Chiribiquete National Park: Ecotourism in Colombia

This national park radiates life, beauty, and biodiversity. Its majestic plains, hidden green corners, and dense forests are a treasure for the world’s environmental diversity; the high degree of conservation of primary forest is one of the greatest biological values this park offers. Because this vast area has been isolated for decades from modernity and industrialization, it has maintained its originality for hundreds of years, allowing flora and fauna species to live without major threats from humans. Where is Chiribiquete National Natural Park? Chiribiquete National Park is located in the Colombian Amazon and currently covers an area of around 42,680 km², making it the fifth largest national park in the world and the largest in Latin America in terms of land area—that is, 12,000 times bigger than New York’s Central Park. Why is Chiribiquete National Park unique? This national park is a meeting point for three biogeographical regions: the Amazon, the Orinoquía, and the Guiana Shield. This allows animals and plants from these regions to interact, creating a favorable environment for biodiversity to flourish and for new species to appear. In addition, the park offers an iconic landscape: the tepuis, or “table-top mountains”. These are mountains that rise majestically above the jungle, with a distinctive flat top that resembles a vast plateau, similar to a giant table. Furthermore, around 75,000 rock art figures have been created by Indigenous peoples, depicting hunting scenes, battles, dances, and ceremonies. The jaguar is also depicted in a sacred way, as a symbol of power and fertility. How can you get there? Chiribiquete National Park cannot be accessed by land. According to the regulations of Colombia’s National Parks authority, ecotourism activities are carried out through overflights with operators authorized by this entity. Flight frequency and the number of possible overflights are regulated in order to maintain a balance between tourist flow, carrying capacity, and environmental care. Overflights operate on established dates that you can book safely and comfortably with Living Col. How to prepare to visit Chiribiquete National Park? Preparation for this trip goes beyond the logistics mentioned above. Visiting a natural temple also requires mental and emotional preparation so you can take in its dazzling greatness from above. Therefore, to deepen your experience, we offer various resources and reference materials so you can learn in detail about all the wonders contained within Chiribiquete National Park. How to visit Chiribiquete National Natural Park responsibly? Paradoxically, the exceptional conservation of this national park was partly linked to the Colombian armed conflict. Because it was considered a high-risk area due to the presence of armed groups, large industrial projects—often interested in exploiting natural resources unsustainably—stayed away. Today, ecotourism is a path to protect this natural icon: the development of responsible tourism is a way to strengthen the presence of the state and prevent the emergence of economic activities that threaten biodiversity. At the same time, it allows us to share this impressive wonder—already a legacy of humanity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—with the world, and from there to spread the importance of building environmental awareness for the preservation of natural resources in every corner of the planet. At Living Col, we believe in Colombia’s future and in protecting biodiversity for future generations. That’s why, in alliance with regional experts and Colombia’s National Parks office, we promote this sacred site as a place of pilgrimage for lovers of nature and life. We know that whoever visits this place will become a guardian of nature; because, in the end, we only protect what we love, and we only love what we are taught to know. Itinerary of the authorized ecotourism plan to Chiribiquete National Park Departure at 6:00 a.m. from Guaimaral Airport in Bogotá Flight from Bogotá to Guaviare. Arrival at Jorge Enrique González Torres Airport in San José del Guaviare Meet & greet with the tour guide at the airport Welcome and briefing by environmental authorities, where you will receive travel recommendations and detailed information about the National Park Overflight in a small aircraft over Chiribiquete National Natural Park for 3 hours, counted from takeoff at San José del Guaviare airport Points of special interest: Tepuis Rock formations Return to San José del Guaviare airport A la carte lunch Transfer back to the airport Farewell Departure of the flight back to Bogotá Services included in the Chiribiquete National Park overflight ecotourism plan Air tickets on a light aircraft on the route Bogotá – San José del Guaviare – Bogotá Reception and baggage handling at Guaimaral Airport and San José del Guaviare Meals: one (1) a la carte lunch Professional, licensed Spanish-speaking guide Overflight in a CESSNA-type aircraft over Chiribiquete National Natural Park Entrance fee issued by Colombia’s National Parks Office Medical assistance card (travel assistance insurance) Reference materials about Chiribiquete National Park Ongoing assistance from a travel advisor Price per person For the moment, Chiribiquete NNP is not open to the public. Therefore, we cannot provide prices for ecotourism services. If you wish, you can leave your information in the following form to be notified as soon as the national park opens its doors to visitors.