Intriguingly Different and a new joy.
Here you could spark some hot ideas for interesting tours. Here hot could really be very good. Much of what I suggest here is at high altitudes. Some nights might get cold.
Some days may call for a sweater or jacket. You will closer to the equator than many will be accustomed to, and you will find the temperature moderated by that fact.
Remember that Colombians speak Spanish. It may be a very good idea to consider a guided tour with a guide who speaks your language. Even if this seems like a good opportunity to test the quality of your Spanish, consider testing it, at first, with a guide around. A knowledgeable guide who knows your language is a valuable asset who can multiply the pleasures of your outing. He, or she, may help you to see wonders that you might not even notice. He may help you to be more rewardingly engaged with the culture and country around you. There are many tours and guides available in Bogota. Arrangements for your tour will take time. You can enjoy that time by taking a couple of group day, or half day, tours try to avoid being angry or sad if your guide speaks only Japanese or Spanish.
As you probably know Bogota is the Capital of Colombia and has a greater population than any other city in the Republic. Cundinamarca is the state in which Bogota is located. Colombians call Cundinamarca a "departamento." I am pretty sure that Cundinamarca is a Spanish interpretation of the Chibcha for something like "nest of the Condor." You do not have to learn Chibcha, but you could be interested to know that I have been told the Chibcha expression might be rendered as "Kuntur marga.' Chibcha is the language of the Muisca people. The Muisca are a principle pre-columbian people of what is now the Republic of Colombia.
Cundinamarca interesting countryside, food, traditions, architecture, and cultural attractions. I like the hot water spas. There are geological attractions too. Sometimes it so seems that one is traveling through gently rolling wooded hills that one is reminded of places closer to home. It is good to remember that you could be at an altitude of of over 7,000 feet. The Andes can be deceptive.
You might choose to begin getting acquainted with the "departamento" by joining a tour group or two. Then again you may choose to rent a vehicle and find a guide who speaks your language. You can do that in Bogota. You might surprise your guide by saying that you would like to get to know the towns of Fomeque, Guasca, Junin, Gama, Gachala, Uhala, and Medina. If several of the town names do not seem Spanish to you, it is because they are hispanizations of Muisca names. For example, I am pretty sure that Guasca is the Chibcha language name for a bear-like animal written in Spanish. Your guide might carry some Muisca DNA. He may also speak more English than he does Chibcha and his(or her)cultural heritage will be Colombian Spanish.
The route above is rich in water resources as is most of Colombia. There is some development of these resources I have heard that 1/4 of hydroelectric energy of the country is now produced in this area. Natural beauty abounds. Trout also abounds. Trout is an invasive species here, but has come to be appreciated. Most any restaurant at which you stop is likely to have trout on the menu. Too often the cuisine's best feature may be its freshness. Your guide may be helpful here. The rich natural resources around you, their beauty, the location of the restaurant, its somewhat exotic nature and your health hunger may make a tasty sauce for your trout.
An attraction of the area is a nature park called the Natural Chingaza. The origin of the name is a mystery to me. Speaking of mysteries, this 150,000 acre park with peaks of over 10,000 fee above sea level is likely to still hold secretes which perhaps only a few Musica and Guayupes know. Many of the towns I have mentioned here are within this Park. There are pure water streams and lakes here. With legs better than mine there are many natural beauties to be seen within short, long, or medium walking distance. Horse or mule may be available. For your first time here your excellent guide is very valuable.
One could easily spend a year exploring the area. Two could do the exploring together and probably double their enjoyment. Do try to explore, and relax, for a week or ten days to get a real taste of its curiosities and beauties. You may delight in hikes or treks, but you do not have too. There is very much which can be enjoyed from roadside stops. A good guide can come up with appropriately interesting side excursions.
Great days can be enjoyed while just bathing in one of a variety of developed hot water spas and sampling interesting local cuisine. There are some local dishes which are real treats. Still, treat your digestive system with loving care and respect.
You might treat binoculars with respect and use them to do some birding. When it is to your liking you can sometimes do some bird-watching from your cabin, Chalet, or hotel. You will probably discover more variety here than you do on your home ground. If you are serious about this activity, take time to find a specialized tours for this activity. It is best to seek such specialize tours while in Bogota.
Or, depending on your tastes, you could find it fairly easy to try out some of the alcoholic beverages here. Their will be varieties new to you, but there are good local beers available which. Their are imported drinks available, but burban is rare. Do remember that just a little excess can spoil a day or two or worse. However, what can as much as a glass a day spoil.
Or, if your great joy is breathing, you may find, on this trip, some of the purest air you have experienced. The air in Bogota is pretty good for a big city, but take time to be aware of the air quality away from the big city and out of your vehicle. You may find it best not to run to run during your first week or so at these altitudes and a game of basketball is not recommended, practice relaxed activity.
Remember that it is relative easy here to change altitudes, weather, and even climate. You can move up or down, uphill or downhill fairly easily. It may be good to remember that what looks like a hill here may be a mountain peak. Still if you are feeling chilly just go down a ways. when you are feeling a bit too warm go up a bit. It is a treat and there are vary pleasant and nearly just right temperatures to find and enjoy. That which you find congenial to you is available.
Much of this land sometimes can seem more vertical than horizontal. In this area the lowest altitudes you experience may be over 3,000 feet above sea level and you might reach a place near a small hill the top of which is over 9,000 feet above the sea. Do not let me disturb you. You may not even find yourself feeling the altitude. But this may not be a good running country for a low-lander. You are experiencing the Andes, one of our Earth's great ranges!
Don't tell anyone, but you may come close to El Dorado where the Gilded One bathed. Before you begin your trip you could benefit by reading a bit about the country, and so feel a bit more of the reality and the romance. Often a good place to find valuable local information is at a good hostel. You may find one where the youth are a bit too exuberant for your taste, but still find good information there. You may also be directed to a calmer, quieter, more beautiful place to sleep and awake.
Have I said to do bring a windbreaker and a sweater or the like. Even a hat or stocking cap may be useful. You can buy something in Bogota. Shopping a bit, if that is
"your thing," you may find very good buys. But you may find good and useful purchases elsewhere too.
You can visit this area from more than one direction, but is best done one at a time. I do recommend Bogota as your first starting place. Then on to the town of Calera.
Calera is known for cement production, but also has many restaurants, some quite good. If you feel like stretching your legs La Pena Tunjuaque may be too much. If you stay Calera for a day and sleep the night you might find it a decent walk and a worthwhile visit.
I recommend that you follow your bliss, eat well, and sleep the best bed you can find. It is OK and recommended to ask for the best. May you enjoy your adventure well. If you like taking pictures take some. It will not be easy to explain your experience when you return home and photos can be a help.
Richard