WHO WE ARE
We were born in the mountains,
inspired by something deeper.
El Sendero was born in the mountains.
And it exists for those who feel there is something more beyond the trail.
El Sendero was founded by us, Daniel and Paula—professional mountain guides, adventurers, and partners in life—born in Colombia’s coffee region. We were born among mountains, raised surrounded by them, and over time came to understand that they are not just part of the landscape, but part of who we are.
Our story didn’t begin as a business idea, but through years of walking in the mountains, exploring the landscapes of Los Nevados National Natural Park and its surroundings, learning its rhythms, its changes, and its demands. For us, the mountain is not a place we occasionally visit, but a territory we know and inhabit deeply.
We live and work in the city of Pereira, in the heart of the Coffee Region, where we plan and operate each of our experiences. Our local presence is not an added value—it is the foundation of everything we do. It allows us to understand firsthand the real conditions of each route, the changes in mountain weather, and the dynamics of the territory—things that cannot be learned from a desk.
WE DO IT OURSELVES
We are not a tour reseller.
We are not an agency that resells tours. We are an authorized operator in Los Nevados National Natural Park, and we design, plan, and guide every experience ourselves. Every route has been explored by us multiple times, and every decision we make is based on real mountain experience.
We work closely with local partners—family-run farms, drivers, muleteers, and communities that are part of each journey. We personally know the people behind every service, which allows us to ensure consistency, quality, and trust in every detail.
El Sendero started as a small project and has grown over time, but our essence remains the same: we still guide personally, we still walk the routes, and we still believe that every experience should be done right.
WHAT WE DO
We are an authorized operator in Los Nevados National Park
At El Sendero, we design and guide hiking and mountaineering experiences in Los Nevados National Natural Park that go beyond the route itself. We focus on creating well-thought-out processes where safety in demanding environments, organized logistics, and a genuine connection with nature come together as one experience. Every route we offer has been lived, refined, and understood through direct experience in the mountains.
We understand that trekking in Los Nevados is a special experience for everyone—it requires more planning and investment than a typical vacation. That’s why we approach each journey with responsibility, taking care of every detail and guiding each process with intention. Our purpose is simple: it’s not just about reaching a destination, but about living something that stays with you long after you’ve returned.
WHAT WE HAVE
Our professional mountain guides
At El Sendero, we work with professional mountain guides certified by Colombia’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism, all holding WFR (Wilderness First Responder) certification. This is an internationally recognized training in wilderness first aid, renewed every two years, which prepares us to make medical decisions in remote environments where immediate access to hospitals is not available. We are also able to guide both local and international travelers thanks to our English proficiency.
Each guide carries a radio for constant communication throughout the route, even in areas without cellular signal, as well as mountain first aid kits equipped to handle common situations in the field, allowing us to respond in a timely and safe manner.
SAFETY AND PRICING
Why choosing low-cost operators can be a bad idea
Competition in Los Nevados National Natural Park is high, with hundreds of operators in cities like Salento, Pereira, and Manizales. However, not all operate under the same standards or hold the required permits to legally work within the park.
In many cases, price is prioritized over safety. This often results in guides without proper training, unauthorized park entry times, and irresponsible practices. These conditions can lead to real issues during the experience, such as guides abandoning groups, missing reservations at local lodges, lack of response in emergencies, or the use of poorly maintained equipment like helmets, harnesses, or crampons that do not meet proper standards.
It is also common to see groups that are too large for a single guide, limiting proper supervision, as well as vehicles that are not suitable for the park’s rough access roads—leading to delays or even travelers being stranded along the way.
We understand that there are more affordable options available. However, for us, safety is not negotiable. The price of our experiences reflects conscious decisions: working with trained guides, operating in small groups, planning every detail, and maintaining real standards of quality.
Because choosing who to go to the mountains with is not just a matter of price—it’s a matter of safety.