Chingaza Wildlife Páramo Adventure

Description: Experience the uniqueness of the páramo ecosystem by vehicle and on foot. Visit mountain passages over 3800 m.a.s.l. and descend down to a lush cloud forest while looking for wildlife, waterfalls, lagoons and out-of-this-world landscapes. Chingaza is an environmental conservation success. In under 50 years it went from a limestone mine to becoming the main site for finding the spectacle bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in the Andes!

Note: This is a group activity and you MAY or MAY NOT be joined by other travelers at any point during the tour. 

Availability: This tour is available every day of the year except December 25th and January the 1st. For last minute bookings within 3 days of departure please contact us by email or whatsApp to verify availability before making your payment.

Difficulty:  Due to low oxygen pressure above 3,000 m.a.s.l., we recommend spending at least one night in Bogotá prior to joining this tour. Hiking is not mandatory and the short trails are accesible to most people.
Note: If you are interested in hiking, we offer the Chingaza Siecha & Cuchillas Lakes Trek.

Duration: The tour is approximately 10 to 11 hours in total from start to finish with about 5 hours spent within the nature reserve. 
Departure: This tour departs from our meeting point at Parque 93. We also offer door to door pick-up & drop-off at an extra cost. Most pick-ups are scheduled between 7 and 9am.

Accessibility: Anybody between the ages of 6 to 75 years-old can join. We are able to customized this tour should you have a visual or hearing impairment. This tour is not wheelchair accessible. Young childres could have a hard time with the altittude and the long ride along bumpy roads.

Location: Chingaza National Park is located to the North East of Bogotá approximately 2.5 hours from our departure point. CLICK HERE to read more about the páramo ecosystem.
Elevation: The maximum altitude is 3800 m.a.s.l. 

Weather: The average temperature in the páramo is 10ºC, but it can drop rapidly depending on cloud cover. You could also experience strong sun with temperatures around 18ºC. Even in the comfort of a car, you should bring proper clothing and shoes to protect you against cold temperatures, wind and rain.

Includes: Private transport from Bogotá, a Spanish-speaking local guide, entrances and mandatory accident insurance while on site.
 

Add-ons (extras):

  • Door to door pick-up & drop-off (most location)
  • Bilingual guide in English, French or Italian (pending availability)
  • Picnic sandwich (no vegan / no vegetarian)
  • Rubber boot rental in most sizes (36-44) with a 24-hour notice ($5)
  • Binocular rental ($5)

Things to Bring:

  • Rain jacket, water-proof poncho or umbrella 
  • Warm sweater
  • Comfortable non-slip hiking shoes (or a change of dry socks and shoes)
  • Long pants (shorts are not recommended)
  • Sun protection, cap / hat
  • Binoculars or camera with long lens

Species of Interest: Spectacled bear, White-tailed Deer, Andean Condor, Flame-winged Parakeet (E), Bogota Rail (E), Green-bearded Helmetcrest (E), Blue-throated Starfrontlet (Ess), Pale-bellied Tapaculo (Ess), Bronze-tailed Thornbill (NE), Coppery-bellied Puffleg (NT), Glowing Puffleg, Pale-naped Brush Finch, Purple-backed Thornbill, Rufous Wren, Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Sedge Wren, Black Flowerpiercer, Glossy Flowerpiercer, Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager, Black-crested Warbler, Rufous-browed Conebill, Pearled Treerunner, Brown-backed Chat Tyrant, White-throated Tyrannulet, Andean Guan, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Andean Teal, Band-tailed Nightjar.

CLICK HERE to see some photos taken during this tour

Route

A BogotáB Chingaza National Park

This tour usually lasts 10 to 11 hours from start to finish

  • Departure from Bogotá to La Calera (1 hour)
  • Stop in La Calera to buy snacks / water (30 min)
  • Drive to Park gate & register. Single use plastics are not allowed in, please plan accordingly (1 hour)
  • Drive through the nature reserve on a private vehicle making strategic stops for wildlife, birdwatching, landscapes and nature photography (5 hours).
  • Drive back to Bogotá (2.5 hours).

Please note that this is a group activity and you MAY or MAY NOT be joined by other travelers at any point during the tour.