This extensive park contains a sector of mountain jungles, transition forests and the area called dry mountain chaco. The height of the land, in this national reserve, increases from east to west, oscillating between 700 and 2,300 meters above sea level. Its magnificent ecological heritage opens up as generously as nature itself.

The National Park has trails to go on foot and roads to travel by vehicle, which reveal spectacular jungle and mountain landscapes and crystal clear waters. More than one day is needed to get to know part of this reserve, photograph the magnitude of nature it presents and enjoy birdwatching and other unique animals.

Crystalline streams flow down the slopes to furrow the valley, giving rise to a subtropical paradise. In this vast territory there are diverse tree species, according to the type of forest that is traveled.

Thus, in the foothills or transition jungle, you can see tipas, pacarás, palos blancos and palos amarillos, trees that are around 30 meters high. Different is the mountainous Chaco forest, where trees like the cebiles, white and black carob trees, do not exceed 10 meters.

The montane jungle is the most humid environment and there are many large trees such as tipa, walnut, cedar and molle horco, covered by lianas and vines. The montane forest is the highest altitude environment within the mountain forests. It is cold and is characterized by the presence of hill pines, bushes and alders, which are its main species.

The fauna of El Rey is as diverse as its flora and some of the species that stand out are the tapir, caí monkeys, the mountain guan, the charata, lipped peccary, brown deer, pumas, ocelots and foxes. This animal landscape is completed with an extensive variety of fish, which can be observed as if through a glass, in the transparent waters of the Popayán River.

A little history

Before becoming a national reserve, this park was baptized with the name "El Rey", the name honored the favor granted by the King of Spain to the first owner of these lands, Don Juan Adrián Fernández Cornejo, in merit for actions carried out in favor of the crown.

Today you can still see the remains of the foundations of the house or "room" of the owners of what in its beginnings was a room that was located in front of the offices of the Administration to the east, the place where the mast is located today. of the National Flag. A eucalyptus and a casuarina are the two trees that remained as the only witnesses of ranch life at the beginning of the century.