Ascend the majestic Nevado del Tolima on a stunning four-day journey that begins in Salento and ends in Ibagué. Enjoy relaxing hot springs, lush Andean forests, high-mountain wetlands, páramo landscapes, and vast volcanic sand fields along the way.
Los Nevados National Natural Park is located in the Central Andes of Colombia and spans 61,200 hectares. Its highest point reaches 5,321 meters above sea level at the summit of Nevado del Ruiz, while its lowest elevation is 2,600 meters in the Andean forests.
The park extends across the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, and Tolima, and its landscape is dominated by three impressive snow-capped volcanoes: Ruiz, Santa Isabel, and Tolima. These mountains are surrounded by vast páramo ecosystems, high-Andean forests, lagoons, and rivers — all of which serve as habitat for a rich variety of plant and animal species, including several that are endangered.
The journey described below aims to reach the summit of Nevado del Tolima (5,240 m a.s.l.) while enjoying the region’s diverse landscapes as we hike through cloud forests, páramo ecosystems, volcanic sand fields, and glacial terrain.
🔴 LIMITED SPOTS
+ Guide throughout the entire trip.
+ Full meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners).
+ Complete lodging: 3 nights in local farm houses, shared rooms.
+ Mules to carry personal luggage on days 1, 2, and 4 (maximum 10 kg per person).
+ Mountaineering equipment: crampons, ice axes, helmets, harnesses, ropes, gaiters, etc.
+ Medical assistance insurance.
+ Ground transportation: Salento – Valle de Cocora – Salento.
+ Snacks for the hikes.
+ Entrance permit to Los Nevados National Natural Park.
+ All activities described in the itinerary.
+ Unspecified expenses.
• This trek can also be completed in three days. It is recommended only for people with excellent physical condition.
• This trip is suitable for people in good physical shape; it is not necessary to be an athlete or have high-mountain experience.
• Accommodation in the rural houses is in shared rooms; if you prefer a private room, please write to us.
Our exciting journey begins in the charming town of Salento, located in the heart of the Coffee Region and known for its picturesque beauty.
At 7:00 a.m., we will meet at a previously agreed location to have breakfast and then take a private transport for a 12-kilometer ride to the beautiful Cocora Valley. Here, we will witness the majestic wax palms and their stunning natural surroundings.
After loading our luggage onto the mules, we will begin our ascent through lush cloud forests, crossing several streams that provide shelter for a variety of birds and plants.
As we continue our hike, we will arrive at the modest yet welcoming farmhouse known as La Argentina, which offers a beautiful view of a canyon surrounded by green, forest-covered mountains.
At La Argentina, we will enjoy a delicious lunch and settle into our rooms. The afternoon will be free to rest, explore the place, and interact with the warm family who lives there.
Dinner.
Rest.
Distance: 10 km
Duration: 5 hours
Elevation gain: 1,000 meters
Elevation loss: 80 meters
Starting altitude: 2,400 m a.s.l.
Maximum altitude: 3,400 m a.s.l.
Ending altitude: 3,400 m a.s.l.
We will begin the day with a nutritious breakfast before leaving our luggage with the mules. Then, we will start our hike toward the majestic Paramillo del Quindío. Before reaching its base, we will take a detour to a place known as La Línea, located at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level, from where we will begin our descent until reaching the farmhouse La Playa, situated at 3,700 meters above sea level.
Once in La Playa, we will enjoy a comforting lunch and use the afternoon to rest and organize the high-mountain equipment we will need for the next day of the expedition. Later, we will enjoy a delicious dinner and prepare for a well-deserved rest.
Distance: 6 km
Duration: 3–4 hours
Positive elevation gain: 600 meters
Negative elevation gain: 300 meters
Starting altitude: 3,400 masl
Maximum altitude: 4,000 masl
Final altitude: 3,700 masl
We begin our day at 12:00 a.m. with a light breakfast. After that, we start the ascent to Nevado del Tolima, entering the silence of the night and early morning as we cross the páramo, surrounded by beautiful frailejones and unique alpine plants. Little by little, we gain altitude and reach the rocky sand fields, where we will enjoy the sunrise.
