Sustainable Tourism Bogotá
Lodging
This tour includes accommodation in a private reserve within the National Park boundaries. We offer small private rooms with private bathrooms fit with warm electric showers. This mountain lodge is simple, without heating and fitted with just the basics to spend the night. This is NOT a luxury experience!
We strongly recommend making your reservation several weeks ahead of time given the few rooms available and the high demand for them.
Note: There are upscale lodges OUTSIDE the National Park that are available for booking but it is a trade-off with the natural beauty of the National Park. If your preference is luxury lodging, the mountain lodge is NOT for you! Please let us know ahead of time what your lodging requirements are.
Weather
Chingaza National Park daytime temperatures range between 7ºC and 15ºC but at night it can drop to 2ºC or even lower. 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 humidity 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 during rainy months. Because of low atmospheric pressure at high elevations (3000 m.a.s.l. and above), we recommend spending 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.
Difficulty
Chingaza is a prime location for wildlife viewing and birdwatching in the Andes mountains and the crown jewel of the National Park System in terms of ecological restoration and preservation.
Most trails within the reserve are of easy to medium difficulty and a lot of the birdwatching and wildlife viewing can be done from the vehicle or through short nature walks. This tour is designed more for landscape viewing and wildlife spotting rather than long trekking. If your intention is mainly to hike, we recommend a Cloud Forest excursion instead.
Draft Itinerary
Day 1
• 9:00am pick-up from Bogotá (included from most locations)
• 10:00am park registration in La Calera
• 11:00am pickup lunch and dinner to go (not included)
• 12:00pm entrance to National Park and roadside bird watching
• 1:00pm Páramo nature trail (low difficulty)
• 4:00pm check-in at lodge
• 5:00pm self-guided nature walk in private reserve
• 7:00pm end of tour day
Day 2
• 8:00am breakfast (included)
• 9:00am check-out and drive to Chingaza Lagoon
• 10:00am wetland nature hike (medium difficulty)
• 1:00pm lunch at lodge (available for purchase)
• 2:00pm forest trail hike (medium difficulty)
• 4:00pm departure from National Park
• 6:00pm snack in La Calera (available for purchase)
• 7:00pm estimated arrival to Bogotá
Note: pick-up and drop-off in Bogotá is at the same location. Additional locations can be added for U$30 each.
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
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.
Pricing per person per night
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single traveler USD $400 in Spanish / $500 in English
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2 people USD $250 in Spanish / $300 in English
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3 people USD $220 in Spanish / $250 in English
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4 people USD $200 in Spanish / $220 in English
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+5 people Ask us for details
Includes
It Includes: 4x4 private transport from/to Bogotá, a certified nature guide (English or Spanish), 1 night accommodation, 1 breakfast, entrances, insurance while on site & pictures of the trip.
It does NOT include: lunch, dinner, drinks, tips.
Note: Last minute bookings will probably only have a Spanish-speaking guide available.