Sustainable Tourism Bogotá
Lodging
This tour includes one night accommodation inside the National Park. We offer a small private room with shared bathrooms fitted with warm electric showers. The mountain lodge is simple yet clean, without heating and fitted with the basics to spend the night. Pending availability, there is an upscale wood cabin option with a private bathroom for an extra charge.
Last minute tour requests are not always possible to fulfill. We recommend making your reservation several weeks ahead of time given the few rooms available and high demand for them.
Note: There is luxury accommodation about 2 hours from the Park but it is a trade-off with the natural wilderness of Chingaza. Ask us for details!
Weather
Daytime temperatures at Chingaza National Park range between 7ºC and 15ºC but at night it can drop near 0ºC. Weather is unpredictable with quick changes between wind, rain and strong tropical sun. The driest months in Chingaza are December through March and the wettest months are June through August. Every other month is a mixture of sun, cold wind and light showers. By default, the páramo ecosystem is a moist environment and you can expect muddy trails and humid conditions most of the year.
Location
Chingaza is located North East of Bogotá, 2.5 hours from our departure point (45 km). All roads within the reserve are dirt roads requiring a 4x4 vehicle when it rains. Because of low atmospheric pressure at high elevations (+3000 m.a.s.l.) you should spend at least one night in Bogotá or at a similar altitude prior to joining this tour.
You should NOT join this tour the same day that you arrive from overseas travel or low lying areas unless you are coming from a high altittude location (+2000 m.a.s.l.)
Difficulty
Chingaza is a prime location for wildlife viewing and birdwatching in the Andes mountains and the crown jewel of Colombia's National Park System in terms of ecological restoration and stewardship. In the past, some of it's mountains served as a sand mine and grazing grounds, but nowadays it boost the highest concentration of spectacle bears (Tremarctos ornatus) in the country! A couple of condors, cougars and ocelots and a myriad of bird species.
Most trails within the reserve are of easy access and a lot of the birdwatching and wildlife viewing can be done from the comfort of the vehicle or through short nature walks. This tour is designed for landscape viewing and wildlife spotting rather than long trekking. If you are looking for challenging hikes we recommend the Siecha lagoon trek or a cloud forest excursion around Chingaza.
Target Species
Spectacled bear, White-tailed Deer, Andean Condor, Blue-throated Starfrontlet, 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, Pale-bellied Tapaculo, Band-tailed Nightjar, Flame-winged Parakeet.
Testimonial
"Four of us did a 3 days, 2 nights trip starting and ending at Bogota, organised by Andes EcoTours. It was fantastic! Our English -speaking guides were Andres and Celine, both of whom were knowledgeable, well-organised, and good company. We began with a visit to a hummingbird observatory, which was a lovely peaceful place with a fascinating range of birds. Mainly we spent time walking in the cloud forest and paramo of Chingaza National Park, and the Choachi area too. We learnt a lot about the flora of the area, and did walks with stunning views ( helped by great weather). The first night was spent on a park lodge (dormitory room to ourselves), and the second in the home of a local farmers family involved in community projects, where we were made very welcome and served delicious food. The whole experience was really excellent. We were impressed by the beautiful mountains so near to Bogota, and by the varied trip organised by Andes Eco-Tours. It's well worth spending as long as you can on a trip. Highly recommended." - Sally
Draft Itinerary
Day 1
8:30am Pick-up from Bogotá (included from most locations)
10:00am La Calera town for snack and hydration
11:30am Registration at Park gate
12.00pm Paramo ecosystem wildlife spotting
2:00pm Lunch time (available for purchase)
3:00pm Check-in at lodge
4:00pm Cloud forest nature walk
7:00pm Dinner time (available for purchase)
Day 2
8:00am Breakfast (included with reservation)
9:00am Check-out from lodge
10:00am Chingaza lagoon and nature trail
12:00pm Picnic lunch (available for purchase)
4:00pm Departure from Park gates
7:00pm Estimated arrival to meeting point in Bogotá
Note: Pick-up and drop-off in Bogotá is at the same location. Additional locations can be added for U$30 each.
Pricing per person per night
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Single traveler : USD $450 in Spanish / $300 in English
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2 people : USD $280 in Spanish / $340 in English
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3 - 4 people : USD $200 in Spanish / $250 in English
Note: Prices are for a group tour and other travelers could join you at any point during the day. A private tour can be arrange for an additional $50 USD per person / per day.
Includes
Price Includes: 4x4 private transport from / to Bogotá, a certified nature guide (English or Spanish), 1 night's accommodation, 1 breakfast, all entrances, accident insurance inside the Park and pictures of the trip.
It does NOT include: lunch, dinner, drinks, snacks, tips.
Note: Last minute bookings are likely to have a Spanish-speaking guide only. Bilingual guides are in high demand and need to be reserved several weeks ahead of time.
Things to bring
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Rain jacket and a warm sweater
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Hiking boots or rain boots
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Long pants
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Sun & rain protection (caps or hats)
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Binoculars or camera with long lens