If you’re looking for an offbeat place to hike in Colombia, then head to El Cocuy National Park. As an off-the-beaten-path destination, it’s not well-known to tourists, but it’s seriously stunning and should be on your itinerary.
We hadn’t heard of the National Park before visiting Colombia; instead, a local we made friends with in Bogota told us about it, how beautiful it was and that we should visit. As it turns out, El Cocuy is quite popular with locals, but for tourists, not so much – we only met one other tourist during our whole trip there.
El Cocuy National Park is the perfect place for adventure travellers thanks to glacial treks, striking lakes and unique rock formations. We did a lot, from figuring out how to get to El Cocuy and arranging a guide and transport to hiking the park and getting to our next destination.
It was an adventure from start to finish; here’s everything you need to know to hike in El Cocuy National Park, Colombia!
Trekking In El Cocuy National Park: The Best Hike In Colombia!
In this guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know about trekking in El Cocuy National Park. I’m including our own experiences, information on the park and practical details on how to get there, when to visit, which hike to do and where to stay.
Is Hiking in El Cocuy National Park Worth It?
El Cocuy is a small, white & pastel green-painted town in the middle of the mountains, with cobbled streets, cowboys in ponchos, and surrounding verdant green hills, which is absolutely, 100% worth visiting.
El Cocuy National Park is spectacular for hiking. It’s a remote location, off the beaten path, and rarely visited by overseas tourists. However, this is slowly changing as people become aware of how special the park is. So, even though it took us eleven hours to get to El Cocuy from Bogota, it was worth the bumpy bus ride. If you love to hike in unique and beautiful landscapes, El Cocuy National Park is for you!
Are you planning a trip soon? Here are useful links to begin planning!
Accommodations – I recommend Booking.com
Flights – I recommend Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – I recommend SafetyWing
Tours/experiences – I recommend Get Your Guide
Car rental – I recommend DiscoverCars
These are all the sites I personally use to book my trips, and if you use them, some of them will earn me a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping my site up. Thanks!
About El Cocuy National Park, Colombia
El Cocuy National Park (known as Parque Nacional El Cocuy in Spanish) is the official national park within Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Chita. It was established in 1977 and covers 306,000 hectares.
It’s an extraordinary Colombian national park situated high in the Andean mountain range and home to the largest glacial mass north of the equator in South America.
It showcases a remarkable landscape consisting of 18 snow-capped peaks (there were 25 in the recent past) that soar over 19 miles, along with glaciers, glacial lakes and waterfalls. Home to the wild páramo ecosystem with valleys filled with unfamiliar frailejones, an endemic plant that spreads through the valley like a dense, green blanket, covering every inch of the landscape.
⭐ Pro tip >> Due to environmental issues, the park was closed for several years but reopened in 2017. Despite the now limited access to hiking trails, visiting El Cocuy National Park was a fantastic experience and among our favourites in the world!
What Is Paramo?
As we started hiking, our guide began telling us about the park and how it has a Paramo that can only be found in Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. As he was talking, we kept hearing the word Paramo, so we asked what he meant.
His explanation was confusing to us, and I actually thought it was a Spanish word being mistranslated. By the end, we still didn’t fully understand, and it wasn’t until we got back to El Cocuy that we searched Paramo to find out.
You will hear this Paramo term being used over and over again while you’re in El Cocuy. So, to be entirely in the know of what it means, Paramo is a type of ecosystem. It refers to an alpine tundra ecosystem specifically, generally above the forest line but below the permanent snowline.
The Paramo is located only in the Andes mountain range and is mainly composed of giant rosette plants, such as the endemic frailejones, shrubs and grasses. It’s also believed to cover 47% of El Cocuy National Park (PNN El Cocuy).
In case you’re wondering, frailejones are unique plants that live at high altitudes in Paramo. They are thick, long, and pineapple-like in appearance, resembling cacti but belonging to the sunflower family. They’ve evolved hairy fluff on their leaves, helping to absorb water vapour from the clouds. They are sometimes referred to as snow cactus.
