Only an hour and a half from Popayan, the spectacular Puracé National Park allows travellers a real opportunity to get off the beaten track and enjoy one of the most beautiful and remote parts of the region.
Covering a massive 214,000 acres, most of which lies over 3000m above sea level, the park is home to a wide range of plants and animals as well as several indigenous, Guambiano and Paez communities.
The Volcán Puracé from which the park takes its name is a popular climb but for those who don't wish to attempt the 4760 metre peak there are also many waterfalls, lakes, trails and multi-coloured sulphur pools to visit around the base. This is also one of the only places in Colombia where it's possible to see the Andean Condor in the wild.
Park entrance: 15,000 Pesos
Please be aware that the Purace National Park is a truly 'Off the beaten track' destination and has very limited tourism infastructure. Getting between sites can often mean hitch-hiking or long waits for public transport.
Volcán Puracé
The 4,760m crater peak can be reached within about 4 hours (plus 3 hour descent) along a well marked and fairly gradual path from the Park Entrance at Pilimbala.
The climb takes in some spectacular scenery, from rolling hills to an ash covered crater at the top. Weather is very changable so remember to take plenty of layers and waterproof clothing. Nearing the summit, vents release sulphurous gases and at the peak, you'll reach the 900m wide, 100m deep crater. Dont climb in though as it'll be very hard to get back out!
It's a challanging climb but not technical and well maked so guides are not essential although they can be arranged through the tourist office in Popayan or at the park entrance.
Termales de San Juan
This unique place is about half an hour past the park entrance at Pilimbala, on the road to La Plata. 1.5 km off the main road you'll arrive at the San Juan Thermal Springs. The toxic sulphurous gasses mean that swimming is not advisable but a walkway leads through colourful mosses and algae surrounding the bubbling, multi-coloured pools and along the milky-white, sulphurous streams.
Andean Condors
14 Andean Condors were released into the Purace National Park in 2002. Unfortunately not all of the Condors have survived but the remaining birds can still be spotted regularly around the base of the volcano. They rely on regular feeding and so can often be seen looking for food in the 'Cañon Del Condor'.
Pilimbala
This is the main starting point for any visit to Purace national park. Here there is an information office, canteen (meals from 4,000 Pesos), camping facilities (4,000 Pesos per person) and basic cabins (26,000 Pesos per person) for those who want to spend the night. There are also some nice trails including a orchid walkway and several impressive viewpoints. From here guides can be hired to take you around the main sights of the park.
Other Attractions include the Cascadas de San Nicolas and Bedon, the working sulphur mines and the gruelling 5 day trek reaching the 9 peaks of the Coconuco volcano chain.
The easiest way to reach the park is by bus from Popayan. From the main terminal there are several buses a day to La Plata direct, these pass by the entrance to the park.
After an hour and a half (1/2 hour past Purace town), the bus will reach La Cruce de Pilimbala / La Cruce de La Mina where you should get off and begin following the signs uphill to the park entrance and the start of the volcano climb.
Other than the volcano, most of the park's main sights are on the main bus route although fairly spread out. To visit the condor view point, San Juan Thermals and the two cascadas, continue along the main road from La Cruce either by bus or by hitching a lift in the back of a truck and keep a look out for the signposts marking each sight.
More information and maps can be found in Popayan.
