Cocora Valley trekking from Salento: Wax palms and mountain trek

Walk through the world's tallest palm forest on a mountain trek scaled to your pace

A full-day trek through Cocora Valley starting from Salento, Colombia, with a live guide in English or Spanish. You cross approximately 14 km of mountain terrain through wax palm forest, stop at viewpoints for photos, and watch for Andean condors and other birds. The hike adjusts to your physical level. The tour includes private transportation from Salento, trekking sticks, bottled water, and a typical regional lunch of trout with patacon back in town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Trek Cocora Valley and enjoy lunch

• Start tour in Salento, Quindío
• Trek approximately 14 km in Cocora Valley
• Observe wax palms and bird species
• Take photos at viewpoints
• Return to Salento
• Enjoy typical lunch with trout and patacon

The experience

Cocora Valley holds the world's tallest wax palms, and this trek puts you inside that forest rather than viewing it from a distance. The day starts in Salento with pickup and a drive into the valley, where the actual trekking begins. The route covers roughly 14 km across mountain terrain, but the guide adjusts the distance and pace to match your fitness level: some travelers finish the full loop, others turn back earlier without penalty. You'll stop at several viewpoints to photograph the palms and the surrounding landscape, and the guide points out different bird species along the way. If conditions align, you might spot an Andean condor.

Trekking sticks come with you, and bottled water is provided throughout the day. Once you finish the hike, you return to Salento for lunch: a simple, typical regional meal of trout with patacon (fried plantain) and a drink. If you want a different dish or an additional item, you cover the extra cost yourself. The whole experience runs about eight hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Salento to Cocora Valley and back.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• trekking sticks.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• typical regional lunch of trout with patacon and a drink.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tours guiados por el Quindío

Is this one for you?The tour picks you up in Salento and handles all the transport, so it suits anyone staying in town or nearby without a rental car. The guide adjusts the trek distance to your fitness level, which means you can attempt the full 14 km or turn back sooner without the day feeling like a failure.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Cocora Valley trek actually like on the ground?

The trek crosses mountain terrain through a forest of wax palms (the tallest palm species in the world) with several photo stops at viewpoints along the route. You'll see different bird species and have a chance to spot Andean condors if you're lucky. The path adjusts to your fitness level, so the distance and difficulty are not fixed.

How does the guide adjust the trek to different fitness levels?

The route is approximately 14 km, but the guide shortens it or slows the pace based on how each group is doing. You're not locked into a set distance. If you need to turn back earlier, that's built into how the tour works.

What happens after the trek ends?

You return to Salento by private transportation and eat a typical regional lunch of trout with patacon and a drink. If you want a different dish, you pay the difference yourself.

Do I need my own transportation to get to Cocora Valley?

No. Private transportation is included from Salento to the valley and back to town after lunch, so you don't need a car or need to arrange separate rides.

What should I bring or wear for this trek?

Wear comfortable hiking shoes and clothes suited to mountain weather. Trekking sticks and bottled water are provided. The tour is not recommended for travelers with knee problems or a history of heart disease.