Paramotrek

Paramotrek: Meaningful Expeditions Through the Los Nevados Mountains

For travelers who want to explore the páramo and mountains of Los Nevados National Natural Park with preparation, professional guidance, and respect for the territory, Paramotrek offers high-altitude expeditions and trekking experiences designed to avoid improvisation.

From its office in Salento, the company organizes short and multi-day hikes, summit expeditions, and customized routes through some of the most demanding landscapes of Colombia’s Central Andes.

Its approach combines adventure, safety, environmental education, and interaction with rural communities. The objective is not simply to reach a summit, but to move responsibly through a fragile and constantly changing ecosystem.

More Than Guides: Companions on the Trail

Paramotrek follows a close and personal guiding philosophy. Mountain conditions can change within minutes, and each traveler responds differently to altitude, cold, and physical effort.

For this reason, tours include advance preparation, personalized recommendations, and support throughout each stage of the journey. Participants are encouraged to feel informed, supported, and safe without losing the excitement of a mountain expedition.

What experiences are available?

• Nevado del Tolima summit expedition: a highly demanding route for travelers with previous experience and suitable physical and mental preparation.
• Nevado de Santa Isabel expedition: a mountain experience that may involve snow, ice, and technical equipment, depending on park conditions.
• Paramillo del Quindío summit: a multi-day trek reaching approximately 4,750 meters above sea level.
• Los Nevados crossings: routes connecting Salento with Pereira, Manizales, and other areas of the Central Andes.
• Customized trekking: one-day or multi-day routes adapted to the group’s schedule, experience, and physical condition.
• Cultural experiences: tours combining rural accommodation, traditional meals, and interaction with mountain families.
• Day hikes: shorter routes through forests, páramo, hot springs, and wax palm landscapes.

High-Altitude Expeditions

Summit routes are physically demanding and may exceed 4,000 or 5,000 meters in altitude. Some days involve more than twelve hours of activity, considerable elevation gain, rocky terrain, mud, intense cold, and sections without clearly defined trails.

The Nevado del Tolima expedition, for example, normally takes four days and three nights. It combines hiking through the Cocora Valley, forests, páramo, rural accommodation, and a high-altitude camp before the summit attempt.

The Paramillo del Quindío route is generally offered as a three-day, two-night expedition, with daily distances that may reach between 15 and 20 kilometers.

Reaching a summit is never guaranteed. Decisions depend on weather, the health of the group, terrain conditions, protected-area restrictions, and the professional judgment of the guide.

Safety and Preparation

According to information provided directly by the owner, Paramotrek applies safety-management principles associated with the ISO 21101 standard and works with guides trained in wilderness first aid through WFR certification.

The company also maintains communication with farms and local partners, supports the maintenance of certain trails and bridges, and uses procedures for responding to weather changes, injuries, and altitude-related symptoms.

Packages may include:

• Mountain guides and environmental interpreters.
• A pre-departure briefing.
• Health and participant-registration forms.
• Accident or rescue insurance, depending on the route.
• Technical equipment for ice or high-altitude terrain.
• Private transportation to trailheads.
• Meals and snacks during the expedition.
• Rehydration salts and water purification.
• Rural accommodation or camping.
• Mule-supported equipment transport when included in the itinerary.

Legal Access to the Park

According to information supplied by the company, Paramotrek operates as an authorized provider for routes inside Los Nevados National Natural Park.

Entry into protected areas remains subject to Colombian National Parks regulations, authorized trails, visitor registration, and current environmental and safety conditions.

Routes may be modified, postponed, or cancelled because of preventive closures, volcanic activity, severe weather, or decisions made by the environmental authority.

Mountain Equipment

Paramotrek provides guidance on selecting suitable gear and, depending on availability, offers equipment rental for cold, rain, and technical terrain.

The owner reports that the company works with professional equipment from brands such as Marmot and Black Diamond. Depending on the expedition, participants may need trekking boots, thermal clothing, waterproof layers, a backpack, trekking poles, a helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe, or headlamp.

Not all equipment is included in every package. Confirm in advance what you must bring and what can be rented.

Sustainability and Local Communities

The company promotes low-impact travel, reusable water bottles, and reduced use of single-use plastics.

Several expeditions use rural accommodation, meals prepared by local families, and transportation or mule services provided within the territory. This helps keep part of the tourism income within mountain communities.

Routes also include educational content related to páramo ecosystems, biodiversity, rural culture, water sources, and conservation.

Practical Information

• Office hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m., according to the owner.
• Reservations: at least 48 hours in advance for conventional tours.
• Summit expeditions: booking at least 15 days ahead is recommended.
• Salento office: Carrera 5 #9-33, near the main square.
• WhatsApp: +57 311 745 3761.
• Email: info@paramotrek.com.
• Payments: cash and bank transfers, according to the company.
• Parking: the office can provide information about nearby public parking facilities.

Meals and Accommodation

Multi-day expeditions may include breakfasts, packed lunches, rural dinners, daily snacks, hot drinks, rehydration salts, and filtered-water refills.

Accommodation may be provided in rural farms, mountain shelters, or high-altitude camps, depending on the itinerary.

Report allergies, dietary restrictions, and special requirements in advance. Alternative meals depend on the route and the logistical capacity of the host families.

Recommendations Before Traveling

• Arrive in Salento at least one day before a high-altitude expedition.
• Attend the pre-departure briefing and disclose all relevant medical conditions.
• Do not hide cardiovascular, respiratory, or recent injury concerns.
• Use a clothing-layer system: lightweight, thermal, fleece, and waterproof layers.
• Wear suitable trekking boots rather than urban shoes.
• Carry UV-protection glasses, sunscreen, a warm hat, and gloves.
• Bring a reusable bottle with a minimum capacity of one liter.
• Avoid alcohol before the expedition.
• Follow the guide’s decisions, particularly when they recommend stopping or abandoning an ascent.
• Do not remove plants, rocks, or natural objects.
• Do not enter closed or unauthorized trails.
• Confirm which items are included and which must be rented or purchased.

Fitness and Altitude Illness

High-altitude routes require an honest assessment of physical fitness. Regular walking does not always mean that a person is prepared for long days above 4,000 meters.

Immediately report severe headaches, confusion, loss of coordination, breathing difficulty, persistent nausea, or unusual exhaustion.

The priority must always be to return safely. No summit justifies risking the life of a participant or the guiding team.

Pets and Restrictions

Pets are not allowed on expeditions inside the protected area because of conservation requirements and park regulations.

Restrictions related to age, medical conditions, minimum experience, and physical fitness may also apply depending on the selected route.

A Responsible Way to Experience the Mountains

Paramotrek offers experiences for travelers who want to understand Los Nevados through preparation, effort, and awareness.

Its routes combine physical challenge, páramo landscapes, rural culture, and environmental learning. Success is not measured only by reaching the summit, but by how the group moves, protects one another, and respects the territory.

In the high mountains, the true achievement is returning safely while leaving the smallest possible impact.

Routes, prices, requirements, park access, and environmental conditions may change. Request a personalized quotation and confirm all information before booking.