Overview
Reserva Natural La Planada is a privately protected cloud forest reserve located in the municipality of Ricaurte, in the department of Nariño, in southwestern Colombia. Sitting at elevations roughly between 1,800 and 2,800 metres above sea level, the reserve straddles a critical ecological transition zone between the Andes and the Pacific lowlands, producing extraordinary levels of biological richness.
The reserve covers approximately 3,200 hectares and is considered one of the most biodiverse cloud forest areas in the Americas. It harbours hundreds of bird species, dozens of mammal species including spectacled bears and pumas, and an extraordinary density of orchids, bromeliads, and tree ferns. La Planada has long been a reference site for tropical ecology research.
Management of the reserve has historically involved partnerships between conservation NGOs and the local Awá indigenous community, who have deep ancestral ties to the surrounding territory. This relationship gives La Planada a social and cultural dimension that distinguishes it from purely scientific reserves. Visitors should approach the site with awareness of its dual identity as both a scientific station and indigenous homeland.
Because of its remote location and limited visitor infrastructure, La Planada is best suited to serious naturalists, birdwatchers, and researchers rather than casual tourists. That remoteness, however, is precisely what keeps the forest intact and the wildlife encounters genuinely wild.
Before You Go
Permissions and access
Access to La Planada typically requires advance coordination with the reserve administration or the managing organisation. Do not assume walk-in access is available. Contact the reserve directly—or the relevant conservation authority in Nariño—well before your trip to confirm current entry procedures, whether guided visits are operating, and any fees in effect at the time of your visit.
Visas
Colombia has its own entry requirements that vary by nationality. For current and accurate visa information, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult Colombia's official immigration authority, Migración Colombia, at their official government website.
Health and vaccinations
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travel to many rural areas of Colombia; consult your doctor or a travel medicine clinic well in advance.
- Bring personal supplies of any prescription medications; there are no pharmacies near the reserve.
- The remote location means evacuation in a medical emergency is difficult and slow. Travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is strongly advised.
- Pack insect repellent and light rain gear regardless of season.
What to bring
- Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support
- Layered clothing (temperatures can drop sharply at altitude and during rain)
- Binoculars (essential for birdwatching)
- A field guide to Colombian birds and/or flora if you have one
- Cash in Colombian pesos; card payment is not available locally
- A headlamp with spare batteries
- Reusable water bottle and water purification tablets as backup
Getting There
Nearest city and airport
The nearest city with air connections is Pasto, the departmental capital of Nariño, which is served by Antonio Nariño Airport (PSO). Flights connect Pasto to Bogotá (El Dorado, BOG) and occasionally other Colombian cities. Check current routes and schedules with Colombian carriers, as service to PSO is limited and subject to change.
Pasto to Ricaurte
From Pasto, reaching the Ricaurte area—the municipality where La Planada is located—involves several hours of road travel, predominantly along mountainous routes. Shared minibuses (colectivos) serve routes through Nariño's southwestern municipalities, though schedules, routes, and journey times should be verified locally at Pasto's bus terminal. The road conditions vary and can be affected by weather or landslides; confirm current road status before departing.
Final approach to the reserve
The last stretch to La Planada itself may require a combination of further vehicle travel and on-foot access depending on conditions. The reserve administration can advise on the most practical current route at the time of your visit. Having a local guide or contact who knows the area is a significant practical advantage.
Getting Around
Within the reserve, movement is on foot along marked trails. The terrain is steep and often muddy, so sturdy footwear is non-negotiable. Trails vary in difficulty; the reserve administration or resident guides can advise which are accessible given current conditions and your fitness level.
Outside the reserve, the surrounding rural area has very limited public transport. If you need to make day trips to nearby towns, coordinating private transport or rides in advance is advisable. Do not expect to hail taxis or find ride-share apps operating in this area.
Where to Stay
Accommodation at La Planada is limited to what the reserve's biological station can offer, which has historically included basic dormitory-style bunks and simple meals for researchers and permitted visitors. Capacity is very small. You must confirm current accommodation availability and any associated costs directly with the reserve administration before planning your trip, as facilities and operations can change.
For those who prefer more comfort, Pasto offers a range of hotels at various price points and serves as a practical base for organising the trip. Staying in Pasto the night before departure is a sensible logistical choice given the early start typically needed to reach the reserve.
