Trek Colombia’s Central Cordillera & Climb Tolima Volcano
Trek and Climb Colombia’s (5,221m / 17,129) Tolima Volcano fueled on some of the best coffee in the world!
Enjoy some of the world’s finest coffee while you traverse east to west in Colombia’s Central Cordillera and through picturesque coffee farms on your way to climb Tolima Volcano, the highest open volcano in Los Nevados National Park. The journey to the summit may be more rewarding than the climb as this program takes you through Chingaza National Park, local hot springs and culminates with a tour of a coffee farm where you can finally learn how to make a real Colombian Espresso.
Summit day includes a glacier crossing and a little scrambling, perfect for somebody looking for a challenge but not a full on expedition. Trekkers will also delight in the trip as well, enjoying light packs as pack animals do most of the heavy lifting.
You’ll begin your trip with a fascinating tour of the vibrant metropolis of Bogotá, where you can visit the Police Museum, featuring exhibits of the notorious drug-lord Pablo Escobar, the Museo D’Oro, which features over 55,000 pieces of gold, and the forested peak of Monserrate with a church at the summit that offers beautiful views of the sprawling city of more than 8 million inhabitants. Indeed, there is a rich culture and history here, one that easily overshadows the popular, though unfortunate, view of Colombia as a place of notorious drug lords or guillera warfare. The cultural heritage left by the pre-Columbian people and the Spanish influence creates a rich backdrop for travelers and a great way to immerse yourself in the country before heading into the mountains.
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Trip Perks
Where do we start? On this East to West Andean traverse you’ll enjoy a hike in Chingaza National Park, home of the spectacled bear, woolen monkeys, ocelots and toucans. You’ll also have the opportunity to soak in local hot springs, enjoy picnic lunches on the trail, and tour a local coffee farm. Along the way you’ll also trek through rainforests and several different climates and ecosystems, home of some peculiar plants. Don’t let the journey overshadow the climb of Tolima Volcano (5,221m / 17,129), a classic South American open volcano. We’ll keep the packs light for you by using mules to transport our gear from camp to camp and porters to support our move to High Camp before summit day.
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Los Nevados and Chingaza National Parks
Colombia is home to some of the world’s most ecological diverse places on the planet. Both Chingaza National Natural Park and Los Nevados National Natural Park add to the wonderful natural beauty of Colombia. Click these links to learn more.
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Price
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Tolima Volcano & The Central Andes Of Colombia
$5,275 – 11 Days including travel
Minimum 4 participants required for published rate. Private or smaller groups possible at a custom rate.
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Single Supplement (I want my own room) – $375
Subject to change.
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Price Includes
• Local English speaking mountain guide
• Local assistant mountain guide from 3 people
• Local assistant mountain guide for the summit day Ratio: 1:3
• Private transfer-in for all clients in Bogotá
• Private transport from Bogota to Ibague and then local jeeps to El Palomar
• Private transportation during the mountain program
• Private transfer-out for all clients in Bogota
• National Park entrance fee and park’s insurance
• Coffee tour in Salento
• 2 nights in shared double rooms in the city of Bogota
• 2 nights in shared double rooms in the town of Salento
• 3 nights in shared dormitories at local farms
• 2 nights in double tents at campsite
• Quality mountain tents – 1 pax per tent
• Group common campsite equipment
• Mules for group campsite equipment, food and pax personal gear (Packing and weight
allowance information will be sent)• Porter to/from high camp for personal gear (Packing and weight allowance information
will be sent)• Included meals specified in the day-to-day itinerary
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Price Does Not Include
• Domestic or international flights ($75-$200 TBD)
• Personal climbing and camping gear
• Insurance
• Tips
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Payment Schedule
- $700 deposit at time of registration, which includes a $300 non-refundable registration fee
- Balance due 120 days prior to departure
- The balance may be paid by check, wire transfer, ACH or credit card with a 3% convenience fee
Dates
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Tolima Volcano & The Central Andes Of Colombia 2024
- Feb 2, 2024 — Feb 12, 2024
Policies
Trip Cancellation Policy
- MMI strongly recommends trip cancellation/interruption and evacuation insurance for all trips. Our insurance partner, Ripcord, offers comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, as well as rescue/evacuation policies and can assist in answering any questions. In addition, Participant is expected to have sufficient medical insurance as prescribed by their country of origin. Participant understands that MMI does not include any type of insurance with the cost of the trip.
- If you decide to cancel your trip or change your itinerary, MMI must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date written notice is received. If proper written cancellation notice is not received, amounts paid and reservations made will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable fees may apply for certain trips in order to secure permits and other services. MMI must strictly adhere to cancellation policies outside MMI’s control.
- Due to the personalized service we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations, waiving certain fees when feasible.
- Circumstances outside the control of MMI and its partners, may require amended cancellation/refund policies. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to COVID-19, natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism and so forth.
International Trips/Courses:
- Full refund, less the non-refundable registration fee, will be provided 121 days or more before the departure date
- No refunds will be provided 120 days or less before the departure date
Itinerary
Tolima Volcano & The Central Andes Of Colombia
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Day 1-2
Bogota
Elevation: 2,640m / 8,661ft
Travel to Bogota, the capital city of Colombia where you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel where you can rest up after the long journey. Tonight is our welcome dinner. On day 2 you will take a city tour of Bogota and return to your hotel for the night.
