The Otún Lagoon is located in Risaralda, very close to the Nevados National Park. It is a natural reservoir that has an area of 1.5 km ² and is fed by the thaw of Santa Isabel snowy. This lagoon has a giant importance for the region as it helps to supply water to much of the area.
Image taken from Picloro.co
How to get to the Otún Lagoon?
To reach this tourist destination requires a little effort as it requires a long walk, to reach the Otún Lagoon must move to the department of Pereira and there go to the Cedral, there will begin a bridle path that involves a long walk to reach the Otún Lagoon. It is recommended to be in good physical condition to visit this tourist site. One option is to hire a Jeep service to take you to the vicinity of the Parque de los Nevados.
Weather and recommendations in the Otún Lagoon
This beautiful lagoon is located at 3950 meters above sea level, so you will experience temperatures from -5°C to 14°C. It is recommended to wear very warm clothes, waterproof jacket, gloves and hat, comfortable shoes.
If you decide to camp in the camping areas near the lagoon, it is essential that you have a good camping equipment that includes a warm blanket and sleeping because at night the temperature can drop a lot. In addition to that, include food in your backpack because you will not find restaurants near the lagoon.
Make sure you have enough water or hydration, as the walk is approximately 4 hours. You will also need to buy groceries for the tour.
To enjoy the tour more, it is recommended to hire a guide.
Photograph by jfarango.com
Attractions in the Otún Lagoon
One of the biggest attractions of the Otún Lagoon is that it is located in the Parque Nacional Natural de los Nevados, so you can do the complete tour starting at the lagoon and then walking to the different peaks of the park.
The visit to the Otún Lagoon is a very interesting plan in which you will be able to include your partner, your family or your friends, of course you will also enjoy this walk alone. This natural reservoir covers an area of 1.5 km ² and has a depth of 70 meters approximately, has been formed by the volcanic action and glacier melting snow of the Nevado de Santa Isabel.
Condors in the Otún Lagoon. (Source Lapatria.com)
This natural wonder is open to the public, it is indispensable that you have clear that the care of this place is part of the visit, in the Otún Lagoon you will find representative fauna of paramo, reason why you will see in front of the beautiful and important frailejones, one of the most important and sensitive species, do not take nor start any specimen of these since this will affect the ecosystem.
In addition to its environmental importance, this place was a center of worship and offerings for the indigenous Quimbaya tribe who inhabited the departments of Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío. The lagoon feeds the Otún River which supplies Risaralda.
Regarding the journey, it is about 6 kilometers from Potosi to reach the lagoon to the place called El Asomadero, a walk in which you will enjoy a fabulous landscape, the green mountains and blue sky will be companions unmatched, you can admire the flora that draws the landscape and gives it different colors.
It is necessary to clarify that, if you want to camp in the Cabin that has been arranged for this purpose, you must walk at least another 6 kilometers, on the contrary, if your visit is a single day, then you can walk to the lagoon and then make the journey back. Generally travelers prefer to arrive at the Cabin and spend the night there under the sky.
