On this 4-day private hiking route from Salento to Ibagué we'll reach the summit of the Nevado del Tolima while discovering the rich landscape of Los Nevados National Park and its glacier area.
Nevado del Tolima Volcano Private 4-day Hiking Tour
Day 1: Salento - Cocora Valley
We'll pick you up from your hotel in Salento at 5 am and head towards the Cocora Valley in a 4x4 vehicle. Upon arrival, we'll embark on a trekking route of 18 kilometres ( 11 miles).
Throughout the hike we'll cross irregular and rocky stretches full of Quindio wax palms, moorlands and cloud forests. We'll reach an altitude of 1800 metres (5905 feet) , where we'll rest at the finca La Primavera, where we'll also spend the night.
Day 2: Cocora Valley - Arenales
A new day dawns and we'll welcome it with a delicious breakfast. After getting our strength back, we'll embark on a fantastic 8-kilometre (5 miles) route with a climb of up to 790 metres (2592 feet).
The weather will become more humid as we ascend the slopes of the Nevado del Tolima. We'll find moorlands and sandy areas where toucans, sparrow hawks and Andean condors live.
Finally, we'll reach an altitude of 4400 meters (14435 feet) and rest at the Arenales campsite.
Day 3: Arenales - Cañon Hot Springs
After a filling breakfast, we'll set off to the summit of the Tolima volcano, a colossus with an altitude of more than 5200 metres. (17060 feet)
From the heights we'll observe other volcanoes such as Ruiz, El Cisne or Santa Isabel. You'll have some time to take some amazing photographs of the imposing Los Nevados National Park. But that's not all, we'll also be able to see the Quindío and Santa Rosa mounts, and the valley of the Magdalena River.
At the end we'll arrive at the thermal springs of Cañón, a set of volcanic pools where you can take a relaxing dip. We'll rest at the campsite of the hot springs.
Day 4: Cañón hot springs - Ibagué
The last day of adventure has 18 kilometres (11 miles) of alpine route prepared for us. We'll leave the Cañón hot springs and pass the Vancouver and Bombona lakes, both of glacial origin.
We'll also walk through the Amberes valley to Palomar, a mountainous area belonging to Anzoátegui. Once at the final destination of our trekking route, we'll board an all-terrain vehicle that will take us to Ibagué, where we'll arrive at around 5:30 pm.
Accommodation
The tour includes three nights in the following accommodations:
- Valle de Cocora (1st night): La Primavera Finca (estate)
- Arenales (2nd night): Tent for three people.
- Termales de Cañón (3rd night): Tent for up to three people
