Santa Isabel mountain for begginers

Santa Isabel mountain for begginers

In true expeditionary style, these 3 days take you across the Los Nevados National Park, from the famous Cocora valley to the mountain city of Manizales. We immerse ourselves in the flora and birdlife unique to the Andean tropical forests, the unique paramo ecosystem, glacial lagoons, volcanos and glacial peaks. Our hosts each evening are the traditionally welcoming, rural families who live in rustic farmhouses throughout the the Park. Colombia is the second most bio diverse country on the planet, and we can’t wait to show you why it is regarded as such! From South to the North, let’s explore this special area of stunning natural beauty.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cocora Valley

Stop At: Valle del Cocora, Salento Colombia
DAY PRIOR TO THE TREK: We ask all clients to please come to the Paramo Trek office in Salento (before 4pm) where we take you through a pre-departure briefing. We double-check you are adequately equipped (hiking shoes, clothes for the cold, waterproofs etc.) as well as complete any outstanding payments. We do have some equipment available for rent, however, this is on a first come first served basis.

DAY 1: We all meet at the Paramo Trek office at 7am where you are introduced to your guide/s before heading to our breakfast stop. Once full from our hearty breakfast, we all jump into a traditional Colombian ‘Willis’ jeep to our start of the trek at the Cocora Valley. We start walking at an altitude of 2,390 meters towards the forest, where you can see the valley of wax palms. A day dominated by ascent, we continue ascending through the forest until we reach our final destination of Day 1, the farm "La Argentina", at an altitude of 3,400 meters.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation as specified in the program of the respective tour (basic dormitory style).

Day 2: Paramillo del Quindio

Stop At: Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados, Eje Cafetero, Manizales Colombia
Following a typical and delicious breakfast prepared by our hosts at Finca La Argentina, we leave for our day exploring the Paramo ecosystem. We started the ascent from the "La Argentina" farm to the Buenos Aires sector at 3,750 meters, getting closer and closer to the Los Nevados National Natural Park. Here we make a quick break, gathering the strength to make our ascent amongst the paramo and frailejones to an altitude of 4,045 meters and a majestic view point of the extinct volcano, the Paramillo del Quindío (4,750 meters). Here is our crossing point into the department of Risaralda, home to the finca el Berlín (3,700 meters) and our home for the evening.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation as specified in the program of the respective tour (basic dormitory style).

Day 3: View of el Nevado de Santa Isabel

Stop At: Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados, Eje Cafetero, Manizales Colombia
After breakfast we start our way towards the Otún river canyon until we meet the otun lagoon, the largest in the park and of glacial origin. it is fed mainly by the thaw of the majestic Nevado de Santa Isabel, with it’s glacial summit of 5,000 meters. If the weather is on our side, we get the opportunity to see this mighty peak as well as the surrounding area of natural beauty in full spread. From here we pass through, arguably, some of the most beautiful area of paramo in the National Park, before finally reaching our final point of the trek, the rural farm Campo Alegre. Here we enjoy a well deserved late lunch before jumping onto our private offroad 4x4 vehicle, to take us down the bumpy, unpaved road to the magical, mountain city of Manizales.
Duration: 12 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation as specified in the program of the respective tour (basic dormitory style).