Iguaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary Park

Address: Iguaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque), Boyacá Department, near Villa de Leyva, Colombia

Hours: Park open daily; ranger station hours may vary

Admission: Entrance fee (typical regional fee, variable)

Iguaque Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is a protected area in Colombia’s Boyacá Department centered on a high Andean lake and surrounding páramo and cloud forest. It conserves native flora and fauna typical of the high Andes and contains sites important to indigenous Muisca cultural heritage.

Hikers and naturalists typically come for the trails that lead to Laguna de Iguaque and nearby moorland scenery, along with opportunities to see high-elevation plant communities and birdlife. The lake itself is a focal point on short to moderate mountain hikes and is culturally significant in Muisca origin mythology.

The area was designated as a fauna and flora sanctuary to protect Andean ecosystems and the water sources that feed lower valleys. Conservation management aims to maintain native vegetation, protect wildlife, and regulate visitor access to sensitive high-elevation habitats.

The sanctuary sits in the eastern Andes of Boyacá, in the uplands near the historic town of Villa de Leyva. Terrain is mountainous with high-elevation wetlands and cloud forest transitioning to páramo at higher altitudes.

Most visitors base themselves in Villa de Leyva and travel by road to the sanctuary’s trailhead, from which a steep hike leads to the lagoon. Local tour operators in Villa de Leyva run guided trips.

• Start early from Villa de Leyva and allow a full day for the hike to Laguna de Iguaque and back - trails are steep and can be muddy.
• Respect the lake's cultural importance: Laguna de Iguaque is sacred in Muisca tradition; avoid leaving litter or disturbing sensitive areas.
• Hire local guides in Villa de Leyva for interpretation - they can explain Muisca legends and point out subtle ecological features.