La Cocha Lake, Santa Lucía Wetlands Tour + Fishing in Guamúez River

The La Cocha lagoon and the Santa Lucía wetlands stand out as premier hiking destinations near Pasto. This adventure combines exploration of these picturesque areas with fishing in the Guámuez River.

Tour of La Cocha Lagoon, Santa Lucía Wetlands, and Guamúes River Fishing

Our journey begins at 7:30 am at the Nariño monument, from where we will proceed towards La Cocha Lake, the first focal point of our exploration. In under an hour, we will reach this stunning lake, recognized as the second largest in Colombia.

Upon arrival, we will embark on a trek along the El Puerto trail, which leads us alongside a charming stream. Subsequently, we will board a boat to navigate through the enchanting Santa Lucia wetlands, a protected region containing the lowest moorlands in the country, perched at an elevation of 2600 meters (8530 feet) above sea level!

As we wander through the paths, we’ll be surrounded by the frailejones valleys, notable plants that can reach heights of up to two meters. Remarkably, these plants grow about a centimeter in height each year. Next, our journey takes us to the village of Santa Isabel, where we’ll enjoy a delicious homemade lunch prepared by a local family.

In the afternoon, we'll embark on another boat ride along the Guámuez River, a prime spot for fishing, one of the region's most cherished pastimes. We will search for the perfect location to cast our lines and enjoy the thrill of fishing!

Following this, we will head back to the shore and stop for refreshments at a hotel with views overlooking La Cocha lake. Our day concludes as we return to Pasto, arriving back at approximately 7:30 pm.