Visit Iguaque National Sanctuary

The mist rolling over this empty wilderness of lakes and craggy hills lends an eerie beauty to the striking landscapes of Iguaque National Sanctuary. The highlight of a visit is the ascent to San Pedro de Iguaque lake at 3,000m, revered by the Muisca Indians as the sacred source of all the world's water.

Begin by following a trail through the subtropical cloud forest and out onto the open páramo, a high-altitude ecosystem typical of the lower reaches of the Andes. After passing an array of scenic vistas you'll arrive at the mystical lake, which ancient mythology also held to be the birthplace of Mother Earth.

The sanctuary is just 20km from the charming colonial town of Villa de Leyva, itself just a 3-4 hour drive from Bogotá, so it is pleasingly accessible.