La Planada Nature Reserve: All you Need to Know Before Visiting
La Planada Nature Reserve was created by the Foundation for Higher Education (FES) in 1982, with support from the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF). The objective of its creation was to avoid genetic loss and to preserve the life of hundreds of plants and animals, which are unique inhabitants of the last remnants of the tropical cloud forest in the western andean mountain range, in the so-called biogeographic Chocó in the Colombian Pacific, which has been so badly affected by intense forest clearing.

After more than 30 years, there is a historic moment for the Awa Indigenous people, with the help of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). Since 9/27/2020 La Planada is connected to the interconnected network (internet).
Having an internet connection benefits the local community, the research and conservation processes in the reserve, and all visitors in La Planada.
Table of Contents
9 Facts about La Planada Nature Reserve
La Planada Natural Reserve is one of the most biologically rich places in Colombia:
- It has 3,200 hectares of cloud forests.
- It has the largest concentration of native birds in South America, with more than 240 species, including rare and endangered species such as the Black-and-chestnut eagle, the Toucan Barbet, the Club-winged Manakin and the Long-tailed Sylph.
- It has been described by the famous botanist Alwyn Gentry as the supreme empire of the Epiphytes plants: a paradise of lichens, bromeliads, mosses and orchids.
- More than 1,800 species of trees and plants are found here.
- It is one of the places with the greatest diversity of orchids in the world with more than 300 varieties.
- It has registered, until now, more than 80 species of mammals, among them the Colombian white-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus), the Mantled howler (Alouatta palliata), ocelots, deers, coatis, weasels and the emblematic Spectacled Bear.
- Its cloud forests are also one of the last refuges of the Spectacled bear in Colombia.
- Approximately 50 species of reptiles.
- And more than 30 species of amphibians has been registered at La Planada.
Sustainable Tourism Destination
In 2010 the FES Foundation donated the La Planada Nature Reserve to the Awá Indigenous People. Since then the community has led the recovery of the Reserve as well as projects for the conservation of biological diversity, with the development of three work programs: community organization, sustainable production and conservation.
Also, it has been able to establish good inter-institutional alliances, having technical support from important organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the MacArthur Foundation, the European Union, the Humboldt Institute, RESNATUR among others.
Know more about Sustainable Destination in Colombia in our post Recommended Sustainable Tourism Destinations in Colombia.
Characteristics
The premontane rainforests of the La Planada Nature Reserve are distributed in two plains, five hills and two pronounced canals. It is located between 1,300 and 2,100 meters above sea level (3937 – 6889.7 ft). It has an average annual rainfall of 4.700 mm, with a dry period between June and August. The average temperature is 20ºC.
Location
La Planada Natural Reserve is placed 27 km from the municipality of Ricaurte, department of Nariño, in the southwest of the country.
Important Bird Area and Protected Forest Reserve
It has been declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2008, under criteria A1 and A2. This means that the La planada holds significant numbers of one or more globally threatened species, and to hold a significant population of at least two range-restricted species.
Within the IBA there are about 1667 hectares declared as a Protected Forest Reserve, within the system of protected areas of Colombia. In Colombia, a reserve of this type corresponds to geographical areas where forest ecosystems maintain their function, even though their primary structure has been changed. They can be public or private and are intended for the establishment, maintenance and sustainable use of forests or vegetation cover.
In La Planada you can find almost 360 species of birds. Within this large group, 29 species are of special interest because of their restricted distribution. Some of them are under threat category in the IUCN red list.