For us, Paramo is what made this hike astonishing, having never seen vegetation like these frailejones before. The El Cocuy National Park trek is the best to go on to witness vast valleys filled with this unique other-worldly vegetation.
A Quick Side Note: Glaciers In Colombia
Sadly, the tropical glaciers that exist in Colombia are disappearing at an unprecedented rate. El Cocuy National Park stands out as home to the strongest glacier in Colombia, but even.
Ritacuba Blanco’s glacier is expected to disappear before 2055.
Overall, there are six glaciers left in the country, half of what there once was; those that have not yet melted are located on some of the highest mountains. The next glacier expected to lose its glacial mass within the next four years is Santa Isobel Nevado Volcano, one of the most visited in Colombia.
It’s a sad truth, but it needs to be shared. We count ourselves extremely lucky to have seen a glacier in Colombia. Therefore, if you’re planning to hike to one of Colombia’s glaciers, sooner rather than later is better.
About The U’wa Tribe
The U’wa tribe, who are referred to as “the thinking people” by neighbouring indigenous communities, inhabit the cloud forest within the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy protected area. Their ancestral homeland spans over 12,000 square kilometres (4,600 sq mi) and is considered sacred by them.
The U’wa tribe has protected substantial portions of their homeland from any human access, including the east side of the park, which is covered by the indigenous reserve and is inaccessible to tourists.
The preservation of the natural environment is crucial for their way of life, and the park was therefore closed in 2015 to protect it while borders were being drawn. It is essential to note that the indigenous reserve, the full circuit trail, and all access to glaciers are now strictly off-limits.
Where Is El Cocuy National Park
Located almost 400km from Bogata to the northeast, El Cocuy National Park is within the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Chita, a protected area within the Cordillera Oriental mountain range in the Andes Mountains of Colombia.
Overview: El Cocuy National Park Treks
Entrance Hours: Entrance from 5 am; exit by 6 pm; descent from the glacier by 1 pm.
When we arrived in El Cocuy, we went about booking the hike; luckily, our host had a couple of connections and was able to help us find a guide. Before we could arrange anything, though, we needed to decide on which trek to do.
We were directed to a map mounted on a wall, which showed the different trails, and we discussed the likelihood of completing them. Having backpacked Southeast Asia for over eight months, we were not at our fittest by this point.
There are three trails: the Laguna Grande de la Sierra, the Pulpito del Diablo, and the Ritacuba Blanco. These trails range in difficulty, with Laguna Grande being the easiest, although by no means easy; this is the one we chose.
The Ritacuba Trail
Hike Distance: 14km
Average Time: 6 – 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
We were told this hike was the most challenging due to the altitude involved and some rather steep sections; therefore, it’s best for hikers with a good level of fitness. The hike begins through farm fields, heading into the Paramo, where the terrain gradually becomes rougher, finally leading to rippled slopes formed by the melting glacier.
The hike offers breathtaking views of the Ritacuba Blanco peak. Still, the trail leading to the edge of the Ritacuba Glacier is strictly prohibited beyond the snowline due to safety concerns.
El Pulpito Del Diablo Trail
Hike Distance: 16km
Average Time: 8 – 10 hours
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
This trail leads to the Pulpito, a large rock on the edge of the snowline of the Pan de Azucar mountain. Although the first part of the trail is downhill and then reasonably flat, leading to a glacial lake, we were told the climb to the top was a very steep scramble. The last part of this hike is over the ice-stripped rock face at the edge of the glacier.
Laguna de La Sierra Trail
Hike Distance: 21km
Average Time: 8 – 9 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
It’s the longest trail in the region, although the easiest, but still demanding. The trail begins at the sheep ranch La Esperanza and winds through shrubbery and boulders before opening up into a valley of frailejones. After a steep ascent to the top of the ridge, you’ll reach Laguna Grande, where you’ll be able to spot the Cancavo glacier behind the lake.
