Bogotá – Ibague – La Florida farm (2010 m)
Early morning flight from Bogota to Ibague, the capital of the department of Tolima. At the airport in Ibague, 4-wheel drive vehicles will pick us up and take us to our first stop to indulge in a typical and abundant breakfast, surrounded by fruit trees and a stunning diversity of birds. After breakfast we will take a short trip to the city of Ibague to purchase last-minute necessities, visit the city’s central Plaza and then continue on our way to La Florida Farm. Our route will take us through many tunnels and then follow a dirt road through this mountainous area. The scenery is beautiful, filled with lush vegetation that changes as we ascend in altitude towards the farm. Crossing the small town of Tapias, we will reach our destination for the day. Once the vehicles drop us off, there is a 20-minute hiking descent towards the farm. On our way to the Finca we will have the option to take a brief detour (10-to-15-minute hike) to visit a stalagmite that surfaces in the middle of a stream. The luggage will be taken down by pack animals.

This farm is called La Florida Farm (2010 meters) and it’s a basic accommodation run by a local family. It offers stunning views over the Toche River Valley and has its own hot springs pool sourced from the Machin Volcano.

Road trip: 4 hours

Included meals: Picnic, Dinner

Trekking: Machin Volcano (2750 m – optional summit) – Finca La Florida (2010 m)
Machin Volcano, also known as Cerro Machin, is an active stratovolcano located in the department of Tolima. The trail to the volcano is often heavily traveled and passes through lush Andean forests and agricultural fields. Hikers will experience diverse landscapes, including cloud forests, rivers, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The region is rich in biodiversity and offers opportunities to observe diverse flora and fauna.

Depending on the group’s physical condition, we will have the option to visit the volcano’s viewpoint, climb to the summit, or complete the crater circuit. The Machin Volcano Viewpoint (2550 m), located in the volcano’s lower crater, offers a unique hike with stunning natural beauty and the excitement of exploring an active volcanic region. There will be time for a nice break to enjoy the scenery and have lunch. The descent takes place through some grasslands, attempting to circumnavigate the volcano’s south face.

The volcano’s summit offers a more challenging hike, reaching an altitude of 2750 meters. Climbing to the summit is optional, and the guide will discuss with the group which option to visit, or, if it’s possible, to split the group so each person can choose their preferred difficulty level. The return journey will take us along a dirt road that we’ll follow until we reach the main road. From here, it’s a short 25- to 30-minute walk to the farm.

Ascent to the viewpoint: 540 m / Ascent to the summit: 740 m /
Highest altitude: 2750 m / Distance: Varies depending on the route chosen to the viewpoint or summit. The crater circuit is 6.7 km / Duration of the activity: 4-6 hours

Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Trekking: Toche town (2000 m)
After a well-deserved rest, we will commence the day by descending into the Toche River valley. Today’s route is new for hikers, as it involves rural paths and farms interconnected with one another.

The path, starting from the farm, is somewhat inclined and not very well-marked initially. It will take us about an hour to reach a more defined path very close to the Toche River (1670 meters). From this point, we will follow a series of paths that run parallel to the eastern bank of the Toche River. These paths connect several family farms of small coffee, banana, and fruit producers. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to observe rural life in the coffee-producing area, enjoy the beautiful landscapes, and gradually ascend through the valley.

During our walk, we will pass through a place known as the ‘Puente de Tierra,’ where the river is cannoned between rock walls, from which thermal water jets emerge from the Machin volcano, creating a spectacular display of steam rising from the canyon. Here, we will take a break to appreciate the view and the surroundings. It’s worth noting that the path varies in quality throughout the entire route, as these are paths primarily used by local inhabitants, some of which are less traveled and less visible or may be narrow. The route will include occasional short uphill and downhill sections as it follows the contours of the valley.

As we approach the end of the route, the valley will open up, and the path will become less steep. The last 2 kilometers to the town will depend on the condition of the river and the path. If the path is not in good condition, we may ascend through a small valley to a dirt road and follow it until we reach the town of Toche.
Toche is a town located at the convergence of the valleys of the Toche River, originating from the Tolima Volcano, and the Tochecito River. This place is known as the upper basin of the Toche River. It is the largest population center in the basin and serves as a collection point from where the area’s products are transported to the markets of Ibague and Calarca.
The town retains its authenticity, featuring the characteristic architecture of Paisa colonization, representing the charm of coffee-growing towns. Here, we will spend the afternoon.
We will stay overnight in a basic hotel.

Descend: 340 / Ascent: 330 m / Highest altitude: 2010 m / Distance: 12 Km / Activity duration: 6 h

Included meals: Breakfast, picnic, Dinner

Hike in the Wax palm forest (2940 m) – Drive to Salento (1919 m)
This day is filled with a combination of hiking and transportation along mountain roads.
After enjoying breakfast, we will be picked up in town by 4-wheel drive vehicles that will take us on a 45-minute journey up the picturesque Tochecito River valley until Finca Las Cruces at an elevation of 2690 meters. From here, our hiking adventure begins, leading us through sections of farmland before reaching the enchanting wax palm forests. Our route will take us northward, passing through areas covered by lush Andean Forest, occasionally giving way to open livestock pastures. Throughout most of our journey, we’ll be treated to panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, reaching an altitude of 3010 meters before descending back to the road. Our hike will conclude at the “La Cabaña de Doña Marleni” farm at an elevation of 2640 meters. We’ll take a well-deserved rest, savoring traditional panela water with cheese and enjoying our meal.

We’ll continue our adventure in our 4-wheel drive vehicles, heading to the renowned “La Carbonera” viewpoint. This spot is famous for its breathtaking panoramic views of the region’s best-preserved wax palm forests. Following our visit, we’ll continue our journey for approximately another hour, driving over El Boquerón de la Linea (at 3378 meters), which marks the boundary between the departments of Tolima and Quindio. Finally, we’ll have a long descent to the town of Salento (2 h).

Ascent: 320 m / Descent: 370 / Highest altitude: 3010 m / Distance: 6,95 Km / Activity duration: 5-6 h

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch