Tours list
Sierra Nevada del Coquy, Colombia

Trekking in the National Park - Natural El Cocuy, Guican and Chita (Sierra Nevada del Coquy), 7 days

This tour has been designed with several beautiful and panoramic acclimatization hikes outside of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy National Park and also the only 3 open trails within the park’s area. 
You will have:

  • day hikes only, all nights you will spend in rustic local farms / cabins / huts. The complexity of the hikes is determined only by the length of the route to the place of overnight stay (there is no way to set up intermediate camps),
  • gorgeous panoramic views, as you will be in the highest mountain range, where there are 22 peaks over 5000 meters high (climbing mecca),
  • diverse valleys, both from a biological and geological point of view, and mountain passes at an altitude of 3900 to 4850 m above sea level, which makes them an ideal place for outdoor activities.
Article:
330
Country:
Colombia
Tour type:
Hiking and trekking
Directions:
Trekking in the National Park Sierra Nevada del Coquy
Complexity:
Easy
Number of participants:
From 1 people
Maximum height:
4595 m
Season:
All year round, but there are holidays
Start of the program:
Bogota
Finish program:
Bogota
Duration:
7 days
Price:
1 200 USD
Count:
Tours dates
  
01.01.202431.12.2024
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Day 1
Early pick up at the indicated location in Bogota city, transfer to Cocuy. The trip usually takes 10 to 12 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Kokui is located 430 km north of Bogota. During the trip, you will descend from Bogota (2600 m) to the Chicamocha Canyon (1860 m) and then to the town of El Cocuy (2630 m). On the way, you will have really amazing landscapes.
Overnight at a rustic hotel in Kokuy town.
Included meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2    
After a good rest and breakfast, the team will head out to visit to the National Park office for permits, Park’s compulsory insurance and introduction briefing. After this, the transport will take the group to the base of Cerro Monserrate (3810 m). The drive takes 1 hour and follows the road to Güican and a bit further up. The trail follows a pilgrimage path that ascents through beautiful landscapes and great panoramic view. Just before reaching the summit, there are fantastic views over to the Sierra Nevada and many of its high summits. The descent takes a different trail that ends in a semi-circular itinerary. Then a 1-hour drive to Hacienda La Esperanza (3593 m), a typical sheep-raising farm still active, that has been adapted room to accommodate hikers. The place is an authentic experience and an opportunity to get close to the local culture.
Night in shared dormitories at Hacienda La Esperanza.
Ascent: 625 m / Descent: 485 m / Highest Altitude: 3810 m / Distance: 5,76 Km. / Activity duration: 4 h.
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Day 3    
Today the group will climb Pico del Aguila (4020 m), a trekking peak right above Hacienda. The trail first ascends through a beautiful valley to a well-marked ridge, from where there is a beautiful view of Ritacuba Blanco, the highest peak of the ridge.The summit has a privilege view dong to next days itinerary the Lagunillas valley and over to the Pan de Azucar and Campanillas Blanco. The descend follows a different trail making a circular path back to the Hacienda. Night in shared dormitories at Hacienda La Esperanza.
Ascent: 427 m / Descent: 427 m / Highest Altitude: 4020 m / Distance: 4,21 Km. / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Day 4    
Today we have one of the longest days of the program, so early breakfast and departure from Hacienda La Esperanza. Transfer (30 min.) to Lagunillas’ access point and start the trek to Devil’s pulpit viewpoint. The hike takes about 5-6 hours to reach the area know as “Las Lajas” which is a rock moraine and from where the team will have a great view over to the iconic rock pinnacle known as the Devil’s pulpit and to its neighbor peak Pan de Azucar. The descent down to the place Lagunillas takes 3-4 hours. Next, there will be a transfer back to Hacienda La Esperanza for a good night's rest.
Night in shared dormitories at Hacienda La Esperanza.
Ascent: 850 m / Descent: 850 m / Highest Altitude: 4650 m / Distance round-trip: 14,9 Km. / Activity duration: 9-10 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Day 5
Today is another early start from Hacienda La Esperanza towards Laguna Grande de la Sierra (3593 m). This is one of the most classic hikes that will take us to one of the largest lakes in the entire mountain range at an altitude of 4514 meters. During the hike, the vegetation will change. You will ascend from green meadows through the highlands of Paramos and end your ascent on rocky moraines close to snow-capped peaks. The lake is located at the end of a valley surrounded by 5 peaks over 5000 meters high. The hike to the lake takes about 5 hours. After a good break at the viewpoint by the lake, the group returns back to Hacienda, usually it takes 3-4 hours. Back in Hacienda, after a short rest, the group will be transported (45 min.) to the Kanwara huts for the night in this beautiful place with a panoramic view of the northern part of the Sierra.
Overnight at Kanwar huts in shared cabins.
Ascent: 921 m / Descent: 921 m / Maximum altitude: 4514 m / Round trip distance: 17.74 km. / Duration of activity: 8-9 hours
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Day 6    
Around 8 AM the group will depart from Kanwara huts taking the trail know as Ritacuba, up a valley with eh same name. This trail is a bit steeper than the previous ones, but shorter in distance, usually taking 4-5 hours. The views down to the lower valleys and the Southern peaks are incredible.  The itinerary ends by the glacier’s edge on a place know as “Playitas” (4595 m). The descend traces back the same trail and it takes about 2-3 hours to reach the huts. After a short rest, return (1.5 hours) to Kokuy for the last night in the area.
Night in rustic hotel in Cocuy town.
Ascent: 600 m / Descent: 600 m / Highest Altitude: 4595 m / Distance round-trip: 6,44 Km. / Activity duration: 6 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Day 7
Departure from Kokui to Bogota (10-12 hours). Disembarkation at the specified location.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 

