Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi National Park

Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi Overview

Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi National Park, located in southern Colombia, spans approximately 579 square miles (1,500 square kilometers). It extends across the departments of Caquetá, Cauca, Putumayo, and Huila, serving as a vital ecological corridor between the Amazon and the Andes.

The park protects a section of the Serranía de los Churumbelos mountain range, a relatively isolated chain of hills and mountains that rise dramatically from the lowland Amazon rainforest.

With elevations ranging from 300 meters to over 3,000 meters, the park’s varied terrain creates diverse ecosystems, including lowland tropical rainforests, cloud forests, and high-elevation páramos. Waterways such as the Caquetá River and its tributaries carve through the dense vegetation, creating mist-covered waterfalls and hidden gorges that add to the park’s remote and pristine character.

The park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to an astonishing array of flora and fauna due to its position at the convergence of the Amazon, Andean, and Orinoco biogeographic regions. Mammals such as jaguars, pumas, spectacled bears, and tapirs roam through the forests, while smaller species like the olingo and various species of monkeys, including woolly monkeys and tamarins, thrive in the dense canopy.

The birdlife is particularly remarkable, with over 500 species recorded, including the Andean cock-of-the-rock, white-plumed antbird, and the rare yellow-eared parrot. The park’s forests are also inhabited by numerous amphibians and reptiles, many of which are endemic to the region. Its plant life is equally diverse, with towering ceiba trees, endemic orchids, and giant tree ferns contributing to the lush and impenetrable greenery.

Among the park’s most remarkable features are its untouched primary forests and the scenic ridges of the Serranía de los Churumbelos, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding jungle and mountains.

Hidden waterfalls and caves scattered throughout the park provide a sense of exploration for the few adventurers who reach its remote interior. The cultural heritage of the area is also significant, with indigenous groups such as the Inga and Kamentsá people having historical ties to the land. Their traditions and knowledge continue to influence the understanding and conservation of the park’s ecosystems.

Due to its remote location and lack of established infrastructure, the park is not a common destination for casual tourists, making it ideal for researchers, conservationists, and experienced ecotourists. Visitors who do venture into the park often do so on guided expeditions focused on birdwatching, wildlife observation, and scientific research.

The rugged landscape and dense forests make for challenging yet rewarding trekking experiences, and those who reach the higher elevations are rewarded with spectacular panoramic views. The park’s rivers and streams also offer opportunities for exploration by boat, particularly in areas where the forest transitions into wetlands.

Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi National Park faces conservation challenges related to deforestation, illegal mining, and agricultural expansion, which threaten the integrity of its ecosystems.

However, efforts by Colombia’s national park service and conservation organizations have helped secure legal protections for the region and promote sustainable land management. The park’s vast, largely untouched wilderness provides a critical refuge for species affected by habitat loss elsewhere in the country.

As awareness of its ecological importance grows, ongoing conservation projects aim to strengthen protection measures and foster collaboration with local communities to ensure the long-term preservation of this extraordinary natural sanctuary.

Park Map

Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi National Park, located in southern Colombia, is a biodiversity hotspot that forms part of the transition zone between the Amazon, Andes, and Chocó ecosystems. Covering approximately 97,180 hectares, the park features cloud forests, tropical rainforests, and highland Andean ecosystems, making it one of Colombia’s most ecologically significant protected areas. Due to its remoteness, it serves as a refuge for many rare and endemic species.

Popular Wildlife in Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi National Park

Jaguar
As the apex predator of the park, the jaguar stalks through the dense jungle, preying on deer, capybaras, and caimans. Its presence is a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Spectacled Bear
South America’s only bear species, the spectacled bear inhabits the park’s cloud forests and plays a crucial role in seed dispersal and maintaining forest health.

Puma
A stealthy and adaptable predator, the puma hunts a variety of prey, including rodents, deer, and small mammals, maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

Andean Tapir
Also known as the mountain tapir, this endangered species inhabits the park’s high-altitude cloud forests, feeding on a variety of plants and helping with seed dispersal.

Lowland Tapir
A vital herbivore in the park’s lower rainforest regions, the lowland tapir feeds on fruits and leaves, contributing to forest regeneration.

Giant Otter
Highly social and endangered, the giant otter is a top predator in the park’s rivers, hunting fish and crustaceans in family groups.

Black Caiman
A dominant predator in the park’s wetlands, the black caiman preys on fish, birds, and mammals, helping regulate aquatic populations.

Green Anaconda
One of the largest snakes in the world, the green anaconda thrives in the park’s swamps and slow-moving rivers, preying on fish, birds, and large mammals.

Poison Dart Frog
These small, vibrantly colored frogs secrete powerful toxins as a defense mechanism. They are commonly found in the humid rainforest undergrowth.

Northern Pudu
One of the world’s smallest deer species, the northern pudu is a shy, forest-dwelling herbivore that feeds on leaves, fruits, and fungi in the montane forests.

Birds

The park is one of Colombia’s most important birdwatching destinations, with over 500 recorded bird species, including many endemic and migratory species.

Harpy Eagle
One of the largest and most powerful birds of prey, the harpy eagle hunts monkeys, sloths, and large birds in the dense rainforest canopy.

Scarlet Macaw
This brightly colored parrot is often seen flying in pairs or small flocks, playing a key role in seed dispersal throughout the rainforest.

Golden-winged Manakin
A small yet striking bird, the golden-winged manakin performs elaborate courtship displays to attract mates in the understory of the cloud forest.

Black-and-chestnut Eagle
A powerful bird of prey, the black-and-chestnut eagle hunts small mammals and birds in the park’s forests, helping regulate prey populations.

White-capped Tanager
One of the largest tanager species, this striking black bird with a white cap and red throat is often seen foraging in mixed-species flocks.

Masked Trogon
A stunning bird with green and red plumage, the masked trogon thrives in the park’s cloud forests, feeding on insects and small fruits.

Rufous Motmot
A medium-sized bird with a long tail and bright plumage, the rufous motmot is commonly seen in the rainforest understory.

Andean Cock-of-the-rock
This vibrant orange bird is known for its elaborate courtship displays and is commonly found in the park’s cloud forests.

Chestnut-bellied Thrush
A melodic songbird, the chestnut-bellied thrush is a common sight in the cloud forests, feeding on fruit and insects.

Tawny-bellied Screech Owl
A nocturnal predator, the tawny-bellied screech owl hunts insects, rodents, and small birds in the park’s montane forests.

Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi National Park’s diverse landscapes, from cloud forests to Amazonian rainforests, make it one of Colombia’s most important conservation areas. Whether for wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, or researchers, the park offers a rare glimpse into one of the world’s most untouched and biodiverse ecosystems.