How To Choose Your Trek In El Cocuy National Park
As always, choosing the right trek for you depends on your level of fitness and the amount of time you have. In the case of El Cocuy National Park, there are only three treks available, which are all-day treks, so the amount of time you have isn’t really an issue.
That said, the Laguna de La Sierra Trail (Laguna Grande) is the easiest, albeit the longest in the distance. You will still need a decent level of fitness as the steep climb to the top of the ridge is quite challenging. Overall, consider the cost of the hike, the time taken to complete it, and your level of fitness when choosing the right hike.
We went for the Laguna de La Sierra Trail because it allowed us to witness the different ecosystems, the glacier and also the valley of frailejones, which, in my opinion, is enough in itself! We were considering the Pueblito del Diablo trail on the second day, but I pulled my groin and so decided not to push a second day of hiking.
⭐ Pro tip >> If you have enough time, there is no reason you couldn’t do all three hikes. In fact, you’ll be able to find discounted rates if you use the same guide for the three days!
How To Organise Your El Cocuy Trek
Organising your hike to El Cocuy National Park has to be done with a guide. Due to the terrain and weather conditions, it is not safe to go alone. There are two ways to organise your hiking guide: all-inclusive or trail-only.
Well, actually, there are three ways since we chose an option between the two. Our guide, which we organised once we arrived in El Cocuy, was fantastic and organised our transportation to and from the trailhead, the mandatory insurance and registered us for the hike.
All Inclusive
The all-inclusive option generally provides transportation from either Bogota to El Cocuy or, at the very least, transport to and from the trailhead on the day of your hike. You will get a guide, lunch, insurance, and registration completed for you and accommodation in El Cocuy for the duration of your trip.
Trail Guide Only
If you prefer to book your hike once you’ve arrived in El Cocuy, it’s possible to arrange to meet your guide directly at the trailhead. This option is best for backpackers and budget travellers as you’ll be able to book your own transportation and accommodation in line with your budget.
It does require more logistical planning, although it’s completely doable. You’ll need to find a guide, arrange transport to and from the trailhead, purchase insurance and ensure you’re registered before you can start hiking. This is all achievable from El Cocuy town.
Organised Tour Vs. Hiking With A Guide Only
An all-inclusive trip is great under certain circumstances, such as visiting during the busy season if you’re travelling with family or prefer to have activities booked prior to travel if you’re limited on time.
⭐ Pro tip >> The busy period is generally considered between December 15th to January 15th and June 15th to July 15th, the holy week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday and the long weekends.
Choosing this method is more convenient, although generally more expensive. If you’re travelling on a budget, it might not be the best option. For us, arranging a guide at El Cocuy proved a much cheaper option. See total costs below.
Booking Your Guide
There are a few ways to book your trekking guide for your El Cocuy National Park hike. The most preferred option is to contact the guides directly. Our host recommended ours to us, but unfortunately, he is no longer available.
Alternatively, you can try the three recommendations:
- Ruiz Millan Sergio (3112628385)
- Suarez Julio Enrique (3232813827)
- Silva Verlandia Martha Lucia (3115117363)
We paid 150,000 COP per day, but this can vary; anything over 200,000 COP is a bad deal.
You’ll be able to arrange all-inclusive tours through these guides, or the final way is to book online through a third-party website, like Viator. They work with reputable tour companies to provide excursions.
🌟 My top pick >> PNN El Cocuy is led by Sergio and his team. You’ll have two full days for hiking and exploration on this 3 day El Cocuy National Park excursion from Bogota. All meals, transport, accommodation and an English-speaking guide are included!
Booking Your Transport
Generally speaking, once you’ve arranged a guide, they will help you with transportation. I’ve read that there is another option to save even more money; however, it will limit the amount of time you have in the park.