Bogota - Cocuy (2630 m) -  Cerro Monserrate (3810 m) - Hacienda La Esperanza (3593 m) - Pico del Aguila (4020 m) - Devil’s Pulpit viewpoint (4650 m) - Laguna Grande de la Sierra (4514 m) - Kanwara huts - Ritacuba Blanco’s glacier (4595 m) (“Playitas” (4595 m)) - Cocuy town - Bogota

The cost of the full package of services -  from 1200 (1215*) USD
cost for a group of 6 people, private transport
*cost for a group of 4 people, public bus

Included:

  • Local English-speaking mountain guide during the entire program
  • Local assistant mountain guide during the entire program from 4 PAX
  • Spanish speaking local assistant guides for days: 4, 5 & 6.
  • Public bus to/from Cocuy and private transportation in the mountain area for the PUBLIC transportation price
  • Private transportation throughout the entire program for the PRIVATE transportation price
  • National Park entrance fee and park’s insurance
  • 2 nights in shared double rooms at hotel in the town in Cocuy
  • 3 nights in shared dormitory at Hacienda La Esperanza – South area
  • 1 night in shared dormitory at Kanwara Huts – North area
  • Communications
  • First aid kit
  • Medical oxygen
  • Included meals specified in the day to day itinerary

Not Included:

  • Domestic and international flights
  • Personal equipment
  • Insurance
  • Tips
  • Everything not mentioned in the “Included” list

Important:
Due to the new regulations of the National park authorities regarding the number of visitors per day per trail, it is very important to book your trip well in advance to avoid any inconvenience while accessing the park.
We advise you to avoid periods if possible:

  • from December 25 to January 15,
  • easter week,
  • autumn break in October

Please check the exact dates as they change from year to year.

La Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, or Güicán y Chita as it is known among mountain hikers, extends from North to South on the Eastern mountain branch of the Andes range, continuing into Venezuela where it disappears into the Caribbean sea. This high altitude mountain range, is one of the most important areas for mountain climbing in the country, having 22 summits above 5000 meters divided by two parallel ranges (23 km long) that create rich and diverse valleys, both from a biological and a geological point of view. These valleys are divided by several mountain passes between 3900 – 4850 m of altitude, making it an ideal place for outdoor activities. The most demanding hikes are those in the National park, but of-course they can be adjusted to the groups physical condition.

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