Tekking ans ascent Snowy Tolima - Valley of Cócora - Colombia - 5220 msnm

An expedition to Colombia - jungle and mountains at a height above 5000 meters above sea level

  • Start Date : 2025-Jul-01
    End Date: 2025-Jul-08
  • Meeting Point:Bogotá, Colombia
    End point: Bogotá, Colombia
  • Duration:8 days
    Availability: 12 spots

Proposal

Trekking and mountains 
 
The Andes Mountain Range is so extensive that it crosses numerous countries and regions, from the island of Tierra del Fuego, to North America. In the Colombian area, there is a great variety of landscapes and vegetation, perhaps a bit similar to the ascents and trekking of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. In this way, to reach the summit of the Nevado de Tolima, you walk through jungle and snowy terrain with glaciers.
The trip is proposed with an accompanying guide from Argentina and with initial acclimatization in the capital city of Bogotá, at more than 2600 meters above sea level.
 
Itinerary:
 
Note: the following itinerary is for informational purposes and may change without prior notice according to weather conditions or unforeseen events that occur in the Nevado del Tolima.
 
Day 1: Welcome and meeting in the capital city of Colombia, Bogotá, at 2600 meters above sea level. Meeting with the group and free time. Overnight in hostel.
 
Day 2: New day in Bogotá, free, to continue with the acclimatization period to the altitude. Overnight in hostel.
 
Day 3: Flight to the city of Pereira. Welcome from the local guides; private transfer to the town of Salento, lodging and meeting with guides. Lunch and dinner at the expense of each participant. Overnight.
 
Day 4:  6:30 am After breakfast in Salento, we go by jeep to the mythical Valle de Cócora. There we will find the muleteer who will carry our luggage for the next 4 days. We will start the road through the Valley until we reach the San José River where we will cross 6 “Indiana Jones” style bridges. At 4.5 km, the road increases in difficulty and begins to climb through the Andean jungles until reaching the first mountain refuge, lunch.
Then we start the 9 km journey From the Andean Jungle to the Páramo. it is possible to find a terrain of high difficulty. We will arrive at our mountain refuge at 3,700m.
 
• Approximate : 7/8 hours
• Total distance: 18 km
• Maximum height: 3,800 m
• Initial height: 2,400 m
• Final height: 3,600 m
• Accumulated ascent: 1,654 m
• Accumulated descent: 405 m
 
Day 5: 8:00 am After having rested at 3700m, we will have breakfast and start our ascent to the “Base Camp”. The Nevado del Tolima will always be present in these 9 km of easy ascent.  At the beginning we will take a valley for 1 hour until we come across the mountains from where you can see the beautiful Laguna del Encanto, a wetland that gives birth to the Totare river at 4,000 m. the camp is located at 4,350 m at the base of the mountain. In the afternoon, a technical talk will be given on the use of mountain equipment.
 
• Approximate walking time: 4 hours.
• Distance: 8 km
• Initial height: 3,700 m
• Maximum height: 4,350 m
• Final Height: 4,350 m
• Positive slope: 700 m
• Negative slope: 50 m
 
Day 6: 2:00 a.m. Breakfast. This day we visit 3 zones
• Sandbanks/moraines (4,350 m-4,750 m) have a steep slope from the start of the hike. 1 hour ascent.
• Rock area/old Glacier (4,750 m-4,950 m). This area contains rocks discovered by glacial retreat. We will cross some steps with the security of the helmet, the harness and the rope that the guide will carry. 1 hour ascent.
• Glacier/peak (4,950 m-5,220 m) Glacier area with moderate slopes. It is not a technical promotion but a physical one. Very low temperature on the glacier edge while preparing the personal equipment. On the glacier, sunglasses and sunscreen are very important. "Glacier Shimmer"
After our ascent to the top of the Nevado del Tolima, we will return to our camp where we will have lunch, there the guides will be sending the equipment on the pack mule to start the descent to the mountain refuge.
 
• Approximate walking time: 9 hours.
• Distance: 18 km
• Initial height: 4,350 m
• Maximum height: 5,220 m
• Final Height: 3,700 m
• Positive slope: 900 m
• Negative slope: 1,550 m
 
Day 7: 8:00 a.m. Last day, ascent of moderate slope until reaching the blade of the "Línea", point where the waters of the Cárdenas River divide into the great Cañón de amarguras. You can see the Paramillo del Quindío, an extinct glacier. descent to the canyon and we pass by the river that is born in the wetlands of Quindío, then we will ascend to the mountain refuge that has been abandoned by its peasants "Buenos Aires". From there you descend to the Argentina farm, lunch. Later and again in the Andean jungle, we appreciate the beauty of another mountain area with a lot of biodiversity. 3 ascents mark the final road to the back of the Cocora Valley where we will take our vehicle to Salento. Overnight.
• Approximate total time: 7 hours
• Total distance: 19 km
• Maximum height: 3,900 m
• Initial height: 3,700 m
• Final height: 2,400 m
• Accumulated ascent: 650m
• Accumulated descent: 1,950 m
 
Day 8: Breakfast and end of the program. 
 
