Chiribiquete is a National Park in the Amazon of Colombia that is described by natives as a place so breathtaking and beautiful that after experiencing it you are left in a daze that feels much like sleepwalking. Full of lush green tropical forestry, exotic animals and pristine waterfalls, Chiribiquete is every adventurer’s Amazon wet dream. The hard part, however, is getting there.
One of the ways to reach Chiribiquete is by hiking through the lands called Tranquilandia, or The Tranquil lands. Frankly, the name seems a little ironic to my delicate American ears, as Tranquilandia was once home to 19 cocaine mixing laboratories complete with makeshift runways for elicit shipments. As if that weren’t enough, the land also hosted several jungle prison camps, including one that held former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt for three days.
Since its days of operation, Tranquilandia has been reclaimed by the Amazon and now serves as a means to get to Chiribiquete National Park and an interesting story for tourists. It is also said by natives that the only real danger there is that once you visit, you will never want to leave.
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