Colombia

How to Visit the Siecha Lagoons, Colombia: Tips, Hiking & Tours

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The Siecha Lagoons are one of the main attractions of Chingaza National Natural Park and, at the same time, one of the best-kept secrets near Bogotá. In this guide, we’ll tell you how to get there, how long the hike takes, and recommend the tour we’ve personally tried.

Let’s get started!

Where are the Siecha Lagoons and how to get there?

Lagunas de Siecha
Fotografía: Travelgrafía

The Siecha Lagoons are located within the Chingaza National Natural Park, in the rural area of ​​the municipality of Guasca, Cundinamarca, about 60 kilometers from Bogotá. It is one of the most impressive destinations in Colombia, where you can explore the páramo ecosystem with all the respect it deserves.

To visit the lagoons, the first thing you should know is that the park has several entrances, and you must schedule your visit with the National Parks Department at least one week in advance. Additionally, you must be accompanied by a licensed local guide and have medical insurance.

The easiest way to get there is by joining this tour, as there is no public transportation to the park entrances. You’ll need to leave Bogotá for La Calera, continue to Guasca, and take the detour to the Siecha sector. The trip takes about two hours and requires a 4×4 vehicle.

Book your excursion from Bogotá now!

Venado de cola blanca
Venado de cola blanca. Fotografía: Travelgrafía

To book the Chingaza day tour with transportation from Bogotá, simply click this link to check available dates, what’s included, the itinerary, and pricing. After selecting your preferred date, you’ll need to register and can secure your spot by paying a 30% deposit of the total cost.

The tour to the Lagunas de Siecha starts at 6:30 a.m. and finishes around 6:00 p.m. It includes round-trip transportation from Bogotá, a snack-style lunch, medical assistance insurance, and guidance from environmental interpreters (spanish). Be sure to book early to secure your spot!

Check Chingaza day tour prices and details from Bogotá!

What to expect from the Siecha Lagoons tour

Difficulty level: Medium
Hike duration: Approximately 5 hours
Altitude: Between 3,200 and 3,900 meters above sea level

How to get to Siecha Lagoons from Bogotá
Hello! I’m Diana Marroquín, photographer at @travelgrafia

You’ll leave Bogotá very early for Chingaza National Natural Park, where you’ll be greeted by a guide and environmental interpreter from the communities surrounding the park. This person will accompany you throughout the journey and help you connect with the surroundings from a cultural and environmental perspective.

Before starting the hike, which we consider one of the best hikes near Bogotá, you’ll have an introductory talk led by National Parks officials, who will tell you about the ecological richness and the importance of conserving the Chingaza páramo ecosystem.

You’ll then begin the hike to the Siecha Lagoons, following a circuit surrounded by frailejones (Espeletia), a plant native to the Andean páramos. With your guide, you’ll learn about medicinal plants, peasant traditions, and legends of the ancient Muisca indigenous civilization, which still live on in the memory of these ancestral lands.

The first part of the trail is an ascent, leading to the natural viewpoint, which, in pre-Columbian times, was a ceremonial site for indigenous peoples. From there, you’ll have a privileged view of the Andes mountain range and the three sacred lagoons: Fausto, América, and Siecha.

Recommended: Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá Day Trip

Valle de Frailejones
Photo: Travelgrafía
Cuchillas de las Lagunas de Siecha
Photo: Travelgrafía
Flora of the Chingaza Moor
Flora of the Chingaza Moor. Photography: Travelgrafía

Tips for finding great and affordable accommodation: The best way to secure the lowest prices is to book early. If you wait until the last minute, the cheapest and highest-rated places will likely be sold out, and you’ll have to settle for what’s left.

Our favorite platform for finding hotel deals is Booking.com. By booking through this link, you can save up to 15% on your next stay. The best part is that, in many cases, you can pay directly at the property, and cancel for free if your plans change.

Plus, if you book frequently, you’ll reach Genius Level 3, Booking’s highest loyalty tier, which gives you exclusive discounts, free breakfasts, and room upgrades — helping you save even more.

