EXPEDITIONS
EXPEDITION is remoteness
All our expeditions require experience, this meant for the traveler that seeks the adventure in remoteness. Days will take around 10 to 12hrs hiking. Involves climbing and camping. Endurance and good physical condition are necessary.
Foto: Dazo
MASSIF LOOP
Days: 6
Difficulty: HARD, 6 / T5 / F
The loop embrace climbing and hiking for the main purpose, the hike is done on the backside of the park. Good acclimatization program for people willing to climb more mountains in South America.
Gallery
[flickr_set id=”72157668082924165″]
Day 1.
Total distance: 12km
Estimated time: 7 – 8 hrs
Altitud gain: 2400m – 3700m
Get across the valley through the wax palm forest; up a cross the cloud forest visit the Sub – Páramo; over this several ranges in temperature, experience a hiking day full of wildlife and a big adventure; camping on the territory of the Spectacle bear, the Andean condor, and the rare and uncommon Frailejón plant; at night, stargazing and a cold and windy sleep at the abandoned “Buenos Aires” Farm.
Day 2.
Total distance: 13km
Estimated time: 7- 8hrs
Altitud gain: 3700m – 4000m – 4300m
Early, continue for a long day inside páramo ecosystem, slightly hilly terrain will conduct us through the first slopes of the Tolima volcano. Hike besides “Toche” river, the hike will spot some of the unseen scenarios, like the vast peatlands and extensive marshes. Get the best view of the Toche valley, Cauca valley and the mountain massif complex (Ruiz-Tolima) with all the glaciers in the park; home of the Andean Condor, the Black Chested Buzzard Eagle, the Buffy Helmetcrest hummingbird among others.
Camp on the upper slopes of the Tolima Volcano and get ready for the Summit day.
Day 3
Total distance: 3km to the Summit and Back to camp / 12km to Next camp
Estimated time: 5hrs to Summit / 4-5hrs to Next Camp
Altitud gain: 4300m – 3750m
Over the 5,000m (16.404ft) after the sketchy and exposed scrambling the ice appears, the Team ropes up and push upwards to the top. summit, located at 5.220m (17.126ft).
The climb on the ice is 200m, at the last bit it is a crevasses field and once cross it, We climb a small cornice and walk till the summit.
After summit day get across the “valle del placer” and the smashing views of Tolima Volcano. At the bottom the views of the rivers “Totare and Totarito” which supply the water of Tolima region.
Day 4
Total distance: 12km
Estimated time: 9 – 10hrs
Altitud gain: 3750m – 4440m – 4300m
From the valley back to the volcanic massif, hike through the “Africa” Valley, surrounded by the volcanic domes of the Santa Isabel volcano and “Cerro Arenales”. Traverse the “Line” highest axis of the Cordillera central and Camp at the limits of Risaralda department.
Day 5
Total distance: 14km
Estimated time: 7- 8 hrs
Altitud gain: 4300m – 3800m
Start the day with the Otun lagoon, biggest lagoon in the National park, full of birdlife; great views of Paramillo of Santa Rosa and Santa Isabel glacier; followed by the Otún wetland complex, included in the RAMSAR convention.
Into the bosque village and across the ridge encounter the Berlin farm, a place to rest the last bit of the expedition, enjoy its surroundings away from the volcanic presence.
Day 6
Total distance: 17km
Estimated time: 8 hrs
Altitud gain: 3800m – 4300m – 2400m
On the final day from the Berlin canyon get across the limits of the Risaralda department and back into the Quindio department.
Once back into the Cocora valley You have made the loop of the souther part at the National Park Los Nevados.
