Cocuy

webmanco says on Oct 24, 2007, 05:07:

Take a bus from Bogotá, about 8 hours to El Guican, once there take a small jeep that leaves you near the trecking part. You could carry all your equipment by yourself or you could hire a local hermitaño with a horse to help with the heavy stuff.

The experience is nice if you like exercise and are cold friendly, the views are something else, there are parts like el Pulpito del Diablo, a few lakes, Fraylejones, etc.




I would not mind doing it again but it takes at least 5 days.

http://colombiche.net/mipueblo/v/Boyaca/cocuy/

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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capitan_centella says on Oct 24, 2007, 09:05:

Nice and safe. Just make sure you take a experienced GUIDE. and you have to taste a "raspado" (Just bring with you a "leche condensada" can (you can buy it on any calombian supermarket) and add ice from the mountain). . .

If you´re interest in doing some "ecoturism" this is the web page just for you:

http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/pnn/portel/libreria/php/decide.php...

It has a detailed map, and of course if you´re not familiar with colombian stuff, aviatur offers "door to door" transport. EXCELENT SERVICES.

hope it helps.

"When you open your eyes, you turn around with the world, But it can change, if you only close it, and see a dream to yourself." Me.

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bjorn says on Oct 24, 2007, 13:52:

Hi Bjorn, Nice name, same as mine. I am Norwegian. I did the entire Cocuy trek in january 2007, from Guican to El Cocoy, 7 days. December to March is the best time to do the trek. So January is excellent. Still, be prepared for freezing temperatures at night. Snow may come any time, but is not likely in January.

If you are properly equipped you don't need a guide. I started out doing it alone, but hooked up with some friendly Colombians the 3rd day.

You may find topographical maps in the Instituto Geografico at Universidad nacional in Bogota. These maps are not very good, unfortunately. A GPS would be a good help.

The Lonely Planet Colombia from 1995 has a good map (not topographical, but adequate) and an excellent route description. If you cant find this book I will scan some pages to you and send them in a E-mail

You will most certainly meet other backpackers in January, probably most of them Colombians. And everybody are super friendly.

And trip is absolutely fantastic, but quite tough due to the altitude. But "vale la pena"


Bjorn

Bjorn

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t-wiz says on Oct 24, 2007, 18:15:

I hiked it last January, no guide, no problem but.... I have hiked a lot of miles, I had a map from German at Platypus Hostel in Bogota, also a map I picked up in Guican. Rosa who runs El Eden hostel in Guican can give you some help. The topos in Colombia are very very poor on cheap paper and expensive. I picked up a couple from the University in Bogota but don't waste your time and money. I ran into one guy from Alaska and one Colombiano. I had the place to myself for the 4 days it took me. Horses can't make it across the wet area so enjoy the hiking. It's cold and windy but awesome views. I'm planning another hike but this time from El Cocuy. That way when you get back to Guican you can soak in the local hotsprings pool and drink some beer. Enjoy

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mail@bjorndeboeck.com says on Feb 12, 2008, 07:29:

I did the circuit and eventually climbed ritacuba blanco and had a wicked time. we did it without guide but I had a GPS with me and got some rough coordinates off google earth. i tracked a lot of the way so if anyone wants i can send through the exact coordinates for a Garmin. we didnt meet anyone and had great weather. it gets cold at night and during the day temperature and climate will change within minutes from cold to hot and back to cold. I can send through more info for anyone who is interested.

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