On this 4-day hike, you will ascend the top of Nevado del Tolima. This volcano, at 5,221 meters of altitude, is the second highest mountain in Los Nevados National Natural Park and next to Nevado del Ruiz and Nevado de Santa Isabel, the three glacial mountains of the park. The view is spectacular and with the clear sky, you can see the whole National Park. Not only do we have the physical feat of reaching this altitude but also have the opportunity to explore the unique, exotic and vulnerable páramo ecosystem with its extraordinary vegetation, a unique region that can only be found in the northwest of the Andean highlands of Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru. This route is only for clients with previous experience in the mountains, with a desire to push themselves physically and mentally.
(Weather depending)
NIVEL 5. VERY DEMANDING
Only suitable for people physically and psychologically prepared for experiences of great effort and who want to go beyond their own limits. It is necessary to have previous experience in mountaineering. The activities can last more than 12 hours a day, with distances of up to 19 kilometers (≈12 miles) and a change in elevation of 2,800 meters (≈9,000ft). The terrain is rugged, with steep slopes, irregular roads or even without a path (exploratory), some sections with mud, others rocky, others sandy and without shade; Sometimes it may be necessary to use your hands for support and balance. The altitude is above 4,000 meters (≈13,000 ft) with a maximum of 5,212 meters (≈17,000 ft). The luggage will be carried by mules, only the daily equipment will be carried.
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: After having breakfast and arranging the equipment for the mules, the group will begin to walk towards the base camp. During the first couple hours of the morning you will walk between gentle ups and downs, until you reach the base of the Tolima mountain. Here you will have a steep ascent in order to reach the base camp, our home for the second evening at around 4,400 meters above sea level. We normally arrive around 3:00 pm which gives us time to organize the camp, have lunch and rest rest until dinner time at 6:00 p.m., your guide will also give a briefing for the next day, explaining about theice equipment and other important aspects of your safety during the following summit attempt. Throughout this day, you will have the opportunity to see view of breathtaking natural beauty between the páramo and subpáramo ecosystem.
Day 3: We take an early alpine breakfast at 2:30 am before starting our hike soon after. Continuing the ascent to the Heliport at 4,700 meters, the starting point of the steep ascent to the glacial border. From this point onwards it will sometimes be necessary to use the hands for support and balance since the terrain is more rocky, sloping and sandy and it is here that each member of the group puts on the helmet and the harness. At the beginning of the glacier at 4,800 meters the team organises their ice equipment(crampons, ice ax, glasses). Between this point and the Nevado del Tolima summit there is 2 km of steep ascent, If you manage to reach the top and the weather conditions and time allow it will be time to take advantage of the view, where you will be able to appreciate the different snowy peaks of the park national. The descent will be by the same route as the ascent. A descent time will be of more or less than 30 minutes to reach the edge of the glacier again there we will remove the ice equipment and begin to descend to the farm «La Primavera» where it is common to arrive around 5:00 pm.
Day 4: 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 pies/ft.)
5.200m (17.093 pies/ft.)
19 Km
9 Km
A: Cócora Valley (2390m)
B: Finca La Primavera (3750m)
C: Campamento Base (4400m)
D: Cumbre Tolima (5210m)
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.
Tu dirección de correo electrónico no será publicada. Los campos obligatorios están marcados con *
Comentario *
Nombre *
Correo electrónico *
Web
Accomodation 12345
Destination 12345
Meals 12345
Transport 12345
Value For Money 12345
Overall 12345
Conquista en 2 días la cima del Nevado de Santa Isabel, donde el azul del cielo y el blanco de la nieve se funden.
Aventúrate al Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados y conquista la cima del Paramillo del Quindío.
Asómbrate con las bellos vistazos escénicos del Volcán Machín con esta aventura de un día.
Intenta ascender al Nevado del Tolima y descubre los más bellos paisajes del Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados.