Los Nevados: Nevado del Tolima glacier ascent 4d
Where : Los Nevados National Park
Tomplanmytrip connects you with this local expert for a trek to an iconic peak in Los Nevados.
4 Days
Spanish, English
50% deposit and the remaining 50% before departure.
With us, no overpay!
Symbolic and fascinating summit
Start your adventure among the wax palms of Salento and finish on the tropical glacier of Tolima.
Take on this mountain challenge if your physical condition allows you to climb the legendary Nevado del Tolima. Expect a mix of intense efforts balanced by friendly moments and the joy of being in a unique environment where biodiversity is still rich. These are fragile ecosystems that you help preserve by going with this expert committed to sustainable practices.
Roadmap
4 Days
- Day 1 Cocora & Páramos | 17.5 km | 1800 m ascent | ~8 hours
- Day 2 Acclimatization and "Mountaineering Class" | 8 km | 310 m ascent | ~4-5 h
- Day 3 Tolima Glacier | 18 km | 1430 m ascent | ~14 hours
- Day 4 Return to Salento | 19 km | 450 m ascent | ~7 hours
What to expect
Today's stage: 17.5 km | 1800 m ascent | 450 m descent | Max Altitude: 3900 m | ~8 hours
Start from Salento, heading towards the Cocora Valley and its famous wax palms. Continue along the Acaime Reserve to reach the Estrella de Agua farm, where you’ll stop for lunch.
After regaining strength, set off for the farm, where you will spend the night. Located at 3500 m, you'll have another 4 hours of walking to cover the remaining 8.5 km.
This part of the trek offers the chance to cross fields of frailejones in the páramos, an ecosystem of high importance in regulating water flows in the Andean region that is present in only four countries worldwide.
Start from Salento, heading towards the Cocora Valley and its famous wax palms. Continue along the Acaime Reserve to reach the Estrella de Agua farm, where you’ll stop for lunch.
After regaining strength, set off for the farm, where you will spend the night. Located at 3500 m, you'll have another 4 hours of walking to cover the remaining 8.5 km.
This part of the trek offers the chance to cross fields of frailejones in the páramos, an ecosystem of high importance in regulating water flows in the Andean region that is present in only four countries worldwide.
Today's stage: 8 km | 310 m ascent | 310 m descent | Max Altitude: 3990 m | ~4-5 hours
The day is dedicated to gentle acclimatization. Take a trail around the refuge for a 4-5 hour walk.
The day is dedicated to gentle acclimatization. Take a trail around the refuge for a 4-5 hour walk.
Your guide will use this stage to remind you of the basic rules of high-altitude mountaineering in preparation for the upcoming day.
Today's stage: 18 km | 1430 m ascent | 1430 m descent | Max Altitude: 5200 m | ~14 hours
This is the most intense excursion day, requiring excellent physical condition and understanding of how your body reacts to high altitudes. The trip starts on Day 2 at 11 PM.
Expect a 14-hour round trip to complete this remarkable trek with three major sections.
First, tackle the Arenales, steep sandy slopes that mark the transition between a superpáramo ecosystem and a glacial moraine.
Next, traverse a rocky section. Once covered by ice, this area now bears witness to glacial melt. This landscape accompanies you to the glacier's edge.
Once equipped and roped up, attempt the final 200 meters of glacier ascent to reach 5220 m. The climb is not technical. Up there, time stands still, and the landscapes are mesmerizing.
After enjoying this breathtaking moment, return to the mountain farm for a well-deserved night’s rest.
This is the most intense excursion day, requiring excellent physical condition and understanding of how your body reacts to high altitudes. The trip starts on Day 2 at 11 PM.
Expect a 14-hour round trip to complete this remarkable trek with three major sections.
First, tackle the Arenales, steep sandy slopes that mark the transition between a superpáramo ecosystem and a glacial moraine.
Next, traverse a rocky section. Once covered by ice, this area now bears witness to glacial melt. This landscape accompanies you to the glacier's edge.