Things to See & Do
Birdwatching
La Planada's bird list runs to several hundred species. The reserve is particularly noted for tanagers, hummingbirds, antpittas, and several range-restricted species tied to the Nariño cloud forest. Dawn and dusk are peak activity periods. If you are targeting specific species, research current sightings through platforms such as eBird before your visit, and consider hiring an experienced local guide.
Wildlife observation
Beyond birds, the reserve supports spectacled bears, pumas, ocelots, tapirs, and a rich array of amphibians. Sightings of large mammals are not guaranteed and require patience, quiet movement, and ideally multiple days in the forest. Amphibian diversity is especially high and rewarding for those with an interest in herpetology.
Botanical exploration
The cloud forest at La Planada contains exceptional orchid and bromeliad diversity. Moss-draped trees, giant tree ferns, and a layered canopy make even slow walks along the trails botanically absorbing. Bring a macro lens if you photograph plants.
Research and education
La Planada has hosted field researchers for decades. If you are affiliated with an academic or scientific institution, contact the reserve administration in advance about the possibility of research access or longer-term stays at the biological station.
Cultural awareness
The presence of the Awá community is an integral part of La Planada's identity. If cultural interaction is offered through official reserve programming, approach it respectfully and follow all guidance from community representatives. Do not enter indigenous territory or approach community settlements uninvited.
Food & Drink
Within the reserve, meals—when available—are basic and prepared at the station. There is no restaurant or café on site. If you are staying at the reserve, clarify in advance whether meals are provided or whether you need to bring your own supplies.
In the surrounding rural area, small village tiendas (general stores) may stock basic provisions, but selection is limited and reliability is not guaranteed. Pack enough food and snacks for your planned stay, plus a day's buffer in case of delays.
The nearest place with a reasonable variety of restaurants and markets is Pasto. Nariño cuisine is worth exploring there: dishes such as cuy (roasted guinea pig), papas chorreadas (potatoes with cheese sauce), and local soups reflect the highland Andean tradition of the region.
Practical Information
Connectivity
Mobile phone signal is unreliable to nonexistent in and around La Planada. Download offline maps and any reference materials you need before leaving Pasto. Inform someone outside the reserve of your itinerary.
Money
Bring sufficient cash in Colombian pesos before leaving Pasto. There are no ATMs or card payment facilities near the reserve.
Emergency contacts
In Colombia, the general emergency number is 123. However, given the remoteness of the reserve, response times for emergencies would be very long. The reserve administration should be your first point of contact for any on-site emergency. Always verify locally which contacts and protocols are current.
Altitude
Elevations within the reserve can cause mild altitude-related symptoms in people arriving from lower altitudes. Allow a day or two to acclimatise in Pasto (approximately 2,500 m) before heading into the forest if you are coming from sea level.
Leave no trace
The reserve's ecological value depends on minimal human impact. Pack out all rubbish, stay on marked trails, do not collect plants or animals, and avoid using flash photography near wildlife.
Safety
La Planada is a rural, remote area in Nariño, a department that has historically experienced security challenges related to armed conflict and illicit crop cultivation in some zones. Before visiting, check current travel advisories issued by your home government for Colombia and specifically for Nariño department, as conditions can change.
That said, the reserve itself has operated as a research and conservation site for many years, and visitors who make arrangements through official channels and travel with local guidance generally report safe experiences. Coordination with the reserve administration and, if relevant, local guides who know the current situation on the ground is the single most important safety precaution you can take.
Trail accidents (slips on muddy terrain, twisted ankles) are a more statistically common risk than security incidents for most visitors. Do not hike alone, always tell the station staff your planned route and expected return time, and carry a basic first aid kit.
Local Culture & Etiquette
The Awá people are one of Colombia's indigenous groups with territory across Nariño and into Ecuador. Their presence in and around La Planada is not incidental—the forest has been part of their ancestral landscape for generations. Conservation of La Planada is most sustainable when it respects and integrates Awá knowledge and rights.
Visitors should treat any cultural engagement opportunities with genuine respect. Photography of community members should only be done with explicit, informed consent. Do not purchase artefacts or crafts in ways that may involve restricted or sacred items. Learning even a few words of respectful greeting in Spanish before arriving demonstrates good faith in any rural Colombian context.
