Otún Lagoon in Los Nevados
We are a local tourism operator with more than 10 years of experience in the coffee region.
Laguna del Otún is one of the most beautiful lagoons in Colombia. It is located at 4000 m s.n.m. and features a spectacular turquoise color of glacial origin, along with breathtaking views of the Central Andes mountain range.
- Enjoy panoramic views as you hike toward Otún Lagoon, located at 4000 m s.n.m.
- Explore the diversity of wildlife and plant species adapted to this unique environment.
- Admire the volcanoes and learn about their geological history.
❌ Transportation from other cities to the tour starting point.
❌ Tips for our staff.
❌ Additional drinks and meals.
❌ Expenses not specified above.
❌ Trekking clothing and equipment.
✅ Pre-trip briefing one day before the trek begins.
✅ Local mountain guide in English or Spanish.
✅ Entrance fee to Los Nevados National Natural Park.
✅ 1 breakfast and 1 lunch.
✅ Snacks.
✅ Private round-trip 4x4 transportation from Pereira or Manizales.
✅ First aid kit.
✅ Medical assistance insurance.
✅ Photos of the tour.
⚠️ If you need transportation from another city to the starting point of the tour, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
Acclimatization and Virtual Briefing
You must arrive in the city of Pereira one day before your reservation if you are joining a group tour. For private tours, you may choose between Pereira or Manizales. This extra day is important for acclimatization and for attending a mandatory meeting with our team, which may be held either in person or virtually.
During this briefing session, we will check that you have the appropriate equipment for the activity and provide important recommendations to help you complete the trek to Laguna del Otún safely and comfortably.
Meeting Point and Departure
Our adventure begins at 5:00 a.m. in Pereira, where we will board a 4x4 vehicle that will take us to Potosí on a journey of approximately 2.5 hours. During the drive, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Park Entrance and Start of the Hike to Otún Lagoon
After paying the park entrance fee and receiving recommendations from the park ranger, we will begin our hike through the mountains. Along the way, you will be able to appreciate the unique flora and fauna of the páramo ecosystem, as well as breathtaking landscapes.
We will make technical stops for hydration and acclimatization while the guide shares environmental interpretation and fascinating information about this unique ecosystem.
Arrival at the Viewpoint – 4100 m s.n.m.
Upon reaching the viewpoint, you will be able to admire Laguna del Otún and, if visibility is good, you may also see Nevado Santa Isabel and Paramillo del Quindío.
We will have enough time to take photos, rest, and enjoy the scenery before beginning our return to the starting point.
After enjoying the highlights of the tour, we will return to the same restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch.
Return to the Meeting Point
After lunch, we will share final reflections about the experience and closing words from the guide. Our comfortable vehicle will then be waiting to take us back to the original meeting point.
What level of fitness do I need?
A good level of physical fitness is required for this hike. To fully enjoy the experience, you should be able to walk distances of up to 12 km. Much of the trek takes place at high altitude, so we recommend spending a few nights above 2,000 meters (6,560 ft) before the hike, especially if you normally live at sea level.
Briefing Meeting
All briefing meetings take place one day before the trip. For private tours, the meeting will be held at your hotel; for group treks, it will be conducted virtually. The briefing lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, we will make sure you have everything you need, answer any questions about the trek, and you will also be able to pay the remaining 50% balance.
Where can I store my main luggage?
During the trip, you may store your main luggage free of charge in our storage room. You may also safely leave any equipment you will not need for the trek at your hotel. Most hotels offer this service.
Pick-up Information
All pick-ups are arranged within the city of Pereira. We recommend booking a hotel that is centrally located and easy to access.
For private tours, you may choose to start either in Pereira or Manizales, and pick-up will be directly at your hotel.
For group tours, the tour will begin in Pereira, and a meeting point will be assigned for all participants.
If you are staying outside the main city area, an additional pick-up fee may apply. Our staff will confirm your pick-up time one day before the tour.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of people with different fitness levels and ages. By joining a group tour, you acknowledge that some participants may walk faster or slower than you. In some cases, the group may wish to modify the itinerary; however, after consulting with all participants, the guide will make the final decision on whether such changes are possible.
Booking and Deposit
To reserve this adventure, simply choose your preferred date and book with a 50% deposit. The remaining 50% is usually paid one day before the trek during the briefing meeting.
Accepted Payment Methods
For both the initial deposit and the final payment, we accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
Important!
- In the days before the hike, pay close attention to your diet. Avoid alcohol, drugs, and smoking.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages or hallucinogenic drugs before or during the trek.
- Do not remove any plant or animal species from the ecosystem.
- Bring all trash back to the city.
- Minimum 25 L backpack
- Quick-dry base layer
- Trekking pants
- Warm jacket or fleece
- Waterproof jacket
- Rain poncho or rain jacket (available for rent)
- Sun hat or cap
- Wool hat for cold weather
- Buff / neck gaiter
- Lightweight gloves
- Trekking socks
- Change of clothes
- Waterproof trekking boots
- Gaiters (available for rent)
- Trekking poles (available for rent)
- 2 L water bottle or CamelBak
- Personal medications
- Sunscreen
- Valid ID or passport
- Extra cash (recommended in Colombian Pesos – COP)
.png)
Price per person:
$146 USD
*We accept credit card and cash payments
Choose the number of participants to know the price.
Otún Lagoon in Los Nevados
This trek is offered exclusively as a private tour. You can choose your preferred departure date with prior coordination. Send us an inquiry or contact us via WhatsApp, and we will gladly help you with the booking process.
IMPORTANT: At El Sendero, we offer a wide variety of treks, and not all of them are available as group tours. If you would like to discover all of our destinations, click here.