We continue ascending until reaching the glacier, where we gear up with the necessary equipment (helmets, crampons, ice axes, ropes, harnesses, etc., provided by our agency). Once ready, we begin the climb on the snow, a route that will lead us to the summit. The glacier section takes approximately 1.5 hours until reaching the 5,240-meter peak, which offers a spectacular view of the other snow-capped mountains and peaks of the National Park.
After enjoying the summit, we begin our descent back to La Argentina farmhouse, where we will have lunch, dinner, and spend the night.
Distance: 24 km
Duration: 12–13 hours
Elevation gain: 1,600 meters
Elevation loss: 1,600 meters
Starting altitude: 3,700 m
Maximum altitude: 5,240 m
Final altitude: 3,700 m
After having a traditional countryside breakfast, we will leave our luggage with the pack mules and begin our descent toward the Cocora Valley. The route back will be different from the ascent, allowing us to experience new landscapes (Andean forests) and channels that intersect with streams until reaching the Cocora Valley. From there, we will take the vehicle back to Salento, where our journey comes to an end.
Distance: 20 km
Duration: 6–7 hours
Elevation gain: 400 m
Elevation loss: 1,900 m
Starting altitude: 3,700 m
Maximum altitude: 4,000 m
Ending altitude: 2,400 m
+ Plastic bag for the gear carried by the mules (maximum 10 kg per person).
+ Small backpack (20–30 L) for daily hikes.
+ UV-protection sunglasses.
+ Rain poncho (not necessary if your jacket is fully waterproof).
+ Headlamp with extra batteries.
+ Cold-weather clothing: long-sleeve shirt, fleece or soft-shell jacket, down or synthetic jacket, waterproof jacket, comfortable hiking pants, waterproof pants, thermal base layer (leggings or similar), thick socks, warm gloves, beanie with ear protection, multifunctional neck gaiter.
+ Trekking boots, lightweight shoes, or rubber boots.
+ Water container (2-liter bottle or insulated flask).
+ Sunscreen.
+ Lip balm.
+ Personal medication.
+ Personal hygiene kit.
This is a physically demanding expedition. While previous mountaineering experience is not required, participants must have excellent physical conditioning. Having completed multi-day hikes in cold or high-altitude environments will help you feel more confident and better prepared for the ascent.
We also recommend arriving two days earlier to spend time at altitude in places such as Bogotá or Salento, as prior acclimatization significantly improves your body’s ability to adapt and reduces the risk of altitude-related discomfort during the expedition.
To prepare for a high-altitude ascent, we recommend a consistent training routine that includes cardiovascular exercise (such as hiking, running, or cycling), strength training for the legs and core, and long hikes carrying a backpack. Training at least 3–4 times per week during the weeks leading up to the expedition will greatly improve your performance, endurance, and comfort during the climb.
Our team is equipped with communication devices, first-aid kits, and medical oxygen available at high-altitude camps. We also continuously monitor each participant’s physical condition throughout the expedition.
+ Jacket + fleece: $80,000
+ Trekking poles: $30,000
+ Thermal pants: $30,000
+ Waterproof pants: $30,000
+ Gloves: mittens + fleece gloves: $30,000
+ Hat, balaclava, or buff: $10,000
+ Uv-protection sunglasses: $30,000
+ Headlamp (with batteries): $30,000
You can secure your spot with a 20% deposit, and the remaining balance must be paid before the expedition begins. Contact us for more details about available payment methods.
If you are unable to continue the expedition for health-related reasons, our team will always prioritize your safety. We will accompany you during the descent, and you will receive the necessary medical attention.
Please remember that this expedition includes medical assistance and rescue insurance.
If a participant chooses to stop the expedition for personal reasons and not due to health issues, they will be responsible for any additional costs associated with modifying the itinerary.
Yes! If you cannot join us on the scheduled expedition dates, just contact us. We can design a fully customized adventure for you, or even open a new expedition date specifically for you or your group.
