Cueva de los Guacharos

The park was declared in 1960, the first in Colombia, to protect caves in the Suaza river valley inhabited by guacharos - oilbirds, Steatornis caripensis, which are among very few birds that navigate by echolocation, roost in caves by day and fly out at dusk to feed on the fruit of palms and laurels, sometimes travelling long distances in the dark. The colony leaves the cave at nightfall in numbers, calling with the clicks they navigate by. The park also protects Andean cloud forest with oaks and a long bird list. Access is not casual: a permit is required, the walk in takes several hours, accommodation is basic park lodging booked ahead, and the region is remote.

Highlights

• Oilbirds leaving the cave at dusk - navigating by echolocation.
• Colombia's first national park - declared 1960.
• Andean cloud forest - oaks and a long bird list.
• A walk of several hours in - after the road ends at Palestina.

When to go

December to March. Two to three days.

Before you go

Permits and accommodation must be arranged with the park before travelling. The walk in is several hours and muddy. Facilities are basic. The birds leave at dusk, so the timing of a visit matters.

Nearby

Palestina is the road end; Pitalito and San Agustin are north.

Key facts