2 Day Crossing Potosi – Laguna del Otún – El Cedral

Alta Montaña Responsable
2 Días / 1 Noche –  aprox.

General description

“We don’t operate conventional hikes. We design treks where experience, safety, and respect for the mountains are paramount.”

The Potosí – Laguna del Otún – El Cedral Traverse is a high-altitude experience designed for those seeking a short but intense immersion in the most impressive ecosystems of Los Nevados National Natural Park.

The trek begins in the Potosí sector, accessible by 4×4 vehicle via a mountain route that allows for a gradual gain in altitude. From the outset, the traverse offers breathtaking scenery, most notably the passage by Laguna del Otún, one of the park’s most important bodies of water and a key water regulator for the region.
Along the route, you will cross extensive páramo grasslands dominated by frailejones (Espeletia plants), high-altitude wetlands, and open trails with panoramic views of glacial formations and mountain ranges. The terrain combines rolling hills, humid areas, and zones exposed to variable weather conditions, including wind, fog, and low temperatures.

The main day involves a long-distance hike of approximately 19 km, with considerable physical exertion, ending at Refugio Jordán, a strategic point in the middle of the páramo (high-altitude Andean moorland) that allows for rest in an isolated environment of great natural value.
The second leg of the trek continues with a gradual descent, crossing ecological transition zones from the páramo to the high Andean forest, passing through areas such as La Pastora, until reaching the El Cedral Reserve, where the experience ends and participants depart in a 4×4 vehicle for Pereira.
This trek is designed according to responsible operating criteria, with small groups, mountain pace management, and a focus on safety. It is a demanding experience that requires good physical condition and offers as a reward a direct connection with one of the most strategic and least disturbed ecosystems in the Colombian Andes.

Itinerary

Contract signing
Mandatory technical equipment check
Explanation of the ascent plan
Basic physical assessment
Hydration and acclimatization recommendations

Santa Rosa / Manizales or agreed-upon meeting point – Potosí – Refugio Jordán
Departure 5:00 a.m. from agreed-upon meeting point
Ascent by 4×4 vehicle to the Potosí area (3 hours)
Traditional breakfast en route
Entrance to Los Nevados National Natural Park
Start of hike in the páramo ecosystem
Passage by Laguna del Otún
Picnic lunch en route
High-altitude hike (19 km)
Arrival at Refugio Jordán

Objective: altitude acclimatization and preparation for the main day’s hike

Jordan Refuge – La Pastora – El Cedral Reserve – Pereira
Breakfast at the refuge
Start of gradual descent
Traverse through páramo and high Andean forest
Passage through the La Pastora sector
Arrival at El Cedral Reserve
Departure by 4×4 vehicle towards Pereira
Objective: Controlled exit from the park and completion of the trek

Include

4x4 transportation (round trip)

Accommodation in a mountain refuge

Meals (breakfast, picnic lunches, dinner)

Professional guide certified by 5th Element

Park entrance fees

Medical assistance insurance

Not Include

Last day's dinner

Tips

Personal expenses

Porters or mules (optional)

Cancellation insurance

Mandatory Clothing

Waterproof high-top boots

Waterproof jacket

Thermal jacket

Thermal base layer

Mountain pants

Hat, gloves, and buff

UV sunglasses

Sunscreen and lip balm

Headlamp

30–40 L backpack

Minimum hydration: 1.5–2 liters

Safety Considerations

Reaching the summit is NOT guaranteed.

The weather changes rapidly.

Guides may stop the ascent at any time.

Safety takes priority over the objective.

Important

DIFFICULTY LEVEL – CHALLENGING (4/5)
• Long-distance hike in high mountains

• Exposure to altitudes above 4,000 meters (14,000 feet)

• Variable terrain: wet, muddy, and rocky

• Constant weather changes
Requires:

• Good physical condition

• Trekking experience

• Physical and mental stamina

TOUR INFORMATION REQUEST


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