Trips to Colombia

TRIPS TO COLOMBIA: NATIONAL PARK THE SNOWED ONES

Located in the highest point of the Central Mountain range, it is conformed by five of the great ones snowed that owns the country: the one of the Quindío, to 4,750 meters; the one of Santa Isabel, with 4,950 meters of height; the one of the Swan, with a height of 4,700 meters; the Snow-covered volcano of Ruiz, with 5,400 meters, snowed of the Tolima to the 5,200 meters and crater the Olleta, to 4,850 meters.

The access to this beautiful park can be realized by highway from three great capitals of the country: Manizales, Pereira and Ibagué; once it is arrived at the limit of the park, the route must be continued on foot or to horse.

Within the multiple activities that can be developed in this zone they are the thermal montañismo, fishing, long walks, baths, the camping and by all means the observation of flora and fauna.

One recommends the visitors to take to equipment the necessary thing for cold climate yet, because can appear temperatures between 14 and -3 degrees Celsius.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA:

Extension: 58,300 Hectares.

Year of creation: 1974.

Location: Located in jurisdiction of 4 departments, the municipalities of Villamaría (Department of Calda), Pereira, Santa Rosa de Cabal (Department of Risaralda), Salento (Department of Quindio), Anzoátegui, Casabianca, Beautiful Villa, Santa Isabel, Murillo and Ibagué (Department of Tolima).

Climate: Cold, perpetual desert and snows.

Temperature: 3°C oscillates between 14°C and.

Ecosystems: In the heart of this zone it is the Natural National Park the Snowed ones, a mountainous chain of Andean forests, deserts and perpetual snows.

Fauna: The birds of the park are very varied; they excel perico and the colibrí or chivito of desert, endemic of the region of the Park and its environs.
Hydrography: By the east, from snows of the Park several mighty rivers descend from the north of the department of the Tolima; these also happen through coffee zones until descending to the plain of the Magdalena river. That is to say, in this reserve the waters indispensable for the production from more of 50% of the Colombian coffee are born, and from rice, sorghum, cotton and maize.

Of equal way, from these summits the water obstacles follow that they feed more than 37 municipalities and to more than two million people who live in the departments of Calda, Quindío, Risaralda and Tolima.

History of the area/Antecedent
Snowed it was colonized initially by indigenous communities; this era an important space for the commercial interchange and the development of religious practices. Perhaps both groups with greater dominion and are present in the zone were the Quimbayas in the Western flank and the Pijaos, Panches and Putímaes in the Eastern one. It exists little information on a tribe located in the river basin of the Quindío river, call the Quindíos.

Eco-tourism
The Natural National Park serves of eco-tourism. Account with service of lodging in center of visitors the Swan to 4,050 meters on the level of the sea, turns which it into one of mountain the higher refuges of Colombia. It can comfortably lodge 49 people. Access to the Park is received.


Sites of interest:

- Snowed of Ruiz: 5.300 m.s.n.m

- Snowed of the Tolima: 5.200 m.s.n.m. She is one of mountains with greater degree of difficulty in his approach.

- Snowed of Santa Isabel: 4.950 m.s.n.m. He is perhaps most beautiful of the bulk. Its top is formed by three tips.

- Snowed of the Swan: 4.800 m.s.n.m. It is located between the Snowed ones of Ruiz and Santa Isabel.

- Snowed of the Quindio: 4.800 m.s.n.m. Only in winter it presents/displays snow.

- Lagoon of the Otún: 3.900 m.s.n.m. Beautiful lagoon result of a valley glacier. It is arrived in 4x4. It is to 39 km of the Snowed one of Ruiz.

- Thermal of Ruiz: 3.600 m.s.n.m

- Thermal of the Farm: 2.600 m.s.n.m. Sulphured waters with swimming pool, cabin and restaurant.

- Cascade of Gualí: 4.000 m.s.n.m. Beautiful cascade on a andesítica rock slope.

- Green Lagoon: To the south of Snowed the Swan, small lake glacier. Their waters are not potable.


Recommendations
Physical problems can arise due to the altitude. Therefore when the feeling fatigue is preferable to pause and to realize breathing exercises; this way the cardiac frequency will recover and will sevpodrá to continue with the long walk. Not to take smaller children of 7 years, nor people majors of 60 years, women in pregnancy state or people with cardiac affections.

It walks by the snow in groups of 4 to 5 people one behind another at a distance prudent one, solely with authorized guide. It uses protective goggles with filter UV.

The people who realize camping must take: tent, long cushions, coat to sleep, rich lantern, foods in calories, implementos of kitchen and lamp of batteries.

The zones of authorized camping are: Sandy grounds (with sanitary batteries), the Swan, Lagoon of the Otún and Conejeras.

It is necessary to take plastic bags for sweepings of nonbiodegradable character (bottles, batteries, tins, etc.).

He is recommendable to always ask for the company of a guide, who can be contacted from Manizales.

It avoids to make bonfires.

He is advisable not to take to jewels nor objects of value.
For his comfort it is recommended to take: clothes for cold climate and of desert, wool gloves, scarfs, knitted cap or cap, blocking or protective mountain lot, shoes or boots that protect the photographic ankles, lantern, batteries, rolls, medicines and elements of personal cleanliness. The use of candles is not allowed.

It is prohibited to collect vegetal material and animal. If the norms are not accepted it will come to apply the sanctions anticipated in the law.

It is important that you consider that Natural National Parks of Colombia does not become person in charge by any accident that can happen to him during its permanence in the park. Please it accepts the observations and suggestions of the civil servants.

The season of fishing in the Lagoon of the Otún is of 1 April to the 31 of August.

The remaining months correspond to the period of reproduction.