Hiking Trails in the Colombian Andes
The National Park Chingaza
The National Park Chingaza
By Dennis Bottin
Chingaza National Park soars in the Andean skies near Bogotá. From its 100 lagoons, multiple summits and breathtaking panoramas, an exploration of this paradise of ecotourism brings to contemplation at every level.
The Siecha lagoons trails
The Cuchillas de Siecha or Lagunas de Siecha, are an exceptional vantage point of the Cundinamarca’s department. Not far from the beginning of the trail you’ll be able to gaze at the marvelous contrast made between the deep green of the Paramo’s Tundra and the coarse crops extending to the horizon.
Before going
For everybody, but most of all for those wanting to enter on weekends, you need to get your entrance tickets in advance as only 200 people can enter per day. You can either call to +57 353 2400, extensions 3011 and 3012 or send an email to reservas.ecoturismo@parquesnacionales.gov.co.
For most weekdays the affluence is usually low. Consider that a maximum of 40 people is allowed to enter the park on each of the trails on the Guasca’s side of the park due the damage caused by intense rain on the paths.
How to get to the National Park Chingaza
An early start is always recommended. Park opens at 8 am and closes at 4 pm. Though entering the park is only allowed till 12:30 pm. The climate conditions can be unpredictable, from foggy and cold, to sunny and rainy. For this last one, very strong precipitations come most likely from noon on.
An early start is always recommended. Park opens at 8 am and closes at 4 pm. Though entering the park is only allowed till 12:30 pm. The climate conditions can be unpredictable, from foggy and cold, to sunny and rainy. For this last one, very strong precipitations come most likely from noon on.
Join a Tour that will take you over from Bogota and guide you through the park. This is a good option to avoid the possible issues of traffic while leaving the city or the bus connections, and just enjoy the trek.
Renting an off-road vehicle or a high clearance ground one is most recommended. Although the road is good between the city and Guasca. At the very end of the drive, there’s more than 13 kilometers of muddy and rocky road. Follow the succession of wood signs from the main road till Lagunas de Siecha in Chingaza.
From Bogota, take a bus in the corner of Calle 72 and Carrera 13 and hop off in the town of Guasca. Here, you need to find a jeep which will drive you for half an hour to the park entrance.
From Bogota, take a bus in the corner of Calle 72 and Carrera 13 and hop off in the town of Guasca. Here, you need to find a jeep which will drive you for half an hour to the park entrance.
The entry to the Siecéha Lagoons
The two hours ascension starts at the cabin at 3200 meters above sea level. After registration and fees payment, a short introduction to the adventure is given by Augusto. A local who with manifest proud will relate you about the 11 villages covered by the biggest natural park of Colombia, its high summits and infinite sources of water which provide the precious liquid to 80% of the total 8 million population of Bogotá.
Siecha Hiking trail: Indigenous sanctuary, flora and fauna
Already from the beginning of the trail you’ll be able to appreciate the changing in flora and fauna. The path is mostly uphill, therefore take as many breaks as you need it and stay hydrated. This solid textured environment houses
a great variety of birds, as well as the Andean bear, the Andean Condor and the White-tailed deer.
Look along this dense and full of life scenery of the colorful flowers and soggy vegetation. A most magical end to this trail comes when you finally meet the long slope filled with the treelike frailejones Espeletia and finally
the lagoons. Fausto, Americas and Siecha.
"Siecha" Water among Hills
Siecha means in the extinct chibcha language of the Muisca indigenous civilization “Water among hills”. This lagoon is linked to the many other sacred lagoons in the surrounding villages and sacred sanctuary to Suaguagua, Son of the Sun and Sie Water Goddess.
Go around of each of the lakes, sit and enjoy of the peace and the astonishing view from the mountains jutting up across the Americas lagoon and appreciate its green sparkling waters. If you are lucky you will be able to grasp the changing water from intense sun to moving fog that slowly envelops the summits as the rain arises.
Go around of each of the lakes, sit and enjoy of the peace and the astonishing view from the mountains jutting up across the Americas lagoon and appreciate its green sparkling waters. If you are lucky you will be able to grasp the changing water from intense sun to moving fog that slowly envelops the summits as the rain arises.
