The trip

Trekking and mountains

The Andes Mountain Range is so extensive that it crosses numerous countries and regions, from the island of Tierra del Fuego, to North America. In the Colombian area, there is a great variety of landscapes and vegetation, perhaps a bit similar to the ascents and trekking of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. In this way, to reach the summit of the Nevado de Tolima, you walk through jungle and snowy terrain with glaciers.

The trip is proposed with an accompanying guide from Argentina and with initial acclimatization in the capital city of Bogotá, at more than 2600 meters above sea level.

Itinerary:

Note: the following itinerary is for informational purposes and may change without prior notice according to weather conditions or unforeseen events that occur in the Nevado del Tolima.

Day 1: Welcome and meeting in the capital city of Colombia, Bogotá, at 2600 meters above sea level. Meeting with the group and free time. Overnight in hostel.

Day 2: New day in Bogotá, free, to continue with the acclimatization period to the altitude. Overnight in hostel.

Day 3: Flight to the city of Pereira. Welcome from the local guides; private transfer to the town of Salento, lodging and meeting with guides. Lunch and dinner at the expense of each participant. Overnight.

Day 4: 6:30 am After breakfast in Salento, we go by jeep to the mythical Valle de Cócora. There we will find the muleteer who will carry our luggage for the next 4 days. We will start the road through the Valley until we reach the San José River where we will cross 6 “Indiana Jones” style bridges. At 4.5 km, the road increases in difficulty and begins to climb through the Andean jungles until reaching the first mountain refuge, lunch.
Then we start the 9 km journey From the Andean Jungle to the Páramo. it is possible to find a terrain of high difficulty. We will arrive at our mountain refuge at 3,700m.

• Approximate : 7/8 hours
• Total distance: 18 km
• Maximum height: 3,800 m
• Initial height: 2,400 m
• Final height: 3,600 m
• Accumulated ascent: 1,654 m
• Accumulated descent: 405 m

Day 5: 8:00 am After having rested at 3700m, we will have breakfast and start our ascent to the “Base Camp”. The Nevado del Tolima will always be present in these 9 km of easy ascent. At the beginning we will take a valley for 1 hour until we come across the mountains from where you can see the beautiful Laguna del Encanto, a wetland that gives birth to the Totare river at 4,000 m. the camp is located at 4,350 m at the base of the mountain. In the afternoon, a technical talk will be given on the use of mountain equipment.

• Approximate walking time: 4 hours.
• Distance: 8 km
• Initial height: 3,700 m
• Maximum height: 4,350 m
• Final Height: 4,350 m
• Positive slope: 700 m
• Negative slope: 50 m

Day 6: 2:00 a.m. Breakfast. This day we visit 3 zones
• Sandbanks/moraines (4,350 m-4,750 m) have a steep slope from the start of the hike. 1 hour ascent.
• Rock area/old Glacier (4,750 m-4,950 m). This area contains rocks discovered by glacial retreat. We will cross some steps with the security of the helmet, the harness and the rope that the guide will carry. 1 hour ascent.
• Glacier/peak (4,950 m-5,220 m) Glacier area with moderate slopes. It is not a technical promotion but a physical one. Very low temperature on the glacier edge while preparing the personal equipment. On the glacier, sunglasses and sunscreen are very important. "Glacier Shimmer"
After our ascent to the top of the Nevado del Tolima, we will return to our camp where we will have lunch, there the guides will be sending the equipment on the pack mule to start the descent to the mountain refuge.

• Approximate walking time: 9 hours.
• Distance: 18 km
• Initial height: 4,350 m
• Maximum height: 5,220 m

• Final Height: 3,700 m
• Positive slope: 900 m
• Negative slope: 1,550 m

Day 7: 8:00 a.m. Last day, ascent of moderate slope until reaching the blade of the "Línea", point where the waters of the Cárdenas River divide into the great Cañón de amarguras. You can see the Paramillo del Quindío, an extinct glacier. descent to the canyon and we pass by the river that is born in the wetlands of Quindío, then we will ascend to the mountain refuge that has been abandoned by its peasants "Buenos Aires". From there you descend to the Argentina farm, lunch. Later and again in the Andean jungle, we appreciate the beauty of another mountain area with a lot of biodiversity. 3 ascents mark the final road to the back of the Cocora Valley where we will take our vehicle to Salento. Overnight.

