El Cocuy National Park

El Cocuy National Park is a high-mountain protected area in the eastern Andes with snow-capped peaks and numerous mountain lakes. The terrain is divided into two main ridges that create varied elevations and different habitats.

The protected area was established in 1977 to preserve the largest glacier collection in northern South America. This creation came during a period of growing awareness about protecting alpine ecosystems.

The eastern section of this national park is sacred territory of the U'wa indigenous people and remains closed to visitors. This respect for indigenous lands shapes how the protected area is managed today.

Visitors must register at offices in El Cocuy or Güicán towns and purchase rescue insurance before entering. A mandatory orientation briefing is required before accessing any hiking trails.

This park contains the largest concentration of ice and snow north of the equator in South America, with peaks ranging from 4,800 to 5,330 meters. This exceptional glacier system at tropical latitudes makes it a rare geographical phenomenon.