El Cocuy National Natural Park
El Cocuy National Natural Park is located in the northeast of the Eastern Andes Mountains, between the departments of Arauca, Boyacá, and Casanare. It covers an area of 305,879 hectares. On the western side, the Protected Area begins at 4,000 meters above sea level and extends to the highest crest of the mountain range at 5,330 meters above sea level. On the eastern side, it ends at 600 meters above sea level in the foothills of the plains of the departments of Arauca and Casanare.
On the western side of the AP, the Sierra Nevada overlaps with the municipalities of Güicán de la Sierra, El Cocuy, Chita and Chiscas.
For the development of Ecotourism, a management zoning called the General Exterior Recreation Zone is maintained, which has 4,915.84 hectares, and represents 1.5% of the total area of El Cocuy National Natural Park, is located above 4,400 m asl in the vicinity of the Sierra Nevada on the western slope, from the Lagunillas Gate on the limits of the municipalities of Güicán and El Cocuy to the limits of the municipalities of Güicán and Chiscas in the vicinity of the Pantano Hondo lagoon. Additionally, the areas surrounding the Sierra Nievecitas and the vicinity of the Las Orozcas lagoon in the municipality of Chiscas are included.
Ecotourism activities
For decades, the Sierra Nevada of Güicán, Cocuy, and Chita has been visited by mountaineers and climbers, allowing its scenic beauty to spread. The passion for adventure and nature can be fulfilled through the following authorized activities in this wonderful place:
Pulpito Lakes Trail From an altitude of 4,000 m above sea level, above the Sisuma cabin and passing by the Hotelito to the edge of the Pico Pulpito del Diablo glacier, with a length of 4,500 m within the Park.
Laguna Grande de la Sierra Trail Starting at the site known as Cuchumba, to the edge of the Pico Cóncavo glacier, with a length of 9,400 meters within the Park.
Ritacuba Trail Starting from the height of 4,000 m above sea level, to the edge of the Ritacuba Blanco peak glacier, with a length of 5,000 meters within the Park.
Environmental Research and Education The protected area's lush nature and state of conservation make it a suitable place for scientific research. Furthermore, as in all parks open to ecotourism, environmental education activities are conducted here by educational institutions or officials who provide visitors with an introduction to the park, its conservation objectives, services, and ecotourism activities.
Bird Watching Colombia is one of the countries with the largest number of bird species in the world. Some species can be seen in the protected area, with the best times to observe them being in the morning between 5:30 am and 8:00 am or in the late afternoon between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. However, certain bird species are active throughout the day. It is recommended to respect the animals and their environment by avoiding disturbing them. The tour should be conducted with an observer in mind: sharpening hearing and sight, and in silence. Visitors should be aware that the region has a bimodal rainfall pattern, with two rainy seasons: the first from April to June and the second from August to November; and two summer periods. The climate is mountainous with cold conditions. In recent years, climate change has affected important natural events such as reproduction and migration. Similarly, the supply of food and breeding sites and habitats may change. It is recommended that sightings be carried out without causing disturbances that could disrupt the habitat of the various bird species.
Wildlife observation El Cocuy National Park is a perfect place for those interested in wildlife. Here you can find terrestrial mammals such as pumas, white-tailed deer, spectacled bears, white-faced monkeys, and peccaries.
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Important considerations
Tourists are not permitted to spend the night inside the Protected Area.
Park entrance will be from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. (Laguna Grande and Lagunillas-Púlpito Trails); 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. (Ritacuba Trail). The glacier edge descent time will be no later than 1:00 p.m., so that no visitors will be inside the park by 5:00 p.m.
The Sierra Nevada of Güicán, El Cocuy, and Chita are sacred territory for the UW'A indigenous people. The territory of the indigenous reservation is closed to tourism, so travel on the eastern flank is prohibited. The trail known as "VUELTA A LA SIERRA" (ROUND THE MOUNTAINS) is closed.
Visiting the park on horseback is prohibited, which carries penalties and/or fines of 5 times the current legal minimum monthly wage; horses nibble and trample frailejones and other plants, widen trails, and contaminate water sources that supply the local population.
Before entering the protected area, it is mandatory to purchase Rescue and Assistance Insurance that covers the duration of your stay in the park. This insurance can be purchased in the municipalities of El Cocuy and Güicán.