Day 1
Meeting at the hotel, transfer to the airport, flight (1 hour) to the city of Armenia. Upon arrival, transport will be ready to take the group to the beautiful town of Salento (1919 m), a typical coffee town with colonial paisa architecture and a relaxed atmosphere. Depending on the flight schedule, it is possible to include a coffee tour in the afternoon. In the evening, meet a mountain guide who will explain the next day's activities.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Early breakfast and departure by jeep to the picturesque Cocora Valley (30 minutes), located at an altitude of 2425 meters, decorated with the national tree of Colombia: the Wax Palm. Having enjoyed this place, the staff will prepare the luggage for the pack animals.The ascent follows the beaten path through the primary mountainous rainforest. The trail goes up the "Quebrada Cardenas" along the river of the same name, which is slowly gaining height. A few meters above the tree line, there is a mountain farm called "La Argentina" (3483 m), a beautiful place between a disappearing forest and an alpine meadow, known as "Paramo". This small farm will be a haven for the night. The place is very simple and unassuming, but with a lot of charm and local atmosphere. Trekking like this is an ideal first day for acclimatization.
Overnight in tents.
Ascent: 1058 m / Highest altitude: 3483 m / Distance 10.7 km / Activity duration: 6-7 h.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 3
After a good local breakfast and rest, we will continue our ascent along the northern edge of the "Quebrada Cardenas", past an abandoned farm called Buenos Aires and from there we go down to the river crossing. Further along the ascending trail to the mountain pass known as "La Linea" (4019 m), which separates the states of Quindio and Tolima, with a wonderful viewpoint on the "Paramillo del Quindio" (4745 m), the highest peak of the state of Quindio and Nevado del Tolima in the neighboring valley. From the pass, you can easily walk down to "La Primavera / La Playa" Farm (3769 m), another humble place, where you can enjoy the hot local drink "agua de panela" (hot drink with raw sugar) or coffee.
Overnight in tents.
Ascent: 536 m / Descent: 250 m / Highest altitude: 4019 m / Distance: 5.8 km / Activity duration: 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 4
Today's goal is to reach the Nevado del Tolima high-altitude camp (4345 m). The team will have a calm morning, they will prepare everything necessary for the ascent. The group will start trekking until noon through the Tolima Valley, which is a gentle climb and a very pleasant hike, with beautiful landscapes and views of the volcanoes and valleys below. The last part of the hike goes up a steep mountain slope to the ridge known as "El Calvito" and from there a short walk to a camping site called "Arenales" which lies above the yellow sand moraine.This camp can be quite windy and open, but with very beautiful views. After setting up the camp, the guide will instruct you about the ascent the next day and help prepare everything. Before the camp there will be horses carrying equipment, food, water, etc.
Overnight in a tent.
Ascent: 576 m / Highest altitude: 4345 m / Distance: 8.4 km / Activity duration: 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 5
Very early breakfast and departure from our camp, ascent along a series of moraines of different steepness and several climbing passages to the glacier at an altitude of 4750 m. Here the group will prepare to cross the glacier, starting from a very light slope, passing a couple of ice cliffs before the final plateau where the main crater is located and then we reach the top. Nevado del Tolima (5221 m) is an active volcano and the third highest peak in the central cordillera. The ascent is not technical, but it requires physical effort, not only because of the ascent, but because of the distance that must be overcome. Descent along the same path to the camp. After a good break and putting together the camp, the team will head to the Primavera / Playa farm.
Overnight in a tent.
Ascent: 876 m / Descent: 1452 m / Highest Altitude: 5221 m / Distance to summit: 2.8 km and from summit to farm: 11.2 km / Activity duration: 8-10 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 6
After breakfast, descent back to the Cocora Valley through the beautiful landscapes and rainforest, descending by the “main” trail, making a circular ascent. From Cocora Valley, the jeeps will drive the group to Salento and after a short break a transfer to Armenia (30 min) for an evening flight back to Bogotá.
Descent: 1344 m / Distance: 15,1 Km / Activity duration: 6-7 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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