Sustainable Tourism Bogotá
Lodging
This tour includes accommodation in rural lodgings. The first night you can choose from a private room and a private bathroom or a private room with shared bathrooms in the Chingaza National Park area. Both have warm electric showers. The second night will be in a private room with a double bed and private bathroom near Santa Maria town. Both accommodations are simple yet clean with everything necessary to spend the night without heating or AC.
Weather
Chingaza National Park daytime temperatures range between 7ºC and 15ºC but at night it can drop to 4ºC or 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 May through July. 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. The average temperatures in Santa Maria range between 18ºC and 25ºC. The wet and dry seasons are the same as Chingaza, but during rainfall Santa Maria presents heavier clouds than Chingaza.
Location
Chingaza is located Northeast of Bogotá 2 hours from our departure point (45 km). All roads within the reserve are dirt roads requiring a 4x4 vehicle during the rainy season. 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 similar altitude prior to joining this tour. After leaving Chingaza on the second day we head Northeast towards the town of Santa Maria (150km), descending to lower altitudes averaging between 850-1200 m.a.s.l.
Difficulty
Both Chingaza and Santa Maria are prime locations for wildlife viewing and birdwatching in the Andes mountains! Most of the tour highlights can be seen from the car and birding routes are often roadside or via short nature walks of low difficulty.
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, Cock-of-the-rock, Cliff Flycatcher, Wire-tailed Manakin, Band-bellied Owl, Black-banded Owl, Purple Honeycreeper, Whistling Heron, Russet-backed Oropendola, Band-tailed Guan, White-booted Racket-tail, Purple Honeycreeper, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Silver-beaked Tanager, Green Jay, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Violaceous Jay, Green Ibis, Speckled Chachalaca
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
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8:30am Pick-up from Bogotá (included from most locations)
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10:00am Stop in La Calera for snack and hydration
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11:30am Registration at Chingaza National Park gate
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12.00pm Páramo ecosystem wildlife spotting
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2:00pm Lunch time (available for purchase)
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3:00pm Check-in at lodge
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4:00pm Cloud forest nature walk
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7:00pm Dinner time (available for purchase)
Day 2
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7:00am Breakfast (included)
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8:00am Páramo ecosystem wildlife spotting
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10:00am Head out to Santa Maria
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1.00pm Lunch time (available for purchase)
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3:00pm Roadside birding
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6:00pm Dinner time (available for purchase)
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7:00pm Check in to hotel
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8:00pm Optional nocturnal outing to look for owls / night monkeys
Day 3
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6:00am Breakfast (included)
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7:00am Hotel check-out
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8.00am Birdwatching along Chivor Dam.
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12.00pm Lunch time (available for purchase)
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1:00pm Return to Bogotá
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7:00pm Estimated arrival to Bogotá (airport drop-off is $30 USD extra)
Note: The above itinerary is a draft example and the final schedule can be adjusted to different interests and needs prior to the start of the tour.
Pricing per person per night
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Single traveler : USD $500 in Spanish / $700 in English
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2 people : USD $300 in Spanish / $400 in English
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3 - 4 people : USD $250 in Spanish / $300 in English
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Note: Prices are for a group tour and other travelers could join you at any point during the day. A private tour can be arranged for an additional $50 USD per person / per day.
Includes
It Includes: 4x4 private transport from Bogotá, a certified nature guide, 2 nights accommodation, 2 breakfasts, entrances, travelers insurance (ask us for coverage details) & pictures of the trip.
It does not include: lunch, dinner, drinks, tips.
Note: Most of our guides are bilingual pending availability, last minute bookings may have a Spanish-speaking guide only.