Paramo Del Duende – Colombia’s Mysterious Highland

Colombia’s Páramo Del Duende is a mysterious highlands area that remained unknown to the outside world until the late 20^th century. Blending aspects of the Andes mountains and the Pacific coastal rainforest, the extraordinary ecosystem in the Cordillera Occidental is home to rare plants and animals that can survive in the harsh, high-altitude environment.

Although located just 50 miles as the condor flies north of Cali, the area remained undiscovered until modern times because of its extreme isolation and inaccessible terrain. Local farmers told tales about a strange highland region and there were rumors or gold-laden planes that had crashed in the region but were never found. But it wasn’t discovered — and the curious ecosystem confirmed until aerial surveys and a ground expedition in 1985.

“Páramo” is the term for an alpine tundra ecosystem that thrives above the tree line but below the permanent snowline in South and Central America. “Duende” is the name of a mythical elf or goblin-like creature that protects the páramos from human interference and keeping them away by stealing their food or screaming at night.

Declared a regional natural park in 2005, Páramo Del Duende shelters several distinctive plants including frailejones with their spongy trunks and succulent-like leaves. Although a full study of the fauna has yet to be done, the area could harbor jaguars, spectacled bears, monkeys, salamanders, and a wide variety of bird life.

Because Páramo Del Duende is a strict protected area, tourism activities are not allowed at the present time. However, Colombian Journeys can help arrange visits to some of the nation’s other páramos and highland areas.

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