Cerro Chispas

Day One: Cocorá Valley and Cloud Forest.

We start the day with a delicious traditional breakfast in Salento, then take a Jeep Willys (4×4) to the Cocorá Valley. Our adventure is from the bottom of the valley, following the Cárdenas River canyon. Then we ascend to the top of the canyon and enjoy a lunch with a stunning view of it and its cloud forests. In the afternoon, we will arrive at a comfortable farm, which will be our resting place. There, we interact with the local family and learn about their lifestyle while sharing a pleasant moment with a delicious coffee.

The hike lasts about 6 hours, with a distance of 10 km. We start at an altitude of 2,400 meters and climb to a peak of 3,450 meters, which is the place where we will end. The total elevation level is 1,250 meters, with a total descent of 200 meters.

Day Two: Chispas Peak and immersion in the Páramo Ecosystem.

After breakfast, we will visit Finca Buenos Aires. From there, we will climb constantly to a height of 4,100 meters, pausing to rest and enjoy the view of the moor. We will follow the summit that leads to the summit of Pico Chispas, known to offer one of the most magnificent views in the central part of the national park. From there we can see: the lagoon of Otún, the summit of the volcano Tolima and Paramillo de Quindío. After this ascent, we will start a gradual descent through the inner valley surrounded by paramo, in the direction of the next mountain farm where we can rest.

The hike lasts approximately 6 hours, with a distance of 9.6 km. From an altitude of 3,450 m, we ascend to a peak of 4,400 m, finally descending to a final altitude of 3,900 m. The total ascent is 1,000 m, with a descent of 550 m.

Day Three: Descent on the Páramo.

In the morning, we will continue our journey to the top of the leaf, from there we will start a steady and gradual descent, climbing the roads we take in days 1 and 2. Once the trek is complete, we will return to the Cocorá Valley and Salento, where we ended our experience in one of the moors of Los Nevados National Park.

The hike lasts approximately 10 hours, with a distance of 17 km. Starting at an altitude of 3,450 m, we ascend to a maximum altitude of 4,400 m before descending to a final altitude of 2,400 m. The total ascent is 1,100 m, and the total descent is 2,150 m.

• 7:00 AM: Traditional breakfast in Salento.
• 8:00 AM: Travel by Jeep Willys (4×4) to Cocorá Valley.
• 9:00 AM: Start hike from the bottom of the valley along the Cárdenas River canyon.
• 12:00 PM: Ascend to the top of the canyon and enjoy lunch with a stunning view.
• 1:00 PM: Continue hiking towards the farm.
• 3:00 PM: Arrive at the farm, interact with the local family, and enjoy coffee.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner and rest at the farm.
• Total hike: 6 hours, 10 km, starting at 2,400 m, reaching 3,450 m, with an elevation gain of 1,250 m and a descent of 200 m.

• 7:00 AM: Breakfast at the farm.
• 8:00 AM: Visit Finca Buenos Aires and start the ascent.
• 12:00 PM: Reach 4,100 m, pause to rest and enjoy the view.
• 1:00 PM: Continue to the summit of Pico Chispas.
• 3:00 PM: Enjoy views of Otún lagoon, Tolima volcano, and Paramillo de Quindío.
• 4:00 PM: Start the gradual descent to the next mountain farm.
• 6:00 PM: Arrive at the farm for rest.
• Total hike: 6 hours, 9.6 km, starting at 3,450 m, reaching 4,400 m, descending to 3,900 m, with an ascent of 1,000 m and a descent of 550 m.

• 6:00 AM: Breakfast at the farm.
• 7:00 AM: Continue the journey to the top of the leaf.
• 9:00 AM: Start the steady descent following previous days’ paths.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch break.
• 1:00 PM: Continue descent.
• 5:00 PM: Return to Cocorá Valley and Salento, concluding the experience in Los Nevados National Park.
• Total hike: 10 hours, 17 km, starting at 3,450 m, reaching 4,400 m, descending to 2,400 m, with an ascent of 1,100 m and a descent of 2,150 m.