 

Note

It is an organized group trip from Argentina, with a permanent accompanying guide.

Included Services
  • Accompanying guide from Argentina
  • 2 nights of accommodation in a hostel in Bogotá (double, triple or larger rooms), nights 1 and 2.
  • Full meals in the mountains from breakfast on day 4 to lunch on day 7 (mountain food)
  • Hot drinks in camps and shelters and snacks
  • 2 nights of hotel accommodation in Salento (double, triple or larger rooms)
  • 2 nights in a mountain refuge (shared rooms, 3 cabins per room)
  • Accommodation 1 night in high mountain camp (2 people per tent)
  • Private transportation day 1 Pereira – Salento, day 2 Salento – Cocora, day 5 Cocora – Salento and Salento - Pereira
  • One (1) local mountain guide for every three (3) people
  • Tents for 2 people
  • Tableware (Plate, spoon, glass)
  • Sleeping bag and insulation
  • drinking water
  • Full glacier equipment (helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe, rope, carabiners)
  • Mules to carry suitcases for 4 days. Maximum 10kg per person.
  • Medical assistance insurance

Services NOT included
Trip to Colombia
Meals in the cities of Bogotá and Pereira
Flight or Bus Bogotá-Pereira-Bogotá
Expenses caused by abandoning the program

Photo and Video Gallery


Faq

Do i need a lot of mountain experience?

It is a trek and a high mountain ascent. Ideal to have physical condition and some experience in trekking with load.

How is the food?

Food is included in the mountain program and is varied. If you are vegetarian, vegan or celiac, there are no problems, you must complete the form so we are aware.

How do I travel to Colombia? is the flight included?

No, the flight is not included; we can advise you on the best flight options. The same for the section from Bogotá to Pereira; the idea is to book a group flight.

Difficulty graduation

Mochila: Peso / Duración de la Jornada.

Exigencia Física

Técnico: Dificultad en el Terreno / Equipo.

Fortaleza Psicológica

Exposición a la Altura

Backpack (M)

This point has to do with the weight that we must carry in our backpacks. Trekkings or crossings where we have pack animals allow us to bear less weight on our backs. And the multi-day journeys in Patagonia (without the option of having pack mules) generally make us carry more weight, especially in the early days.

20% Up to 5 Kilos: Short excursion walks / Trekking Talampaya

40% Up to 8/10 Kilos: Round-trip trekking / Vallecitos 3 and 4-day programs

60% Up to 12/15 kilos: Crossing trekking with porting / Crossing of the Andes Paso Portillo

80% More than 15/18 kilos: Cross-country trekkings with little or no portage / Trekkings in Patagonia (Paso Vuriloche, PN Lanin or Nahuel Huapi, etc)

100% More than 25 Kilos: With a lot of equipment on top and little or no porting / Continental Ice

Physical (F)

We consider physical demands to the wear that we can suffer both aerobic (climbs = possible shortness of breath) and muscle (resistance = many hours walking) and of legs and joints (descents = knees / ankles).

20% half a day or less with little unevenness.

40% more sustained slopes and longer days in the activity. 2-3 days / more than 6 hours per day.

60% Long ascents and descents with a longer duration. Ascents to more than 4000 meters in the central mountain range / intense 4-day trekking (Uruguayan plane)

80% Important work of legs in resistance. Very long days. Very long day ascents (Lanin - Domuyo) or more than 5000 meters. Ice courses.

100% Maximum demand. Aerobic work and constant effort on legs. Continental Ice, Aconcagua, mountains of more than 6000 meters.

Technical (T)

The technical difficulty is mainly based on the terrain. How much can it cost us to climb a slope, if it is very steep or if we have to use our hands in some section (simple climbing), both in rock and snow-ice, or materials such as crampons and pegs in other ascents.

20% flat land

40% trails with moderate ups and downs. General crossing trekkings . Sierra de la Ventana, Córdoba, Patagonia, Cuyo, north, others. Classic ascents

60% Steeper slopes and trails. Possible use of crampons. Domuyo, Cordón del Plata, Cordillera Central.

80% Mixed terrain, with snow or ice. Alvear, Lanin, Tronador. Bolivia, Peru.

