A guide to Colombia’s sacred Mountain Gateway

GÜICÁN DE LA SIERRA NEVADA 

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to stand between the clouds and the stars? Here we'll give you a brief guide with the basic information you would like to know before Güican de la Sierra Nevada makes it onto your travel plan.

(Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy – Almas Aventureras, s/f)

(Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy – Almas Aventureras, s/f)

DESTINATION:	GÜICÁN DE LA SIERRA NEVADA - BOYACÁ A guide to Colombia’s sacred Mountain Gateway
HOME/LANDING PAGE	VOCABULARY	ARTICLE
MY TRAVEL EXPERIENCE	Keywords: Güican, Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, snow-capped peaks, indigenous Uwa community, high altitude, páramo landscape.	Have you ever dreamed of standing at the foot of snow-capped mountains in the heart of Colombia? Güican de la Sierra is one of the country’s best-kept secrets, and it definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list. Güican used to be known only to experienced mountaineers and indigenous communities, but today it attracts adventurous travelers from all over the world. The Uwa people used to consider these mountains sacred, and that spiritual energy still fills the air. I used to think Colombian travel meant only beaches and coffee regions; Güican completely changed my perspective.
WHERE TO GO (Places to visit)	Keywords: Laguna de la Plaza, El Cocuy National Park, Los Nevados, Pulpito del Diablo, páramo, glaciers.	Laguna de la Plaza Laguna de la Plaza is without a doubt the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy. The water used to reflect the glaciers so clearly that early explorers used to call it a mirror lake. You must take in the breathtaking reflection of the snow-covered peaks on its surface; it is one of the most stunning natural sights in all of South America. You would like to sit by its shores for hours, simply taking in the silence and the cold mountain air. Likewise, you must not leave the marked trails around the lagoon, as the fragile páramo ecosystem takes decades to recover from any damage. Pulpito del Diablo The Pulpito del Diablo used to be accessible only to expert climbers, and even today it demands serious preparation. This dramatic rock formation used to serve as a spiritual landmark for the Uwa community. You must set off early in the morning to reach the best viewpoints before clouds roll in. You would like to stand at its base and look up; the scale of it is simply overwhelming.
WHAT TO DO (Activities)	Keywords: Trekking, páramo crossing, stargazing, visiting Uwa communities, photography, camping.	You must prepare your body before attempting the high-altitude trails. If you train for at least two months before your trip, you will enjoy the experience much more. If you walk slowly at night at altitude, your body always adapts better. You must not enter Uwa territory without prior authorization; their land and culture must be deeply respected. You would like to learn about their traditions; if you approach the community with humility and curiosity, you will leave with a profound respect for their worldview. If there are no clouds at night, the sky above Güican always fills with thousands of stars. You don’t have to bring expensive equipment; even the naked eye is enough to be amazed. You have to wake up before 5:00 AM to catch the golden light hitting the glaciers. If you position yourself near Laguna de la Plaza at dawn, you will capture photos that look almost unreal.
TRAVEL TIPS	Keywords: altitude sickness, warm clothing, permits, local guides, cash, Boyacá culture.	You have to acclimatize in Güican town for at least one or two days before heading into the mountains; altitude sickness used to end many trips prematurely, and it still does for those who rush. You must pack thermal layers, a waterproof jacket, and high-quality boots, as temperatures used to drop well below zero at night and still do. Furthermore, you don’t have to hire a guide for the town itself, but you must hire a certified local guide for all nighttime high-altitude routes. You must not leave any trash on the trails—strict environmental rules are now enforced. The best time to visit is between December and March, when the skies are clearest and the trekking conditions are at their best. If you visit during this dry season, you will get the most spectacular views of the glaciers. Before heading back down, you would like to sit down for a bowl of cocido boyacense—a hearty stew made with potatoes, corn, and meat that locals used to prepare after long days working in the cold. It warms you up in a way nothing else quite manages out there.

(Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy – Almas Aventureras, s/f)

(Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy – Almas Aventureras, s/f)

(Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy – Almas Aventureras, s/f)