Farallones de Cali National Natural Park is a protected natural area in the Pacifica region of western Colombia. It is a popular destination for Hiking and Birdwatching, particularly given its proximity to Cali.
Understand
[edit]The park covers an area of more than 196,400 hectares.
History
[edit]The park was declared as part of the Colombian national parks system in 1968.
Landscape
[edit]
The word farallones means "cliffs", and its an apt description for much of the park, which features craggy Andean peaks, just west of the city of Cali, and the western slopes of the Andes as they drop away and yield to the lowland plains of the Pacific coast. The transitional area between mountain peaks and lowlands is called the paramo, and it features valleys with rushing rivers, and short grassy plateaus amid sheer cliffs.
Rivers flow down both sides of the mountain range with at least 7 rivers flowing into the Caucau River to the east. On the west side, rivers flow into the Pacific Ocean. The Dagua and Anchicayá are the major rivers on the west side of the park. The Anchicaya is especially noted for the large numbers of amphibians and birds that live in its river basin.
There are several mountain peaks within the park. The highest is 4,080 meters. The lowest elevation in the park is 200 meters.
Flora and fauna
[edit]The park is famous for its biodiversity, especially its birds, with more than 300 species nesting and feeding in its jungles and rocky hideaways. Birds that can be found in the park include the multicolored tanager, crested ant-tanager, chestnut wood-quail and Andean cock-of-the-rock.
The park is home to dozens of species of mammals including cats, large and small, like the jaguar and the tigrillo, as well as spectacled bears, and a charismatic little guy called the olinguito which was only identified as a species in 2013. Perhaps most famous are the park's large colonies of monkeys. At least five species of monkey lurk in the jungle tree tops. Some are elusive while some, like the howler monkeys, will loudly make their presence known.
Climate
[edit]Get in
[edit]Foreign visitors will find numerous commercial flights available to Cali's Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO IATA).
The park entrance is a short 30-minute drive from downtown Cali. A taxi will take about 50 minutes and cost about US$15.
Several buses depart from the Cali bus terminal to various park entry points, depending on what you plan to see and do. The most popular general interest entry point is the Recreation Center. From the bus terminal, ask a local for the bus to "Pance de empresa Recreativos".
Fees and permits
[edit]Admission fees depend on your age and nationality.
- Colombian citizens age 6-25: COP$7,500
- Colombian citizen over age 25: COP$16,000
- Foreign traveler: COP$38,000
Note that park visitors are required to attend a briefing on park rules and safety advisories.
Reservations are required for visitors who plan to visit the Anchicayá Canyon or Cerro Pico de Loro. Visit Farallones Ecotourism page.
Get around
[edit]Hike.
See
[edit]
- Virgin's Mantle Waterfall
- Pico de Loro
- Burbujas
- Cortucán
- El Desconocido
- Peñas Blancas
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Lodging
[edit]- 1 Centro Recreacional, vía Pichindé, Via a Cristo Rey KM 11, Cali, ☏ +57 314 830 1807. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Modern mountain lodge with restaurants, swimming pools with lifeguards, deck with outdoor dining tables and umbrellas, playgrounds for the kids. Popular with city residents on the weekend, quieter on weekdays.
Camping
[edit]Camping is allowed in several areas of the park.
Backcountry
[edit]Some of the hiking trails to mountain peaks can take more than a day to hike up and back. Plan for a backcountry camping night to hike these routes. A local guide may be advisable. Local guides can be recommended through the park ranger station.