Mongui & Paramo de Oceta – Off the beaten tracks destinations

Mongui, colonial village classified as a national monument

In the department of Boyaca, a little more than 3 hours from the capital, there is a small, picturesque town named Mongui. This colonial village founded at the beginning of the 17th century is only disturbed by the few cars driving through the cobbled, centuries-old streets. Travellers stopping in Mongui, which is a destination far from the beaten track of Colombian tourism, take the opportunity to visit the famous paramo of Oceta, the main tourist attraction of the village.

Paramo de Oceta, between nature and legends

Plants that require strict climatic conditions are growing all across this astonishing natural environment. Indeed, the paramo is an ecosystem developing in areas located at altitudes higher than 3,000 meters, near the equatorial line. Colombia is therefore one of the few privileged countries hosting this type of landscapes. Iconic plant of the paramo, the Frailejon can be more than 3 meters high. A 6 to 8-hour hike, up to 4,000 meters of altitude is necessary to discover this surprising scenery.

This paramo is also home to legends and tales of the Muisca, the ancestral ethnic group populating the eastern cordillera. First and foremost, the Caja del Rey, a geological formation with a particular history. There is also the Muisca Cemetery, a place of great importance in the traditions and culture of this pre-Columbian civilization.