Includes:
• Two Private transfer from your hostel to Cocora valley and back to town
• Dinner and Breakfast at Berlin farm
• Expedition meals
• Snacks for the hike
• Bilingual guides
• Water treatment (When necessary)
• Accompaniment guide
• Insurance
• Mountain gear
• Sleeping set
Not Included:
• Packs
• Rain Gear
EASY: No experience needed
MEDIUM: Little experience needed
HARD: Experience is needed
[themify_hr color=”BLACK” width=”100%” border_width=”3px” ]
Trekking grades
It is very hard to precise the difficulty of the Hike or the Climb; overall it depends on the grade fitness of the client, the altitud, the number of days of the expedition and the time involved during the trip; both fiscally and mental preparation are fundamental. Therefore We have decided to rate the hikes/Expeditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Even more the climbs and the hikes are therefore likely to change the grade of difficulty depending on the weather season (Raining/Dry). However please have in mind that this are factors that change with every client and affects different especially the altitud, and thus the ratings are not definitive. This should be use as a guide through out the decision of your trip.
1: Well marked paths; Needed little or none experience. Time of duration 4-6 hrs, Hikes below 4000m. Health and fitness is beneficial.
2: Muddy terrain, uneven paths – Hikes above 4000m – Duration of the hike 6 – 8hrs minimum – Need some hiking gear and especial clothes requirements. Health and fitness is necessary.
3: Uneven paths with rocks and mud – Hikes above 4000m – Duration 8 – 10hrs – Duration of the expedition 3 – 5 days. Health and fitness is necessary.
4: Paths that can get lost during the hike – Some bushwhacking needed in some of the cases – Need some skills with specialised gear – Might need the use of your hand for balance. Fitness and endurance necessary.
5: Hikes below 5000m – May need to rope up, use harness and climbing gear – 4 to 6 days of hiking – 8 to 10hrs or more needed – Experience is required at altitud – Fitness and endurance required.
6: Expeditions +7 days – Climbing skills needed – Experience on remote places is required – Objetives of more that +5000m – Duration of the hikes between 10 to +12hrs – Level of fitness and endurance need to be very high.
SWISS ALPINE CLUB SCALE
International French Adjectival System (IFAS)
F: facile (easy). Straightforward, possibly a glacial approach, snow and ice will often be at an easy angle.
PD: peu difficile (slightly difficult). Routes may be longer at altitude, with snow and ice slopes up to 45 degrees. Glaciers are more complex, scrambling is harder, climbing may require some belaying, descent may involve rappelling. More objective hazards.
AD: assez difficile (fairly difficult). Fairly hard, snow and ice at an angle of 45-65 degrees, rock climbing up to UIAA grade III, but not sustained, belayed climbing in addition to a large amount of exposed but easier terrain. Significant objective hazard.
D: difficile (difficult). Hard, more serious with rock climbing at IV and V, snow and ice slopes at 50-70 degrees. Routes may be long and sustained or harder but shorter. Serious objective hazards.
TD: très difficile (very difficult). Very hard, routes at this grades are serious undertakings with high level of objective danger. Sustained snow and ice at an angle of 65-80 degrees, rock climbing at grade V and VI with possible aid, very long sections of hard climbing.
ED1/2/3/4: extrêmement difficile (extremely difficult). Extremely hard, exceptional objective danger, vertical ice slopes and rock climbing up to VI to VIII, with possible aid pitches.
ABO: Abominablement difficile (abominable) Difficulty and danger at their limit.
Often a + (pronounced Sup for supérieur) or a − (pronounced Inf for inférieur) is placed after the grade to indicate if a particular climb is at the lower or upper end of that grade (e.g., a climb slightly harder than “PD+” might be “AD−”).
Foto: Jodee Barney
MASSIF TRAVERSE
Days: 7
Difficulty: HARD, 6 / T5 / F
Mostly all the expeditions will be done in the wilderness, nevertheless, We will use the support of some of the farms.
Across the ancient paths of the park, explore all the possible summits, camps, and life.
Gallery
[flickr_set id=”72157667825832812″]
Day 1.