Species | IUCN Red List Category | Season | Distribution |
Dark-backed Wood-quail (Odontophorus melanonotus) | VU | resident | Restricted |
Gorgeted Sunangel (Heliangelus strophianus) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Hoary Puffleg (Haplophaedia lugens) | NT | resident | Restricted |
Brown Inca (Coeligena wilsoni) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Empress Brilliant (Heliodoxa imperatrix) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Cloudforest Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium nubicola) | VU | resident | na |
Colombian Screech-owl (Megascops colombianus) | NT | resident | Restricted |
Semi-collared Hawk (Accipiter collaris) | NT | resident | na |
Plate-billed Mountain-toucan (Andigena laminirostris) | NT | resident | Restricted |
Toucan Barbet (Semnornis ramphastinus) | NT | resident | Restricted |
Yellow-breasted Antpitta (Grallaria flavotincta) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Narino Tapaculo (Scytalopus vicinior) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Uniform Treehunter (Thripadectes ignobilis) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Fulvous-dotted Treerunner (Margarornis stellatus) | NT | resident | Restricted |
Club-winged Manakin (Machaeropterus deliciosus) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Orange-breasted Fruiteater (Pipreola jucunda) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Beautiful Jay (Cyanolyca pulchra) | NT | resident | Restricted |
Black Solitaire (Entomodestes coracinus) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Yellow-collared Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia flavirostris) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Tanager Finch (Oreothraupis arremonops) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Dusky Bush-tanager (Chlorospingus semifuscus) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Scarlet-and-white Tanager (Chrysothlypis salmoni) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Indigo Flowerpiercer (Diglossa indigotica) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Purplish-mantled Tanager (Iridosornis porphyrocephalus) | NT | resident | Restricted |
Black-chinned Mountain-tanager (Anisognathus notabilis) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Glistening-green Tanager (Chlorochrysa phoenicotis) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Moss-backed Tanager (Bangsia edwardsi) | LC | resident | Restricted |
Scientific Research at La Planada Nature Reserve
During its more than 20 years of history, the Reserve has developed several investigations on the natural history of tanagers and birds of prey and some threatened species such as the Toucan Barbet and the Plate-billed Mountain-toucan. Studies on the Spectacled Bear and studies of vegetation and floristics have also been carried out with the support of the Alexander von Humboldt Institute. Today, long-term scientific research is being carried out in the reserve to study the dynamics of the Andean forest.
What to do at La Planada Nature Reserve
The birds, as well as the natural and scenic wealth are the main attractions of La Planada. Tourism, as well as the reserve, is in charge of the Awá community. Enjoy one of the most beautiful natural reserves in Nariño by hiking, walking to an impressive waterfall, and resting in the middle of the forest in simple but cozy cabins. The reserve offers accommodation, food and guidance. There are also suitable areas for camping within the reserve.
Fishing and Indigenous Culture
You can make day and night tours through the reserve, and through the ancestral territory of the Awa people. You can also do recreational activities and river fishing, share with the communities the different aspects of the marimba culture and learn about their typical foods.
Orchids and Plants tour
There is a 2 km trail called El Tejón where you can find ecological stations with different attractions such as tuber crops, bromeliads, plants from which the Spectacled Bear feeds. One of the most attractive is the orchidarium with about 3,000 species of orchids.
Birding at La Planada Nature Reserve
Birding in La Planada can be difficult if you do it inside the forest, there are steep slopes and very tall trees. On the other hand, if it is cloudy it is even more difficult to watch the birds. So be prepared for an acoustic rather than a visual birding tour.
However, there are some trails within the reserve, and one of them, the one that takes you to the accommodations, is the territory of the Club-winged Manakin. So this bird is sure to be heard and even seen and photographed. There is also a viewpoint, the only place where you will have a mobile signal, in fact… and where you can observe the Plate-billed Mountain-toucan, and hear some wrens, along with a spectacular view of the reserve.
The other option is to watch birds along the road that leads from the village to the reserve. It is a winding road that ascends to the reserve with very good observation balconies and a drop in the terrain that allows you to see the birds of the canopy on one side and the birds of the understory on the other side.
Although the community has its own guides, we recommend you to be accompanied by a specialized birdwatching guide . If you want to know more, do not hesitate to contact us.
Recommendations
To have the best experience in Nariño, we recommend you to prepare your trip to La Planada Natural Reserve. Take with you:
- Medical Insurance
- Repellent – anti-mosquitoes
- Camera and accessories
- First aid kit
- Binoculars
- Mountain boots
- Sunblock
- Raincoat
- To do camping it is recommended that you bring adequate equipment to have a pleasant time in the natural conditions of climate and vegetation of the reserve.
References
- BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: La Planada Natural Reserve. http://www.birdlife.org 2020.
- Tourist information system of the department of Nariño, SITUR Nariño Website.
- Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute (IGAC) Website.
- World Wildlife Foundation Website.
- La Planada Nature Reserve Blog.
- Alexander von Humboldt Research Institute Repository
About the author
Sara Colmenares
Current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism – environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.