Trekking in Cocuy National Park

Get picked up at your hotel in Bogata and Depart early for a long drive to Cocuy. Depending on road conditions and traffic, the 430 km (267 miles) drive typically takes approximately 10-12 hours. Expect incredible views of the landscape along the drive as you first descend from Bogota (2,600 m/8,530’) to Chicamocha Canyon (1,860 m/6,102’), then ascend again to the town of El Cocuy (2,630 m/8,629’). Spend the night in a rustic hotel in Cocuy.

Start your day with a good breakfast, then visit the El Cocuy National Natural Park office to obtain permits for your visit and the compulsory insurance. You’ll also receive an introductory briefing about the park. After this, an hour-long drive takes you to the base of the mountain Cerro Monserrate. The trail to the summit of Cerro Monserrate (3,810 m/12,500’) follows an old pilgrimage path and ascends through incredible landscapes, offering wonderful panoramic views. Just prior to reaching the summit, stop to take in the view of the Sierra Nevada range and its many spectacular peaks. Descend again via a different trail for even more incredible landscapes. Your overall route forms a semi-circle. Meet your transport and drive for about an hour to reach the Hacienda La Esperanza (3,593 m/11,788’). This special location is still an active sheep farm, but it also has a dormitory-style room for hikers. Enjoy an authentic glimpse of local culture during your stay at Hacienda La Esperanza.

Trek from the hacienda today to the summit of Pico del Aguila. Follow the trail through a lovely valley as it leads up to ridge where you’ll find clear views of the highest summit in the range, Ritacuba Blanco. From the summit of Pico del Aguila, you can look down over the trail you’ll follow tomorrow as it winds through the Lagunillas Valley to Pan de Azucar (Sugarloaf Hill) and Campanillas Blanco. Descend from Pico del Aguila and return to the hacienda by a different path, making today’s route a circuit.

Get an early start today for a long but rewarding day. Begin with a 30-minute drive to the access point for Lagunillas and trek to the Devil’s Pulpit viewpoint (4,650 m/15,256’). After hiking for approximately 5-6 hours, you’ll reach a rocky moraine area called “Las Lajas”, where you’ll find a spectacular view of the Devil’s Pulpit as well as the neighboring peak Sugarloaf Hill (Pan de Azucar). The hike back to the Lagunillas access point takes about 3-4 hours. Your transport will meet you there and take you back to the Hacienda La Esperanza for a well-deserved rest.

Today is another early morning, hiking from the hacienda to Laguna Grande de la Sierra. This classic hike takes you to one of the largest lakes in the region at an elevation of 4,514 m/14,810’. Notice how the vegetation around you changes as you ascend. First, you’ll walk through green meadows, which soon give way to the alpine “paramos” ecosystem of the highlands. You’ll end in a rocky moraine area as you approach the snow-capped peaks. At the end of the valley is the lake, which is surrounded by five different peaks that are more than 5,000 m tall. Enjoy an inspiring break in this beautiful location before returning to the hacienda. Hiking from the hacienda to the lake takes about 5 hours, and the trek down typically takes about 3-4 hours. When you reach the Hacienda La Esperanza, you’ll transfer about 45 minutes to spend the night at the Kanwara huts. Spend the night in shared cabins in this amazing location overlooking the northern region of the Sierra.

Depart from the Kanwara huts at 8:00 AM following the Ritacuba trail up through the Ritacuba Valley. Today’s trek is steeper than the previous days but not as long in distance. Hike for about 4-5 hours to reach Playitas (4,595 m/15,075’) at the edge of the glacier. You’ll enjoy incredible views of the southern peaks and the lower valleys all along your trek. After taking in the views at Playitas, return again to the huts by the same trail. The descent takes approximately 2-3 hours. You’ll then drive back to the town of Cocuy and spend one last night in this amazing region.

Return to Bogota today to end your tour. Once again, the drive takes about 10-12 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.