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Parque Natural Chicaque
Parque Natural Chicaque is a stunning privately owned cloud forest. The park is a
must visit for nature lovers and hikers. Spectacular hiking is possible throughout
the park and there are two excellent camping options. The park has an upper
camp ground and a lower area that has a restaurant, hotel and campground. The
facility has a gorgeous mountain cabin style lodge. The cost to enter the park is
12,000 COP and camping is 10,000 COP per person per night.
The park consists of many trails that are well marked, in excellent condition and
enjoyable to hike. Many of the trails go straight down a hill which makes for
some very strenuous hiking both going up and down. The upper campground is
gorgeous and highly recommended. It's best to bring food bought at a grocery
store. You can hike to the lower area in about forty-five minutes. The restaurant
has excellent food. You can camp at the lower area for 45,000 COP a night
which includes three meals. The meals are excellent and filling. It's
recommended to forgo the meal plan and just pay for the meals on the side and
camp on the upper grounds. If you camp on the lower grounds, the hike with
your full pack may be challenging. The lodge also has hammocks with amazing
views of the cloud forest.
You can stay in the lodge overnight. The rooms are cabin-style with bunks. The
cost is 78,000 COP with three meals. This is a great place to stay if you're looking
for solitude. There is also a cottage on the property. The cottages rates are
247,000 COP for two people with three meals. The walk from the lodge to the
upper campground is pretty strenuous, but not too difficult. Be careful on the
paths as the rocks get slippery. There are ropes on many parts of the trail and it's
recommended to use them for stability when you hike upwards and downwards.
Many people choose to rent a horse and have a more relaxing ride into or out of
the lodge. A horse will cost you 16,000 COP each way.