Puracé National Natural Park is in the Andino region of Colombia. The main attraction in the park is the Puracé volcano, which can be summited as a day trip.

View of Purace National Park

Understand

The national park's main feature is the active stratovolcano Puracé, one of Colombia's most active volcanoes. Four of the country's most important rivers originate within the area: Magdalena River, Cauca River, Japurá River and Patía River.

History

Puracé was the first national park in Cauca. It became part of the Colombian national parks system in 1961. During the 1990s, the park was occupied by FARC rebels.

Flora and fauna

Over 200 orchids and nationally threatened species such as the Colombian Pine, Andean Oak, Wax palm tree are found in the park.

It is home to over 160 species of birds, of which hummingbirds, ducks, birds of prey are the most dominating. Several mammals are found in the park: spectacled bear, mountain tapir, cougar, pudú, and the Andean condor that the San Diego Zoo helped to reintroduce in the 1990s. The lower elevation forests are home to four primates: woolly monkey, howler monkey, gray-bellied night monkey, tufted capuchin.

Climate

The highest daytime temperatures are between 14 and 16 °C (57 and 61 °F), and the coldest nighttime temperatures below freezing. The average yearly rainfall is 2,500 millimetres (98 in) and tend to decrease as elevation increases. Frost occurs frequently above 3,000 m (9,800 ft) and almost daily above 4,200 m (13,800 ft).

Get in

Parque Nacional Puracé is two hours by bus from Popayán.

By car, take the road to the town of Puracé, at the foot of the volcano. It is 44 km long and takes about an hour. The road is in good condition. From Puracé you continue to a point called "El Crucero", and then - 1 km further - to the beautiful recreational area of Pilimbalá, in the northern sector of the volcano.

The park can also be reached from the old Colombian police base located at 4000 meters above sea level which can be accessed by vehicle after passing through the Puracé's sulphur mines.

Fees and permits

COP$40,000

Do

Starting from Pilimabalá at a medium pace and with good weather, it can take 3 ½ hr to ascend to the crater. If the ascent is made via the military base the journey is much shorter and may take 1½-2 hr.

Sleep

The park's area serves as an indigenous reservation for the Cocunuco ethnic group, in the Pilimbalá sector, where the same community offers comfortable lodging and typical food. There is also an indigenous Guambiano settlement.

Go next

• Cali
• San Cipriano