Nevado del Tolima is an active volcano in Colombia's Los Nevados National Park and the third highest mountain in the Central Cordillera. Its picturesque snow-capped cap is one of the region's calling cards. The way to the top is very interesting: the participants will pass several climatic zones from hot jungle to high mountain glaciers, and the last part of the ascent will be overcome in crampons and bundles.
Not only a fascinating ascent to the 5,000m, but also an introduction to distant, exotic Colombia awaits us. We will see the sights of its capital Bogota, visit the famous coffee plantations, enjoy the Martian and lunar landscapes of the second largest desert Tatacoa, visit one of the best astronomical observatories and the valley of giant palm trees. And at the end of this trip, spend a few days on the beaches of the Caribbean Sea in Tyrone National Park, enjoying lounging on white-sand beaches and exploring coral reefs.
Join us!
In this itinerary you will find mountain peaks of Los Nevados National Park, climbing the 5,000 meters peak, learning about the culture and traditions of Colombia, exotic fruits and local cuisine, relaxing on the Caribbean Sea and much more.
Virtually all expenses, except for meals in restaurants and special personal equipment, are included in the price of the program. You won't have to overpay!
Magnificent mountain scenery guaranteed!
We take seriously the need for gradual acclimatization to altitude and make it as smooth as possible, without sudden drops, which is very likely to help you minimize the unpleasant symptoms of altitude sickness and successfully pass the trek.
We do not cancel or shift groups. If the manager approved the purchase of a ticket, you can surely buy it. The hike will not be canceled due to our fault.
Kuluar experienced teamleaders will accompany the group along the entire route, making your trip as memorable and safe as possible! They have been to South America many times and know the region in detail.
The manager, who will advise you before the trip, thoroughly knows the route and will tell you about it in detail.
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97.8% were satisfied. We're sure you will, too!
During the operation of the club we have developed an algorithm that allows us to organize hikes and ascents of the highest quality. You can see this for yourself by applying for participation.
Today the whole group is going to Bogota. We rest after the international flight in the hotel, change money, begin to gradually get used to the local climate and altitude. In the evening we will have a briefing on the future program, check the availability of the necessary equipment and have dinner in a cozy restaurant, where we will try a variety of local exotic cuisine.
To acclimatize to the altitude, today we will take a trip to the Cundinamarca Mountains near Bogotá. Here is the legendary Lake Guatavita, at the bottom of which, according to the local Chibicha Indians, a huge amount of gold is buried, but so far none of our contemporaries has managed to get it, except for a few pieces in the Gold Museum in Bogotá. On the way we will visit an important local landmark, the Salt Cathedral of Sipaquira. This is an underground Catholic church built in the tunnels of a salt mine 200 meters underground. We will also climb to the top of Mount Monserrat within the city, whose slopes are buried in lush tropical vegetation, and from the observation deck we have a panoramic view of the huge metropolis.
Today we are going to a region of Colombia known as the "Cafetera Zone," where the world's most prized coffee beans are grown. The Colombians are very proud of their coffee and give tourists the opportunity to learn about the technology of growing and processing it right here in the coffee plantations, one of which we will visit on our tour.
Early in the morning we leave by jeep to the picturesque Cocora Valley, located at an altitude of 2,400 meters. The main attraction of this area is the national tree of Colombia, the giant Wax palm. They grow all over the surrounding hills and we will enjoy this unique scenery before continuing on to the mountains. There is a big climb through the ancient rainforest, about one kilometer uphill, and at the end of it we will camp in a small authentic farm where we will spend the night in tents, or else we can camp on terraces in hammocks.
Trekking in the Los Nevados Mountains and climbing Nevado Tolima Volcano
After a good local breakfast and rest, we will continue climbing through the mountain pass "La Linea" of 4019 m, which divides the states of Quindio and Tolima, and we will reach a beautiful viewpoint where we will see the peaks of Paramillo del Quindio (4745 m), the highest peak of Quindio state, and Nevado del Tolima in the neighboring valley. We will also pass several authentic farms that will serve us as camps and resting places, cross the river and finally reach base camp, from where we will go on the summit assault. We leave the upper camp before sunrise and set off on a number of rocky moraines of different steepness up to the glacier at the altitude of 4750 meters. Here the group will prepare for the glacier crossing, tie up ropes and put on crampons under the guidance of the guide. Finally a final crossing over the snowy plateau and we reach the main crater and summit of Nevado del Tolima, an active volcano and the third highest peak in the Central Cordillera. After the ascent we descend back to Salento for a well-deserved rest.
We move to the small Villa Vieja village, where we will spend time exploring the lunar and Martian landscapes of the Tatacoa Desert: we will see stone sculptures and weathering figures, walk through the Cusco Valley, where red, ochre-colored rocks prevail, and through the Los Hoyos Valley, where the rocks are mostly gray in color. In the evening you can visit the local Astronomical Observatory, which is the best place to observe the starry sky in the whole country. We spend the night in a village near the desert.
After completing the trekking part of the trip, we will go on vacation to the coast of the Caribbean Sea in Tayrona National Park, where we will enjoy the beauty of local beaches with white sand, swimming in the warm turquoise waters and can see many colorful tropical fish, snorkeling at the coral reefs.
Today is the final day of our trip, when it's time to say goodbye to the exotic of Latin America and return home filled with exciting emotions and vivid impressions for many months to come!
Teamleader on a trip to Colombia - Yulia Yurasova.
Yulia about herself:
"Hiking and traveling have become my life. Each trip I take as an invaluable experience of learning about the world. I am interested in every corner of the Earth and all manifestations of life in all its diversity. Now the geography of my travels includes slightly more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, but my dreams still include many unexplored places and mountain peaks. It is the mountains that have become my biggest hobby. At first they were fun and easy walking tours with friends, then I discovered sport hiking and later mountaineering with its stubbornness and high requirements to physical shape, endurance and character. For me the mountains are both a comfortable home, where I feel in touch with nature and the primordial world of our Earth, and the place where I have to steel myself and test myself in the fight against the elements. One thing is undeniable, the mountains are majestic and beautiful, and it is an honor to be your guide to this wonderful world."
Achievements
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the teamleader has the right to make changes to the route.
Ukrainians do not need a visa to visit Colombia.
You must have no illnesses from this list in order to participate in the hike.
You need good insurance to participate in the program. Please do not neglect this item. For some participants, it saved thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for taking out insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hikers"
During the trek in the mountains three meals a day is included in the price. You pay for meals in cafes and restaurants individually according to your preferences and appetite.
In the cities we live in hotels, during the hiking part of the trek and climbing accommodation is only possible in tents.
*Please note: It is not the manager's task to choose a separate flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations from his experience and shares flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want the manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
To reserve a place in the group, you need to make an advance payment of $500 in a way that is convenient for you. It is after you have made the prepayment and purchased the tickets that you will be booked in the group. The remainder of the amount should be handed over to the guide on the first day of the program in cash dollars. In case of get out the itinerary you will not receive a refund.
