Yariguíes National Park

Yariguíes National Park is a protected area in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes covering roughly 79,000 hectares. The terrain contains cloud forests shrouded in mist, wetland areas nestled in valleys, and highland ecosystems stacked at different elevations across the mountains.

The Colombian government established this protected area in 2005 to safeguard the mountain forests and their wildlife from destruction. This decision came after decades of the region facing threats from human activity and land use changes.

The park takes its name from the Yariguíes people who inhabited these mountains for centuries before Spanish contact changed the region. Their memory remains embedded in the landscape through the park's name and in local traditions passed down through generations.

Visitors can explore the area on marked hiking trails that wind through different forest types and pass several viewpoints. It is wise to bring sturdy hiking gear, as trails can be steep and weather in the mountains changes quickly.

Over 400 bird species make their homes in the forests here, making it one of the most important sites for bird research in South America. This remarkable diversity draws ornithologists from around the world and makes it a special place for observation.