4°39ʹ30ʺN 75°19ʹ46ʺW

Is a national park located in the Cordillera Central of the Colombian Andes. The park is composed of diverse ecosystems that change depending on the altitude. The lower regions of the park are composed of Andean forests. The higher regions consist of the páramo and super-páramo ecosystems.

_________________________________________________________________________

Tourism in the Parque de los Nevados

The Parque de los Nevados is another of the natural wonders that we find in the Colombian territory. Its beauty and the diversity of landscapes, make this place one of the best options to connect with nature and make ecological and adventure tourism.

Location

Located in the central mountain range of the Andes, above 4,800 meters above sea level. There is a set of 3 snowy peaks that summon thousands of visitors a year, because in these latitudes and at this altitude, the snows are perpetual. These peaks are the Santa Isabel, El Ruiz and Nevado del Tolima peaks.

Weather

In less steep soils is the vegetation of the páramo: puyas, little fingers, cushions and frailejones. They bring to the landscape its varied color, which, even in the sunny moments, preserves its pastel shades.

 

Ecosystems 

It has 4.6% of its surface in the ecosystem of Nieves Perpetúas, (glaciers), in the snow peaks of Ruiz, Santa Isabel and Tolima. Its approximate area is 2,680 hectares. The ecosystem of supermoor is represented by snow, rocks and ash. Herbazales, peat bogs and open shrublands, with approximately 12,299 hectares that represent 21.1% of the total area of ​​the Park.

The páramo is the most representative ecosystem within the Park, with an estimated area of ​​38,600 hectares (66.21%). This ecosystem is composed of pajonal, peat bog, dense shrubbery and lagoons.

 

Wildlife

Among the many bird species of the park stands out the paramo hummingbird, endemic to the region. It is also possible to observe the black mirla, three species of guans and the mountain partridge.

Among the mammals stand out the spectacled bear, the tapir de páramo, the dwarf squirrel and the weasel. There are also at least 20 species of bats. The park is populated by several species of toads and frogs, among which there is an endemic species.

Vegetation

In the valleys and slopes of the lower part grows the so-called Andean forest in which the palm of wax stands out. The high Andean forest is characterized by the presence of trees up to 30 meters high and a stratum of shrubs.

Here stand the encenillo, the Colombian pine and the romerón; It also highlights the presence of an oak grove. In the páramo and the superpáramo one finds the typical vegetation of frailejones, puyas and deditos.

 

 

Information taken from:

https://encolombia.com/turismo/destinos-turisticos/destinos-colombianos/caldas/parque-nacional-de-los-nevados/