Total distance: 10km
Estimated time: 5 – 6 hrs
Altitud gain: 2400m – 3400m
Starting from the Cocora valley 2,400m (7,874ft), one of the most visited places in Salento; the corner of biodiversity; over more than 1000 wax palms; home of the Black-and chestnut eagle, hunting and breeding area. We will ascent trough the canyon of the “Cardenas” creek, which is the main flowing of the Quindio River. Lodging in a traditional milk farm at 3,400m (11,154ft) with a “Salento” family, creator of the extinct “Salentina” potato cultivar.
Day 2.
Total distance: 12km
Distance to summit peak: 6km
Distance to camp: 6km
Estimated time: 8 hrs
Altitud gain: 3400m – 4300m – 3800m
Get through 6km hike to Peak a summit of 4300m (14,107ft), then move towards the next high camp; Keep track of the “Cardenas” canyon, the Quindio wetlands and Paramo ecosystem; have a good time with the smashing look of Paramillo del Quindio, tallest mountain of Quindio department; enjoy dinner on our second camp, with star gazing and cozy dinner.
Day 3
Total distance: 14km
Distance to Volcano summit: 10km
Distance to next farm: 7km
Estimated time: 8 – 10hrs
Altitud Gain: 3800m – 4750 – 3700m
Enjoy the views of the Tolima Volcano, and far away the imposing Quindio Volcano, with Its rare colors and variety of textures your mind will blow up. Within Its direction you will notice many changes in the vegetation; progressively from the bottom of the crater until the arid and silently summit of the Volcano 4,750m (15,583ft); You will get drawn but this giant mountain, composed by the stratification of ashes and small plants of the Super- Páramo ecosystem such as many lichens and Senecio genus within Its many endemism.
Next move towards the farm to get rest and fuel up for the rest of the expedition.
Day 4
Total distance: 7km
Distance to High camp: 7km
Estimated time: 5 – 6hrs
Altitud gain: 3700m – 4300m
Early, continue for a short day inside páramo ecosystem, slightly hilly terrain will conduct us through the first slopes of the Tolima volcano. Hike besides “Toche” river; the hike will spot some of the unseen scenarios, like the vast peatlands and extensive marshes. Get the best view of the Toche valley, Cauca valley and the mountain massif complex (Ruiz-Tolima) with all the glaciers in the park; home of the Andean Condor, the Black Chested Buzzard Eagle, the Buffy Helmetcrest hummingbird among others.
Camp on the upper slopes of the Tolima Volcano and get ready for the Summit day.
Day 5
Total distance: 17km
Distance summit: 3km
Distance to next camp: 11km
Estimated time: 5 – 6hrs to Summit / 4-5hrs to Next Camp
Altitud gain: 4300m – 5220m – 3780m
Over the 5,000m (16.404ft) after the sketchy and exposed scrambling the ice appears, the Team ropes up and push upwards for the final try. summit, located at 5.220m (17.126ft).
The climb on the ice is 200m, at the last bit it is a crevasses field and once cross it, We climb a small cornice and walk till the summit.
After summit day get across the “valle del placer” and the smashing views of Tolima Volcano. At the bottom the views of the rivers “Totare and Totarito” which supply the water of Tolima region.
Day 6
Total distance: 12km
Estimated time: 9 – 10hrs
Altitud gain: 3780m – 4300m
From the valley back to the volcanic massif, hike through the “Agua blanca” Valley, surrounded by the volcanic domes of the “Peñas del Caracolí” and “Cerro Arenales”. Traverse the “Line” highest axis of the Cordillera central and Camp at the limits of Risaralda department at Laguna negra camp site.
Day 7
Total distance: 15km
Estimated time: 8 hrs
Altitud gain: 4300m – 3500m
Start the day with the Otun lagoon, biggest lagoon in the National park, full of birdlife; great views of Paramillo of Santa Rosa and Santa Isabel glacier; followed by the Otún wetland complex, included in the RAMSAR convention.
