Laguna de la Cocha — El Encano Lakeshore Wild Camp

Laguna de la Cocha is the second-largest lake in Colombia and a recognized Ramsar wetland, sitting in the páramo east of Pasto. The town of El Encano is on the shore, with wooden boats, trout shacks, and stilt-house lodges. Overlanders use it as a staging stop on the Pasto–Sibundoy–Mocoa run. After a night here you wake up in cloud forest and cow pasture, with mist sitting on the water.

This is informal lakeside camping, not an official dispersed area. Much of the shoreline is private or community land, so ask a local landowner or boat operator before you pitch, and expect to hand over a few pesos or use a lodge’s lawn. Nights are cold and wet at this altitude, so bring real insulation. The road in from Pasto is paved, so any vehicle can reach it. Verify current access and rules locally before you commit. Coordinates are omitted on purpose; confirm your pitch on the ground.

Have a dirty day.

Misty Andean lakeshore camp above Pasto