Climb Nevado Santa Isabel in just two days and enhance the experience by visiting the beautiful Laguna Verde Encantada and exploring the unique páramo ecosystem. Departures available from Manizales or Pereira.
Los Nevados National Natural Park is located in the Central Andes of Colombia and covers an area of 61,200 hectares. Its highest point reaches 5,321 meters above sea level at the summit of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, while its lowest elevation lies at 2,600 meters within the Andean forests.
The park spans the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, and Tolima, and its landscape is dominated by three stunning snow-capped volcanoes: Ruiz, Santa Isabel, and Tolima. These mountains are surrounded by vast páramo ecosystems, high Andean forests, lagoons, and rivers — habitats that sustain a rich diversity of plant and animal species, some of which are endangered.
The trip described below is a beautiful two-day hike that includes a visit to the Enchanted Green Lagoon and an ascent to the central, northern, or southern summit of Nevado Santa Isabel. The journey begins and ends in the cities of Pereira or Manizales.
🔴 LIMITED SPOTS
+ One professional guide for every 3 participants, certified by Los Nevados National Natural Park.
+ Full mountain meals: Two breakfasts, two lunches, and one dinner.
+ A complete snack kit for summit day.
+ Full transportation: Manizales or Pereira – Los Nevados National Park – Manizales or Pereira.
+ One night of lodging in comfortable shared rooms at El Cisne mountain refuge.
+ Medical assistance insurance.
+ Entrance fee to Los Nevados National Natural Park.
+ Mountaineering equipment: Crampons, ice axes, helmets, harnesses, ropes, gaiters, etc.
+ Permit to ascend to the summit of Nevado Santa Isabel.
+ All activities described in the itinerary.
The trip begins in the city of Manizales or Pereira, depending on the travelers’ location. At 6:00 a.m., we will pick you up at your hotel to begin the ascent in a 4×4 vehicle toward the mountains of Los Nevados National Natural Park, following the route that leads to El Cisne Mountain Hut, a journey with beautiful views of traditional farms and high Andean forests.
Along the way, we will stop to enjoy breakfast before continuing to the refuge, where park staff will welcome us with an informational briefing, followed by the official registration process to enter the protected area.
We will then take an acclimatization hike to the Laguna Verde Encantada, where we will admire the Nevado Santa Isabel up close, along with the unique flora of the páramo ecosystem. Upon returning to the refuge, we will enjoy a traditional lunch and settle into the shared rooms where we will spend the night.
In the afternoon, we will receive the mountaineering equipment, and the guides will provide instructions on its proper use.
At nightfall, we will share a typical regional dinner and rest in preparation for the summit ascent the following day.
Distance: 4 km
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation gain: 200 m
Elevation loss: 200 m
Starting altitude: 4,000 m a.s.l.
Maximum altitude: 4,100 m a.s.l.
Final altitude: 4,000 m a.s.l.
Very early in the morning, we will begin the transfer in a 4×4 vehicle to Conejeras, where our ascent toward the summit of Nevado Santa Isabel will start. We will hike under a starry sky, enjoying the silence of the high mountains. A few hours later, we will witness a spectacular sunrise over the Colombian Andes—an unforgettable moment that motivates us to continue climbing.
Upon reaching the glacier, we will gear up with the necessary equipment to progress on snow and continue toward the summit. If weather and conditions allow, we will enjoy an impressive panoramic view from approximately 5,000 meters in elevation, with sights of the other snow-capped peaks of Los Nevados National Park.
We will descend along the same route back to Conejeras, where a vehicle will be waiting to take us to Potosí for lunch. Afterwards, we will continue the return trip to the city of Manizales or Pereira, depending on the needs of the travelers.
This is where our journey comes to an end.
Distance: 14 km
Duration: 6–8 hours
Positive elevation gain: 800 m
Negative elevation loss: 800 m
Starting altitude: 4,200 m a.s.l.
Maximum altitude: 4,950 m a.s.l.
Final altitude: 2,200 m a.s.l.
+ Medium backpack (25–40 L) for the hikes
+ Dark sunglasses with UV protection
+ Rain poncho (not necessary if your jacket is waterproof)
+ Headlamp with spare batteries
+ Sun hat or cap
+ Cold-weather clothing: long-sleeve shirt, fleece or polar sweater, down or synthetic jacket, jacket with waterproof membrane, comfortable hiking pants preferably waterproof, thermal base-layer pants (leggings or similar), thick socks, warm gloves, hat covering the ears, multifunctional neck gaiter
+ Hiking boots and lightweight shoes
+ Water container (2L bottle or insulated flask)
+ Sunscreen
+ Lip balm
+ Personal medications
+ Personal hygiene kit
This is a physically demanding expedition. Although previous mountaineering experience is not required, participants must have good 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 a few days earlier to spend time at altitude in places 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-mountain ascent, 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 during the weeks leading up to the expedition will significantly improve your performance, endurance, and comfort during the climb.
Our team is equipped with communication devices, first-aid kits, and medical oxygen supplies. In addition, we continuously monitor the physical condition of all participants 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 leave the expedition for personal reasons and not due to health conditions, 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.
