NEVADO DEL TOLIMA SUMMIT ATTEMPT 4D3N

During this expedition that begins at 2.400 m.a.s.l. (7.800 ft) you will pass by different ecosystems of Colombia such as the rainforest, cloud forest, “paramo” (moor), “super-páramo” ecosystems and finally getting to the one of the few glacier ecosystems of the country, only found at the highest mountains of the Andes. Once there you will do a summit attempt of this volcano with its peak located at more than 5.200 m.a.s.l. (17.000 ft).

What to take?
Itinerary
Cost Info
Cost Info
Map
Gallery
Recomendation
FAQ´s

What to take?

- Hat and/or other protection for the head and neck.
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the reflection of the sun.
- Appropriate clothing for activities and the treks under cold temperatures and take clothes for change in case of getting wet during the activities.
- Appropriate footwear for the hikes, a pair of trekking boots + a pair of rubber boots for the muddy parts are mandatory and at least one pair of sneakers for change. Footwear can get very wet during the hikes.
- Trekking poles might be useful.
- Sunscreen.
- Protection for electronic devices since they may be susceptible to damages due to humidity and/or rain.
- Non-disposable rigid container to refill water (canteen or thermos).
- Hands-free backpack, wheeled suitcases must be avoided.
- Flashlight.
- Personal documents and count with your own medical insurance.
- Personal medicines and first aid kit.

Itinerary

Day 1
07:00) – Meeting in Salento main square (or pick up your accommodation in Salento), after that a Jeep ride towards Cocora Valley. Once you received the final previous recommendations from our team and from the authorities, we will start the trek towards La Primavera farm. On the way up, you will optionally pass by the hummingbird house and have lunch on the way at a point called Estrella de agua. This will be a challenging trek (especially in the rainy season) and will end with accommodation in bunk beds in a farmers’ cabin at 3.750 m.a.s.l.
Day 2
(07:00) – Breakfast at the cabin and after that you will do the softest hike of the expedition with a length of 10 kms through the super-paramo ecosystem having great views of the mountains of the national park. On this day we will aim to get to the campsite at the skirts of the Nevado del Tolima volcano in an area that is rocky. We will set up camp there and will have lunch, then you will have rest and will have dinner in the late afternoon, resting for the next day’s challenge.
Day 3
02:30) – Beginning of the trek towards the snow-border line at 4900 m.a.s.l. (16.000 ft), once there you will have breakfast and will prepare all the gear in order to attempt the summit of the snow-capped mountain at 5220 m.a.s.l (17.125 ft) in groups of maximum 4 travelers per expert guide, having to be at the top before 7:30AM. If somebody feels altitude sickness at any point of the expedition, the guide will analyze the situation and will make decisions. After the summit the group will head back towards La Primavera farm where you will have rest and the meals of the day sleeping again in bunk beds.
Day 4
(07:30) – Breakfast in the cabin and then trek back towards the Cocora valley where you will pass again by Estrella de agua point, a place where the Quindío river is originated, having lunch there and during this day you will walk at your own pass in order to enjoy the trail and the last part of the expedition before arriving to Cocora valley and be taken back to Salento in a traditional jeep.

Cost Info

Price includes

ACCOMMODATION 2 nights of accommodation in a rural basic farmers cabing in bunk beds + 1 night in professional mountain tents with all the necessary equipment and sleeping bags for cold temperatures. ACTIVITIES All the activities mentioned in the plan, all in private or shared tours and transportations for maximum 4 people per guide. MEALS - 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners.. LUGGAGE 1 donkey for carrying a backpack of 10 kg maximum per person. GUIDANCE Spanish speaking guides throughout the trip for all activities. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE CARD The tour includes a travel assistance card for all the days that covers possible accidents, medical attention and emergency transportations for a quick response in case of being necessary according to the evacuation time during the activities and level of medical attention at the destination

Price excludes

- National and international flights. - Activities, additional drinks or elements not described in the plan. - Tips, snacks and souvenirs. - Personal items not described in the itinerary. - English or other languages speaking guides/translators.

Cost Info

FAQ 1
- Flights from & to Bogota or any other Colombian city. The price would depend of the dates and the anticipation the flights are booked.
FAQ 2
- Ground transfers to & from Salento to major cities.
FAQ 3
- English or other languages speaking guides/translators, according to availability of guides for the desired date, in this case it is advisable to book in advance.
FAQ 4
- Accommodation in the town of Salento.

Map

Gallery

Recomendation

The ecosystem of Nevado del Tolima, is a snow-capped volcano in the tropical zone, which makes it very special, therefore it is important to follow the recommendations in order to avoid or diminish any negative impact on them, as well as being prepared for a pleasurable experience, according to that:
- It is necessary to have an excellent physical condition and previous mountaineering experience for this expedition, since you will do several treks of long distances at a high altitude and will need to use ice-climbing equipment to get to the summit.
- This destination is located at a high altitude of the Colombian Andes, so it is necessary to have good acclimatization and cautions to avoid altitude sickness. Ask your doctor in case of having any special condition that requires extra caution or may affect you at a high altitude.
- The consumption of alcohol and/or psychoactive substances is forbidden for this experience as it might be very risky for your own health in these kinds of activities.
- It is important to reduce waste generation (single-use plastics). According to that, it is important to take your own rigid non-disposable recipient for liquids.
- Follow and abide by the instructions of the guides and authorities during each of the routes and tours.
- This trip passes by some indigenous territories; therefore, it is important a good and respectful behavior regarding their traditions and spaces.

FAQ´s

WEATHER CONDITIONS & BILINGUISM
It is necessary to be properly prepared for the weather conditions of the destination, which are detailed below but as this is an approximation, please note that they may vary. Also, keep in mind that there won’t be bilingual staff or people at the destination.

Nevado del Tolima:
- Temp. Min: -4ºC Max: 18ºC, humid climate / (2300-5220 m.a.s.l.)

ATM´S
It is necessary to carry cash for extra expenses during the trip since the last town where you will have access to ATMs is Salento, after that there won’t be any ATMs or dataphones.

PHONE SIGNAL & WIFI
You will visit a destination where there is poor phone and internet signal in the town, but once you leave the town you will hardly have any phone or internet connection.

TIPPING
Tipping is not mandatory, but if you consider you can tip the guides and/or other staff with an amount from 20.000 to 50.000 COP (5 to 12 USD approx.) per day of service.

SEASONS
- It is more advisable to visit this destination in the dry season, as during the rainy season the challenge is bigger due to the extremely muddy and difficult conditions of the trails.
- The dry season in Colombia ranges from Mid-November till March, in this period of the year you can expect to have easier hikes and less rain in general.
- Getting by car to off the road paths will be easier, making the transportation times shorter to those spots in very rural areas.
- The rainy season starts in April and ends in mid-November, being May and October the rainiest months in Colombia and from June to September a softer rainy period.
- If you decide to attend this trip in the wet season you need to take

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