Nevado del Ruiz volcano & hot springs tour from Pereira

Four high-altitude stops reveal the volcano's changing ecosystems as you climb toward the snow.

A full-day tour from Pereira combines the high-altitude landscapes of Nevado del Ruiz volcano at 4,450 meters with the thermal waters of Termales del Otoño, guided by an environmental interpreter who explains the ecosystems and geology you encounter. The route includes four stops inside the protected area (Aguacerales, Arenales, Valle Lunar and Valle de las Tumbas) before descending to the hot springs. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are included. Pickup from Pereira hotels is part of the booking. The tour runs 11 hours and suits travelers with moderate fitness. It is not recommended for people with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, recent surgery or pregnancy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Nevado del Ruiz and hot springs

• Board vehicle inside protected area
• Stop at Aguacerales, Arenales, Valle Lunar
• Stop at Valley of the Tombs
• Learn about ecosystem changes and landscape
• Enjoy relaxing thermal waters

The experience

Nevado del Ruiz sits at the center of a protected volcanic zone, and the tour moves through it by vehicle, stopping at four distinct points as the landscape shifts with altitude. Aguacerales and Arenales mark the lower reaches. Valle Lunar and Valle de las Tumbas climb higher, where the guide, trained as an environmental interpreter, explains what the terrain reveals about the mountain's geology and its role in Colombian territory. The ascent itself is the point: as you gain elevation, the vegetation and air change, and the guide narrates those transitions so you understand what you are seeing.

Valle de las Tumbas, the highest stop, is where the tour lingers. The name translates to Valley of the Tombs, a mystical space the operator describes as a place where the landscape's scale and beauty command attention. From there, the route descends to Termales del Otoño, natural hot springs set in open landscape. You move from the thin air and volcanic rock directly into warm water: a contrast the itinerary treats as the reward for the climb.

Breakfast starts the day before the ascent. Lunch and snacks come during the stops. The whole outing takes 11 hours from pickup at your Pereira hotel to return. A guide fluent in English or Spanish travels with the group and explains the sites as you move through them. The tour suits travelers comfortable with moderate physical exertion at altitude. It is not suitable for anyone with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, recent surgery or pregnancy, and children under 6 or over 70 should not join.

What’s included

• Breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day.
• guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup from Pereira.
• access to all four stops inside the protected area on Nevado del Ruiz.
• time to soak in the natural hot springs at Termales del Otoño.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Under 9: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cattleya SER - Ecoturismo

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour with a fixed itinerary and schedule, so it suits travelers who prefer a guided experience with set stops rather than setting their own pace. The 11-hour day and high altitude (4,450 meters) demand moderate fitness. If you have spinal issues, cardiovascular concerns, recent surgery or are pregnant, this tour is not safe for you.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years). Children under 9 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What happens at Valle de las Tumbas, the highest point on the tour?

Valle de las Tumbas sits at the top of the ascent and is where the guide spends time explaining the volcanic landscape and the mountain's significance. The name means Valley of the Tombs, and the operator describes it as a mystical space where the scale and grandeur of the terrain stand out.

How does the landscape change as the tour climbs Nevado del Ruiz?

The guide points out shifts in the ecosystem at each of the four stops (Aguacerales, Arenales, Valle Lunar and Valle de las Tumbas), so you see how vegetation and air change with altitude as you ascend toward 4,450 meters.

What are Termales del Otoño and when do we visit them?

Termales del Otoño are natural hot springs set in open landscape. After descending from the high-altitude stops on Nevado del Ruiz, the tour ends there so you can soak in the warm water.

Is pickup from my Pereira hotel included?

Yes, hotel pickup in Pereira is included in the tour price. The full outing takes 11 hours round-trip.

What meals and snacks are provided during the day?

Breakfast, lunch and snacks are all included. Breakfast comes before the ascent, and lunch and snacks are served during the stops on the mountain.