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Los Nevados National Park

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Andino : Los Nevados National Park
Revision as of 18:03, 25 December 2009 by (Talk)

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Los Nevados National Park is in the Andino region of Colombia.


Los Nevados is a national park centered around some snow covered volcanic peaks; Nevado Del Ruiz, Nevado del Tolima and more. The park is run by a "concession" - Concesion Nevados - Which actually is the travel agency Aviatur. Although not ruining the park entirely, it does feel more like an alpine resort than a national park. In practice this means that the park is privatised and that the goal of the park is to shuttle as many people as possible up the roads and down again.



Flora and fauna

Very interesting flora, layered in different heights.


Reasonably cold. Expect frosty mornings (0 - -10 C) year around. In the wet season, expect clouds continuously, in the "dry season" expect clouds and rain 10 AM to 3 PM, and clearer conditions before and after.

Get in

The usual way to get in is from Manizales. From there you have several options: Go on a tour and jump off (120'000 COP incl. entrance and breakfast), Taxi (300'000 COP) take a bus to the intersection and hike/hitchhike up. The last option is the best one if you have the time, as you would gradually acclimatise to the altitude, not pay excessively, and avoid the extremely commercial feel of the Concesion.


Entrance fee is 53,000 COP for foreigners, 33,000 COP for Colombians and 6,000 COP for students and kids between 5 and 12.

Get around




The only outdoors store in Manizales - Amazonas Deportes near the cathedral has a pathetic selection of gear, so you will need to bring everything you are going to use.


They sell food at most of the old refuges which have been turned into shops.


They sell beverages at most of the refuges as well.


Hotels or camping.


There are two hotels in the park El Cisne and Hotel Los Termales.


There are campsites at El Cisne and the Chalet. You are required to have a tent if sleeping at the campsites, if you sleep in a bivvy bag they make you sign a waiver that if you die it's not their fault, and that they warned you. I would recommend getting a tent anyway because it rains so much that you will need it to keep things dry.


You can camp anywhere you like.

Maps are not available anywhere in Manizales or the park itself. The only map you will get is the cartoon map you see on the website of the concession. Apparently the only place you can buy a map is in Bogota, from the Geogaphic institute itself (Sigac).

Stay safe

This is a fairly high area and altitude sickness is a serious issue. I had to abort my trip after just 2 days. I therefore recommend getting acclimatised at 3000 and 4000 before climbing anything.

Get out





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