CHINGAZA NATIONAL PARK 3D2N

CHINGAZA NATIONAL PARK Fauna & Flora observation, Mountain activity, National Park, Trekking

Chingaza National Park is located less than 60 Kms away from the financial center of Bogota. It provides nearly 80% of the drinkable water of Bogotá and sorrounding towns, being the main source of water for more than 10 million people. In this 3-days tour you will first visit the hummingbird house, then will enter the protected area to get to know the Paramo ecosystem and then will have 2 full days inside the national park in order to have more chances to see the White-tailed deer, its endemic birds and with some luck the Andear bear.

What to take?
Itinerary
Cost Info
Add-ons & optionals
Map
Gallery
Recomendation
FAQ´s

What to take?

- Hat and/or other protection for the head and neck.
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the reflection of the sun.
- Appropriate clothing for activities and the treks under cold temperatures and take clothes for change in case of getting wet during the activities.
- Comfortable pants and avoid wearing jeans
- Waterproof, preferably quick-drying clothing or a rain poncho.
- Appropriate footwear for the hikes, trekking boots are advisable and at least one pair of sneakers for change. Footwear can get wet during the hikes.
- Trekking poles might be useful.
- Sunscreen.
- Protection for electronic devices since they may be susceptible to damages due to humidity and/or rain.
- Non-disposable rigid container to refill water (canteen or thermos).
- Hands-free backpack, please avoid wheeled suitcases as much as possible.
- Day-packs for carrying personal stuff, hydration, snacks and other elements during the hikes.
- Personal documents and count with your own medical insurance.
- Personal medicines and first aid kit.

Itinerary

Day 1 HUMMINGBIRD SANCTUARY
On this day, you will be taken to a hummingbird observatory located in rural area of the town of La Calera, where you can easily observe more than 14 different species in that place. Later on, you will be taken the Chingaza National Park located 60 kms away from Bogota, where you will have talk by the local authorities, before heading to the cabins inside the protected area, where you will check-in and will acclimatize.
Day 2 CHINGAZA LAGOON
On this day, we can optionally wake up early to observe birds. After breakfast, we will get deeper by car inside the national park passing by hidden spectacular landscapes of the Colombian Andes until we get to the Chingaza Lagoon. We can do some hikes in different spots, where with some luck we might see the Andean bear among other endemic species of fauna and flora of the place. At the end of the day, we will get back to the cabin to have dinner and rest.
Day 3 PARAMO ECOSYSTEM
On this day, we can optionally wake up early in the morning for a birdwatching activity. We will start visiting different spots than the previous day by car, where there are some spots in higher altitudes with different landscapes and lagoons. We can optionally do some hikes up to 10 kms by some trails of the Paramo ecosystem observing its endemic plants and wildlife. Later on, we will get back to the cabins to have lunch before being taken back to Bogota.

Cost Info

Price includes

ACCOMMODATION Cabin inside Chingaza National Park which is basic enough for a comfortable and with a limited capacity. ROOMS - Cabin inside Chingaza National Park: Standard double, triple or multiple rooms according to availability. ACTIVITIES All the activities mentioned in the plan, all in private tours of maximum 10 people per guide. MEALS - 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners. TRANSFERS All land transfers in shared vehicles. GUIDANCE Spanish speaking guides throughout the trip for all activities. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE CARD.

Price excludes

- National and international flights. - Fees of entrance to the National Park: o People of 25 years or less: $27.500 COP (7 USD approx.). o Colombians or national residents elder than 25 years: $47.500 COP (13 USD approx.). o Foreigners: $97.000 COP (26 USD approx.). - Activities, additional drinks or elements not described in the plan. - Tips, snacks and souvenirs. - Personal items not described in the itinerary. - English or other languages speaking guides/translators.

Add-ons & optionals

- Flights from & to Bogota or any other Colombian city. The price would depend of the dates and the anticipation the flights are booked.
- English or other languages speaking guides/translators, according to availability of guides for the desired date, in this case it is advisable to book in advance.
- Private single rooms for just one person (price under request).
- Glamping accommodation, with just one glamping tent possible.
- Specialized guides for special itineraries.

Map

Gallery

Recomendation

The ecosystems of Chingaza are special, being a protected area that was declared National Park, therefore it is important to follow the recommendations in order to avoid or diminish any negative impact on them, as well as being prepared for a pleasurable experience, according to that:
- It is necessary to have an acceptable physical condition, since you will do some hikes and outdoor activities in nature.
- This destination is located at a high altitude of the Colombian Andes, so it is necessary to have good acclimatization and cautions to avoid altitude sickness. Ask your doctor in case of having any special condition that requires extra caution or may affect you at a high altitude.
- The consumption of alcohol and/or psychoactive substances is forbidden for this experience as it might be risky for your own health for these kinds of activities.
- It is important to reduce waste generation (single-use plastics). According to that, it is important to take your own rigid non-disposable recipient for liquids.
- Follow and abide by the instructions of the guides and authorities during each of the routes and tours.
- We recommend the use of binoculars to wildlife watching and moisture-protected cameras.
- You will visit a destination with a great level of conservation of ecosystems with special flora and fauna. However, wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed, please take into account that they are in their natural habitat and humans can’t control or influence in their behavior.
- Do not get too close to the animals, do not interrupt their natural behavior and do as less noise as possible during the sightings in order to have better chances to see the wildlife of the region.

FAQ´s

WEATHER CONDITIONS & BILINGUISM
It is necessary to be properly prepared for the weather conditions of the destination which are detailed below, but as this is an approximation, please note that they may vary. Also, keep in mind that it is difficult to find bilingual staff or people at the destination.

Chingaza National Park:
Temp. Min: 6ºC Max: 14ºC, humid climate / (3.000-3.750 m.a.s.l.)
You can have a bilingual guide and locals do not speak English.

ATM´S
It is advisable to carry cash for extra expenses during the trip since access to ATMs and dataphones at the desert are non-existent and the last place to withdraw money is the town of La Calera.

PHONE SIGNAL & WIFI
You will visit a destination where there is no phone and internet signal after you leave the towns and enter the protected area.

The accommodation offers Wi-Fi with decent connectivity, although the signal may not always be the best.

TIPPING
Tipping is not mandatory, but if you consider you can tip the guides and/or other staff with an amount from 20.000 to 50.000 COP (5 to 12 USD approx.) per day of service.

SEASONS
- The dry season in Colombia ranges from Mid-November till March, in this period of the year you can expect to have easier hikes and less rain in general.
- The river levels will be lower and you can expect less mud and drier trails.
- Getting by car to off the road paths will be easier, making the transportation times shorter to those spots in very rural areas.
- Migratory birds might be easier to spot during the dry season.
- The rainy season starts in April and ends in mid-November, being May and October the rainiest months in Colombia and from June to September a softer rainy period.
- In the rainy season you can expect to see the lagoons and rivers with high levels and more imposing, with a greener vegetation.
- From October to November, the yellow flowers of the “frailejones” (endemic plants) bloom making a sunflower-like effect that attracts special birds such as the beautiful Green-bearded helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii).

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