Chingaza National Park (Bogota, Colombia)

Chingaza National Park is located about an hour and a half car drive northeast from Bogota. Hiking sections of this park situated in the Paramos ecosystem is like hiking on another planet – it’s an ecosystem above the continuous forest line, but below a permanent snowline. Only a certain type of plant and animals can survive in this climate and geography

The most iconic and striking plant is the frailejón, also called espeletia or “big monks.” When fully matured, a frailejón can grow to between 3 to 60 feet (0.91 to 18.3 meters).

This plant is pretty cool! The trunk is thick and the succulent leaves are hairy to protect the plant from the cold. But that’s not all - the plant is known for contributing to the ecosystem by capturing water vapor from passing clouds with its spongy truck and releasing it through the roots into the soil, thus contributing to high-altitude water deposits. These plants can only be found in Colombia and the other four paramos ecosystems, located in Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil.

Had it not been for the interesting flora and fauna, the various scenic lakes, the multiple breaks along the way, and encouragement of my hiking buddies, I would not have made the 1,000-meter climb to 3600 meters above sea level! It definitely helped to be somewhat fit when I hiked in Chingaza National Park.

It also helped that I had listened to the tour guide and wore layers of clothes.

Depending on the elevation, the weather changed drastically. At some points I was sweating bullets, at other points I was freezing, and at other points it was really windy.

It also helped that I went with a tour guide, because the park is highly regulated to protect the paramos ecosystem, and endangered plants such as the frailejón.

All I had to do was pay for the tour guide via Airbnb Experiences, show up with my COP 53,000 (USD 15.3) entrance fee for the park, bring lots of water, and wear layers of clothing. The tour guide took care of everything else, including getting hiking permission from the park administration.

I didn’t realize at the time that the park can arrange guides from the local community. Next time I am in Bogota, I will definitely be going with that option. In the meantime, I commend myself for making it as far as I did, and I dream of going back.

#Colombia

#Bogota