3 Days 2 Nights
Colombia
6
1
PARAMILLO DEL QUINDIO TREK 3D2N
Paramillo del Quindío is one of the highest peaks in the Los Nevados National Natural Park, with an altitude of 4,750 m.a.sl. This mountain was known as El Nevado del Quindío, but due to climate change, in the last two decades it lost its snow. However, it remains as a demanding, enigmatic and charming mountain. On a three-day walk through this unique area, you will have a great experience getting to know different types of vegetation without needing to use ice-climbing gear.
Itinerary
Itinerary Expand All
Breakfast in Salento and transportation in a traditional Willys Jeep to the Cócora Valley. We will begin our adventure starting from the bottom of the Valley, through the Cárdenas River Canyon. We will climb up to 3500 m.a.s.l. and have lunch there with an impressive view of the Amarguras canyon and its cloud forests. We will arrive in the afternoon at a traditional farm that will be our
place of rest and where we will share with the mountain family that lives there. There we will learn, together with coffee and laughter, about the dynamics of our hosts.After having our breakfast, we will begin the trek to Paramillo del Quindío, ascending to the house in Buenos Aires. From there we will go through the middle levels of the valley,wewill getto enjoythe beautiful and surprising wetlands of Quindío, we will ascend to 4700 m and there we will have reached the highest point ofthe walk . ofthis day,the top of Paramillo del Quindío. We will continue our way to the La Primavera farm at 3600 m, where we will sleep that night. This will be a splendid day of enjoying the paramo ecosystem.
The way back to the Cocora Valley will be along a different path than the one up. We will leave Spring heading to our first objective El Alto de la Virgen, where we can enjoy a beautiful landscape. From there we begin a descent to Finca Estrella de Agua. At about midday we will be arriving at La Casa de los Hummingbirds, a reserve where we will have lunch and have the opportunity to appreciate these beautiful birds from less than a meter away. After this we will reach the Quindío River, which we will cross several times using hanging bridges to finally reach the Cócora Valley.
Cost Info
Cost Info
Included
- ACCOMMODATION 2 nights of accommodation in a rural basic farmers cabing in bunk beds.
- ACTIVITIES All the activities mentioned in the plan, all in private or shared tours and transportations for maximum 4 people per guide.
- MEALS - 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners.
- LUGGAGE 1 donkey for carrying a backpack of 10 kg maximum per person.
- GUIDANCE Spanish speaking guides throughout the trip for all activities.
- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE CARD The tour includes a travel assistance card for all the days that covers possible accidents, medical attention and emergency transportations for a quick response in case of being necessary according to the evacuation time during the activities and level of medical attention at the destination.
Not included
- National and international flights.
- Activities, additional drinks or elements not described in the plan.
- Tips, snacks and souvenirs.
- Personal items not described in the itinerary.
- English or other languages speaking guides/translators.
Add-ons & optionals
Add-ons & optionals
- Flights from & to Bogota or any other Colombian city. The price would depend of the dates and the anticipation the flights are booked.
- Ground transfers to & from Salento to major cities.
- English or other languages speaking guides/translators, according to availability of guides for the desired date, in this case it is advisable to book in advance.
- Accommodation in the town of Salento.
What to take?
What to take?
- Hat and/or other protection for the head and neck.
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the reflection of the sun.
- Appropriate clothing for activities and the treks under cold temperatures and take clothes for change in case of getting wet during the activities.
- Appropriate footwear for the hikes, a pair of trekking boots + a pair of rubber boots for the muddy parts are mandatory and at least one pair of sneakers for change. Footwear can get very wet during the hikes.
- Trekking poles might be useful.
- Sunscreen.
- Protection for electronic devices since they may be susceptible to damages due to humidity and/or rain.
- Non-disposable rigid container to refill water (canteen or thermos).
- Hands-free backpack, wheeled suitcases must be avoided.
- Flashlight.
- Personal documents and count with your own medical insurance.
- Personal medicines and first aid kit.
Recomendations
Recomendations
The ecosystem of Paramillo del Quindio, is a former snow-capped volcano in the tropical zone, which makes it very special, therefore it is important to follow the recommendations in order to avoid or diminish any negative impact on them, as well as being prepared for a pleasurable experience, according to that:
- It is necessary to have an excellent physical condition for this expedition, since you will do several treks of long distances at a high altitude
- This destination is located at a high altitude of the Colombian Andes, so it is necessary to have good acclimatization and cautions to avoid altitude sickness. Ask your doctor in case of having any special condition that requires extra caution or may affect you at a high altitude.
- The consumption of alcohol and/or psychoactive substances is forbidden for this experience as it might be very risky for your own health in these kinds of activities.
- It is important to reduce waste generation (single-use plastics). According to that, it is important to take your own rigid non-disposable recipient for liquids.
- Follow and abide by the instructions of the guides and authorities during each of the routes and tours.
- This trip passes by some indigenous territories; therefore, it is important a good and respectful behavior regarding their traditions and spaces.
FAQ'S
FAQ'S
WEATHER CONDITIONS & BILINGUISM
It is necessary to be properly prepared for the weather conditions of the destination, which are detailed below but as this is an approximation, please note that they may vary. Also, keep in mind that there won’t be bilingual staff or people at the destination.
Paramillo del Quindio:
- Temp. Min: 4ºC Max: 18ºC, humid climate / (2300-4760 m.a.s.l.)
ATM´S
It is necessary to carry cash for extra expenses during the trip since the last town where you will have access to ATMs is Salento, after that there won’t be any ATMs or dataphones.
PHONE SIGNAL & WIFI
You will visit a destination where there is poor phone and internet signal in the town, but once you leave the town you will hardly have any phone or internet connection.
TIPPING
Tipping is not mandatory, but if you consider you can tip the guides and/or other staff with an amount from 20.000 to 50.000 COP (5 to 12 USD approx.) per day of service.
SEASONS
- It is more advisable to visit this destination in the dry season, as during the rainy season the challenge is bigger due to the extremely muddy and difficult conditions of the trails.
- The dry season in Colombia ranges from Mid-November till March, in this period of the year you can expect to have easier hikes and less rain in general.
- Getting by car to off the road paths will be easier, making the transportation times shorter to those spots in very rural areas.
- The rainy season starts in April and ends in mid-November, being May and October the rainiest months in Colombia and from June to September a softer rainy period.
- If you decide to attend this trip in the wet season you need to take
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