Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy, a pristine high-alpine environment in Colombia, offers challenging yet rewarding trekking experiences. Due to strict environmental regulations and safety concerns, all visits to the high-mountain trails are mandatory guided, prohibiting solo exploration beyond designated areas. Access typically involves reaching the towns of El Cocuy or Güicán, followed by transportation to park entrances, often on unpaved roads, so a 4x4 vehicle or local transport is recommended. While generally accessible year-round, weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, fog) can impact specific trail availability, particularly during Colombia's rainy seasons (April-May, October-November) ON CONFLICT (id) DO NOTHING; permits are also limited daily. A visit involves significant costs, including park entrance fees (varying for nationals vs. foreigners), mandatory guide fees (often per group), transportation, accommodation in nearby towns, and potential equipment rental; budget approximately $200-$500+ USD per person for a multi-day trip depending on group size and duration. A typical visit spans 3 to 5 days, allowing for proper acclimatization to the high altitude (up to 5,000 meters) and completion of one or two major treks. Visitors must be in good physical condition, practice leave-no-trace principles, and adhere to strict rules against camping inside the park, lighting fires, or touching glaciers, with accommodation available in nearby rural homes or *fincas* just outside the park boundaries.