Outside the PNN los Nevados stay at “Hortencias” farm and enjoy dinner for the last time with at typical potato cultivar family, from the old and traditional “Hacienda Potosí”. Prepare the last bit of energy for the “ Santa Isabel” glacier volcano.
Includes:
• One Private transfer from your hostel to Cocora
• Ride to the conejeras track from Hortencias farm and 4×4 ride to Santa Rosa de Cabal town (This is the town where the trip will end)
• Dinner and Breakfast at Farms
• Expedition meals
• Snacks for the hike
• Bilingual guides
• Water treatment (When necessary)
• Mules
• Insurance
• Entrance to PNN (National Park) Los Nevados
• Mountain gear
• Sleeping set
Not Included:
• Packs
• Rain Gear
EASY: No experience needed
MEDIUM: Little experience needed
HARD: Experience is needed
[themify_hr color=”BLACK” width=”100%” border_width=”3px” ]
Trekking grades
It is very hard to precise the difficulty of the Hike or the Climb; overall it depends on the grade fitness of the client, the altitud, the number of days of the expedition and the time involved during the trip; both fiscally and mental preparation are fundamental. Therefore We have decided to rate the hikes/Expeditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Even more the climbs and the hikes are therefore likely to change the grade of difficulty depending on the weather season (Raining/Dry). However please have in mind that this are factors that change with every client and affects different especially the altitud, and thus the ratings are not definitive. This should be use as a guide through out the decision of your trip.
1: Well marked paths; Needed little or none experience. Time of duration 4-6 hrs, Hikes below 4000m. Health and fitness is beneficial.
2: Muddy terrain, uneven paths – Hikes above 4000m – Duration of the hike 6 – 8hrs minimum – Need some hiking gear and especial clothes requirements. Health and fitness is necessary.
3: Uneven paths with rocks and mud – Hikes above 4000m – Duration 8 – 10hrs – Duration of the expedition 3 – 5 days. Health and fitness is necessary.
4: Paths that can get lost during the hike – Some bushwhacking needed in some of the cases – Need some skills with specialised gear – Might need the use of your hand for balance. Fitness and endurance necessary.
5: Hikes below 5000m – May need to rope up, use harness and climbing gear – 4 to 6 days of hiking – 8 to 10hrs or more needed – Experience is required at altitud – Fitness and endurance required.
6: Expeditions +7 days – Climbing skills needed – Experience on remote places is required – Objetives of more that +5000m – Duration of the hikes between 10 to +12hrs – Level of fitness and endurance need to be very high.
SWISS ALPINE CLUB SCALE
International French Adjectival System (IFAS)
F: facile (easy). Straightforward, possibly a glacial approach, snow and ice will often be at an easy angle.
PD: peu difficile (slightly difficult). Routes may be longer at altitude, with snow and ice slopes up to 45 degrees. Glaciers are more complex, scrambling is harder, climbing may require some belaying, descent may involve rappelling. More objective hazards.
AD: assez difficile (fairly difficult). Fairly hard, snow and ice at an angle of 45-65 degrees, rock climbing up to UIAA grade III, but not sustained, belayed climbing in addition to a large amount of exposed but easier terrain. Significant objective hazard.
D: difficile (difficult). Hard, more serious with rock climbing at IV and V, snow and ice slopes at 50-70 degrees. Routes may be long and sustained or harder but shorter. Serious objective hazards.
TD: très difficile (very difficult). Very hard, routes at this grades are serious undertakings with high level of objective danger. Sustained snow and ice at an angle of 65-80 degrees, rock climbing at grade V and VI with possible aid, very long sections of hard climbing.
ED1/2/3/4: extrêmement difficile (extremely difficult). Extremely hard, exceptional objective danger, vertical ice slopes and rock climbing up to VI to VIII, with possible aid pitches.
ABO: Abominablement difficile (abominable) Difficulty and danger at their limit.
