Climb the impressive Nevado del Tolima on a spectacular four-day traverse beginning in Salento and ending in Ibagué. Along the way, enjoy hot springs, Andean forests, high-mountain wetlands, páramo landscapes, and vast sandy volcanic slopes.
Los Nevados National Natural Park is located in the Central Range of the Colombian Andes. It covers an area of 61,200 hectares, with a maximum elevation of 5,321 meters above sea level at the summit of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano and a minimum elevation of 2,600 meters in the Andean forests. The park spans the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, and Tolima, and within its geography rise three stunning snow-capped volcanoes—Ruiz, Santa Isabel, and Tolima—surrounded by vast expanses of páramo, forests, lakes, and rivers. These ecosystems serve as habitat for numerous animal and plant species, some of them classified as endangered.
The trek described below aims to reach the summit of Nevado del Tolima (5,240 m a.s.l.) and to enjoy the region’s diverse geography as we hike through cloud forests, páramo ecosystems, sandy high-mountain slopes, and glacial terrain.
🔴 LIMITED SPOTS
+ One guide for each 3 people.
+ Full meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners).
+ Full accommodation: 2 nights in countryside houses in shared rooms and 1 night camping.
+ Mules to carry the luggage throughout all the days.
+ Mountaineering equipment: crampons, ice axes, helmets, harnesses, ropes, gaiters, etc.
+ Medical assistance insurance.
+ Ground transportation: Salento – Valle de Cocora and Palomar – Ibagué.
+ Snacks for the hikes.
+ Entrance permit to Los Nevados National Natural Park.
+ All activities described in the itinerary.
+ Sleeping bag.
+ Thermal sleeping pad (mat).
+ Unspecified expenses.
+ Este viaje es apto para personas con buen estado físico, aunque no es necesario ser deportista ni tener experiencia en alta montaña.
+ El alojamiento en las casas campesinas es en habitaciones compartidas; si desea una habitación privada, escríbanos. Tenga en cuenta que una noches se pasará en carpas provistas por la agencia.
Our exciting journey begins in the charming town of Salento, located in the heart of Colombia’s Coffee Region and known for its picturesque beauty.
At 7:00 a.m. we will meet at a previously agreed-upon location for breakfast, and then take private transportation on a 12-kilometer ride to the beautiful Cocora Valley. Here, we will witness the majestic wax palms—Colombia’s national tree—and the stunning natural scenery that surrounds them.
After loading our luggage onto the mules, we will begin our ascent through lush cloud forests, crossing several small streams that serve as habitat for a great variety of native birds and plants.
Continuing along the trail, we will reach the modest yet welcoming countryside house known as La Argentina, a beautiful spot overlooking a canyon surrounded by forest-covered green mountains. At La Argentina we will enjoy a traditional lunch and settle into our rooms. The afternoon will be free to rest, explore the area, and share time with the warm local family who lives there.
Dinner.
Rest.
Distance: 10 km
Duration: 5 hours
Elevation gain: 1,000 m
Elevation loss: 80 m
Starting altitude: 2,400 m a.s.l.
Maximum altitude: 3,400 m a.s.l.
Final altitude: 3,400 m a.s.l.
Comenzaremos el día con un nutritivo desayuno antes de dejar nuestro equipaje en las mulas. Luego, emprenderemos nuestra caminata en dirección al majestuoso Paramillo del Quindío. Antes de llegar a su base nos desviaremos hacia un lugar conocido como La Línea, un lugar situado a una altitud de 4000 metros sobre el nivel del mar, desde donde iniciaremos nuestro descenso hasta llegar a la finca La Playa, que se encuentra a 3700 metros sobre el nivel del mar.
Una vez en La Playa, disfrutaremos de un reconfortante almuerzo y aprovecharemos la tarde para descansar y organizar el equipo de alta montaña que necesitaremos para el próximo día de la expedición.
Más tarde, disfrutaremos de una deliciosa cena y nos prepararemos para un merecido descanso.
