EL VALLE DE COCORA

The Cocora Valley is one of the main attractions of Salento, a must-see in the coffee region. Cocora means "water star". It was the name of a Quimbaya princess, the daughter of the cacique Acaime. The valley is located a dozen kilometers from Salento, in the area of influence of the Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados. It is cool (around 15-18 °C during the day) and the humid climate favors the development of a cloud forest ecosystem, which invites to reverie. The rainforest, the different shades of green in the valley and the presence of gigantic wax palms form real landscape paintings. The weather is changeable and we often enjoy very different atmospheres during the day, under the sun, in the fog, or under the rain. The Cocora Valley is one of the last places in the world where the famous Quindío wax palm(Ceroxylon quindiuense), Colombia's national tree, grows.

Hikers usually take the Sendero Bosque de Palmas . This trail begins at an altitude of 2,200 meters. It crosses pastures where some wax palms can be seen, and then quickly enters the misty forest. The trail crosses several times a beautiful river by small wooden bridges. After about 90 minutes, we turn right to reach the Reserva Natural Acaime and the Casa de los Colibris, rustic peasant houses located at 2,650 m where we can take an aguapanela con queso (or lunch) break, observing the aerial ballet of innumerable hummingbirds coming to eat as well, foraging in the flowers and sweet nectar dispensers set up by the family that lives there. From the Casa de los Colibris, the path continues to the finca La Montaña, at an altitude of 2,850 meters. A steep climb of about an hour. The vegetation changes gradually with the altitude. From La Montaña begins the descent. After a good hour's walk, we start to see and then cross the groves of wax palms. Unforgettable landscapes, remember to keep space in your memory cards and battery in your camera! Count 5-6 hours for the complete loop. No camping possible. Bring a rain cape, boots (you can rent them at the entrance of the Bosque de Cocora trail), an umbrella, but also something to protect yourself from the cold and the sun. A guide is not necessary, although it is always a plus to appreciate the different ecosystems we cross.