When: JAN-DEC
Where: Colombia
Length: 10 days
Level: Intermediate
From: $2,100
Overview
Steep valleys and raging rivers surround this symmetrical volcano
From pristine tropical jungle to high-altitude lakes and parámo Tolima is full of gorgeous surprises
The Nevado del Tolima expedition takes hikers to an active volcano that rises to a whopping 5,215m above sea level. The volcano is located in the Cordillera Central of Colombia in the incredible Los Nevados National Park.
The renowned volcano last erupted in 1943. However, the last major eruption is believed to have been 3,600 years ago. Nevado del Tolima has been shaped by the volcanic activity of yesteryear. Therefore, what you'll find today is an abundance of plant life and vegetation.
The climb from the valley floor brings you face-to-face with the biodiversity that Colombia is famous for. On top of that, you'll experience tropical jungles, high cloud forests, deep river gorges, and the park's famous glaciers - they are all part of the stunning parámo eco-system.
The landscapes of Nevado del Tolima are dressed head to toe in flora and fauna. Furthermore, it is a bird-watching paradise. Condors, Humming Birds, and Paramo Parrots are just a few of the winged-wonders that bird enthusiasts can expect to see.
Adventurers start the Nevado del Tolima expedition in Medellín or Bogotá. However, another option is to start in Salento. This route starts at the famous Valle de Cocora, the destination of Colombia's wax palm trees - they are the tallest palm trees in the world!
Hikers who join the Nevado del Tolima expedition will be challenged but astounded by the diversity of the volcano and its surroundings.
Planning your trip to Colombia? Be sure to read this short Colombia guide!
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 -
After breakfast, we will meet at the main park, and head to the Cocora Valley. During the beautiful ascent we will go through the fog forests and the moorland, to later reach the place known as La Primavera, where we will spend the night in a peasant house with a spectacular view of the Nevado del Tolima.
Day 2 -
After breakfast we will start a beautiful walk through the moor, to reach our camping site at 4,500m. We will enjoy a spectacular view of the Nevado del Tolima, and other mountains in Los Nevados National Park.
Day 3 -
Very early, we will begin our ascent to the glacier of the Tolima. The tour of the glacier takes about 1.5 hours to the summit, which has a height of 5,240m, and a spectacular view of the other snow-capped peaks in the Park. After the summit we will start our descent and continue the journey until La Primavera.
Day 4 -
After breakfast, we will leave our luggage on the cargo mules, and we will begin the descent towards the Cocora Valley and Salento. The road we will take this time will be different from the road we climbed, and in it, we will enjoy the spectacular Andean forest.
What's Included
Can be included
- Hotel accommodations for specified time
- Professional, certified English-speaking guides
- Professional outdoor cook, 3 healthy meals a day plus snacks during the wilderness components of the trip
- All technical equipment
- All national park entrance fees
- All camping and cooking equipment
- Donkeys or llamas and porters where applicable
- Sleeping tents
- Sleeping mats
Not usually included:
- International flights and applicable airport taxes
- Personal clothing and equipment
- All food during in-town days except the Celebration Banquet
- Incidental personal expenditures, including emergency evacuations and medical expenditures
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