most important destinations in Colombia with your expert guide
- 1 thrilling whitewater rafting sidetrip (other options available)
- Private transportation throughout
- Private accommodation throughout (shared options are available at reduced cost)
- Welcome dinner included on day 1
- Optional celebration dinner on your last night
- All breakfasts
- Cultural side tours
- Group climbing equipment provided
*For personal equipment and packing list see below*
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Personal Equipment Packing List
- 2 pairs of rock climbing shoes in good condition;
- harness;
- belay device;
- safety tether;
- helmet;
- sporty clothes;
- swim shorts;
- sun hat;
- runners or approach shoe;
- good quality sunscreen;
- travel insurance that covers climbing;
- trip cancellation insurance recommended;
Overview
Join our expert local guides on this Gym to Crag climbing course and learn the core skills required to safely enjoy outdoor climbing. We will take you to the best climbing areas in Colombia and progressively introduce new techniques while you gain confidence and grow familiar with the gear.
The unique and varied rock type at each area will challenge you every time you rope up. And each destination boasts unique and memorable accommodations to compliment the awesome rock climbing experience. When not climbing, you will have a chance to go on a rafting adventure in San Gil, explore the Colombian countryside and fall in love with the local culture!
“How will joining this trip help me become a better rock climber?”
We specially designed this gym to crag tour to be friendly and supportive with a small guide:client ratio to give you personalized attention. This means that we will quickly discover where your strengths are, identify areas you can improve, and grow your overall ability to select an appropriate route on real rock and safely get up and down.
SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN INCLUDE:
– How to identify hazards and select an appropriate route for your ability
– How to equip a lead climb
– How to safely belay a lead climber, including catching a fall
– How to clean a route
– How to rappel safely using a prussik
– Multiple styles of anchor building, including bolts, chains, and natural features like trees
– Effective communication and use of commands
– Proper crag etiquette and leave no trace principles
Final thoughts from Will about our Gym to Crag tours:
When you link up with other climbers to have fun and practice together you enhance each other’s experience and build community. Take the first step and join us in Colombia and we will show you how to find your place in the tribe.
Itinerary
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1. ARRIVE IN BOGOTA & TRANSFER TO SUESCA:
Bienvenidos a Colombia amigos!
Your guide will greet you at the airport and drive you to Suesca. Bogota is busy and noisy, so we’ll go straight to the rocks and enjoy clean air in the countryside. You’ll have the option to climb and get familiar with your guide right away, but don’t be surprised if you feel a bit tired – Suesca sits at 2,500m elevation! In the evening, as part of your warm welcome to Colombia, we invite you to dinner. We’re so glad you could make it!
Accommodation – beautiful private cabin in front of the rocks for easy access to the climbing area and inspiring views.
DAY 2. FIRST CLIMBING ADVENTURES:
Today your expert guide will take you to a fun warm-up crag to start coaching you up the funky Suesca cliffs. Practice core movement skills and belay techniques with your new friends to set yourselves up for a safe and enjoyable trip.
Accommodation – cabin by the rocks.
DAY 3. FULL DAY OF CLIMBING:
By now, you and your friends will be feeling more comfortable in Colombia, and your guide will show you some climbs that push your limits and help you work on your technique. There’s a big variety of rock at Suesca, including sport, trad, and multi-pitch adventrures, so lots of opportunities to try new things!
Accommodation – cabin by the rocks.
DAY 4. DRIVE TO SAN GIL AND REST YOUR CLIMBING MUSCLES:
Right away, you will notice a difference in the air. Friendly people and a warm climate make for a beautiful side trip to San Gil. And the local rafting run is a world-class trip led by highly qualified bilingual guides. Simply put, the Class V Rio Suarez is a must-do while we are in Santander province. If you don’t want to go rafting, that’s fine – there are lots of fun activities you can do to get a feel for the colourful local culture and the beautiful landscape, such as caving tours or paragliding!
Accommodation – comfortable hotel.
DAY 5. CLASS V RAFTING ADVENTURE ON THE RIO SUAREZ:
After breakfast, we’ll meet at the rafting office downtown, and then drive out to the river and bash our way through the big waves and frothing holes led by the best guides and kayakers in the country. After the awesome rafting tour, lunch, and a shower, it’s time to drive to La Mojarra climbing area. The goal is to leave San Gil in time to enjoy the scenic drive across the Chicamocha Canyon in daylight. Most likely, we will arrive and check in at the eco-lodge after dark, but that just means you will wake up in the morning and see the amazing views for the first time!
Accommodation – beautiful eco lodge – option for private room or comfortable bed in shared dormitory.
