CATEGORY: ADVENTURE / TREKKING
DURATIÓN: 3 days, 2 nights
NOMBRE DE LA RUTA: Paramillo del Quindio 4750m
DESCRIPTIÓN:
With one of the highest peaks in the Los Nevados National Park, the Paramillo del Quindio 4,750 meters is found in the Southern sector of the Park. Had you visited decades previously, you would have found this long-extinct volcano with it’s own glacier, but having been long since affected by the rise of global temperatures, is now a non-glacial peak. With its unique history and stories, this mountain holds a special magic and beauty as well as the opportunity for visitors to experience the many unique ecosystems and wildlife found within the National Park. One of our more popular treks due the combination of natural beauty and hard physical challenges throughout each of the three days.
LEVEL 4, DEMANDING
Recommended for those with good physical condition and strength, who wish to have an challenging experience. It is preferable to have some experience in mountaineering. Hikes from 6 to 8 hours a day, with distances of 15-19 kilometers (≈9-12 miles). The terrain is hilly, with steep slopes, irregular roads with mud and some sections without shade (direct sunlight). The elevation change of up to 2,500 meters (≈8,000 ft), with an maximum altitude of 5,000 meters (≈16,000 ft). These routes often involve carrying your own luggage.
DAY PRIOR TO THE TREK: We ask all clients to please come to the Paramo Trek office in Salento (before 4pm) where we take you through a pre-departure briefing. We double-check you are adequately equipped (hiking shoes, clothes for the cold, waterproofs etc.) as well as complete any outstanding payments. We do have some equipment available for rent, however, this is on a first come first served basis.
DAY 1: We all meet at the Paramo Trek office at 6am where you are introduced to your guide/s before heading to our breakfast stop. Once full from our hearty breakfast, we all jump into a traditional Colombian ‘Willis’ jeep to our start of the trek at the Cocora Valley. We start walking at an altitude of 2,390 meters towards the forest, where you can see the iconic wax palms. We start our ascent in the High Andean Forest (commonly known as ‘Cloud Forest’) bordering the San José River. Our cooked lunch spot is at a traditional farm at an altitude of 3,170meters. After lunch we continue our ascent through the sub-páramo ecosystem until we reach the páramo, full with unique flora and wildlife, until we reach an altitude of 3,800meters. We then spend the final part of the first day descending to our accomodation for the night, the Finca La Primavera 3,700meters. Here the wood-burning oven not only warms us up but is the key ingredient for the traditional dinner cooked by the local family. Weather permitting, this last section provides unparalleled views of Nevados del Tolima glaciar.
Day 2: Our second day starts immediately amongst the frailejones of the Páramo, with the spectacular panoramic views of Nevado del Tolima and its surrounding landscape. We make an ascent to the Wetlands of the Paramillo del Quindío at 4.200 meters, the source of the Cárdenas River. From this point we setup our own base camp before starting our ascent to the extinct volcano crater. This can take approximately two hours due to the care needed on the steeper sections (sometimes as much as 45 degrees!) to reach our goal, the summit at 4,750 meters. Depending on the weather conditions, the summit offers panoramic views of Santa Isabel and Ruiz Nevados, two glacial peaks in the North of the National Park, plus the Otún Lagoon. We then make our return to the Finca La Primavera, normally arriving as the sun starts to set (5:30 pm).
DAY 3: Following a delicious traditional breakfast prepared by our hosts, we start our day heading uphill towards our maximum altitude of 4,000 meters. After an in-depth discussion about the importance and problems facing the Colombian paramos by your guide, the group start their descent. This route gives us the opportunity to see the stunning ‘Paramillo del Quindio’ mountain and surrounding area of breathtaking, natural beauty. We mark the halfway stage of our day by enjoying a hot soup when passing ‘La Argentina’ farm, before completing the circuit back towards the Cocora Valley. After taking our private transport back to Salento, we finish our adventure by celebrating at dinner (included in the package price) at one of the finest restaurants in Salento.
Minimum Altitude: 2.390m (7.841 ft.)
Altitude of Finca la Primavera: 3.800m (12.467 ft.)
Maximum Altitude (Paramillo del Quindío Summit): 4.750m (15.583 ft.)
A: Cocora Valley B:Primavera C: Cima Paramillo Quindio
Day 1 (A → B):
19 Km
20 Km
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.
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Accomodation 12345
Destination 12345
Meals 12345
Transport 12345
Value For Money 12345
Overall 12345