Wild-Explore.com

The Andes

Because of its temperate climate and fertile soils a good part of Colombia's population and most major cities are concentrated in the Andes Mountains. There are several enclaves of well preserved natural areas in the Andes supporting high altitude cloud forests and the paramo ecosystem. Paramo are high mountain grassy plateaus interspersed with bogs and marshes with mats of cushion plants, mosses and lichens. Among all this dwarf vegetation rise the trunks of the frailejon (Espeletia sp.). Paramo is the found between the timberline and the snow line, between twelve and fifteen thousand feet in the northern Andes. It is calculated that about sixty percent of plant species in the paramo are endemic (found nowhere else) adapted to the harsh conditions of intense ultraviolet light and extreme temperature changes at high altitude. Montane forest and paramo are host to a variety of animal species including deer, mountain tapir, spectacled bear and condor.

Chingaza National Park is some four hours from Bogota by road. It is a good alternative for shorter sojourns. One a clear day the scenery is spectacular: moss draped trees, alpine lakes, waterfalls. It boasts a huge population of deer and is the site of an Andean condor (a species gone extinct in most of its Colombian range) reintroduction program.
Purace National Park is located where the Andes range diverges into the central and eastern cordilleras, about a day's drive from Bogota. On the way the road crosses the Tatacoa Desert with its fantastic red and grey sandstone formations. The park takes its name from the Purace volcano. Several of Colombia's major rivers have their source in the park. It also contains several lakes and hot springs and vast tracts of well-preserved Andean montane forest and paramo. Adjacent is the archeological park of San Agustin with its amazing prehispanic stone sculptures, a UNESCO designated world heritage site. It is possible to explore both areas either on horseback or on foot (the archeological sites are spread over a wide area). Overnighting at farmer's cottages and buying their produce to prepare meals, it is possible to complete the multi-day journey in relaxed contemplation of the spectacular landscape.