Even so, it’s possible to catch the Milk Cart from El Cocuy at 6:30 am. It takes around two hours and costs 10,000 COP to reach the start of the trailhead, if not more, and since the hikes average 8 hours, I’m not sure it will give you enough time. Apparently, the milk cart returns to El Cocuy at 3 pm, which certainly doesn’t give you enough time unless you’re a fast hiker.
Alternatively, it’s possible to arrange transport for your return journey, but this is still going to incur a cost, and you might find there isn’t much difference than arranging one to take you in both directions. Also, consider that it is a requirement to turn back at 1 pm, no matter where you are on the trail, so arriving by Milk Cart may not provide enough time to reach the end of the trail, either.
We departed El Cocuy at 4:45 am and arrived at La Esperanza trailhead around 6 am. The cost of our jeep for the day was 180,000 COP, which is standard. We ended up travelling with a young American girl and split the cost between the three of us. If you are more, the cost can be split between four, depending on the number of seats.
Purchase Insurance & Register
Thankfully, our guide sorted this all out for us, I don’t even think we had to go to the registration office; we just gave him our passports, and he did it all for us.
Even so, you will need to know the following information if you’re doing this by trail guide only. It is mandatory to purchase additional rescue and accident insurance before you enter the park. Your personal travel insurance is not enough. In El Cocuy, there is a small National Park Office where you can pay; the fee is set at 7,500 COP per person per day. You’ll also need to provide evidence you’ve booked a guide.
Afterwards, visit to the registration office to pay for entrance to the park; it’s a fixed rate of 79,000 COP per person. There are three places where you can register: El Cocuy, Guican and in Bogota.
⭐ Pro tip >> Keep in mind that you’ll not be able to enter the park if you haven’t completed these steps!
Total Cost Of El Cocuy National Park Hike
- Transport via private jeep: 180,000 COP per car
- Guide: 150,000 COP per group
- Insurance: 7,500 COP per person
- Entrance: 79,000 COP per person
- Total: 416,500 COP
- (Accommodation @ Chocuy Hostel: 65,000 COP (+ 15,000 Breakfast))
Ideas On Where To Stay In El Cocuy Town
There are a number of accommodation options. We went with Chocuy Hostel, which was an affordable hostel not too far from the town centre, although it seems to have disappeared from booking platforms.
Nonetheless, our host was extremely helpful and friendly, something we found common among Colombians, and although basic, it was clean and cosy. Look for rooms with thick blankets. High up in the mountains, the nights tend to be damp and cold, and there’s usually no heating.
Since El Chocuy Hostel is no longer available, I’ve listed a few others that we looked at that you might be interested in:
🌟 My top pick >> Hostal El Caminante is a comfortable and beautiful hostel in a central location with breakfast included. Martha, the host, is said to be wonderful and is even one of the recommended trekking guides for the El Cocuy National Park hike.
Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
- Hostal la Casa del Músico: Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
- Hotel Museo la Posada del Molino: Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
- Hotel San Gabriel: Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
Want To Stay Near The Trailheads?
Camping inside the National Park will no longer be allowed after its reopening in 2017. However, there are a handful of cabins conveniently located just outside the park limits at all three trailheads. You’ll have to contact them directly to arrange accommodation.
- Pulpito Hike: Cabanas Guaicany
- Laguna Grande Hike: Hacienda La Esperanza
- Ritacuba Hike: Cabañas Kanwara
Weather In National Park
El Cocuy National Park is a year-round destination. However, due to the park’s mountain location and the Paramo ecosystem, with its high altitude and unique terrain, is notorious for its changeable weather patterns.
Nevertheless, this is what makes the park so captivating and picturesque. Even during the offseason, you can still enjoy hiking and exploring the park as long as you are well-prepared.
⭐ Pro tip >> There are two dry seasons: December to February and July to September. Mist and rolling clouds are a common occurrence all year round.
If you’re planning an El Cocuy National Park hike, it’s crucial to check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. Bring warm layers, waterproof clothing and sturdy hiking boots. When we visited in mid-May, the weather was quite good, considering this was the off-season, and we had an enjoyable experience exploring the park’s beauty.
