Colombian Andes

Laid-back way of life of the Colombians, which so clearly was shown by Gabriel Garcia Marquez in his books, a special culture of this wonderful country, its rich and diverse nature, charming colonial cities and beautiful snow-white peaks - to the Colombia, as a rule, are going those who wants to see and feel the original, rather than a tourist South America. The most popular places in the Colombian Andes are the national parks Sierra Nevada del Cocuy and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The Sierra Nevada Del Cocuy, about 8 hours from Bogota, has over 20 snow capped peaks and some forty lagoons - the trekking scenery is quite stunning and possibly the best in all of Colombia. There are various mountaineering packages of up to 10 days that can be arranged by local tour operators, though it's possible to do the complete 10 circuit hike on your own if you're an experienced trekker and have a good map. Those who prefer not to spend a week trekking and sleeping in a tent can find accommodation in the park at Hacienda La Esperanza or Kanwara Cabanas. December to March are the best months for trekking in Sierra Nevada Del Cocuy. If you don't enjoy high altitudes and freezing cold, consider trekking in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to Colombia's "Lost City" of Ciudad Perdida. It's a highly memorable 5 day hike through Colombia's rainforests and rivers to ruins that were only re-discovered in 1975. Suesca, near Nemocon, is 50km north of Bogota and a popular area for rock climbing. There are rocks suitable for beginner and expert rock climbers. Suesca can get busy during the weekends and during holidays, so to avoid the crowds visit mid week. Sierra Nevada del Cocuy's eastern flank also has some stunning rock climbs. Ice climbing is possible in Los Nevados, Cocuy and Nevado de Huila.

The Colombian Andes consist of three big cordilleras - the Cordillera Occidental, the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera Oriental. Peak Simone Bolivar and peak Cristobal Colon are the tallest mountains in Colombian Andes. Both of them are located in the Cordillera Oriental and belong to massif Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

The Colombian Andes are situated in Colombia and stretched via 19 Colombian departments.

Because of global warming, the Ritacuba Blanca's glacier is melting at very high rates, backing down 25 meters per year. Absolutely the same is happening at amazing speeds to all other snow-covered tropical mountains in Colombia. In 1950, Ritacuba Blanco's glacier extended down to 4500 meters (14800 ft) above sea level but in January 2007 its lowest point was at 4800 meters (15700 ft) above sea level. If this melting rate continues, the glacier is expected to disappear before 2025.

 

The two highest peak of the Colombian Andes actually have the same altitude but debates which one is higher continue for ages. Pico Cristóbal Colón (5775 meters) is commonly accepted as the highest peak in Colombia, though it actually shares this distinction with its near neighbor, Pico Simon Bolivar (5775 meters).

 

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• Information about Colombian national parks. http://www.paisatours.com/