BOGOTÁ & SURROUNDING AREA

Itinerary

Bogotá is located in the Eastern Cordillera, which is part of the majestic Andes mountain range, giving the city a privileged location. This makes Bogotá a gateway to the many national parks that surround it.

• Siecha Lagoons:

You are in Chingaza National Park. The park features three glacial lagoons that, because they are protected within the park, provide an ideal habitat for various animal species, such as spectacled bears, deer, and even pumas.

Here, one can also observe the unique paramo vegetation, which has the ability to absorb moisture from the air, store it, and release it very slowly over time, eventually forming small lakes from which small streams emerge, contributing to the formation of rivers.

Duration: About a 5-hour hike.

• Chingaza National Park:

It is located northeast of the city of Bogotá. About 95% of the water used to supply the capital and its surrounding areas comes from this nature reserve.

This nature reserve offers visitors the opportunity to explore several lagoons, reservoirs, overlooks, and various hiking trails, which are ideal for observing wildlife, as well as for photography and scientific research.

The hike can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, depending on which trail you choose.

• Source of the Bogotá River:

The Bogotá River is known for its high levels of pollution, caused by the city’s wastewater discharge. However, the situation is not the same everywhere.

The river originates in a small, idyllic wetland area called “Guacheneque,” located in the small town of “Mapa.” Here, the water is perfectly clean and safe to drink straight from the source. This area is becoming increasingly well-protected, which has contributed to the growth of new native plants. Today, more and more initiatives are being proposed to clean up the river, but it will be a long time before this goal is achieved.

Duration: About a 4-hour hike.

• Sueva Waterfalls:
  

East of Bogotá lies the Junín district, which is known for its abundant water supply, as it is situated between the foothills of the Cordillera and the Llanos plains; the extreme difference in elevation gives rise to these beautiful waterfalls and deep gorges.

Many animal species, such as spectacled bears and deer, call this area home, as do countless bird species that can often be spotted during the hike.

Duration: About a 5-hour hike.

• Juaica Hügel:
  

This place is not only the highest point in the area, but also a pilgrimage site for UFO enthusiasts.

It is also an old road connecting the small villages of Tabio, Tenjo, Subachoque, and La Pradera in the department of Cundinamarca.

Duration: About a 4-hour hike.

• Sumapaz Páramo
  

A páramo is a very unique ecosystem found in only four countries around the world. The largest example of this ecosystem is located in Colombia, specifically in the rural area south of Bogotá.

It is known as one of the most biologically diverse places in Colombia, as it is home to a vast array of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic. This makes it a very important reserve for biological, ecological, and genetic diversity.

Duration: About a 6-hour hike.