Salento to Manizales

LEVEL 3. CHALLENGING

For the physically active, with a spirit of adventure and who have some experience in traveling through mountainous terrain with a light backpack. Hikes from 6 to 7 hours a day, with distances between 10 and 14 kilometers (≈ 6-9 miles). The terrain is hilly, with steep slopes, irregular roads with mud and some sections without shade (direct sunlight). The elevation change is of minimum 1,000 meters and maximum 1,600 meters (≈2,000 – 5,200 feet), with a maximum altitude of 4,000 meters (≈13,000 feet).

Day 1: Leaving Salento at 7:00am, in a Jeep “Willis” the typical transportation in the coffee region, heading for the iconic Cocora Valley. We start trekking at an altitude of 2.410m towards the cloud forest. The first ascending path goes as far 3.150meters high to a lookout where there is a stop for a trail lunch. Then, you continue to ascend through two different types of forest in these tropical ecosystems until you get to your destination for the first day at the mountain farmhouse “La Argentina” at an altitude of 3.450meters high

Day 2: After a typical countryside breakfast, we leave ‘La Argentina farm to head to the Paramo ecosystem and enter the Los Nevados National Park. A tough morning sees us rise to 3,800m and a beautiful view down the Cardenas valley from the farm ‘Buenos Aires’. After a short break for photos and to gather our breath, we gather the strength for the ascent to our highest point- 4,200m. Following a descent through some stunning scenary, we reach farm “El Berlin”  located in the department of Risaralda at 3.800 meters and where we will spend the night.

Day 3: After a typical countryside breakfast we leave the warmth of the kitchen in Finca El Berlin and start our trek towards the Otun Lake- the largest body of water in the Los Nevados National Park. The highest point of this day is the lake mirador at 4,100m and if we are lucky with the weather, a view of Santa Isabel Glacier await. Here  your guide/s will prepare a picnic along the route with a late lunch waiting for us at the end of the trek.  From Finca Campo Alegre (the location marking the end of our trek) we take an all-terrain 4×4 vehicle 4×4 towards Manizales city. This two hour, bumpy route takes us back down through the various ecosystms until we reach the city. Providing your hotel/hostal is in the city, we will drop you off at the door.

• Undertake some basic acclimatization- ensure to go for a walk in Salento upon arrival and stay hydrated.
• For your safety always comply with the recommendations of your guide throughout the tour
• Use of psychoactive substances is prohibited
• Do not drink alcohol the day before the activity
• Do not remove any vegetation of organic matter from the National Park
• Please be open and honest from the moment you contact us regarding medical information or other factors that impact upon your safety when isolated in the mountains.

• Adequate shoes (trekking/hiking boots – no sandals or sneakers)
• Rain gear (rain jacket and rain pants)
• Head torch
• Clothes to change into at the end of each day and personal toiletries
• Backpack for your personal belongings and the snack packs more than 30liters
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• Water bottle, we take care of the refill during the trek

Paramo Trek works according to the Colombian Law 300 that reserves the right to consider compelling reasons and circumstances for non-participation in the reserved and/or contracted activity and the respective reimbursement.

Once the booked activity/service has started, there is no reimbursement of the paid amount.

For cancellation of the booking prior to the agreed start date and time, without cause, will incur a 50% charge of the total value of the booked activity.

In case of a failure to use the service for extreme causes (death, hospitalization, accident duly certified), we will reimburse 80% of the paid amount.

Paramo Trek, due to the very nature of the tours we offer, have to be flexible and constantly evaluating all aspects of safety for our clients. Some of the places we visit are difficult to access with a lack of urban amenities, as well as subject to unpredictable and variable environmental conditions. We therefore consider these experiences to be for the adventurous, with our clients prepared to adapt and to be positive in the face of unexpected change.