Cocora & Los Nevados 3-day treks

Three days, three tours and three options for combining the majestic and otherworldly Parque de los Nevados with the spectacular Valle del Cocora. These tours are not for the faint-hearted. All options will place demands on your fitness but you will be rewarded with incredible landscapes and vistas, not to mention a sense of achievement at the end of your trek.

This destination is only available to clients booking an extended tour with The Colombian Way.

These tours all commence in the accessible town of Salento and can be undertaken as a standalone tour or included within a feature packed tour of the coffee zone or indeed an extended tour of Colombia. We can readily transport you to Salento to commence your tour if you are staying in hotels or family-owned fincas in Risaralda or Quindío.

Programme

We offer three different options for three-day treks in Cocora and Nevado del Quindío. All programmes are 3 days and 2 nights. All overnight accommodation is based in remote simple family-owned posadas.

Paramillo del Quindío

El Paramillo del Quindío is one of the highest peaks in the Los Nevados National Park. Reaching 4750 metres above sea-level. It is located at the southern end of the park.

Day 1. Valle del Cocora to La Primavera 17km

Your tour will commence in the Cocora Valley after transferring there from Salento. After 8-9 hours of walking through various ecosystems, the Cocora Valley itself and forested mountainsides, you will reach La Primavera at an altitude of 3850 metres above sea-level. Overnight stop in a country house.

Day 2. La Primavera to Cima Paramillo Quindío 18km

On your second day you will cross ancient ancestral walkways that have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. You will pass through unique páramo landscapes and eventually reach El Paramillo del Quindío. After visiting El Paramillo del Quindío you will return to La Primavera to relax and share experiences in the farmhouse’s kitchen.

Day 3. La Primavera to Valle del Cocora 19km

The third and final day of the walk offers you an alternative route back to Cocora from La Primavera. En-route you will stop at Finca La Argentina for lunch with another mountain family. The estimated end time is 5pm

Statistics

Minimum altitude: 2390 metres above sea-level

Maximum altitude: 4750 metres above sea-level

Total walking distance: 54km

Trek Grade: Demanding. Medium-high altitude and some tough ascents.

Glacier Shimmer, Nevado del Tolima

El Nevado del Tolima is a stratovolcano located in the southern part of the Los Nevados National Park.The volcano’s last major eruption was almost 3600 years ago. Minor eruptions took place in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The last being in 1943. At an altitude of 5215 metres above sea-level it is the third highest volcano in Colombia.

In a three day trek that takes you to the edge of Glacier Shimmer, you will walk through an impressive páramo landscape, one of the most beautiful and important ecosystems in The Andes. This landscape renowned for its ability to produce water is only found above the Andean forest line and below the limits of the snowy peaks.

Day 1. Valle del Cocora to La Primavera 17km

Your tour starts with a 6.30am breakfast in Salento followed by a transfer to the Cocora Valley. You will ascend through cloud forests until you reach the páramo, finally arriving at La Primavera, your resting place for the night.

Day 2. La Primavera to Glacier Shimmer 21km

Your second day starts earlier, you have more distance to cover and some steep ascents leading up to the Helipuerto sector. With a final ascent towards the edge of Glacier Shimmer you will have reached your maximum altitude of 5000 metres above sea-level.

Day 3. La Primavera to Valle del Cocora 19km

The third and final day of the trek takes you back to Cocora via a different route to afford you new panoramas of the ecosystem. Anticipated finish time is 5pm back in Salento

Statistics

Minimum altitude: 2390 metres above sea-level

Maximum altitude: 5000 metres above sea-level

Total walking distance: 57km

Trek Grade: Demanding. Medium-high altitude and some tough ascents.

The Andes and its communities

The shortest and most laid-back of these three trek options, the trek remains primarily within the Andean forests and affords the participants the chance to connect with ancient customs and traditions. Follow old and well trodden paths through stunning landscapes. Admire El Paramillo del Quindío from farther afield and spend evenings in friendly family fincas high up in the hills.

Day 1. Valle del Cocora to Finca La Argentina 9km

Every day of your tour starts with breakfast. On the first day after breakfast you will commence a 5 hours walk to the country house Finca Argentina where you can relax for the remainder of the evening

Day 2. Finca La Argentina to La Primavera 8km

A second leisurely day of trekking will see you ascend to 4200 metres above sea-level where a rest break at a lookout will be programmed for you to enjoy views of El Paramillo del Quindío. From this point you begin your descent towards La Primavera, relaxing once again in the friendly ambience of a family farmhouse.

Day 3. La Primavera to Valle del Cocora 19km

You will be expected to up your pace for day three because it is by far the longest day of walking. You will descend back to the Cocora Valley with an anticipated finish time is 5pm back in Salento

Statistics

Minimum altitude: 2390 metres above sea-level

Maximum altitude: 4200 metres above sea-level

Total walking distance: 36km

Trek Grade: Moderate. Medium altitude