Colombia's Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Trek
- High mountain trekking in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy
- Optional ascent of Pan de Azucar 5100m
- Visit Bogota, its markets and Gold Museum
- Stunning trekking in the remote and unspoiled Colombian Andes
- Colombia Andes trekking at it`s very best
Some of the most pristine and least well-known territory for trekking in the whole of Latin America can be found in the Colombian Andes. This groundbreaking trip starts out in the capital, Bogota, where we have a day to explore the markets, Spanish colonial quarter and famous Gold Museum. We then transfer to Villa de Leyva, a place of tradition and legend, where we have our first acclimatisation hike, through cloud forest and up onto the paramo moorland, with its distinctive vegetation, the stately frailejones. The objective of this quite testing hike is the sacred Laguna de Iguaque at 3600 metres. Continuing our fascinating journey into the remote Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, we have 2 further acclimatisation walks, before we meet our mule and porter support and embark on a challenging trek through the heart of the range, crossing high passes and camping beside beautiful mountain lakes. After the trek, from the mountain lodge at Susima, there is the option to make the ascent of the snow-capped Pan de Azucar (5100m), which has a summit panorama encompassing range upon range of glaciated peaks. You can be amongst the first to explore this magnificent region!
Is this holiday for you?
The core of this Colombian adventure is the continuous 5-day trek through the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy. We spend a week in the country before embarking on this trek and for most of this time we are at elevations above 2600 metres, which is great for our acclimatisation. In addition, we have 3 acclimatisation hikes during this time, which will take us up to around 4000 metres and provide further, excellent preparation. The trek through the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy is reasonably sustained, walking for an average of 6 hours each day and crossing several passes above 4500 metres. Underfoot conditions are generally good, although there are sections of trail that are not well marked, as well as some boggy and rocky sections. On our last day in the Cocuy, there is the option to make the ascent of the peak Pan de Azucar at 5100 metres. This is not a technical ascent, but it does involve crossing glaciated terrain and crampons and trekking poles are required. The local guide will carry a rope during this ascent and climbing harnesses and ice-axes are provided from the mountain lodge at Susima.
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