TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF NEVADO DEL RUIZ NATIONAL PARK

The authorities have temporarily closed the National Park Nevado del Ruiz, due to the activity of the volcano. The area is in alert level orange, which means the volcano is currently very active and an eruption is not unlikely.

The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) informed that the activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano continues to be very "unstable" and "the probability of an eruption in the coming days or weeks, which would be stronger than those of the last 10 years, is increasing."

To all clients who had planned a trip to Nevado del Ruiz and its near surroundings, we would like to offer as an alternative the trekking tour to El Cocuy National Park (see detailed description below).

All clients staying near the volcano are asked to pay attention to the local directives, which are communicated reliably to the clients by our local partners - hotels and guides. In addition, we recommend customers to keep up to date with the situation through channels like the SGC homepage. 

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Neptuno travel agent.

Trekking Tour El Cocuy 3 Days/2 Nights (also possible 4 Days/3 Nights):

General information about the National Park

El Cocuy National Park, with the Sierra Nevada Güicán and Chita, is the largest glacial mass in Colombia, with more than 25 snow and ice peaks in two mountain ranges about 30 km long and 4 km wide. The succession of snow peaks in the park (from 4,800 to 5,330 m a.s.l.) begins with the Campanillas Blanco and continues with the Pan de Azúcar, the Púlpito del Diablo, the Cóncavos, the Ritakuwas and the Güicán, among others, forming a line that leads to the Grande de los Verdes Lagoon. Among the 150 lagoons in the park, that provide the water supply for the Sierra, we should mention La Plaza Lagoon, which flows into a waterfall, Avellanal Lagoon and Grande Lagoon, the latter standing out for its bright colours and its extension of 35 hectares. The reserve also includes Páramo and a strip of Andean Forest and jungle, which contain a great variety of fauna and flora.

Day  1 - Arrival
Meeting point in the morning in El Cocuy village. Welcome – Coffee, presentation of the guides, the route and afterwards breakfast (not included). Little guided tour through the village with the possibility to buy the last small belongings.

Before starting, an introductory presentation by the park rangers and approx. 1 h drive to the first accommodation at 3,500 m altitude. Lunch  (not incl.) and acclimatisation hike.

Dinner. (Not included)

Accommodation: Hut with private room and shared bathrooms. Hot water and electricity available.

Comment: Meals are not included and will be organized at place with your guide. Approx. 80 USD per Person for the whole stay.

Day  2 -  Lagunillas Pulpito del Diablo

Total Length: 16 km
Altitude: 3900 / 4850 m a.s.l.
Temperature: -2 / 18°C
Difficulty: intermediate

We start early in the morning at about 6 a.m. to our first Trekking Route, the Sendero Lagunillas Pulpito del Diablo. The northernmost route has a manageable length of 16 km and starts at an altitude of 3900 m.a.s.l. First, we cross the Lagunillas Glacier Valley, the Laguna Pintada (Paramo Lake), to then climb up the old moraine with views of large rock faces of 400 metres and peaks of more than 5000 metres. Then we will already reach the glacier at 4850 metres and can enjoy the view of the remarkable "Pulpito del Diablo", the large square rock and the Pan de Azucar glacier at 5150 metres.

At the end of the day we will be brought back to the accommodation in the mountain hut at 3,600 m altitude, where dinner (not included) is waiting for us and we can recover from our first hike in El Cocuy National Park.

Day 3 - Rita Cuba Blanco and Departure

Total Length: 15 km
Altitude: 3900 / 4950 m ü NN
Temperature: -2 / 18°C
Difficulty: intermediate

The last day also starts with a breakfast (not included) before we set off for our last hiking route, the "Sendero Rita Cuba Blanco". This reaches an altitude of up to 4950 m, up to the foot of the glacier, the highest accessible point in the entire El Cocuy area. At the beginning we cross the valley of the Playitas River at 3900 m between the valley of the Frailejones and the crossing into the protected area. Afterwards, the route leads through the Super Paramo ecosystem at 4300 m.a.s.l. to the said highest point at the edge of the glacier. At 15 km, this route is the shortest of the three possible routes through the national park, but it is just as demanding in terms of difficulty.

Afterwards hike back to the accommodation and return to Güicán.