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Day 3
Bogota to Chingaza National Park
Elevation: 3,620 m / 11,876 ft
Distance: 5.2 k / 3.1 miles
After an early breakfast you’ll depart Bogota for Chingaza National Park, this journey will take about two hours depending on traffic in Bogota. Once registered with the park you’ll begin your hike to Siecha Lake. This hike ascends through Andean Highlands, known as ‘paramo’, to De Los Patos Lake (pato is spanish for duck). From here you’ll continue up to Guasca Lake and lastly the sacred Siecha Lake (3,620 m / 11,876 ft). Siecha Lake is where indigenous people practiced the legend of El Dorado, the covering of their bodies in gold dust to bathe and offer it to the lake and Mother Earth. This isn’t a very long day but is important acclimatization for the rest of the trek. Return to Bogota hotel. [Breakfast, Lunch] -
Day 4
Bogota to Palomar
Elevation: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
Leaving Bogota behind you will transfer to the airport for a short flight to Ibague, the Music Capital of Colombia. After a quick stop at the store for supplies you’ll be drive to Palomar by private vehicle over paved and dirt roads. This is the end of the road, the trek starts tomorrow. Sleeping in shared dormitories. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
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Day 5
Vancouver Farm
Elevation: 3,630 m / 11,909 ft
Distance: 10 k / 6.2 miles
Today’s journey starts at La Punta and ascends through the Andean highlands. After 3 – 4 hours you’ll reach La Bombona Lake where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch. After lunch it’s another 3 hours up to Vancouver Farm where you’ll enjoy great views of our upcoming objective, Tolima Volano. Sleeping in shared dormitories. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
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Day 6
Canon Hot Springs
Elevation: 3,964 m / 13,005 ft
Distance: 8 k / 5 miles
Not as tough of a day today but equally important from an acclimatization standpoint. The trek continues over the highlands westwards towards the eastern side of Tolima Volcano. We’ll get an early start to reach Camp Canon for lunch. After lunch feel free to soak in the hot springs, read a book, or just relax and soak in the views of Tolima. Night in tents. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
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Day 7
High Camp
Elevation: 4345 m / 14,255 ft
Distance: 6.5 k / 4 miles
No hurry this morning as we finalize the gear for our move up to high camp. Once things are dialed in we’ll make the move and enjoy the gentle ascent along the Placer Valley. Views of volcanoes and valleys abound on this 4 hour hike to high camp. As we close in on high camp things get a little steeper to gain the ridge known as El Calvito. Once we’ve gained the ridge it’s a short walk to Camp Arenales which sits on yellow sandy moraine. Camp is pretty exposed which comes with wind, but also great views of the mountain. The day concludes with dinner and an evening briefing about summit day tomorrow. Night in tents. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
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Day 8
Summit Day
Elevation: 5,221m / 17,129
Distance: 11.2 k / 7 miles
After an alpine start (very early wake-up) and a quick breakfast we find ourselves with headlamps on climbing and scrambling over a series of moraines before we reach the glacier. After a short break here to prepare for the glacier crossing we make our way across the glacier and up a couple steep icy sections before reaching the summit plateau and the main crater. From there it’s a short walk to the true summit of Nevado del Tolima, an active volcano and the third highest summit in the central cordillera. We’re on top but only halfway at this point. Our descent takes us down the same trail to High Camp where we’ll rest and pack up and continue on down to the thicker air of Primavera/La Playa (3,769m / 12,365ft). After a 8 – 10 hour day we’ll enjoy an early dinner and get some much needed rest. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
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Day 9
Salento
Elevation: 1,919 m/6,296 ft
Distance: 16.5 k / 10.25 miles
Our last day in the mountains starts out with a reminder of yesterday’s climb as we ascend to La Linea Pass (4,019m / 13,185ft). From there it’s downhill to the Quindio River and a short climb to Buenos Aires Farm. From here it’s generally downhill for the remainder of the day until we reach the Cocora Valley which is filled with the national tree of Colombia, the Wax Palm. Once we reach the valley we’ll be picked up in Willies Jeeps for a 30min ride to Salento where we’ll check into our hotel located in the colonial part of town. There will be plenty of time to get cleaned up and explore and enjoy some of the world’s best coffee before our Farewell Dinner. 6 – 8hours / Hotel. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
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Day 10
Coffee Farm tour & Transfer To Bogota
Sleep in, you’ve earned it! After breakfast we’ll tour a traditional coffee farm and learn about the coffee making process. From farm to cup if you will. After we’re well caffeinated we’ll drive to a local airport for our short flight back to Bogota where we’ll transfer to our hotel for the night. Enjoy the afternoon resting up or venture out into Bogota for some last minute souvenir shopping and sampling of local cuisine. [Breakfast]
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Day 11
Depart For Home
Elevation: 2,640m / 8,661ft
After breakfast we’ll we’ll arrange a group transport to Bogota Airport. We can arrange a private transfer for an extra charge if your flight home doesn’t work with the group transfer. [Breakfast]
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Tolima Volcano & The Central Andes Of Colombia
$5,275
11 Days including travel
Minimum 4 participants required for published rate. Private or smaller groups possible at a custom rate.
High Point 17,129 Feet / 5,112 Meters
Tolima Volcano
Difficulty
Advanced Beginner
Participants will need to be in good physical condition. No climbing experience needed, but there is a glacier crossing and some easy scrambling.
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