Muisca Trail: Hiking the biggest paramo in the world!

Very few people mention the south side of Bogota to visitors and foreigners, thousands of Colombians migrated to these areas of the city because of the armed conflicts within Colombia and currently 30% of the city’s population live there. We will quickly leave behind the chaos of the urban landscape to plunge into an agricultural landscape of potato, peas, strawberries and dairy cattle grazing amongst other less well-known products. Leaving this hinterland, we hike 14km from an initial altitude of 3,372 metres above sea level to 3,800, at which point we reach a magical place, a paradise which guards the secrets of the Laguna de Ubchiqua, an indigenous name of the Muisca people meaning `the place to go to listen to the advice of the Grandmother-Mountains´, and at this point we will make our acquaintance with the largest paramo in the world,

Given that the National Natural Park is a highly-sensitive landscape and a territory strictly monitored and adhering to environmental conservation controls, it’s imperative to stay on the paths indicated by our highly experienced and certified local guides who have prepared a route which keeps us out of restricted areas whilst enjoying the best of the location.

Distance: 14km

Level of Difficulty: Medium

Time to complete the route: approximately 5 to 6 hours.

Climate: Cold

Altitude: 3,350 - 3,850 metres above sea level

Páramo Ubquiqua

One of the main functions of the ecosystems protected by the Park is the water regulation of the upper basins of the Tunjuelo, Sumapaz, Blanco, Ariari, Guape, Duda, and Cabrera rivers as providers of ecosystem services for the Capital District and the departments of Meta, Huila, and Cundinamarca.

Laguna de Ubchiqua

We will travel through the agricultural zone for the first 2 kilometers and then the Subpáramo and Páramo zone to reach the Ubchiqua lagoon, which means "where it is heard" to find the advice of the mountain grandmothers.

Reservoir La Regadera

This reservoir is fed by the waters coming from the Chisacá, Lechoso, and Curubital rivers, and the upper part of the Tunjuelo River. It supplies water to a large part of the southeastern sector of the capital. There we find a very peaceful place where water dominates the landscape.

😷 Take your Personal Protection Essentials kit with you (face mask, anti-bacterial gel or spray-alcohol, disposal tissues and a bag to dispose of personal waste).

💦 This route traverses a paramo, which implies dampness and rain. Please do not forget a waterproof jacket, cold-weather clothing and a change of clothing for the journey back to Bogota. Do not wear jeans or cotton clothing, and preferably do wear clothing which dries quickly and well.

🥾 We will follow a route which goes over both rocky and damp terrain. Use footwear which can protect you from the wet, boots or shoes with a good gripping sole and which protect your ankles are ideal. Avoid using trainers or slip on shoes and do not walk this route in footwear which you are wearing for the first time.

🧢 Bring a hat or baseball hat as well as sunblock.

💊 Bring your medicines and identity document (your medical insurance paperwork and identity card) 🎒 Use a well-made rucksack to bring your equipment with you, with two-shoulder straps for best ergonomic performance.

How can you tell if this is the right plan for you?

This is a route which presents some physical challenges, if you do regular physical exercise, this route is for you. This route is classified a level 3.5 (Medium), and is 14km walked in approximately 6 hours. The weather is quite variable and it can be very windy, which is why cold-weather clothing, a water-proof jacket and footwear with a good grip are essential.

What food to expect

For those people who have not yet had breakfast, there is a brief stop to buy food before the walk starts although we recommend eating a good breakfast before the hike begins or alternatively we recommend that you bring food to consume on the trail. It’s a demanding route, your body could conceivably demand more energy from you, so bring snacks such as fruit, dried fruits and nuts, cereal bars or the wonderful Colombian invention known as bocadillos which are small squares of fruit jelly made of guayaba, utterly delicious, calorific and nutritious. Please also do not forget to include at least one litre of water for your hydration on the route.

Relevant Information

Please be aware that RoadTripColombia takes no responsibility for your personal belongings. Protect your electronic devices and personal documents from the rain and damp.

Ensure your mobile phone is charged, for taking photos and for use in an emergency.

Your safety is terribly important to us, so please be careful, do not allow yourself to lag behind too far and lose sight of the group and always follow the guides instructions.

Do not bring cigarettes or alcoholic drinks. Do not come on this hike if you have stayed up all night the night before, or if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if you are pregnant or have any medical incapacity.

Finally, follow your doctor`s instructions carefully with regard to any injuries you may have before participating in this hike, and if necessary, bring your personal medications with you.