Often a + (pronounced Sup for supérieur) or a − (pronounced Inf for inférieur) is placed after the grade to indicate if a particular climb is at the lower or upper end of that grade (e.g., a climb slightly harder than “PD+” might be “AD−”).
Foto: Dazo
GREAT CROSSING LOS NEVADOS
Days: 8
Difficulty: HARD, 6 / T5 / F
This will be an expedition with summits on 3 of 8 volcanos at National Park. With a traverse along the volcanic chain and surpassing one of the highest lagoons in Colombia.
Gallery
[flickr_set id=”72157668083268325″]
Day 1.
Total distance: 10km
Estimated time: 5 – 6 hrs
Altitud gain: 2400m – 3400m
Starting from the Cocora valley 2,400m (7,874ft), one of the most visited places in Salento; the corner of biodiversity; over more than 1000 wax palms; home of the Black-and chestnut eagle, hunting and breeding area. We will ascent trough the canyon of the “Cardenas” creek, which is the main flowing of the Quindio River. Lodging in a traditional milk farm at 3,400m (11,154ft) with a “Salento” family, creator of the extinct “Salentina” potato cultivar.
Day 2.
Total distance: 12km
Distance to summit peak: 6km
Distance to camp: 6km
Estimated time: 8 hrs
Altitud gain: 3400m – 4300m – 3800m
Get through 6km hike to Peak a summit of 4300m (14,107ft), then move towards the next high camp; Keep track of the “Cardenas” canyon, the Quindio wetlands and Paramo ecosystem; have a good time with the smashing look of Paramillo del Quindio, tallest mountain of Quindio department; enjoy dinner on our second camp, with star gazing and cozy dinner.
Day 3
Total distance: 14km
Distance to Volcano summit: 10km
Distance to next farm: 7km
Estimated time: 8 – 10hrs
Altitud Gain: 3800m – 4750 – 3700m
Enjoy the views of the Tolima Volcano, and far away the imposing Quindio Volcano, with Its rare colors and variety of textures your mind will blow up. Within Its direction you will notice many changes in the vegetation; progressively from the bottom of the crater until the arid and silently summit of the Volcano 4,750m (15,583ft); You will get drawn but this giant mountain, composed by the stratification of ashes and small plants of the Super- Páramo ecosystem such as many lichens and Senecio genus within Its many endemism.
Next move towards the farm to get rest and fuel up for the rest of the expedition.
Day 4
Total distance: 7km
Distance to High camp: 7km
Estimated time: 5 – 6hrs
Altitud gain: 3700m – 4300m
Early, continue for a short day inside páramo ecosystem, slightly hilly terrain will conduct us through the first slopes of the Tolima volcano. Hike besides “Toche” river; the hike will spot some of the unseen scenarios, like the vast peatlands and extensive marshes. Get the best view of the Toche valley, Cauca valley and the mountain massif complex (Ruiz-Tolima) with all the glaciers in the park; home of the Andean Condor, the Black Chested Buzzard Eagle, the Buffy Helmetcrest hummingbird among others.
Camp on the upper slopes of the Tolima Volcano and get ready for the Summit day.
Day 5
Total distance: 17km
Distance summit: 3km
Distance to next camp: 11km
Estimated time: 5 – 6hrs to Summit / 4-5hrs to Next Camp
Altitud gain: 4300m – 5220m – 3780m
Over the 5,000m (16.404ft) after the sketchy and exposed scrambling the ice appears, the Team ropes up and push upwards for the final try. summit, located at 5.220m (17.126ft).
The climb on the ice is 200m, at the last bit it is a crevasses field and once cross it, We climb a small cornice and walk till the summit.
After summit day get across the “valle del placer” and the smashing views of Tolima Volcano. At the bottom the views of the rivers “Totare and Totarito” which supply the water of Tolima region.
