
Image by Marcelo Toro from Pixabay
Wandering how to go to the Valley de Cocora once you are in Salento? This post was written by a guest who stayed here and shared how to get to Los Nevados Ruiz from Salento, where to stay, what to do
It was written a while back so prices may be outdated and some information may be missing.
If you have new info about Los Nevados and want to share it with everyone then please write them down in the comment section below and I will make sure to update this post with your comments
ENTERING FROM VALLE DE COCORA
We started this journey in Salento, we took a taxi jeep aka Willyz to Valle de Cocora.
Cost ?
They drop you off near a trail, this trail is where the trout farm is.
At the entrance, there is a map of all the places to visit along the trail. This map seems inaccurate
Follow the trail far past the trout farm
About ? Km, you will see a sign for:
- ACAIME on the right
- MONTANITA on the left, a finca that loops to do all of Valle de Cocora
We took a right to Acaime.
There you take bridges, cross the river and step into a lot of horse shit and mud. Be prepared and wear high shoes
AT ACAIME, YOU CAN
- Camp, in a barn
- Sleep in a dorm
- Eat prepared meals
- Watch hummingbirds
- No electricity
COSTS
- 5 000 pesos entry fee with a drink of your choice and cheese
- 10 000 pesos per person to camp
- 8 000 pesos for dinner
- 7 000 pesos for breakfast
- ? per person in the dorm
Going past Acaime, you will find ESTRELLA DEL AGUA.
ESTRELLA DEL AGUA
You can camp there, It’s colder and more exposed than Acaime
- There is a good water source.
- Cost 5 000 pesos to camp. The camping spots are flat and out in the open, a bit windy
- Don’t count on food
- No electricity
For the next place you’re heading towards the paramo
HEADING TOWARDS PARAMO
If you’re using the map, then the next stop is Finca Primavera.
It’s 4km straight uphill from Estrella del Agua to Paramo level.
We hiked with no rain and still it was very muddy
Not really any place to camp unless you want o be in a spot too small and inclined
Once you get to Paramo level, there are ample signs to Finca Primavera
The path is very muddy and there are many trails next to each other but they are all the same. Keep your eyes open for the signs Ojo the letreras
FINCA PRIMAVERA
- Basic accommodations
- Electricity but no heat in the rooms, they have wool blankets. Bring warm clothes, warm sleeping bag or sleeping buddy
- No toilet paper in bathrooms
- No hot water
- All rooms are shared, cost 12 000 pesos
- Camping available. Plastic roof over tent site Cost 5 000 pesos
- Dinner available
- You can rent equipment to Tolma Mountain (ice, snow, over 5000 meter high)
- Queso campesino de prensa. Cost 4 000 pesos per libra
- Beers available
- Might be able to hook up with a guide
- Bring extra socks, wouldn’t hurt to bring rain gear, sunscreen
BEYOND FINCA PRIMAVERA
There is another finca not far from Primavera, called Finca La Playa
FINCA LA PLAYA
- Queso de prensa
- Sheeps
- Habitacion
We went in to buy some cheese. The people were nice.
It was less hectic than Primavera aka less babies crying
Don’t know about other amenities
Apparently, there are other Fincas to stay at, such as Termales del cañon … the path to Termales is well signaled .We walked a few km on the trail, easy to follow
FROM PRIMAVERA TO VALLE DE COCORA
You can go back the way you came
OR
You can go down EL BOSQUE trail
EL BOSQUE TRAIL
This trail takes you to Valle de Cocora and ends about 1 km up the road from the main area (jeeps, caballos, shops, trail to Acaime)
This trail is longer but gives you a different view of the landscape.. It took us 7 hours – we had 25 lbs packs and we like to take our time 🙂
Again, the trail is fairly easy to follow because it is used often
FROM BOSQUE FINCA
When you get to Finca Bosque (metal rust and roses and cows but no apparent sign), you follow the trail down to the river, cross the river and ascend the mountain.
Don’t be fooled, it is not all downhill, there are 2 distinct uphills, both after you go down to a river
From Finca Bosque to Valle de Cocora
you can find places to camp, not official campsites so if you’re itching to campit up then start by going from Valle de Cocora toward Bosque Farm. This would mean your last destination is Acaime for the loop
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