Iguaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, Natural sanctuary in Boyacá, Colombia

Iguaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is a protected area in the Colombian Andes spanning different elevations from 2,400 to 3,800 meters. High-altitude wetlands, mountain forests, and grassland ecosystems coexist within the site, connected by a network of freshwater lakes and streams.

The sanctuary was created in 1977; the Chinese Wikipedia gives 1997, but the Spanish article and the park's own record state 1977. It lies in the Cane-Iguaque river basin, which covers 19,759 hectares and 20 veredas of Arcabuco, Chíquiza and Villa de Leyva. Before the Spanish conquest, the Muisca held Lake Iguaque sacred as the place where humanity emerged.

The sanctuary's name comes from the Muisca, who held the Iguaque lake sacred as the place where humanity emerged: the goddess Bachué, called "the woman with high breasts," rose from its waters with a child. The lake and its eight companions, including Cazadero, Empedrada and Ojo de Agua, remain the focus of local water traditions.

Visits require a certified guide, arranged directly with the park administration. Contact the park beforehand to check carrying capacity, confirm available places and fix dates. The route crosses terrain between 2,400 and 3,800 meters, where average temperatures range from 4 to 12 °C.

The site supplies fresh water to tens of thousands of people in the region, making it far more than just a nature reserve. The eight lakes function as a natural water storage system that sustains local communities throughout the year, including dry seasons.