Essential Items To Pack
Since the climate in El Cocuy National Park is variable, prepare for all types of weather: hot, cold, wet and dry. You’ll need a daypack for essentials, but remember to keep it light.
I wore thermals under my hiking trousers and long-sleeved top, sturdy hiking boots, gloves, a rain and wind-proof jacket, a neck gaiter, and a fleece jumper.
Additionally, don’t forget to pack water, snacks, lunch, sunglasses, sunscreen, toiletries, and trekking poles. Jack actually burnt the back of his neck during this hike as he forgot to apply sunscreen!
Below, you can find the absolute essentials we think you should have in your backpack.
- Rain jacket | For this trek, it’s crucial to have a rain jacket that is genuinely waterproof.
- Rain Poncho | In rainy conditions, nothing beats a trusty plastic rain poncho.
- Hiking Socks | To prevent blisters, I recommend using a fresh pair of dry hiking socks for each day.
- Trekking Poles | Great for protecting your knees and back and provisioning balance.
- Sunscreen | Due to the high altitude, it’s important to use high-quality sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 50 SPF.
- Water Bottle | This water bottle is our all-time favourite.
How To Get To El Cocuy, Colombia
We didn’t book an all-inclusive tour, so we had to make our own way there, but getting to El Cocuy from Bogota was fairly easy as you can do it on one journey and on an overnight bus. We like to do this to save on a night’s accommodation. It’s also possible to rent a car and make your own way to El Cocuy.
👉 Car Rental: DISCOVER CARS
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On a side note, to visit El Cocuy National Park, you can also stay in Guican; however, there are more places to stay and eat in El Cocuy.
From Bogota
We made the journey from the Salitre Terminal without a prior booking, but if you do this, keep in mind the coach could be fully booked. However, we were fine and booked two tickets for the overnight bus to El Cocuy.
The company is Libertadores; however, they alternate days with another company. They have departures at 6 am, 2 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm, which takes about 11 hours (we arrived at 6 am after a delayed departure), and the price is 100,000 COP per person.
I will say that the overnight bus was not too comfortable, and we didn’t get much sleep. It was rather bumpy along a winding mountain road, however, but the views were spectacular. Being above the clouds and at such a high altitude, it was lovely to wake up amidst the green valleys, which had captured the morning mist.
From Villa de Leyva
We actually went from El Cocuy to Vila de Leyva, but buses ran in both directions. Unfortunately, it is not direct, and you’ll be making a change in Tunja. We actually decided to spend the day in Tunja and do some exploring. It might have been that it rained a lot, but we were left unimpressed by the city.
For your journey, consider the 7:30 am bus from Villa de Leyva to Tunja and then hop on the 9:30 am bus from Tunja to El Cocuy. It will take you about 10 hours and cost 60,000 COP (which is what we paid going in the opposite direction).
How Many Days Do You Need?
How many days do you actually need in El Cocuy National Park? It’s a tricky question as it depends on your fitness level and which trails you want to complete.
Since there are three hiking routes in El Cocuy National Park, it makes sense to spend three days hiking. This is a lot if you do it back-to-back, especially if you’re not a seasoned hiker, as the trails can be quite challenging.
Therefore, you may want to consider hiking over several days, allowing enough rest time between each hike. If your sole purpose in visiting Colombia is to hike, then planning a week-long trip to El Cocuy isn’t a bad shout.
The town itself, although there’s not much to do, is quite picturesque and has a number of small eateries, a church, and some clothing shops. You can spend a few days in between hikes, wandering around and chatting to locals. When we were there, there was some kind of celebration happening in the main square, which was interesting.
In total, we spent two full days in El Cocuy and three nights. We only did one hike to Laguna Grande, which wasn’t enough. Our first day was spent organising the hike and exploring the village; the second was hike day, and we left early on the third.
