Reservas Naturales de la Cocha

Location:
Colombia

Other Activity Types:
EcoTours, Hiking, Camping, Birding / Bird Watching

By Lorraine Caputo

Since being declared a Ramsar protected area, local indigenous and campesino communities around Laguna de la Cocha have been taking an active role in conservation and the development of eco-tourism. All told, 32 hamlets are now reservas naturales, practicing sustainable agriculture and teaching environmental education. La Sombra de un Árbol and El Arrayán specialize in traditional and herbal medicine. Raíces Andinas preserves genetic resources, including the seeds of more than 30 varieties of potato. El Vicundo has an interpretation trail for birdwatching; La Casa del Buho presents a museo familiar. Most reservas whip up home-cooked meals for their visitors; some have basic lodging.

Getting There
Contact the tourism office in Pasto for detailed information about the different reservas and on how to get to specific ones.

Travel Tips: Some of the reservas can prepare food for groups of up to 30 persons. To learn more about the reservas, visit: www.cepes.org.pe/pdf/OCR/Partidos/mujeres_medio_ambiente/mujeres_medio_ambiente2-2.pdf

Hike the camino ecológico and visit the Capilla de la Virgen de Lourdes on the Santuario de Flora y Fauna Isla La Corota; go trout fishing.