Manizales Adventure: From Volcano Trekking to Rafting
Manizales's dramatic Andean setting — between the coffee zone and the snow-capped volcanoes — makes it one of Colombia's best adventure sport cities; paragliding, white-water rafting, and volcano trekking are all accessible from the city
- 1
Paragliding over the Coffee Hills
The paragliding sites above Manizales — with thermals rising from the hot coffee valleys — allow flights over one of the world's most beautiful landscapes; the view of the coffee hills, valleys and distant volcano from a paraglider is outstanding
- 2
Rafting on Chinchiná
Río Chinchiná – which descends from Los Nevados Park through the coffee zone below Manizales – has grade III-IV rafting; the river, combined with the coffee farm landscape and canyon geology, makes for exceptional rafting
- 3
Volcano hike from Manizales
The hike to the Nevado del Ruiz crater rim - from the park entrance 2 hours from Manizales - is the most dramatic mountain hike available from any Colombian city; the full-day hike through the páramo to the glacier at 5,300 m requires fitness and acclimatization
- 4
Mountain Biking Descents
The mountain roads of Caldas between the high páramo and the warm valley — descending from 3,500 m to 1,000 m in 30 km — are exceptional terrain for mountain biking; the descents through coffee farms, cloud forest and bamboo groves are extraordinary
- 5
Canyoning at the Caldas waterfall
The cloud forest waterfalls above Manizales – fed by the heavy rainfall of the Andes – have several established canyoning routes; the descending volcanic rock wall in the cloud forest, with orchids and bromeliads on the canyon walls, is spectacular
- 6
Los Nevados Night Trek
The guided night hike from the park entrance to the Nevado del Ruiz crater – arriving at sunrise to see the glacier pink in the dawn light and the volcano steaming – is one of Colombia's most dramatic mountain experiences and requires preparation and a guide