Colombia is one of the 10 countries in the world with the greatest biodiversity. It concentrates almost 70% of all the planet’s ecosystems in just 10% of its territory, thanks in part to its two oceans, the Andes and Amazonia.
El Cocuy National Park is the largest glacial mass in Colombia, made up of 25 ice- and snow-covered peaks spread over two mountain ranges. The park covers a total area of 3060 km2. The Ritacuba Blanco and Ritacuba Negro peaks rise to an altitude of 5,300 m, with snow and ice at 4,800 m and above.
The protected area’s ecosystem is vast, stretching over almost 4600 metres of vertical drop. It is made up of eternal snow, Paramos (high altitude neotropical biotope), a large fringe of Andean forest and part of jungle. Cocuy is sacred territory for the indigenous Uwa people who still inhabit the area.
Among the 150 lagoons in the National Park, the Laguna de la Plaza is particularly noteworthy for its waterfall-like outlet. The Laguna del Avellanal, at the foot of the Ritacuba peak, is also striking for its exceptional color, while the Laguna Grande de la Sierra extends over 35 hectares.
