Salento & Cocora Valley: Private Day Tour with Lunch + Pickup

Summary

Private day trip to Salento, Cocora & Filandia with premium lunch

You’ll wander among Colombia’s towering wax palms in Cocora Valley, ride a vintage Willys Jeep into colorful Salento for coffee and crafts, then end your day gazing over Filandia’s rolling hills with a hot drink in hand. With hotel pickup, local guide, and lunch included, it’s an easygoing day you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly lost my hat to the wind when we first stepped out of the van in Cocora Valley — that’s how it started. Our guide, Camilo, grinned and said something about “el viento de las montañas” while I tried to pin my hair back and take in those wax palms. They really do look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. The air smelled faintly sweet, like wet grass after last night’s rain, and there was this quiet you don’t get in cities — just birds and the crunch of our boots on muddy paths. Camilo pointed out a condor circling way up high; I squinted but mostly saw clouds. Still counts.

After the walk (which you can make as long or short as you want — I was grateful for that), we piled into an old Willys Jeep for the bumpy ride to Salento. The driver honked at every curve like it was a secret code only locals understood. Royal Street was full of color: blue doors, pink balconies, someone selling arepas from a cart. We stopped for coffee — real Colombian coffee — and I tried to ask for sugar in Spanish. The barista laughed and handed me panela instead (it’s better than sugar anyway). There’s something about sitting on a wooden bench watching people go by that makes you feel like you’re part of the place for a second.

Filandia came last, just as the sun started dipping behind the hills. We climbed up to the illuminated hill viewpoint (I was out of breath but pretended not to be) and saw all those green folds of coffee country stretching out forever. It got chilly fast; someone handed me hot chocolate and I wrapped my hands around it until they stopped shaking. On the way back I kept thinking about how different everything felt from that morning — lighter somehow, maybe because we’d actually talked with people instead of just looking at things through a window.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Salento, Cocora & Filandia Tour

• Walk in Cocora Valley with guide
• Stroll along Salento's royal street
• Visit Filandia viewpoint and town

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Salento & Cocora Valley tour?

Yes, pickup is included from your hotel or airport in Pereira or Armenia.

How long is the walk in Cocora Valley?

The walk can be between 1–2 hours depending on your preference.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

Yes, an à la carte lunch at Laurita restaurant is included.

Do I need to speak Spanish for this tour?

No, your guide is bilingual (Spanish/English).

What towns are visited on this private tour?

You’ll visit Salento and Filandia after exploring Cocora Valley.

Is there transportation between stops?

Yes, all transportation by van or microbus is included throughout the day.

Are entrance fees covered?

Yes, entrance to both the palm forest and Filandia viewpoint are included.

Can I customize start/end times?

Yes, you can arrange start/end times when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or airport in Pereira or Armenia, all transportation by van or microbus with a bilingual local guide, bottled water for each person, entrance fees to both Cocora Valley palm forest and Filandia’s illuminated hill viewpoint, one hot drink per person along the way, medical assistance insurance just in case (though hopefully not needed), an à la carte lunch at Laurita restaurant featuring typical dishes from the region, plus a classic Willys Jeep experience between stops before returning you safely back at your starting point.