Salto Del Buey, Antioquia
Challenging Day Trip: Medellin – Tekendamita & Salto Del Buey Waterfalls
Colombia Adventure Moto Tours presents an ambitious full-day motorcycle journey to conquer two magnificent waterfalls in the Antioquian region: the serene Tekendamita and the powerful Salto Del Buey. This route is designed for experienced intermediate to advanced riders due to the long distances, varied terrain, and significant time commitment required.
Level of Difficulty: Challenging. This is a long day of riding. It involves a mix of winding paved mountain roads and potentially challenging unpaved sections to access both waterfalls. The sheer distance and variety of terrain demand excellent motorcycle handling skills and stamina.
Preferred Moto Type: Dual-sport motorcycles (e.g., Honda XRE , Royal Enfield Himalayan) are essential for their robustness and versatility to comfortably handle prolonged riding on both paved and rough unpaved sections.
Day 1: Medellin – Tekendamita – Salto Del Buey – Medellin
- Morning (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM): Departure from Medellin HQ
- Location: Colombia Adventure Moto Tours HQ in Medellin (Calle 10A #41-11), El Poblado, Medellín).
- Elevation: 1,495 m (4,905 ft).
- Activity: Early comprehensive bike briefing, gear check, and preparation. We’ll head east, departing the city on well-maintained paved roads.
- Climate (Medellin, July): Mild, “eternal spring” climate, typically around 18-28°C (64-82°F) with high humidity. Mornings are pleasant.
- Late Morning (8:00 AM – 9:30 AM): Ride to Tekendamita Waterfall
- Terrain Type: Primarily paved, winding mountain roads with ascents and descents through the picturesque Eastern Antioquian highlands.
- Key Point: Tekendamita Waterfall (El Retiro)
- Elevation: The area around El Retiro is around 2,100 – 2,200 m (6,900 – 7,200 ft). The waterfall itself is slightly lower.
- Views: Beautiful views of rolling green hills, small towns, and agricultural landscapes (dairy farms, flower farms). Tekendamita is a charming, multi-tiered waterfall cascading into a lush, serene setting.
- Activity: Short, easy walk to the waterfall viewpoints. Enjoy the tranquil environment and photo opportunities.
- Climate: Generally cool and temperate at this elevation, often with morning mist.
- Vegetation: High-altitude agricultural land, pine forests, and remnants of cloud forest.
- Birds: Common high-Andean birds like Rufous-collared Sparrow, Eared Dove.
- Mid-Morning (9:30 AM – 1:00 PM): Traverse to Salto Del Buey Area
- Terrain Type: This is the most demanding riding segment. It will involve a mix of paved and potentially extensive unpaved sections (gravel, dirt, possibly rough) as we traverse the mountainous terrain southwards towards the Salto Del Buey area. The roads will be winding with significant elevation changes.
- Elevations: Expect drastic changes, descending from the high plateaus (over 2,000m) into warmer valleys and then ascending again, with the waterfall access points typically around 1,200-1,500 m (3,900-4,900 ft).
- Views: Raw, intimate views of rural Antioquian landscapes, passing through remote hamlets, dense forests, and expansive valleys. The dramatic topography offers constant visual stimulation.
- Climate: Will vary considerably with elevation, from cool and temperate at higher points to warmer and more humid in the valleys, with a high chance of rain, especially in the afternoon.
- Vegetation: Diverse, ranging from managed farms to dense patches of humid montane forest and sub-tropical vegetation as we descend.
- Birds: Good opportunities for varied birdlife, including various Tanagers, Flycatchers, and raptors.
- Lunch & Waterfall Exploration (1:00 PM – 3:30 PM): Salto Del Buey
- Location: Salto Del Buey Waterfall area, near Abejorral/La Pintada.
- Activity: Enjoy a well-deserved traditional Colombian lunch at a local establishment near the waterfall access. Afterward, we’ll embark on a moderate hike to various viewpoints of the impressive Salto Del Buey waterfall, which plunges dramatically into the canyon below.
- Terrain Type (Hiking): Well-defined trails, but can be steep and potentially slippery near the falls.
- Views: The highlight is the powerful Salto Del Buey waterfall itself, plunging into a lush, green canyon. Views from various perspectives showcase its immense size and the surrounding natural beauty.
- Climate: Generally warm and humid in the waterfall area due to lower elevation, with a chance of afternoon showers.
- Birds: Increased chances of spotting species adapted to the humid forest environment around the waterfall, potentially including hummingbirds, tanagers, and wrens.
- Afternoon (3:30 PM – 7:00 PM): Return to Medellin
- Terrain Type: Primarily paved highways and main roads for a more efficient return. This will still involve significant winding roads and elevation changes.
- Elevations: We’ll gradually ascend back into the higher elevations approaching the Aburrá Valley (over 2,000 m) before the final descent into Medellin.
- Views: Continued panoramic views of the Antioquian mountains, eventually giving way to the expanding cityscape of Medellin as we approach.
- Climate: Conditions will transition back to Medellin’s typical mild, “eternal spring” climate upon arrival.
- Evening (7:00 PM – 7:30 PM): Tour Conclusion
- Location: Arrive back at Colombia Adventure Moto Tours HQ in Medellin.
- Activity: Debrief, return bikes. This marks the end of a long but incredibly rewarding day of adventure!
Basic
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
$
199
.99
Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
popular
Premium
Victory Arizona 200
$
189
.99
$
179
.99
Victory Arizona 200
Gold
Honda XRE 300
$
249
.99
Honda XRE 300
Luxury
BMW F 750 GS
$
279
.99
BMW F 750 GS
Diamond
BMW 1250 GS
$
299
.99
BMW 1250 GS
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