Travel Stories

Travelers can whet their appetites for adventure with a variety of hikes and tours all over Colombia, but there are 5 attractions that make Los Nevados a "must see" destination. In the midst of Colombia's coffee-growing region, spanning 583 square kilometers, lies Los Nevados National Natural Park. Renowned for its rugged terrain and unmatched beauty, this Colombian wonder is home to thousands of species of plants and animals, as well as eight volcanoes. These are the five things in the park that you should not miss.

1. photo by Luis Alejandro Bernal Romero (via Flickr)

   Nevado del Ruiz

   By far the largest and most active volcano in the park, Nevado del Ruiz dominates 200 square kilometers! Topped by ancient glaciers, the combination of magma and ice can create dangerous and deadly lahars (mud flows), which killed 25,000 people in an eruption in 1985. Geologists keep a watchful eye on Nevado del Ruiz for seismic activity and post warnings and evacuations, with some minor eruptions happening as recently as May of 2017. Nevado del Ruiz is home to a variety of endemic species, including the spectacled bear. The majesty of this volcano is something you will want to experience for yourself.

   
   

2. photo by Oscar Eduardo Blandon Lopez (via Flickr)

   Lake Otún – Jewel of the Snow

   Trek around this alpine lake, known as the "jewel of the snow" and take in the sights of the unique Colombian páramo ecosystem, home to beautiful and distinct plants such as the frailejones and cojines. Lake Otún is 3,900 meters above sea level and an important breeding area to several endangered bird species. One of the primary attractions is an abundance of rainbow trout, thrilling the hearts of fishermen everywhere, and providing the backdrop to a thousand stories about "the one that got away."

   
   

3. photo by Brian Ralphs (via Flickr)

   Blue-crowned Motmot

   This beauty can delight and awe tourists and bird watchers alike. Found throughout the rainforests and the shaded coffee farms of the Andean region, the blue-crowned motmot has a double hoot call, similar to that of an owl. Don't bother looking in trees for a sneak-peek of their nests, as these cheeky birds nest in tunnels up to 14 feet long! With their brilliant turquoise crowns, black faces, and bright red eyes, they are one bird that shouldn't be missed.

   
   

4. photo by Eli Duke (via Flickr)

   Cocora Valley & Quindío Wax Palms

   Incorporated into Los Nevados Natural National Park in 1985, Cocora Valley is named after a Quimbayan princess and means "star of water." This dazzling valley is home to the Quindío wax palms, the national tree of Colombia. Wax palms can reach an astounding 60 meters (200 ft) tall! The trunk is smooth and waxy, giving the tree its common name. The wax was also frequently harvested for candles (and the trunks for construction), leading to a decline in wax palms in the region. The Quindío wax palms are now a legally protected species.

   
   

5. photo by Steve Wilson (via Flickr)

   Spectacled Bear

   This more diminutive member of the bear family is shy, preferring to hang out in the Andean cloud forests, sometimes reaching altitudes as high as 4,000 km (14,000 ft). The spectacled bear is the only bear species in South America and get its name from the markings around its eyes, which resemble glasses, or “spectacles.” This species is classified as vulnerable and has been losing habitat to deforestation. It can range in color from black to a ruddy brown, and weighs in at 180-340 lbs. The spectacled bear is very elusive but you just might get lucky and spot one!

   
   

See the wonders of this national park for yourself on our Los Nevados Trekking and Mountain Biking tours. Colombia is waiting.