Chicamocha Canyon and the adjoining National Park or Panachi, has become a popular destination with tourists who are spending their time in Bucaramanga. Tourist also drive down from Bogota to view this place. The region is situated on the Bogota-Bucaramanga-Santa Martha highway which will take you roughly about an hour and a half’s drive from Bucaramanga. The Chicamocha Canyon offers you a spectacular view of the arid landscape from above and the flowing river. The Canyon cover approximately 108,000 hectares. It is estimated to have been formed about 4.6 billion years ago and one of the earliest natural structure that is still intact. The ecologic and historic importance of the canyon is much and transcends its natural beauty.
The first thing that strikes you about Chicamocha Canyon is its majesty and immensity. Supposedly it is the the result of a geological accident when the earth as still young. The region is exceptionally dry with scanty vegetation. Temperature ranges from 11°C to 32°C. The canyon is deeper than the Colorado Canyon at some places the depth is 2 kilometers. The Chicamocha River runs along the Canyon and later joins the Fonce and Suárez Rivers. The National Park lies in the same area and was opened in 2007.
In 2009 a 6.3 kilometer long cable car service was opened for tourists to enjoy the full view of the Chicamocha Canyon. It has about 38 cabins and 3 stations. The cable car commences from an altitude of 1490 meters and gradually dips to the depth of the canyon and again climbs up the steep mesa de los santos. There is a small theme park at the cable car station which includes art and craft stalls. Also a small but informative archelogical museum tells you all about the Guane Indians who are the native of the place. It also has an ice skating rink, an ostrich park, and a goat park where you can feed them.
Adventure in Chicamocha Canyon
Zipling:
There are three lines in the park the first one starting from the back of the park and is 450 meters long and gives you a full view of the Canyon while you are zipling past it. The second one is shorter and the third one is dedicated for children.
Paragliding:
This is a unique way of seeing the Canyon from top. Excellent choice for sports lover. Flights are available from 9 AM to midday.
Canoeing:
Tour the Chicamocha River and get a full view of the majestic Canyon from the deep. You will come across rapids in this river so be careful.
Buggies:
If speed thrills you this is a must try. The track is one kilometer long.
Trekking and Hiking in the area
The surrounding area of Chicamocha Canyon is an ideal destination for trekkers. Huge isolated tracks of mountain tracks punctuated by little villages let you have no contact with commercialization at all. Your journey commences from the village of Pescader. You climb the Canyon which gradually descends into a jungle. The track of El Picacho is one of the toughest trek in Columbia.