Laguna del Otún is one of the most beautiful lagoons in Colombia. It is located at 4000 m s.n.m. and features a spectacular turquoise color of glacial origin, along with breathtaking views of the Central Andes mountain range.
- Enjoy panoramic views as you hike toward Otún Lagoon, located at 4000 m s.n.m.
- Explore the diversity of wildlife and plant species adapted to this unique environment.
- Admire the volcanoes and learn about their geological history.
❌ Transportation from other cities to the tour starting point.
❌ Tips for our staff.
❌ Additional drinks and meals.
❌ Expenses not specified above.
❌ Trekking clothing and equipment.
✅ Pre-trip briefing one day before the trek begins.
✅ Local mountain guide in English or Spanish.
✅ Entrance fee to Los Nevados National Natural Park.
✅ 1 breakfast and 1 lunch.
✅ Snacks.
✅ Private round-trip 4x4 transportation from Pereira or Manizales.
✅ First aid kit.
✅ Medical assistance insurance.
✅ Photos of the tour.
⚠️ If you need transportation from another city to the starting point of the tour, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
Acclimatization and Virtual Briefing
You must arrive in the city of Pereira one day before your reservation if you are joining a group tour. For private tours, you may choose between Pereira or Manizales. This extra day is important for acclimatization and for attending a mandatory meeting with our team, which may be held either in person or virtually.
During this briefing session, we will check that you have the appropriate equipment for the activity and provide important recommendations to help you complete the trek to Laguna del Otún safely and comfortably.
Meeting Point and Departure
Our adventure begins at 5:00 a.m. in Pereira, where we will board a 4x4 vehicle that will take us to Potosí on a journey of approximately 2.5 hours. During the drive, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Park Entrance and Start of the Hike to Otún Lagoon
After paying the park entrance fee and receiving recommendations from the park ranger, we will begin our hike through the mountains. Along the way, you will be able to appreciate the unique flora and fauna of the páramo ecosystem, as well as breathtaking landscapes.
We will make technical stops for hydration and acclimatization while the guide shares environmental interpretation and fascinating information about this unique ecosystem.
Arrival at the Viewpoint – 4100 m s.n.m.
Upon reaching the viewpoint, you will be able to admire Laguna del Otún and, if visibility is good, you may also see Nevado Santa Isabel and Paramillo del Quindío.
We will have enough time to take photos, rest, and enjoy the scenery before beginning our return to the starting point.
After enjoying the highlights of the tour, we will return to the same restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch.
Return to the Meeting Point
After lunch, we will share final reflections about the experience and closing words from the guide. Our comfortable vehicle will then be waiting to take us back to the original meeting point.
What level of fitness do I need?
A good level of physical fitness is required for this hike. To fully enjoy the experience, you should be able to walk distances of up to 12 km. Much of the trek takes place at high altitude, so we recommend spending a few nights above 2,000 meters (6,560 ft) before the hike, especially if you normally live at sea level.
Briefing Meeting
All briefing meetings take place one day before the trip. For private tours, the meeting will be held at your hotel; for group treks, it will be conducted virtually. The briefing lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, we will make sure you have everything you need, answer any questions about the trek, and you will also be able to pay the remaining 50% balance.
Where can I store my main luggage?
During the trip, you may store your main luggage free of charge in our storage room. You may also safely leave any equipment you will not need for the trek at your hotel. Most hotels offer this service.
Pick-up Information
All pick-ups are arranged within the city of Pereira. We recommend booking a hotel that is centrally located and easy to access.
For private tours, you may choose to start either in Pereira or Manizales, and pick-up will be directly at your hotel.
For group tours, the tour will begin in Pereira, and a meeting point will be assigned for all participants.
If you are staying outside the main city area, an additional pick-up fee may apply. Our staff will confirm your pick-up time one day before the tour.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of people with different fitness levels and ages. By joining a group tour, you acknowledge that some participants may walk faster or slower than you. In some cases, the group may wish to modify the itinerary; however, after consulting with all participants, the guide will make the final decision on whether such changes are possible.
Booking and Deposit
To reserve this adventure, simply choose your preferred date and book with a 50% deposit. The remaining 50% is usually paid one day before the trek during the briefing meeting.
Accepted Payment Methods
For both the initial deposit and the final payment, we accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
Important!
- In the days before the hike, pay close attention to your diet. Avoid alcohol, drugs, and smoking.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages or hallucinogenic drugs before or during the trek.
- Do not remove any plant or animal species from the ecosystem.
- Bring all trash back to the city.
- Minimum 25 L backpack
- Quick-dry base layer
- Trekking pants
- Warm jacket or fleece
- Waterproof jacket
- Rain poncho or rain jacket (available for rent)
- Sun hat or cap
- Wool hat for cold weather
- Buff / neck gaiter
- Lightweight gloves
- Trekking socks
- Change of clothes
- Waterproof trekking boots
- Gaiters (available for rent)
- Trekking poles (available for rent)
- 2 L water bottle or CamelBak
- Personal medications
- Sunscreen
- Valid ID or passport
- Extra cash (recommended in Colombian Pesos – COP)
Otún Lagoon in Los Nevados
Download the brochure for this Trek in PDF
This brochure includes general trek information, location, itinerary, what's included, how to prepare, conditions and much more.
What is the tour like?
GALLERY
Why do travelers choose El Sendero?
WHY CHOOSE US
Real Safety
Professional local guides certified in WFR, fluent in both English and Spanish.
Authorized Operator
We operate legally within Los Nevados National Natural Park, backed by over 10 years of experience.
In-House Operations
We design, plan, and guide every experience ourselves. We don’t resell tours.
Small Groups
For real guidance, greater safety, and a more connected experience.
