Chibchi Fisha Xtreme Triathlon

Lake Tota (Tota / Aquitania / Cuitiva), Colombia · January · XTRI World Tour

Why people love it

No past race reports exist; most ratings come from the venue and tourism sources
Cold water, about 13 °C (55 °F), at 3,015 m (9,892 ft)
Elevation numbers on the XTRI page are unlabeled
Distances are 3.0 / 185 / 43 km (1.9 / 115 / 26.7 mi), not a true full
Public swimming at Playa Blanca currently restricted

2.2Below par

How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.

Racer satisfactionLiked3.3
No race has been held yet, so there is no athlete feedback. The paramo and lake setting is the draw. · Low confidence
OrganizationAdequate3.0
An inaugural edition with no track record, though backed by the established XTRI network. · Low confidence
First timer friendlyExperts only1.0
Altitude of 3,015 m (9,892 ft), cold water and extreme climbing make this for experienced athletes only. · High confidence

PR potentialVery slow1.0
The listing shows 3,200 m (10,499 ft) of bike gain and 2,000 m (6,562 ft) of run gain at about 3,000 m (9,843 ft) altitude. · Medium confidence
Course easeExtreme1.0
A cold 3.0 km (1.9 mi) swim, 185 km (115 mi) bike and 43 km (26.7 mi) run, all at about 3,000 m (9,843 ft). · High confidence

2.6Good

Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

Wetsuit legalAlmost always5.0
The lake is 11.7-13 °C (53-55 °F), far below the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) limit, so a wetsuit is almost certainly legal or required. · High confidence
Water temperatureExtreme1.2
Lake Tota averages about 13 °C (55 °F), below 15 °C (59 °F). Swimming is currently restricted at Playa Blanca. · Medium confidence
Calm waterMostly calm3.8
A large lake (55 km² / 21 sq mi) at altitude, exposed to afternoon wind. No race-day data, but an early-morning start may be calm. · Low confidence
Swim easeHard2.2
3.0 km (1.9 mi) in cold, dark water at 3,015 m (9,892 ft), with cold shock and thin air. · Low confidence
Swim experienceFine3.0
A striking setting, but cold, dark water and no athlete feedback yet. · Low confidence

3.0Good

Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.

Road surfaceMixed3.0
Komoot says mostly paved around the lake. No race reports. · Low confidence
Road closuresMostly open2.0
Traffic management on rural roads is unknown. · Low confidence
Bike scenerySpectacular4.8
High paramo, frailejones and Colombia's largest lake. No athlete confirmation yet. · Low confidence
WindSome wind2.8
Exposed paramo and a large lake. No wind data. · Low confidence

Bike speedVery slow1.0
3,200 m (10,499 ft) over 185 km (115 mi) at altitude. Lake loops of 65-82 km (40-51 mi) on Komoot climb 1,270-1,440 m (4,167-4,724 ft). · Medium confidence
Bike flatnessMountainous1.0
3,200 m (10,499 ft) of gain per the XTRI listing (unlabeled), above the 2,500 m (8,200 ft) mark for a mountainous bike. · Medium confidence
Bike simplicitySome technical parts2.8
Mountain roads with climbs and descents past frailejones. No data. · Low confidence

2.7Good

Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

Crowd supportSparse1.8
A rural region with small towns around the lake. No race held yet. · Low confidence
Aid stationsStandard3.0
Unknown. XTRI events usually provide some support. · Low confidence
Run scenerySpectacular4.6
Paramo landscape. No race held yet. · Low confidence
Run conditionsBrutal1.0
Thin air at about 3,000 m (9,843 ft), cold, and 2,000 m (6,562 ft) of gain after a 185 km (115 mi) ride. · Medium confidence

Run flatnessBig climbs1.0
About 2,000 m (6,562 ft) of gain over 43 km (26.7 mi). · Medium confidence

2.3Below par

Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

Air temperatureHarsh1.6
Air is 0-22 °C (32-72 °F) with a daytime mean around 11 °C (52 °F), so mostly cold. · Medium confidence
Weather reliabilityUnsettled2.0
Mountain weather changes fast, though the December to March dry season helps a late-January date. · Low confidence
Venue beautyStunning4.7
Lake Tota and the paramo are widely photographed. · Medium confidence
Spectator friendlyTricky2.0
A remote lake circuit. Spectator access is unknown. · Low confidence

Low altitudeHigh altitude1.0
The lake sits at 3,015 m (9,892 ft), double the 1,500 m (4,900 ft) mark where altitude starts to matter. · High confidence

2.9Good

Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.

Hotel availabilityBook early3.0
Many small lakeside hotels for a 200-athlete field plus crews. · Low confidence
Hotel valueGood3.8
Booking sites score 7-10 out of 10 on small samples in rural Boyacá. · Low confidence
WalkabilitySome driving3.0
Lakeside hotels in Aquitania, Tota and Cuitiva. Venue layout is unpublished. · Low confidence
Travel easeAwkward2.0
About a 5 hour drive from Bogotá airport. · Medium confidence
LogisticsSome complexity3.0
Likely a single-region lake circuit. Details are unpublished. · Low confidence
Town and foodFine2.6
Small towns. One visitor found lakeside food disappointing. · Low confidence

Location: Lake Tota (Tota / Aquitania / Cuitiva), Boyaca, Colombia
Typical month: January
Latest or next date: 30 January 2027
Organiser: XTRI World Tour
Field size: About 200 athletes
First held: 2027
Distances: 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
Swim venue: Lake Tota (3,015 m altitude) (lake)
Water temperature: 12–13 °C (53–55 °F)
Bike climbing: 3,200 m (10,500 ft)
Key climbs: Paramo climbs past frailejones
Run climbing: 2,000 m (6,560 ft)
Air temperature: 0–22 °C (32–72 °F)
Altitude: 3,015 m (9,890 ft)
Nearest airport: Bogota (BOG) ~ 5 h drive; Sogamoso area closer by road
Where to stay: Aquitania, Tota, Cuitiva
Booking: Lakeside hotels in Cuitiva, Aquitania and Tota (Big Day Hotel, Hotel Playa Blanca, Hospedaje Puerta al Lago, San Alejo Ecohotel). Ratings 7-10/10, many on small samples.

Nomadic Nikoblog · Mixed
Visitor write-up on Lake Tota: water around 13 C (55 F), wading only (swimming not allowed at Playa Blanca), overcast visit, white sand shore. Lakeside meal was disappointing. Not a race report.
Booking / Route Guide / LateRooms (Tota area hotels)hotel-review · Positive
Aggregator scores around the lake: Hotel Playa Blanca 8.5-8.6/10 (50-64 reviews), Hospedaje Puerta al Lago 7.2, Hotel Eliseo mixed, San Alejo Ecohotel 10/10 (Jan 2026 review). Small samples.
Komoot routes around Lake Totaaggregator · Mixed
Lake-area cycling routes of 65-82 km (40-51 mi) with 1,270-1,440 m (4,167-4,724 ft) ascent, rated hard, mostly paved, few ratings.

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.

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