Once equipped and roped up, attempt the final 200 meters of glacier ascent to reach 5220 m. The climb is not technical. Up there, time stands still, and the landscapes are mesmerizing.
After enjoying this breathtaking moment, return to the mountain farm for a well-deserved night’s rest.
Today's stage: 19 km | 450 m ascent | 1800 m descent | Max Altitude: 3900 m | ~7 hours
Descend back to Salento via a different path from Day 1.
Leave the páramos and enter another ecosystem called the cloud forest. This area boasts rich biodiversity and plays a crucial role in the water cycle of the surrounding environments.
The wax palms come into view, signaling that Salento is not far off. Take a moment to admire them one last time before the end of this beautiful expedition.
Descend back to Salento via a different path from Day 1.
Leave the páramos and enter another ecosystem called the cloud forest. This area boasts rich biodiversity and plays a crucial role in the water cycle of the surrounding environments.
The wax palms come into view, signaling that Salento is not far off. Take a moment to admire them one last time before the end of this beautiful expedition.
Must know
- Click on the "contact this expert" button and complete our online form (1min).
- Tomplanmytrip will receive your answers and create a WhatsApp group to put you in touch with the agency.
- Once the group has been created, you can chat freely with the agency to get all the answers you need.
- Then it's up to you to decide whether or not to book your experience.
- This hike is unique because it traverses a variety of ecosystems. You'll move through the upper Andean forest, cloud forest, páramos, and a tropical glacier.
- Guides are trained in high-altitude mountaineering and certified as wilderness first responders.
- The difficulty is very high. The route is not technical but very demanding, requiring excellent physical condition. Knowing how your body reacts at these altitudes is important.
- The environment is very humid, so expect to get wet. Nights are cold.
- Glacier equipment is provided.
- The experience starts and ends in Salento.
- If the three treks we recommend with this agency don't suit you, they offer other hikes ranging from 1 to 7 days. Check with your expert.
- Prices are for a private tour, but you can join a group for better prices.
- Medical assistance insurance for 3 days.
- Advice before, during, and after the trek.
- A local and trained mountain guide (Spanish or English) for every group of three people.
- Pack mules will carry backpacks and equipment on days 1 and 4. Each person has 40 liters/10 kg that can be packed into backpacks we provide for this purpose (one per two people).
- Private round-trip transport from Salento to the Cocora Valley.
- All meals: from breakfast on day 1 to lunch on day 4 (meals at farms or picnic lunches).
- Daily snacks.
- Accommodation for 3 nights in a mountain farm (refuge).
- Complete glacier equipment (helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe).
- Loan of trekking poles and rain ponchos.
- Filtered water throughout the trip.
Prices:
- Prices are indicative and are to be confirmed with your expert.
- Prices depend on the options chosen, the number of people, and exchange rate fluctuations.
Choose your package:
- The prices on the page correspond to a private 4-day/3-night stay with certified guides who speak Spanish or English.
Why choose this option:
- Climbing a tropical glacier is a rare opportunity.
- Ascend the highest peak in Los Nevados.
- The variety of ecosystems you traverse is astonishing.
- The guides are from the region and trained in high-altitude mountaineering and glacier climbing.
- There is one guide for every three people on this expedition.
- Perfect logistics allow you to hike with a relatively light pack. On days 1 and 4, mules are provided, carrying 40 liters/10 kg per person. No tent or sleeping bag is needed; you only carry your personal belongings and food for the day.
- The glacier is not technical, but you need to be in a very good physical condition
- Glacier equipment is provided.
- Enjoy convivial moments with your guides, group, and other hikers at the finca.
What may disappoint:
- You will be in a humid and cool environment. The paths can be muddy, and visibility might be low.
- The shelters are basic but sufficient: they have beds, blankets, hearty meals, and a warm atmosphere.The refuge is busier than on other routes, with less interaction with the finca owners.
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