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| Other sites of interest |
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 Lake San Rafael
Lake San Rafael is on the way from Popayán to La Plata. The entry to the park is only eight kilometers beyond el Crucero. From there, it is only five kilometers to the Bedón River cascade, with the San Juan thermal waters located only two kilometers further along. The San Nicolás guardhouse is reached on the same route and the Guácharos cave lies only two kilometers further.
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Mountain climbers can choose the Parque Nacional de los Nevados (National Park of the Snow-capped Mountains), covering territory in the Departments of Tolima, Risaralda, Quindio and Caldas, from among the Andean heights in Colombia on which to enjoy their favored sport. From the city of Manizales, they can climb to the refuge in the Nevado del Ruiz, which has tourist facilities to help them in their ascent. From there, in company with a specialized guide, they can climb to a vantage point for a panoramic view of the Park. This is the privilege of few –only those who dare to challenge nature. Permits to visit the Park can be obtained from the Special Administrative Unit of the Ministry of the Environment. In Bogotá, call telephone numbers 3415331 – 2433979.
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Access |
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By air from Bogotá to La Nubia Airport in Manizales or by paved road from Bogotá in a nine-hour drive to the mountain refuge. The trek starts there.
A fuller explanation is given under each individual snow-capped mountain.
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Tourist Attractions |
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 The snow-capped Huila
Straddling the Departments of Cauca, Huila and Tolima in the Central Cordillera, the mountain is part of the Huila National Natural Park. Covering 158 000 hectares and rising to heights of between 2 600 and 5 780 masl, the park has a bleak upland moor vegetation; the condor, a bird in danger of extinction, inhabits its heights, together with the royal eagle, the toro Pisco, azulejos and hummingbirds.
It is a six-hour trek to the mountain, always accompanied by a guide.
Two hours away lies the Páez Lake, open for sports fishing using a hook and bait with the authorization of the Parks Unit. The lookout points on Mt. Alpes at 3 220 meters offer a panoramic view.
Visitors can enjoy the thermal springs in the Páez River canyon in the Upper Páez at 2 760 meters.
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 Puracé Volcano
Located between the Departments of Cauca and Huila, 45 km from Popayán, this volcano is part of the Puracé National Natural Park. Consisting of 83 000 hectares with heights ranging from 2 500 to 5 000 masl, the park is the source of the Magdalena, Cauca, Patía and Caquetá Rivers and has 30 lakes with crystalline waters. Its fauna consists of species like the condor, the copete eagle and the duck of the torrents.
To reach the site, take the highway from Popayán to the point known as Crucero and turn off toward the Puracé sulphur mine. The Pilimbalá recreation area with its thermal springs lies ahead.
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