Chingaza is one of the most impressive natural parks of Colombia. Located right at the east of Bogotá at an altitude of 3400 metres above sea level, it's among 7,66 hectares of virgin high Andean forest sub-paramo and paramo ecosystems. The Paramos play a key role in the big scale balance of earth. Endemic to the Andes region, they are a kind of highland wetlands and perform the task of a giant geographical sponge. It is the place where the clouds are constantly being condensed, and where the streams coming from the glaciers are retained and regulated. This park offers a network of hiking trails where visitors will be in close contact with its unique flora species like Frailejón Uribei, a bush that grows only at the Paramos at a speed of 1/3 of an inch per year, and more than 1,000 other native species. The park also has 186 documented species of birds and a handful of native mammals like deer, Andean bears, and small felines.
The trip starts at 7:00 AM from your hotel in Bogotá. Your driver and English speaking guide (optional, see inclusions for details) will meet you at your hotel and you will start a 1.5 hour drive towards the east of the capital. Half way along the way, you'll make a stop at La Calera, and have a taste of the nationally acclaimed arepas boyasenses with tinto (a softer version of Americano). After clearing the national park entrance permit (all arranged in advance by DestinoBogota) you will be introduced to the local guide who will be with you along the hike. The guides are native of this region and have a deep knowledge of flora and fauna, and will point at the most interesting aspects of the rout and tell you anecdotes related to the native cultures and traditional farming communities of the area.
The hike lasts about 3 hours and reaches a lagoon called Laguna de Buitrago. After the hike, you will return to the cabin and have a comforting agua de panela (hot drink made with sugar cane jaggery). Here you can use the toilet facilities and change to warm and dry clothes and shoes (bring a spare change of clothes because the chances of getting wet are very high).
Thereafter, the guide and driver will bring you back to your hotel or any other point of the city at lunchtime.
