Cerro Kamuk


Cerro Kamuk is a mountain in the core of the mountains of La Amistad International Park, in the Cordillera de Talamanca, between the mountain ranges of northern Panama and southeastern Costa Rica. Kamuk peak rises to above sea level. These are one of the highest and wildest mountains of Central America. Indigenous peoples of the area include the Bribris and Cabecar. The area protected comprises four national parks clustered together that became La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO declared it a natural World Heritage Site in 1983. It is part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, UNESCO's project shared by eight Central American countries to help protect the remaining pristine mountain forest and wildlife of Central America.

The Trail

A trail has been established to access the peak, which begins in the small community of Tres Colinas. Access to the trail is primarily managed through the community-based organization called Asotur Tres Colinas. The National System of Conservation Areas or SINAC also has a station in Tres Colinas, but as of March 2020 it is not being staffed. The trek is 55 kilometers round trip with three designated camp areas along the route. Camp 1 is located just after kilometer along a small creek, camp 2 is at kilometer and also along a creek, and camp 3 is at kilometer , the summit is at kilometer. Asotur currently requires that all parties be accompanied by a guide when entering the park via the Cerro Kamuk trail. The trail follows the ridge and crosses many other peaks including: Kutsi, Bekom, Kasir, Nai, Dudo, and Apri before arriving at Kamuk. Water is only easily accessible at camp areas.

Flora and Fauna

The trail to Kamuk begins amidst former agricultural lands that are being reclaimed by forest, and then enters montane oak forest rich with epiphytes, at higher elevation the trail passes through peat bogs, and eventually enters páramo. Chusquea bamboo is common along the trail especially at higher elevation. The area is home to abundant wildlife including puma, jaguar, tayra, brocket deer and tapir.