March 22, 2022: Numerous reasons make Colombia a great vacation destination, and a significant one is the Colombian Massif, the high-altitude landscape synonymous with the history, culture, and tradition of the Andean region. Though it is a land that offers a multitude of experiences, the moorlands and paramos of Colombian Massif in the Amazonian Forest and Andean valley are also one of the least explored places in Colombia.

One of the ideal options to explore Colombia’s Andean traditions and indigenous landscape, is the Massif, that covers an area of 4.8 million hectares. This region which is about 4.3 per cent of Colombia’s total land area in the departments Huila, Cauca, Nariño y Putumayo, Further, it is also home to paramos or alpine tundra ecosystems referred to as evolutionary hotspots by scientists. More significantly, this cluster of Andean mountains in south-central Colombia is the source of 72 per cent of the nation’s potable water.

As it offers a great opportunity to understand and appreciate Andean traditions, a few days spend amid the vastly diverse cultural landscape of the Massif, will be a rewarding experience. The world’s largest designed cemetery of the San Agustin Archaeological Park in Huila and monumental statues in the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro will take one for a journey through the ancient Colombian civilization and culture. The megalithic structures and monuments in the San Agustin Archaeological Park, once nominated for the Seven Wonders of Colombia, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Further, the mesmerizing view of Colombia’s highest waterfall, Salto del Mortino, in Salto Bordones and Alto de Los Dolls Archaeological Park’s pre- Columbian stone carvings, also make Huila a must-visit place in Colombian Massifs. The cityscape of this region that echoes the colonial past is known for the delightful Colombian delicacies they offer to travelers.

Also, the vast Western and Central Mountain ranges in the Massiffs where most of the major rivers in the country originate is well-known for their mega diversity and xerophytic vegetation. A UNESCO biosphere heritage site, since 1998, is an ideal place to spend amidst the lush green forest and enjoy hikes in the forest trails. Some of the rivers that originate in this high-altitude region, which ends their course in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean or tributaries of the Amazon River are Magdalena, Cauca, Patia, Caquetá, and Putumayo. Further, this place also offers a versatile experience of discovering Sotará and Puracé located in the Puracé National Natural Park, two prominent volcanoes of the area.

A trip to the Massif is not complete without exploring La Tatacoa Desert also known as the valley of sadness, the nation’s second-largest arid region, a charming gateway destination from the city of Villavieja dubbed as the paleontological capital of Colombia. A night spent in the Tatacoa desert lends a remarkable stargazing experience.

One of the highlights of the tour at Colombia Pavilion in the Expo 2020 is the lesser-known facts about this high-mountain region in Colombia. Glimpses of this wild and untamed splendor in Colombia, which is home to more than 21.2 per cent of birds, 16 per cent of mammals, 6 per cent of amphibians, 12.4 per cent of the Paramos, and 15.5 per cent of the Andean forests of the nation is set to evoke the interests of visitors.
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