Salento Cocora Valley Philandia Tour with Coffee Tasting

The wax palms stand 60 meters high, and the hikes to reach them run from one hour to five depending on what you choose.

A private tour of Salento, Cocora Valley and the village of Philandia with a live guide, transportation, lunch and coffee tasting included. The guide speaks English, Spanish or French, and the route adjusts to your pace and interests. Pickup from your hotel is included. The tour runs between six and ten hours depending on how many stops you want and how long you linger at each one.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cocora Valley and nearby towns

• Hike in Cocora Valley forest
• Visit House of Hummingbirds and Akaime Reserve
• Walk through Salento streets and crafts
• See colorful balconies and central park
• Explore artisan village and Casa Encanto viewpoint
• Visit parasol street, convent street, and Azael fonda

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel and driven into the coffee region with a guide who knows the area. The tour centers on the Palme de Cera (the wax palm forest where trees reach 60 meters high), but how you experience it is yours to set. Hikes range from one hour to five hours depending on your fitness and how much time you want to spend in the forest. Along the way, the guide points out the House of Hummingbirds and the Akaime Nature Reserve, explaining the indigenous Quimbaya culture and the fauna and flora that live here.

Salento itself gets a full walk: the colorful balconies with flowers spilling from the walls, the Real street with its Bareque houses (a traditional building style), the central park and the small church. You'll also visit Philandia, the village recognized as Colombia's second most beautiful town, where you can see the artisan quarter, the Casa Encanto viewpoint, the street of parasols and the street of the convent. The guide takes you at your own pace through these stops, stopping for photos and answering questions as you go.

Lunch and a premium coffee tasting (filtered fresh in a French press while you watch) are included. You get a hat and poncho for the forest, and the tour comes with attendance insurance. Because this is private, the departure time is flexible, and the route bends to what interests you most. If you want to spend an extra hour at the palms or skip a stop entirely, that's your call to make.

What’s included

• Private transportation and hotel pickup.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• lunch.
• premium coffee tasting prepared fresh in a French press.
• a hat and poncho for the forest.
• attendance insurance.
• and accompaniment throughout the entire tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 30 Dec

AgesAdult (19 to 79 years) · Senior (80 and older) · Youth (13 to 18 years) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 37 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Travesías y Café VIP

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want to set your own pace through the wax palms and villages: your guide adjusts stops and timing to match what interests you most.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 18 years); Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2): free.

How long are the hikes in the Palme de Cera forest?

Hikes in the wax palm forest range from one hour to five hours depending on your fitness level and how much time you want to spend there. You choose the length when you book or on the day itself.

What's included in the coffee tasting?

Premium coffee is filtered fresh in a French press during the tour, and you taste it as it's prepared. The tasting is included in the tour price along with lunch.

Can the tour start at a time that works for me?

Yes. Departure times are flexible because this is a private tour. You arrange the time with the operator when you book.

What does Salento look like when we walk through it?

Salento has colorful balconies with flowers hanging from the walls, traditional Bareque houses on the Real street, a central park and a small church. The village is known as one of Colombia's most beautiful towns, and the guide shows you the artisan quarter and the cultural heritage sites.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and private transportation throughout the tour are included in the price.

What do I need to bring or wear?

A hat and poncho are provided for the forest. Wear comfortable hiking shoes if you plan to do the longer hikes. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, and you can adjust the hike length to match your comfort.