100% Highly technical terrain. Glacial transit and climbing in sections. Hill climbing with sections on slopes of more than 60 ° inclination

Psycho (P)

We maintain that this point, the psychological factor, represents a relevant factor. Each one needs a factor of conviction, confidence, self-control and will power to achieve a goal. And depending on the attitude with which we face distances, slopes, terrain and many other objective factors, we can achieve performance with very different results.

20% We will not be much affected.

40% This is a normal level of attention.

60% We require more motivation, enthusiasm and concentration.

80% The activity will require us to be very connected and convinced.

100% Maximum control and emotional-psychological performance.

Adventures (A)

It is the factor that, the height above sea level, influences us depending on the activity we carry out. Managing and overcoming symptoms caused by altitude is the key to this point

0% + sea level.

20% Up to 2000 masl.

40% + 2000 masl.

60% + 4000 masl.

80% + 5000 masl.

100% + 6000 masl.

Gradual Adventure Activity Difficulty System designed by Leandro Scheurle.
Copyright Argentinaxtrema.com © 2009. All rights reserved.

Required equipment

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

  • Trekking backpack  (40 to 50 liters)  
  • Bag for the trip
  • trekking poles 

SHOES

  •  Mountain trekking boots (waterproof, warm)
  • Extra pair of trekking boots 

BASE LAYER

  • Underwear.
  • Cotton shirts (to be in the camp and to sleep)
  • T-shirts and / or short-sleeved synthetic shirts
  • Pants or leggings made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton). To wear as warm indoor pants
  • Thin gloves made of polypropylene or similar (not cotton)
  • Synthetic thin socks (not cotton)
  • Buff neck 

MIDDLE LAYER 

  • Trekking socks (synthetic-thermal)
  • thick mountain socks
  • cotton or wool socks ( wool is for sleeping)
  • 2 long trekking pants
  • Short-mesh pants
  • 2 Sweatshirt (Fleece 100 or Fleece 200)
  • Feather duvet jacket
  • Warm hat (fleece)
  • Fleece gloves (with fingers or mittens
  • Sun hat

OUTER LAYER 

  • Waterproof jacket - parka (gore tex or similar)
  • Pants cover (gore tex or similar)
  • Waterproof and breathable gloves
  • Ski gloves 
  • Mountain gaiters

 TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

  • Crampons
  • Climbing helmet
  • Axe
  • harness with self-securing strap
  • 1 locking carabiner and 3 single carabiners
  • 1 self-locking daisy chain strap
  • 1 cord of 2 meters of 6 mm

 PERSONAL ELEMENTS 

  • Passport, ID card, ID.
  • Medical and personal information completed, authorization.
  • Permit  printed for payment.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • FRONTAL flashlight with batteries (with spare batteries)
  • Sturdy plastic bags for storing clothes.

HEALTH & HYGIENE

  • Sun glasses with UV protection Category 4
  • Spare lenses (can be goggles, highly recommended)
  • Personal first-aid kit (medication with the relevant recipe)
  • Sunscreen , Lip balm
  • Soap, shampoo (small) and small towel.
  • Toilet paper. Baby wipes.

KITCHEN ITEMS

  • Containers to drink water, for at least 4 liters (2 bottles of 1 liter and 1 bag of hydration with hose of 2 lt.)
  • Small thermos

 OPTIONAL, not mandatory (check space and weight)

  • SILVER TAPE for blisters and repairs
  • Mini - sewing kit
  • Binoculars. Camera or video equipment
  • Book,  travel diary, pencil, pen

Rental Equipment

Trekking sleeping bag

Booking in Advance

US$ 16 + options

Pair of Trekking Poles

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

Rental mittens

Booking in Advance

US$ 8 + options

Pair of Crampons

Booking in Advance

US$ 15 + options

Rental : helmet, crampons and ice ax

Booking in Advance

US$ 36 + options

Combo Top: helmet, crampons, ice ax and full harness

Booking in Advance

US$ 50 + options

Category 3 sunglasses - Shepra Julbo Spectrom

Booking in Advance

US$ 5 + options

Backpack for trekking and mountaineering - Woman

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

Related Products Store

Contact and Enquiries

RECOMMENDATION: Due to excessive security policies of Hotmail.com, our responses will arrive at Junk Mail or maybe they will not arrive. We suggest using other accounts (NOT Hotmail) or get in contact with 54 9 1124012278
Request info

AEX S.R.L - Argentina Extrema ® - Ascenso23 EVT Leg:16396 - Disp:1532/15
Copyright Argentinaxtrema.com ©2009. All rights reserved.