El Dorado Bird Reserve - Colombia Travel

Bogotá
40 . Birdwatching Colombia
Chicaque
Natural Park
Private Nature Reserve
Municipality of San Antonio del Tequendama ,
department of Cundinamarca
Bogotá
Target species
Some of the specialities include: Brown Tinamou (Crypturellus
obsoletus), Andean Guan (Penelope montagnii), Black Inca
(Coeligena prunellei), Golden-bellied Starfrontlet (Coeligena
bonapartei), Blue-throated Starfrontlet (Coeligena helianthea),
Silvery-throated Spinetail (Synallaxis subpudica), Turquoise
Dacnis (Dacnis hartlaubi), Rufoues-browed Conebill
(Conirostrum rufum) White-tipped Swift (Aeronautes
montivagus), and the rare migrant Cerulean Warbler
(Dendroica caerulea).
Chicaque has been dedicated to conservation and environmental education since 1990
thanks to the enthusiasm of the owners. The park area is located next to a huge rock
canyon that protects the cloud forests of Chicaque that house a great diversity of species,
even this close to Colombia’s biggest city. 258 species of birds have been recorded,
including some specialities worth watching and photographing. The park is totally
adapted to tourism and has a great network of trails to walk around the cloud forests,
ancient oak forests, waterfalls and viewpoints. The Asociación Bogotana de Ornitología -
ABO can provide you with more information about the birds of the reserve.
Synallaxis Subpudica
(Silvery-trhoated Spintail)
How to get there
Services
Chicaque has an excellent accommodation infrastructure
with options for private or shared accommodation and
camping; some rooms have hot water. The restaurant has
capacity for 80 people including day visitors and guests.
There is a guide service for walks along the trails, but you
need to book this service in advance; the same also applies
to hiring a bird watching guide. The park offers
transportation to and from the park. Contact the park staff for more information.
There is permanent electricity in every room.
Chicaque Natural Park is located just half an hour by car from Bogota, at km 21 on
the La Mesa-Soacha road. There are two access routes. The easiest way to get to the park
is along the road to La Mesa, taking 13th Street from the South of Bogotá, or the 80th
Street in the West as far as the Mondoñedo toll; after the toll you should turn left taking the
road towards Soacha. Travel about 3 miles until you see a notice “Chicaque” on your right,
make a turn here and go on an unpaved road for 1.8 miles until you arrive at the park
entrance. On this route you will find two tolls. The other option is to take the South
Avenue from Bogotá to Soacha. Keep going until you pass the Carrefour supermarket;
after passing two pedestrian bridges and one gas station take the next righ tas you as the
Panoramic of the reserve
(Natalia Ocampo)
roundabout and turn left. Travel for 4.3 miles where you
unpaved road for 1.8 miles to the park entrance. Althoug
take longer due to traffic (not recommended on wee
crossing for bicycles).
Tourist facilities
Chicaque has a network of around 11 miles of trails inside the forest, most of them are suitable for
every type of person although some have specific difficulty levels and duration. The trail from the
park’s entrance to the Shelter is great for bird watching, as well as the trails that walk through the forest
and past the waterfalls. The “Pico del Águila” trail is great to watch raptors. From this point you can
continue onto the “Roquedal” trail or head back to the Shelter.
Rates & Opening times
The park is open from everyday from 8 a.m. to 4
p.m., but you can enter the park on hours
outside these hours by contacting the
administration at least two days in advance of
your visit, informing them of the day and hour
that you expect to arrive.
Entrance fee:
Visitors centre (Natalia Ocampo)
Adults:
Accommodation fees vary according the plan you choose (usually all plans include meals), speak with
the park staff about the option that best fits your needs and preferences:
Single room:
Private cabins:
Guiding services are charged extra, you should ask the park staff for prices.
Also look for
There are several viewpoints from where you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes. You can also rent
horses to go horseback riding and enjoy the park.
Recommendations
You should make your reservation by phone (no reservations by e-mail are valid) before your visit
to the contacts below. The rainy season is usually between March and May, and between
September and November. Take comfortable and waterproof hiking boots if you visit during the
rainy season; also bring protection from the cold and rain.
Chicaque has a very complete and comprehensible
webpage for further information.
Contact
Manager: David Escobar Mejía
Landline : (+57) (1) 3683114; (+57) (1) 368 3118; (+57) (1) 368 8733
Shelter cell phone (weekends): (+57) (316) 469 6542
E-mail: info@chicaque.com
Web: www.chicaque.com
Bogota’s office: Transversal 26B No. 41-51.
Office opening times:
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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