DAY 6. RISE AND SHINE! IT’S TIME TO EXPLORE NEW ROCKS AT LA MOJARRA:
Welcome to the beloved La Mojarra climbing park. The eco lodge is built directly on top of the cliffs, so you can take your time to enjoy the morning (coffee and yoga with a view) and eat a big breakfast to fuel up for a full day of climbing. Whenever you’ve had enough for one day, or if you want to go back up the stairs to the restaurant for lunch, the climbing areas are only 5 minutes from the lodge.
Accommodation – option for private room or shared.
DAY 7. AWESOME FULL DAY OF CLIMBING:
Now that you’re settled in La Mojarra, your guide will show you the best classic climbs, and you can push your limits on the beautiful sandstone! At the end of the climbing day, you will feel at home in this amazing place run by climbers, for climbers. Best climbing atmosphere in all of Colombia!
Accommodation – private room or shared.
DAY 8. EXPLORE NEW CLIFFS:
Today is a great opportunity to pick out some new projects at different sections of the cliff and enjoy fresh views of the spectacular canyon below. Climb until you’re tired and then relax with your new friends at the lodge with cold beers and a delicious dinner.
Accommodation – private room or shared.
DAY 9. LAST FULL DAY OF CLIMBING AND DINNER PARTY:
Last chance to challenge yourself and put your skills to the test! Organize your tick list of coveted routes over breakfast, then chalk up and send! Your guides and new friends will cheer you on, and tonight we all celebrate with a big feast.
Accommodation – private room or shared.
DAY 10. FAREWELL AND ONWARD TRAVEL PLANS:
Today we say goodbye to the friendly lodge staff at Refugio la Roca and farewell to the climbers we’ve grown close to during our stay. Whenever you need to get to the airport we will drive you to Bucaramanga. From there you can begin your onward travel plans.
Thank you for making this Colombia climbing adventure with South America Rocks fun and memorable!!!
Frequently Asked Questions
No Spanish, no problem! SAROCKS always hires expert bilingual guides who will patiently show you the ropes, haha! And once you learn the basic set of skills you can go anywhere in the world and speak the language of climbing!
There are so many opportunities to partner up and interact with one another while climbing that our guests quickly get comfortable with each other. And your guides have planned lots of mini-lessons and practice sessions for you throughout the day to work together and help each other learn. This creates a fun and inclusive group dynamic and accelerates your learning curve! And at the end of the day if you prefer to unwind with more time and space to yourself we are happy to arrange private accommodations throughout the tour.
Colombia is wide open for tourism and much safer than its former reputation. The people are very warm and friendly, especially in the mountains where we go climbing. And we offer private transportation on tour to make it easy to keep track of you and your belongings.
Colombia has a beautiful tropical climate perfect for growing fruits that burst with flavour, and for sunny days of climbing! Expect pleasant spring-like mornings, hot midday sun, and the juiciest fresh fruit bursting with flavour!
Absolutely, we designed this Gym to Crag tour with safety and comfort in mind for climbers of all backgrounds. If you are looking to transition from pulling plastic in the gym to getting pumped on real rock, this trip is for you. Our small group sizes and low guide:client ratios allow for personalized instruction and tons of support so you learn and progress quickly and safely.
Good to Know
- Option to purchase an add-on package to explore and climb another beautiful area in Colombia – Ex. let South America Rocks organize a fun and colourful climbing package in Medellin, including guide, food and accommodation to suit your budget.
- For extra vertical adventure, ask about a guided multi-pitch rock climb up the awesome Suesca rock formation.
- Or get private instruction on the fine art of trad climbing and how to place gear and build anchors
- Make sure your climbing equipment is in good condition and bring a backup pair of climbing shoes. The climbing area is far from any climbing shops.
- You can purchase additional days of climbing at SUESCA just outside Bogota.
- Colombia is a lot safer than you think, Bogota and the other major cities are very modern
- Bogota tap water is safe to drink, but a bit bleachy
- Purchase drinking water at the climbing area, or bring a good quality water filter.
See what our clients say about our tours
The Colombia tour with South America Rocks was definitely a great experience! Normally organized tours is not my style of traveling so I was hesitant to sign up but I’m so happy I did. The climbing was excellent! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
The whole trip was great. The rafting tour in San Gil on the Rio Suarez with Colombia Rafting was wild and exciting and we celebrated with the biggest burgers ever at Gringo Mike’s later that night. I had a great time working with Will on this South America Rocks climbing adventure.
I am a beginner climber, but I always felt included in the daily plans, and safe wherever we went climbing. I am a yoga teacher, so it was a real treat to start each day with a calming practice up in the yoga house, which looks out over the rocks and the canyon below with a million dollar view. San Gil rafting was also super cool. The guides at Colombia Rafting are very safety conscious.
