Weekend getaway from Bogota · #6 of 10
Chingaza National Park
Paramo wonderland east of the city: misty moors of frailejones, glacial lakes and a shot at spotting spectacled bears and deer. Book park entry ahead and go with a 4x4 or a tour; trails run up to four hours.
Chingaza is a wild, misty wonderland sitting right at Bogota's back door. This 76,600-hectare high-altitude moorland supplies most of the city's drinking water. You will explore valleys of fuzzy, alien-like frailejones, admire glacial lakes, and get the absolute best chance near the capital of spotting a rare spectacled bear. Remember to book your entry slot in advance, and make sure you have a sturdy 4x4 or a tour van for the mountain road.
Getting there
It is a proper mountain adventure. Expect a narrow, winding, and partially unpaved road where a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is a must. Don't forget to secure your park permit online before you head out!
Let the pros do the heavy lifting! Outfits like Road Trip Travel and Andes Ecotours handle your transport, guides, and permits. It is by far the easiest route, though you will still need to pack your own lunch.
Day trip - Saturday
Valleys of fuzzy plants, icy lakes, and a quest for spectacled bears- 15:30 AMDrive
Pre-dawn start from Bogota
Set that alarm! The drive via La Calera takes about two hours, and morning is when the high paramo is at its clearest. Group tours will pick you up around this time for the very same reason.
📍 Bogota, Colombia
Tip · Keep your booking confirmation handy, either printed or on your phone. Park entry numbers are strictly limited!
- 27:30 AMSight
Register at the Piedras Gordas entrance
This is the park's front door. Rangers here will verify your permit, give you the scoop on open trails, and fill you in on the latest mountain road conditions.
📍 Piedras Gordas entrance, Chingaza National Park
- 38:00 AMActivity
Walk among the frailejones
Hike into the high moorland among thousands of frailejones. These quirky, furry-leaved plants absorb moisture from passing clouds and slowly release it to feed Bogota's water supply.
📍 Chingaza National Park, Cundinamarca
Tip · You are climbing past 3,000 meters here! Take it nice and slow, wear plenty of warm layers, and keep sipping water to beat the altitude.
- 410:30 AMSight
Reach the glacial lakes
The main trail winds past gorgeous glacial lakes nestled in the moor, looking a lot like the Scottish Highlands. Trails here can run up to four hours round trip.
📍 Chingaza National Park, Cundinamarca
- 512:30 PMFood
Packed picnic on the moor
Since there are zero restaurants in the park, you will be eating whatever you packed. Find a nice spot blocked from the wind, and pack out every single crumb when you leave.
📍 Chingaza National Park, Cundinamarca
Tip · Even if you book a tour, they will likely ask you to bring your own food. Save yourself some morning stress and pack it the night before!
- 61:30 PMActivity
Wildlife watch on the way down
Chingaza is your best bet around Bogota for spotting white-tailed deer and elusive spectacled bears. Scan the mountain slopes as you hike down; binoculars are well worth carrying.
📍 Chingaza National Park, Cundinamarca
Tip · Spotting a bear is rare and special, so treat any sighting as a lucky bonus, not a guarantee!
- 73:00 PMDrive
Wind back down to the city
Take it easy on the winding road back, as thick afternoon fog can blanket the paramo in a flash. You will arrive back in Bogota with plenty of time for a celebratory, early dinner.
📍 Chingaza National Park, Cundinamarca
Where to eat
You won't find any cafes or snack stands here. Do like the locals do: pack a hearty lunch and bring a thermos filled with a hot, comforting drink.
Adventure on the paramo wraps up early, meaning you will be back in the city by nightfall, ready to treat yourself to an amazing hot meal.
When to go
This is your driest window, offering the best odds for gorgeous, clear-day views stretching across the moorland.
Expect misty, damp days on the paramo. The hiking trails stay open, but the visibility will be playing hide-and-seek.
Good to know
- Reserve your spot on the official park website before you go; they do not allow walk-ins.
- The mountain road is narrow, winding, and partly unpaved, so either drive a 4x4 or book a group tour.
- You will be above 3,000 meters, so waterproof layers, sun protection, and a slow pace are absolutely essential.
- There is absolutely no food for sale inside, so be sure to pack your own lunch and plenty of water.