Distancia: 6 km
Duración: 3 – 4 horas
Desnivel positivo: 600 metros
Desnivel negativo: 300 metros
Altitud inicial: 3.400 msnm
Altitud máxima: 4.000 msnm
Altitud final: 3.700 msnm
Our journey begins very early, at 11:00 p.m., with a light breakfast before starting the hike in the stillness of the páramo, surrounded by towering frailejones and other unique species characteristic of this high-mountain ecosystem. As we advance, we gain altitude and enter an area of sandy slopes and rocky formations, where we will witness the sunrise amid an overwhelming landscape.
We will continue ascending until reaching the edge of the glacier, where we will gear up with helmets, crampons, ice axes, ropes, and harnesses, all provided by our agency. Once ready, we will begin the glacier traverse toward the summit. This section across the snow takes approximately an hour and a half and leads us to the peak, located at 5,240 meters above sea level. From the summit, we will enjoy a privileged panoramic view of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and high-mountain plateaus of the National Park.
After taking in this unforgettable moment at the top, we will begin our descent and follow the route toward the Cañón Hot Springs, where we will end the day relaxing in their natural thermal waters.
Distance: 22 km
Duration: 14–16 hours
Elevation gain: 1,600 m
Elevation loss: 1,300 m
Starting altitude: 3,700 m a.s.l.
Maximum altitude: 5,240 m a.s.l.
Final altitude: 4,000 m a.s.l.
On our final day, we will begin the descent from the hot springs, crossing mountains covered with frailejones until reaching the Bombona Lagoon. From there, we will continue along the route toward an area known as La Punta, where a private vehicle will be waiting to take us to Palomar for lunch. Afterwards, we will continue descending by car for approximately three hours until arriving in the city of Ibagué.
Starting altitude: 4,000 m a.s.l.
Maximum altitude: 4,000 m a.s.l.
Final altitude: 2,800 m a.s.l.
Distance: 19 km
Duration: 6 hours hiking – 3 hours by car
Elevation gain: 100 m
Elevation loss: 1,100 m
+ Small backpack (20–30 L) for the hikes.
+ High-mountain sleeping bag.
+ Sleeping pad (small mat).
+ Small towel.
+ Swimsuit.
+ Sunglasses with UV protection.
+ Poncho-style rain jacket (not necessary if your jacket is waterproof).
+ Headlamp with spare batteries.
+ Cold-weather clothing: warm jacket, fleece, comfortable hiking pants and an additional pair for sleeping (preferably thermal), thick socks (at least three pairs), gloves, hat with ear protection.
+ Hiking boots, lightweight shoes.
+ Water container (thermos).
+ Sunscreen.
+ Lip balm.
+ Small personal first-aid kit.
+ Small personal hygiene kit (toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush).
+ Large bags for packing clothes and trash.
This is a physically demanding expedition. Although no previous mountaineering experience is required, participants must have excellent physical fitness. 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 early and spending time in higher-altitude locations such as Bogotá or Salento, as prior acclimatization significantly improves the body’s ability to adapt and reduces the risk of altitude-related discomfort during the expedition.
To prepare for a high-altitude climb, we suggest maintaining a consistent training routine that includes cardiovascular exercise (such as hiking, running, or cycling), leg and core strengthening, and long hikes carrying a backpack. Training at least 3 to 4 times per week in the weeks leading up to the expedition will greatly improve your performance, endurance, and overall comfort during the ascent.
Our team is equipped with satellite communication devices, first-aid kits, and medical oxygen supplies at the high-altitude camps. In addition, we continuously monitor the physical condition of all participants.
+ Sleeping bag: $80,000
+ Thermal sleeping pad: $30,000
+ 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
+ Sunglasses with UV protection: $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 start of the expedition. Contact us to learn more about available payment methods.
If you are unable to continue due to health reasons or weather conditions, our team will always prioritize your safety. We will accompany you during the descent, and you will receive the necessary medical attention.
Remember that this expedition includes medical assistance and rescue insurance.
Yes! If you can’t match the dates of our upcoming expedition, contact us. We can design a customized adventure or even open a new expedition date especially for you or your group.
