Colombia’s El Cocuy Trek

Note: This itinerary departs from Bogota, we would recommend staying in Bogota for 2 nights before this.

In a country known for tropical jungles and white-sand beaches, the glacial peaks of Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy stand out. Located north of Bogotá in the beating heart of the Andes, this untamed highland ecoregion holds the best high-altitude hiking in Colombia. 

Located almost 400km from Bogata to the North East, El Cocuy has a landscape carved and defined by its glaciers. Two parallel mountain ranges boast 25 snow-capped peaks over 30kms. Acres of untamed páramo & valleys of alien-like fraillejones dominate the lower altitudes, the jewels in the crown of an impressive eco-region. Endemic flora & fauna disperse as the landscape ascends into a barren vastness of ice & rock - you would be hard-pressed to find more wild and rugged scenery in South America outside of Patagonia.  

Landscapes offer heights ranging from 600m up to 5,339m. Hard working and humble mountain folk continue to live here amidst this area of wild beauty and amazing remote territories. Theirs is a truly beautiful land which is worth being discovered and protected. This is a high-altitude paradise for hikers and climbers in Colombia. 

DAY 1 | BOGOTÁ – EL COCUY 

You will meet your guide who will assist you board the bus. Departing in the evening you will head from Bogota to the town on El Cocuy which will take 10-12 hours. Upon arrival you will transfer to the small village of El Cocuy at 2800masl.

You will stay in a Posada in El Cocuy town which only has basic accommodation with standard rooms but does have private facilities and hot water.

Important Notes:

• The average altitude at Sierra Nevada de El Cocuy is 4000masl. This tour it is not recommendable for people with cardiac or breath deficiency. 
• The altitude on the walks may be between 3.600 to 5.100 m. a. s. l.
• It is recommended to avoid high season (end of December, the beginning of January and Easter Week) as campsites may be busy as well as the rainy season from end of September, October and November. 
• Dry season is December to April and July to August and is the best time to visit the National Park. Even though, during this dry season it can also rain and/or become very fogy. 
• Temperatures can drop below -0 C during the night. Travelers should bring their own sleeping bag. Camping equipment will be provided.
• There is 1 expert guide in the area per 4 travelers. 
• The walk along the Pan de Azúcar trail has the degree of difficulty that you can choose (depending on your physical condition). If you choose an intermediate level, you will walk approximately 10 km for 6 hours.

Situated in El Cocuy, Hostal El Caminante offers a shared lounge, garden and terrace. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, a shared kitchen and free WiFi throughout the property.

Rooms come with a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. A continental breakfast is available each morning at the guest house. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available 

EL COCUY – MIRADOR EL COCUY 

This morning you will have an acclimatization trek for 4-5 hours and then return to have lunch in the village of El Cocuy and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Nestled in the foothills of the park, El Cocuy town’s buildings are almost all painted white and fringed with a lovely shade of green, giving the place a really authentic, local feel. Throw in a pretty church and some of the friendliest folk in Colombia and you’ve got a place definitely worth idling around for a day or two. 

What with all the breathless, high-altitude hiking on offer in El Cocuy, you might sometimes forget to stop huffing and puffing and just look up and enjoy the truly magisterial panoramas to be seen at almost every turn.  

PULPITO DEL DIABLO GLACIER AND PAN DE AZÚCAR PEAK

This morning you will depart from El Cocuy in a private vehicle and make your way for approximately 1.5 hours to the entrance of the National Park. You will then continue on foot until you reach Pulpito del Diablo Glacier, (the Devil's Pulpit.) which is a stunning rock mass in the shape of an altar. The minerals, paramos & uninhibited light transform the water into a rainbow of colours; from ice blues & deep greens, to reds & golds at the edge.  

From the Pulpito you will then continue to climb up to the top of Pan de Azucar, a 5,100 meters peak from where it is possible to admire the northern glaciers of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy and the Laguna de la Plaza. Return to your hotel for dinner and rest. 

LAGUNA GRANDE DE LA SIERRA

After breakfast, you have another full day of hiking. Today there will be a trek to Laguna Grande de la Sierra and arriving at the snow edge of the Concave peak. (5000 m). This is a demanding hike which takes you to the eponymous lake, but rewards trekkers with some of the best views in the region. 

This is the emblematic landscape of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy due to its majesty and probably the most beautiful lake of all the Sierra Nevada del Cocoy surrounded by mountains. An environment of peaks and stones balconies where sunrises a show of colors and reflections. You will have return to El Cocuy for dinner and rest.  

RITACUBA BLANCO

Wake up to a majestic sunrise and enjoy your last day trekking in the beautiful El Cocuy National Park. Today you will head Trekking around in the Ritacubas sector. 

This may be the shortest hike, but it is also the steepest, you will reach 4,600m. Starting in a similar vain to the Laguna Grande hike, there is a short warm-up through fields of grazing sheep, before the landscape turns more rugged. Slopes filled with Frailljones give way to rocks which resemble ripples, carved by the receding Ritacuba glacier. 

This hike offers unparalleled views of the Ritacuba Blanco peak, tired feet & legs rewarded with views of the most intense scale. Return to your hotel for dinner and rest. 

This morning after breakfast, bid farewell to the Park as you will return to Bogota via bus with your guide which will take approximately 10 -12 hours. 

Please Note: As you will be arriving into Bogota in the evening, we would suggest to stay overnight in Bogota, please speak to your consultant if you would like this to be included.