Day 6
Total distance: 12km
Estimated time: 9 – 10hrs
Altitud gain: 3780m – 4300m
From the valley back to the volcanic massif, hike through the “Agua blanca” Valley, surrounded by the volcanic domes of the “Peñas del Caracolí” and “Cerro Arenales”. Traverse the “Line” highest axis of the Cordillera central and Camp at the limits of Risaralda department at Laguna negra camp site.
Day 7
Total distance: 15km
Estimated time: 8 hrs
Altitud gain: 4300m – 3500m
Start the day with the Otun lagoon, biggest lagoon in the National park, full of birdlife; great views of Paramillo of Santa Rosa and Santa Isabel glacier; followed by the Otún wetland complex, included in the RAMSAR convention.
Outside the PNN los Nevados stay at “Hortencias” farm and enjoy dinner for the last time with at typical potato cultivar family, from the old and traditional “Hacienda Potosí”. Prepare the last bit of energy for the “ Santa Isabel” glacier volcano.
Day 8
Total hiking distance: 8 km Summit and Back
Total distance in 4×4 ride: 50km until Santa Rosa de Cabal
Altitud gain: 3500m – 4920m – 1700m
Very early the day starts with the 4×4 ride that will conduct us to the beginning of the authorised trail that leads to the Central face of Santa Isabel volcano. Once there prepare the gear for the last climb and summit the Central dome of Santa Isabel volcano at 4920m.
After the descent You will have a 4×4 ride across “Cortaderal” road, following the steps of the great explorer Thomas Van Der Hammen and finally enjoy Santa Rosa and the cozy thermal springs (not included in the price, but a great opportunity to enjoy Risaralda department).
Includes:
• One Private transfer from your hostel to Cocora
• Ride to the conejeras track from Hortencias farm and 4×4 ride to Santa Rosa de Cabal town (This is the town where the trip will end)
• Dinner and Breakfast at Farms
• Expedition meals
• Snacks for the hike
• Bilingual guides
• Water treatment (When necessary)
• Mules
• Insurance
• Entrance to PNN (National Park) Los Nevados
• Mountain gear
• Sleeping set
Not Included:
• Packs
• Rain Gear
EASY: No experience needed
MEDIUM: Little experience needed
HARD: Experience is needed
[themify_hr color=”BLACK” width=”100%” border_width=”3px” ]
Trekking grades
It is very hard to precise the difficulty of the Hike or the Climb; overall it depends on the grade fitness of the client, the altitud, the number of days of the expedition and the time involved during the trip; both fiscally and mental preparation are fundamental. Therefore We have decided to rate the hikes/Expeditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Even more the climbs and the hikes are therefore likely to change the grade of difficulty depending on the weather season (Raining/Dry). However please have in mind that this are factors that change with every client and affects different especially the altitud, and thus the ratings are not definitive. This should be use as a guide through out the decision of your trip.
1: Well marked paths; Needed little or none experience. Time of duration 4-6 hrs, Hikes below 4000m. Health and fitness is beneficial.
2: Muddy terrain, uneven paths – Hikes above 4000m – Duration of the hike 6 – 8hrs minimum – Need some hiking gear and especial clothes requirements. Health and fitness is necessary.
3: Uneven paths with rocks and mud – Hikes above 4000m – Duration 8 – 10hrs – Duration of the expedition 3 – 5 days. Health and fitness is necessary.
4: Paths that can get lost during the hike – Some bushwhacking needed in some of the cases – Need some skills with specialised gear – Might need the use of your hand for balance. Fitness and endurance necessary.
5: Hikes below 5000m – May need to rope up, use harness and climbing gear – 4 to 6 days of hiking – 8 to 10hrs or more needed – Experience is required at altitud – Fitness and endurance required.
6: Expeditions +7 days – Climbing skills needed – Experience on remote places is required – Objetives of more that +5000m – Duration of the hikes between 10 to +12hrs – Level of fitness and endurance need to be very high.
SWISS ALPINE CLUB SCALE