Puracé National Natural Park is located in the central mountain range of the Colombian Andes, this area is considered a Volcanic Zone because Puracé Volcano is located in the zone, the park was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1979. The indigenous Inca culture that inhabited Colombia knew this region of the country as “Montaña de Fuego” (Mountain of Fire) that in its Quechua language translated Puracé.
HOW TO GET TO PURACÉ PARK, CAUCA?
Puracé National Natural Park is located in Popayán, to get to the park, you must first go to Popayan, in the bus terminal you can find services that take you to the park, you decide which zone you want to go to, for example, you can get to Pilimbalá or San Juan, in these two points you can pay the entrance to the park.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE IN PURACÉ NATIONAL PARK
The Puracé National Park has temperatures, depending on the area you visit, from 12°C to -2°C. It is located between 2,500 and 5,000 meters above sea level. In this park you will find about 4 different ecosystems, therefore, it is recommended to wear warm clothing, gloves and hat. There may be rain in the place, use boots and raincoat. If you want to ascend to the peaks you must have your own equipment, do not forget to wear high mountain shoes.
ATTRACTIONS IN PURACÉ NATIONAL PARK
The attraction of Puracé National Park as a tourist destination lies in its variety of ecosystems, where you can find snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, lakes, moors and even thermal pools. The tour in the park is about 5 hours, an ecological walk in which you will observe the magic and power of nature. If you decide to climb the mountainous system that is in the park, it is better to take two days for the visit, this in order to enjoy the landscapes and to know the zone at depth.
In this tourist destination you will admire the flora and fauna of humid jungle ecosystems of the cold thermal floor, paramo, super paramo and nival, for this reason, you will admire the beautiful frailejones and species that are in danger of extinction as the wax palm, the Colombian pine and the oak, besides other hundreds of species, many of them endemic, species as the grasses cespitosas, dwarf shrubs and giant rosettes occupy the park.
Regarding the fauna, one of the most impressive shows in your visit to Puracé Park is the sighting of Condors, the representative species of Colombia, the visitor has the option of asking the guides or indigenous people in charge of the place to put food for these birds, in this way, you will have the opportunity to see them and detail the wonderfulness of the species. You will also find spectacled bears, deer, tapirs and pumas, among others.
As a curious fact we can say that in Puracé Park are born three of the most important rivers of Colombia such as the Magdalena River, Caquetá and Cauca.
In the park inhabits the indigenous community Coconuco, they will provide guide services, restaurant and lodging. On the other hand, in this tourist destination you will find a variety of water sources, lagoons and hot springs, however, if you want to enter any of them before make sure it is safe, since, for example, in the lagoon of San Juan it is forbidden to enter, since the chemical components of the water could cause damage to your health.
Remember that the ascent to the peaks are of high difficulty, only take the risk if you are in excellent health.
GASTRONOMY IN PURACÉ NATIONAL PARK
Indigenous settlements have been established in the Pilimbalá area, the natives provide restaurant services, however, if you are going to enter the park bring provisions, hydration and food with a high caloric charge.
HOTELS AND CAMPING IN PURACÉ NATURAL PARK?
In Pilimbalá, in the same way, three shacks have been established where visitors can spend the night. You will also find a camping area. The shacks have capacity for 21 people and the camping area allows only 15 campers.
COSTS
Information taken from www.parquesnacionales.gov.co
Entrance for national or foreigner resident in Colombia over 5 years old and under 25 years old: 5.000 colombian pesos
National or foreign resident in Colombia older than 25 years old: 10.500 colombian pesos
Non-resident foreigner in Colombia: 25.500 colombian pesos