Book your accommodation here and save up to 15%

Tips for visiting the Siecha Lagoons in Chingaza

Mauricio en lagunas de Siecha
Hi! I’m Mauricio Amaya, blogger at @travelgrafia

Now that you know how to get to the Siecha Lagoons, keep in mind that this is a medium-level hike, suitable for people in good physical condition and with limited mobility. Make sure you bring enough water, appropriate clothing for the cold and changeable weather of the páramo, and hiking boots.

Always remember to respect the flora and fauna, remove all trash you generate, and follow the park rules: swimming in the lagoons, leaving the trail, making fires, and bringing pets are prohibited. This is a sacred and fragile place, ideal for connecting with Mother Earth in silence and respect.

Also, keep in mind that to visit the Siecha Lagoons, reservations must be made in advance. Each trail has limited daily capacity to protect the ecosystem, so without a reservation, you may be denied access to the park. You can see our recommended tour from Bogotá here.

If you decide to take this trip, you will discover one of the most magical places in the Cundiboyacense plateau. And if you’re passionate about nature and culture destinations, on the Travelgrafía blog we have many other guides that may interest you. Here are some recommendations:

10 Plans near Bogotá: Towns and Nature

El Cocuy National Natural Park

10 Most Beautiful Towns in Boyacá

Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

Lagunas de Siecha Guasca
Photo: Travelgrafía

How to find cheap last-minute flights Although it’s always best to book in advance, we know that’s not always possible. In those cases, Skyscanner is a great tool for finding the best fares and deals worldwide.

This platform compares prices from hundreds of airlines and agencies to show you the most affordable options. Simply click here, enter your departure city, destination, and travel dates, and filter by price, time, or stopovers to find the perfect flight.

Is it safe to book flights on Skyscanner? Yes, it is. Just keep in mind that Skyscanner doesn’t sell tickets directly — it redirects you to the airline or travel agency’s official site. For extra peace of mind, we recommend booking through the link that takes you straight to the airline’s website.

Find cheap flights now

Other experiences that may interest you:

4 Days in the Colombian Andes: Nevado El Cocuy Trek from Bogotá

Tour to Nevado del Cocuy from Bogotá

This guided tour starts in Bogotá, from where you will travel overnight to El Cocuy, and upon arrival you will take an acclimatization walk. The next day, you will visit one of the three authorized trails in the National Park. On the last day, you will begin the return trip.

The trip includes round-trip transportation from Bogotá, accommodation in a private room, meals, entry fees and permits for the national park, experienced guides, and travel insurance. Please note that the guides only speak Spanish.

Scheduled dates: October 30 to November 2, November 6 to 9, November 13 to 16, November 20 to 23, December 5 to 8 (Holiday), December 11 to 14, December 18 to 21, December 25 to 28, and January 2 to 4.

Price per person from: $753,000 COP

🔥 (Take advantage of the 2025 rate to book your trip in 2026)

Get more information!

Recommended Tour: The World’s Largest Páramo from Bogotá - 1 Day

Tour to Sumapaz from Bogotá

On this tour, you’ll hike 14 kilometers along a medium-difficulty trail, designed in collaboration with local communities, around the Sumapaz Páramo. You’ll ascend from 3,372 to 3,775 meters above sea level to discover Laguna de Ubchiqua, a sacred site for the Muisca people.

The route crosses private land outside the National Park, respecting its conservation. During a 5- to 6-hour hike in cold weather, you’ll explore the world’s largest páramo while following the directions of local guides.

See prices and date availability!

We hope you enjoyed this travel guide! If you found our information helpful, consider supporting our work by booking accommodations, tours, and services we recommend, or directly through the following affiliate links:

Booking.com: Top hotels at great prices

Skyscanner.com: Find flights on sale

Guruwalk.com: Free walking tours around the world

Civitatis.com: Guided tours and excursions

Bookaway.com: Bus, ferry, and train tickets

Holafly.com: International eSIM

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Travelgrafía

At Travelgrafía, we connect travelers passionate about nature and culture with travel guides that inspire them to discover unexplored Colombia and explore Latin America.

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