Is One Day In El Cocuy National Park Enough?
Jack and I only spent one day in El Cocuy National Park; however, I would’ve liked more time. We had planned another hike, but due to an injury, we weren’t able to make it happen. It would have been nice to experience at least two of the hikes since the trails are on opposite sides of the glacier. With this in mind, one day in El Cocuy National Park may not be enough, although it’s better than none.
Safety In El Cocuy National Park
Since it’s required to hike with a guide and additional insurance is mandatory, safety in El Cocuy is not a high concern. The guides know the trails well, and there is little risk of getting lost. Also, there is a return time set at 1 pm (no matter where you are on the trail), which ensures all hikers have sufficient time to return to the trailhead.
The only issues are severe changes in the weather, which can obscure the path and lead to cancellation of the hike and injury. However, you should always be hiking with your own policy as well as the mandatory insurance policy. Recovery is covered, and since you’ll not be trekking alone and there are no multiday treks available, I can’t foresee any major problems.
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✔️ Can be very affordable.
(High-risk sports activities not generally included – Check out World Nomads instead)
Altitude Sickness
The final issue you could face is altitude sickness, which can occur due to the high altitude of the park. Altitude sickness is caused by the lack of oxygen in the air at high altitudes. If you start experiencing symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness, you can bet you have altitude sickness.
⭐ Pro tip >> To prevent altitude sickness, spend a few days acclimatising at a lower altitude before heading to the park. It’s important to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and take it easy during your first few days at high altitude.
Our Hike In El Cocuy National Park
We decided on the longest and second most popular hike in the El Cocuy National Park, Laguna Grande. The hike was spectacular and took us eight hours, with an hour or so each way to reach the start of the trail.
We began by following a trail from the La Esperanza trailhead, which led through farmland and into a valley. As we progressed, the trail grew steeper, and we found ourselves navigating through shrubs and other vegetation.
The Forest Of Frailejones
The most breathtaking part of the hike, and my favourite, was when we emerged onto a forest of snow cactus called frailejones. Endemic to the Andes, these plants are a rarity not seen in many places, and they were remarkable. We walked through the forest, which was located at the base of a valley and offered incredible views.
We were told that the area had previously been a glacier and that the frailejones grew from the swamp after the glacier had melted. Preferring higher altitudes and a colder climate, these cacti are actually related to sunflowers,
Going Over The Ridge
After crossing the fraillejones forest, we headed towards the hardest part of the hike, which was a climb to the top of the valley’s ridge. This took longer than anticipated, and with the thinning air, both Jack and I were struggling to catch our breath. Finally, making it over the ridge, where the scenery began to change from green valleys and vegetation to an arid and rocky landscape. The higher we hiked, the less vegetation we saw until it was replaced entirely by large boulders, rocks and dust.
Laguna Grande
Our goal was to reach the lakes, which were located at the base of the ancient glaciers, now recessed to the very tops of the mountains. We reached the first lake, then another, passing over a cool river where the rocks had turned red and yellow due to the iron in the ground. Soon after, we reached the Laguna Grande, which was a deep blue.
Luckily for us, the sun was shining and reflecting off the lake. At 4,600 metres, reaching the lake felt like a great achievement. We could see the glacier in the distance with its reflection in the water and spent some time here before heading back.
In The End
Overall, the hike was a once-in-lifetime experience and ranked as one of my all-time favourites. For sure, the glacier will not remain for long, so it was spectacular to witness it.
Walking through the Valley of fraillejones was like being in an entirely different world, and we were in awe of our surroundings. The barren landscape over the ridge, full of moraine, was a stark contrast to the lush greenery we had experienced earlier, although the vastness of the land was still nothing short of breathtaking.
Hiking Tips & Things To Know Before You Go
- El Cocuy and Guican are the closest towns to the park and make the best base for hiking.
