A large alpine lake 27 km east of Pasto at 2,800 m, ringed by green hills and morning mists. In the middle of the lake sits the tiny Isla de La Corota, a nature reserve and the smallest national park in Colombia, with a small chapel that pilgrims visit by canoe.
The lakeside village of El Encano is built in a quirky Swiss-chalet style — pitched timber roofs, brightly painted boats, restaurants serving lake trout. A pleasant half-day or full-day trip from the city.