Get to know the Sacred Igüaque lagoon located in this beautiful sanctuary while you tour the Andean forests and its moorland (páramo).
The Igüaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary has an area of 6,750 hectares of páramo (moorland) and Andean forest, and is located in the oriental mountain range of the Colombian Andes in the department of Boyacá, near by Villa de Leyva, one of the most beautiful towns in the country. The Sanctuary has an elevation over see level that goes from 2,400 and 3,800 meters. It is an important reserve of fauna and flora, as well as water; the currents that originate in the Sanctuary provide water to the nearby towns. This Sanctuary belongs to the system of National Natural Parks of Colombia that currently has 61 protected areas, which equals the 12% of the country territory.
The tour described below is a beautiful hike of 9 Km in which the visitors will have the opportunity to get to know the high Andean forests that further on will give way to the paramo ecosystem. Once in the paramo, we will go along a beautiful path that will lead us to the Igüaque Lake, a sacred place to the ancient Muisca civilization.
Early in the morning and after breakfast, we will start our tour. In a privet vehicle our guide and our driver will pick up the travelers in the hotel where they are staying in Villa de Leyva, in order to drive us, for about half an hour, to the Sanctuary Administrative Center. Once there, we will receive a talk from the protected area officials, we will check in and then, we will start our hike through a beautiful Andean high forest where we will be able to watch different species of birds, as well as plant typical from the territory. After approximately two hours, the forest will give way to the paramo, a very special ecosystem present in five countries only and the great importance for the water production. During our hike, we will be able to observe the four different species of frailejón presents in the place, as well as to understand the importance of these plants in the ecosystem. After two more hour of hiking we will reach the Iguaque Lake and, in this sacred place for the Muisca civilization, we will learn about the Bachué legend, while we enjoy a typical lunch wrapped in root leaves that we will take with us. After lunch, we will have enough time to connect with the energy of the place and watch the amazing landscape to then, take the path back to the Administrative Center where the vehicle will be waiting for us to take us to Villa de Leyva, place where our journey ends.
Hiking: 9 Km (5 – 7 hours)
Road trip: 1 hour
Initial Altitude: 2,800 meters
Maximum Altitude: 3,600 meters
Elevation Gain: 800 meters
Elevation Loss: 800 meters
+ Certified guide by National Park.
+ Medical Assistance Insurance.
+ Entrance to the Sanctuary.
+ Privet ground transport from and to Villa de Layva.
+ Meals: 1 lunch.
+ All activities described in the itinerary.
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+ Snacks
+ Expenses not specified in the plan.
It is a very beautiful place with easy access from Villa de Leyva. I liked the tour very much however I found the ascent quite hard. So many beautiful places we don’t know in Colombia. I am so grateful with our guide and with SAWA that organized the tour.
Mariela
This hike is perfect for one-day trip; it is the perfect complement when you visit an historical beautiful town like Villa de Leyva.
Very recommended.
Augusto
Be able to visit this Sacred Lake was one of my dreams, you really fell the special energy this place has. It is a special tour for those who want to connect with nature and themselves.
Gratitude!
Daniela