- If you’re limited on time, I would recommend hiring a guide and arranging transportation in advance. It’s worth noting that the trails have a daily carrying capacity, which can become fully booked during the high season.
- You have to register and purchase additional insurance before you can trek at El Cocuy National Park.
- It’s important to acclimatise to the altitude before beginning any hikes in the park, so I would take some time to adjust.
- Plan to start your hike early, as the park opens at 5 am, and make sure to start by 9 am, turn around by 1 pm, and leave by 6 pm.
- Park weather can be unpredictable, so always make sure you pack warm and waterproof clothing.
- Bring enough food and water for the duration of your hike, as there are no options for purchasing provisions in the park.
- Respect the park’s fragile ecosystem and follow Leave No Trace principles while hiking.
- Remember that camping inside the park is not allowed. Ensure you have accommodation booked and transport back to base arranged before you start hiking.
- Keep in mind the glaciers in Colombia are disappearing at an unprecedented rate, so I make sure to appreciate them while they still exist.
⭐ Pro tip >> If you’re going to be using your phone, don’t forget about overseas data roaming. You’ll get charged for using your data. Try Airalo’s eSIMs, and download a digital data pack. It’s quick and easy; great if you’re in a hurry.
Resources For Colombia
Is it your first time visiting Colombia? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Colombia Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- Read this post if you want even more reasons to visit Colombia.
- We really enjoyed Bogota. Visit La Candelaria district for bohemian vibes.
- I love Cartagena; read this post to find out why. I’ve written a 4-day itinerary here.
- After El Cocuy why not visit Villa de Leyva? Here’s a list of the best things to do!
- Have you ever heard of a Salt Cathedral? Visit one in Colombia!
- You’ll need to know when the best time to visit Colombia is.
- Finally, plan your trip by researching the most famous sites BEFORE you go!
FAQs: El Cocuy National Park Trek, Colombia
What Facilities Are There On The El Cocuy National Park Trails?
There are no facilities on the trail in El Cocuy National Park. You will notice some abandoned infrastructure when camping was permitted, but since the change in regulations, camping is no longer permitted, nor are multi-day treks, and the circuit trail is closed. The only facilities are in the ranch cabins close to the trailheads, so ensure you have packed enough provisions to last the day.
Do You Need To Be Fit To Visit El Cocuy National Park?
There are three hiking trails in El Cocuy National Park which demand a relatively high level of fitness. The trails are deemed moderately strenuous with areas of steep incline. On average, the hikes take 8 to 9 hours to complete.
Do You Need To Register To Visit El Cocuy National Park?
Yes, you do need to register at the park office in El Cocuy, Guican or Bogota before you can begin hiking. It is mandatory, and you will not be granted entrance into the national park if you have not registered beforehand.
Do You Need To Purchase Insurance To Visit El Cocuy National Park?
Yes, you do need to purchase mandatory rescue and accident insurance from the office in El Cocuy before you can begin hiking. You will not be allowed to enter the park if you can not show proof of purchasing the mandatory insurance.
Do You Need To Book Your El Cocuy Trek In Advance?
You do not need to book your El Cocu trek in advance; however, if you’re short on time or visiting during the busy period, then I do recommend booking in advance because there is a limited carrying capacity on the trails per day.
In Summary: El Cocuy National Park Trek
As always, I leave you with a few final thoughts about our El Cocuy National Park hike. It was and still remains one of my all-time favourite hikes in the entire world. The views are simply incredible, but it was the frailejones which took my breath away. Since I’ve never seen anything like them in my life, the experience was bewildering. In truth, it’s becoming more of a rarity that we witness something new like this, and I can honestly say that it was magical.
To top it all off, being able to witness the glacier before it completely vanishes was also spectacular and a privilege to behold. We had good weather throughout, which also added to my overall positive feelings towards this hike in Colombia.
If you enjoy the wilderness and untouched beauty and seek an offbeat and unique experience, then I highly recommend visiting El Cocuy National Park and trekking to Laguna Grande, if not all three.
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