The famous wax palms, known as Colombia’s national tree, can be found near Salento, a fog-kissed municipality that decorates its streets with stalls of homemade arepas, handicrafts from different regions of Colombia and venues specializing in the presentation of Colombian-produced coffee varieties. Here you’ll also find the traditional Willys jeeps, located in the main square, each of these vehicles telling its own story about Quindio’s coffee culture.
A 25-minute jeep ride from Salento takes you to the Cocora Valley in the central Andes. This is the gateway to Los Nevados National Park and home to wax palms, some of which are over 60 metres tall and up to 200 years old. This landscape, with its breathtaking views, is the ultimate invitation to inspire travelers passionate about mountains and hiking.
What awaits you
Cocora Valley / towering wax palms
Cloud forest
Acaime Nature Reserve (home of the hummingbird)
Cerro Morrogacho viewing (weather permitting)
La Montaña viewpoint
Level of difficulty Moderate: First time mountaineering? This trek is ideal for you. It’s important that you’re in good physical condition and practice a sport regularly, but you don’t need to be an expert or a great athlete. Your mental disposition for walking should be good, with the ability to adapt to periods of 5 to 6 hours walking carrying a little weight, distances on this itinerary can be from 6 to 10 kilometers per day and flat surfaces with undulations and sometimes with mud or difficult trails. Elevation gain can exceed 500 masl (≈1,600 ft), with elevation above 2,000 masl (≈7,000 ft).
IDEAL TIME 10 hours
STARTING POINT AND TIME: Salento main park – Quindio
PLACE AND TIME OF ARRIVAL: Salento main park – Quindio
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO TAKE THE TOUR: Any day of the year.
MINIMUM AGE: 15 years