Cocora Valley
National park · Salento ·
Towering wax palms, hiking trails, bird-watching, and unique photo ops
Towering wax palms, hiking trails, bird-watching, and unique photo ops
"Hiking beneath the world’s tallest wax palm trees in the Cocora Valley offers stunning trails and dramatic scenery, and booking a private sunrise balloon flight provides an unforgettable perspective as you float silently above the rolling patchwork of coffee farms while dawn illuminates the landscape." - Boris Seckovic
"Cocora Valley, located due west of Bogota, is famous for its tall palm trees and stunning green hills. It is a popular hiking destination with options for day trips or multi-day hikes, and campsites are available for overnight stays." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Officially founded in 1865, Salento is one of Colombia’s quaintest, most traditional towns. Its main street, the cobblestoned Calle Real, is lined with handicraft shops and restaurants that serve delicious, locally farmed trout (among many other Andean favorites). The street ends at the foot of a hill with a staircase leading upward, interrupted at regular intervals by representations of the stations of the cross. A short Jeep ride from town leads to the enchanting Valle de Cocora, where you’ll find wax palms up to 195 feet in height (the tallest known palm species), as well as fantastic birdlife, including Andean condors and yellow-eared parrots, plus legions of adorable hummingbirds. Take a hike or horseback ride into the valley to get access to some of Colombia’s most awe-inspiring lookouts. By Travesías"
"A mountain-framed valley in the Eje Cafetero with endemic Quindío wax palms, offering hiking trails, horseback rides, and local cuisine." - Christopher P. Baker Christopher P. Baker Christopher P. Baker is an award-winning travel journalist and photographer specializing in Cuba, adventure travel, and motorcycle touring. His work has appeared in Tra
"A picturesque valley known for its towering wax palms and stunning landscapes, offering opportunities for bird-watching and exploring nature." - Michael Snyder Michael Snyder Michael Snyder is a Mexico City-based journalist specializing in food, architecture, and travel. He is a regular contributor to T: The New York Times Style Magazine and has written for The New York Time