National park · Colombia
Chingaza National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Chingaza
Enter Chingaza for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈ COP 30,000 – 50,000 per person), start at Piedras Gordas entrance before 12:30, and hike the Cuchillas de Siecha trail (3 km (1.9 mi), easy) in the dry season (Dec–Mar).Enter Chingaza for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈ COP 30,000 – 50,000 per person), start at Piedras Gordas entrance before 12:30 PM, and hike the Cuchillas de Siecha trail (3 km (1.9 mi), easy) in the dry season (Dec–Mar).Enter Chingaza for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈ COP 30,000 – 50,000 per person), start at Piedras Gordas entrance before 12:30, and hike the Cuchillas de Siecha trail (1.9 mi (3 km), easy) in the dry season (Dec–Mar).Enter Chingaza for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈ COP 30,000 – 50,000 per person), start at Piedras Gordas entrance before 12:30 PM, and hike the Cuchillas de Siecha trail (1.9 mi (3 km), easy) in the dry season (Dec–Mar).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
760 km² (293 sq mi)293 sq mi (760 km²)
approximate
Established
1978
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
- Andino ↗Bogotá sits at about 2,600 m and Tunja higher; the first day is for light walking, not for a full sightseeing schedule.
- Andino ↗Bogotá–Medellín and Bogotá–coffee axis are short flights; the same trips by road run 8–12 hours.
- Andino ↗Bogotá and Medellín restrict private cars on set weekdays by plate; it does not apply to taxis, buses or rental arrangements you book with a driver.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 760 km² (293 sq mi)293 sq mi (760 km²)
- Park covers about 760 km² (76 000 ha).
- Established
- 1978
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Chingaza National Natural Park protects high‑altitude páramo ecosystems, glacial lakes and endemic wildlife, and supplies most of Bogotá’s water.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1978.
Size and age
760 km² (293 sq mi)293 sq mi (760 km²) · national park since 1978
Park covers about 760 km² (76 000 ha).
Why go
- Walk the páramo’s glacial lakes and see frailejón plants.
- Spot wildlife such as spectacled bears, Andean condors and culpeo foxes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectacled bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean condorAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Culpeo foxAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean tapirAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bogotá
Bus to La Calera (≈ 1 h) then 4WD transfer to Piedras Gordas gate (≈ 1 h).
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Tunja
Bus to Chiquinquirá then 4WD to park entrance.
≈ 3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Piedras Gordas entrance | Main gate, visitor office, parking, trailheads. | Open with permit and fee. |
| Siecha entrance | Access to Lagunas de Siecha trails. | Permit required. |
| La Paila‑Laguna de Chingaza entrance | Access to Laguna Seca and La Chorrara waterfall. | Permit required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; entrances are slightly offset.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry fee | COP 30,000–50,000 | person | Check official site for exact amount (2026 estimate). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Visitor permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Dogs
- Prohibited in the park.
- Motorcycles/ATVs
- Prohibited; only 4WD vehicles allowed on park roads.
- Permits
- Advance permit required for any visit; must be shown at gate.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites or shelter; arrange in advance.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use portable stoves.
Where to stay
In the park
Park shelter (Piedras Gordas)
Basic dormitory‑style lodging, limited beds.
In the park
Designated campsites
Tented sites with pit toilets; book through Corpochingaza.
Near the park
Bogotá
Wide range of hotels and hostels; 2‑hour drive to park.
Safety
Altitude and cold medium
Rapid weather change medium
No cell service low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by vehicle; short, easy trails from entrances.
- Higher‑páramo trails are steep and may be unsuitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails and campsites; pack out all waste.
- Use permits and local guides to support community ecotourism.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chingaza National Natural Park?
Entry fee is about COP 30,000–50,000 per person; a visitor permit (required) must be obtained in advance.
What are the best hikes in Chingaza National Natural Park?
Popular trails include Cuchillas de Siecha (easy, 2 km), Lagunas de Buitrago (moderate, 5 km) and the route to La Chorrara waterfall (easy, 3 km).
When is the best time to visit Chingaza National Natural Park?
The dry season (December to March) offers clearer trails and milder temperatures, but the park is open year‑round.
Do I need a guide to hike in Chingaza?
Guides are not mandatory for the short marked trails, but a permit is required for any entry; longer backcountry routes are best done with a guide.
Can I camp inside Chingaza?
Yes, at designated campsites or the park shelter, but you must book in advance through Corpochingaza.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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Ask about Chingaza National Natural Park
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