ColombiaSouth America

Salento- where palms speak to the clouds


Salento, ColombiaSalento and Valle de Cocora- unforgettable Colombian experience

Coffee tradition, friendly people, tasty dishes, untouched landscapes…Salento has it all that is best in Colombia. The weather was not spoiling us too much, but no rain can ruin the beauty and experience of Valle de Cocora or hiking through the cloud forest. When not taking long walks you can slow down by sipping the black liquid in one of many cafes while having interesting conversations with locals.


Favourite travel resources:

  • Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
  • Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
  • Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
  • World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
  • Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
  • Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
  • Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
  • Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
  • Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

SIGN UP FOR FLIGHT DISCOUNTS


Valle de Cocora, ColombiaSalento, Colombia

Salento, Colombia

A walk through a cloud forest in Valle de Cocora

We started our walk with a pleasantly warm air and sun shining on our faces. On the way met some locals guiding tourists, who wanted to explore a part of the valley on horseback. We decided to walk. We did not have a plan for that walk and were not sure where our legs would take us. After a few hours of walking, we realized that this would not be the short walk we had planned, it transformed into a proper hike.

Then the weather changed and heavy drops started hitting our heads. My shoes, not suitable for heavy hiking in the rain, got filled with water and the ground became sticky with mud. Nothing though could wipe down the smiles we had. We approached the cloud forest and it made us feel like we were in a fairytale.

Valle de Cocora, Colombia

 

Valle de Cocora, Colombia

Valle de Cocora, Colombia

What a hike to Cocora Valley looks like

A few hours-long hike through a muddy cloud forest takes you to places where hummingbirds rule. Hundreds of these small colourful birds enjoying the sweet flowery nectar can be watched for hours without getting bored. They are also very difficult to capture in a photo. All my attempts resulted in many blurred images, so I guess I will have to go back to Salento after practicing some more photography of light-speed objects.

On our arrival to the Acaime Reserve (home of hummingbirds carefully looked after by a local family), we warmed ourselves up with ‘chocolate con queso’.  It is also a place where you get a chance to meet other hikers, travelers and backpackers and exchange your travel experiences. It was quite a hike since the reserve is located approximately 3000 meters above sea level. I was very happy to have a chance to arrive at such a beautiful place. I have never seen so many hummingbirds in one that were flying around our heads. I spent there some time watching the birds and other animals.

Salento, Colombia

Valle de Cocora, Colombia

Salento, ColombiaOn the way back cute little calves were curiously observing us.

Valle de Cocora, Colombia

Valle de Cocora, Colombia

The unusual palms ‘de cera’, a national tree of Colombia, always stand tall and proud as if were flirting with clouds. I found those trees truly fascinating. They contemptuously rise above the hills in Cocora Valley and observe the peacefulness of the valley life. The palms grow up to 60 meters (which makes them the tallest trees in the world) tall and live 200 years…I guess they witnessed through the years explorers passing through, shepherds watching their the animals and many tourists these days enjoying the beauty of the valley.


See also:

Top 10 reasons to visit Colombia this year

Feel the Caribbean spirit of Colombia in Cartagena de Indias

Copacabana, Lake Titicaca and mixed feelings.

Best restaurants in Peru for the ultimate foodie experience


Valle de Cocora, Colombia   Palmeras de cera proudly guarding the hills surrounding the valley. One might think the hills wear a crown. Valle de Cocora, Colombia  Valle de Cocora, Colombia

Setting sun decorated the valley with warm colours and saying goodnight to the valley could not be more beautiful.

Colombia needs to be on your bucket list

Colombia has been one of my favourite countries so far in South America and I would love to go back there. Apart from popular cities like Medellín or Cartagena de Indias, which are main tourist destinations, there is so much more to explore. Don’t resign from putting Colombia on your bucket list because of some dreadful stories as Colombia is much more than that.

Have you been to Colombia? What are your favourite places? Don’t keep the secrets all to yourself. We would love to hear from you.

Did you like the post? Pin  it for later:

Salento, Colombia, Cocora Valley

 

    1. It was. I wouldn’t be lying by saying that Colombia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

  1. WOW!!!! I had no idea that Columbia was this beautiful. First, the gorgeous colors of the buildings, but more importantly the landscape with the combination of trees, mountains (hills), and those outstanding trees…WOW!!! It is so very green and luscious.

Comments are closed.

You might also like

Who have we worked with?

Newsletter

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.