Iguaque Hike

Our first activity in Villa de Leyva came in the form of a hike to the second largest lake in Latin America (right after Lake Titicaca) in Parque Iguaque.  It was a thirty-minute drive to where the taxi dropped us off....three kilometers of steep walking from the park's entrance.  Thankfully, a kind couple from Bogota asked if we wanted a lift shortly after we started the climb.  

At 8,850 feet, the beginning of the climb already gave us an excuse for panting.  Luckily, half of the nine-kilometer (total) hike was through dense, Andean forests with moist air.  There were some steep stretches here, but nothing compared to when we exited the forest and hit the mostly bare patches of scree.  This precipitous part was at 11,000 feet with the wind trying to buffet us off the mountain.  The bonus:  gorgeous panoramas of small towns and farmland off in the distance.

The lake...lagoon really....was rather disappointing after the beautiful views surrounding the mountain.  We were now at 12,467 feet, and it was cold.  For the Muiscas, an indigenous group that lived in the area, this sacred lagoon was the start of civilization.  According to legend, the goddess, Bachue, emerged from the lake with her baby boy in her arms.  Once her son was old enough, they procreated, starting humanity on Earth.  Once Bachue grew older, she and her husband/son turned into serpents and returned to the lake.  

About a kilometer from the trailhead is a restaurant.  The barley soup, grilled trout, and mango juice were more than welcomed after the strenous hike.  

The walk down to meet the taxi was relaxing as we passed quiet farmhouses and cows grazing in the fields.

 

That night, we indulged on dessert first and then dinner in the large main plaza, satisfied with our exercise of the day.