• Approximate total time: 7 hours
• Total distance: 19 km
• Maximum height: 3,900 m
• Initial height: 3,700 m
• Final height: 2,400 m
• Accumulated ascent: 650m
• Accumulated descent: 1,950 m

Day 8: Breakfast and end of the program.

Elevation profile (m a.s.l.)

Good to know

It is an organized group trip from Argentina, with a permanent accompanying guide.

What is included

Accompanying guide from Argentina
2 nights of accommodation in a hostel in Bogotá (double, triple or larger rooms), nights 1 and 2.
Full meals in the mountains from breakfast on day 4 to lunch on day 7 (mountain food)
Hot drinks in camps and shelters and snacks
2 nights of hotel accommodation in Salento (double, triple or larger rooms)
2 nights in a mountain refuge (shared rooms, 3 cabins per room)
Accommodation 1 night in high mountain camp (2 people per tent)
Private transportation day 1 Pereira – Salento, day 2 Salento – Cocora, day 5 Cocora – Salento and Salento - Pereira
One (1) local mountain guide for every three (3) people
Tents for 2 people
Tableware (Plate, spoon, glass)
Sleeping bag and insulation
drinking water
Full glacier equipment (helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe, rope, carabiners)
Mules to carry suitcases for 4 days. Maximum 10kg per person.
Medical assistance insurance

Not included

Trip to Colombia
Meals in the cities of Bogotá and Pereira
Flight or Bus Bogotá-Pereira-Bogotá
Expenses caused by abandoning the program

Recommended gear

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

Trekking backpack (40 to 50 liters)
Bag for the trip
trekking poles

SHOES

Mountain trekking boots (waterproof, warm)
Extra pair of trekking boots

BASE LAYER

Underwear.
Cotton shirts (to be in the camp and to sleep)
T-shirts and / or short-sleeved synthetic shirts
Pants or leggings made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton). To wear as warm indoor pants
Thin gloves made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton)
Synthetic thin socks (not cotton)
Buff neck

MIDDLE LAYER

Trekking socks (synthetic-thermal)
thick mountain socks
cotton or wool socks ( wool is for sleeping)
2 long trekking pants
Short-mesh pants
2 Sweatshirt (Fleece 100 or Fleece 200)
Feather duvet jacket
Warm hat (fleece)
Fleece gloves (with fingers or mittens
Sun hat

OUTER LAYER

Waterproof jacket - parka (gore tex or similar)
Pants cover (gore tex or similar)
Waterproof and breathable gloves
Ski gloves
Mountain gaiters

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

Crampons
Climbing helmet
Axe
harness with self-securing strap
1 locking carabiner and 3 single carabiners
1 self-locking daisy chain strap
1 cord of 2 meters of 6 mm

PERSONAL ELEMENTS

Passport, ID card, ID.
Medical and personal information completed, authorization.
Permit printed for payment.

MISCELLANEOUS

FRONTAL flashlight with batteries (with spare batteries)
Sturdy plastic bags for storing clothes.

HEALTH & HYGIENE

Sun glasses with UV protection Category 4
Spare lenses (can be goggles, highly recommended)
Personal first-aid kit (medication with the relevant recipe)
Sunscreen , Lip balm
Soap, shampoo (small) and small towel.
Toilet paper. Baby wipes.

KITCHEN ITEMS

Containers to drink water, for at least 4 liters (2 bottles of 1 liter and 1 bag of hydration with hose of 2 lt.)
Small thermos

OPTIONAL, not mandatory (check space and weight)

SILVER TAPE for blisters and repairs
Mini - sewing kit
Binoculars. Camera or video equipment
Book, travel diary, pencil, pen

FAQ

Do i need a lot of mountain experience?

It is a trek and a high mountain ascent. Ideal to have physical condition and some experience in trekking with load.

How is the food?

Food is included in the mountain program and is varied. If you are vegetarian, vegan or celiac, there are no problems, you must complete the form so we are aware.

How do I travel to Colombia? is the flight included?

No, the flight is not included; we can advise you on the best flight options. The same for the section from Bogotá to Pereira; the idea is to book a group flight.