5-Day Cocora Valley Trekking Tour

We recommend you spend at least one night in Salento, immediately before the trek.

The easiest way to access Salento is by flying to Pereira and then taking a taxi/transfer to Salento.

You will spend the day previous to the trek in Salento (2,600m / 8,530ft).

Salento 

Salento, one of the oldest coffee towns in the region, is a brightly painted and fun town which acts as the gateway to Las Nevadas mountain range (central Cordillera).

Tourism, coffee and artisanal products are the staples of this small town, founded in 1842 on the old trading paths used by Pijao and Quindio Indians.

‘Calle Real’ (also known as Carrera 6) features many brightly coloured buildings and balconies in a colonial style, where locals mix with the visitors.

Trekking-clad tourists brush shoulders with local farmers who stroll around in their ‘Aguandeñan’ hats (predecessor to the Panama hat), wellington boots, machetes, moustaches and customary poncho folded over their shoulders.

There are many restaurants to choose from, trout the local speciality, as well as coffee farms to visit.

Many coffee farms are small and organic and approved by Rainforest Alliance, as they use natural ways to grow their coffee plants, rather than chemicals to enhance crops.

The coffee is fantastic and you can buy beans or ground coffee to take home. Read more about what to do in Salento.

The trek

At 6:30am transfer from your hotel to El Cedral (1hr 45mins).

El Cedral is located at 2,100m/6,889ft and here we start walking.

We begin our trail up to La Pastora refuge, situated in Ucumari Natural Regional Park. Today we’ll be walking alongside the river Otun, one of the best-preserved river basins in South America.

We have to ascend around 300m in total today to reach La Pastora (2,450m/8,038ft), which we aim to get to by lunch time.

We begin our walk through excellently conserved cloud forest and make our way along this jungle trail. We cross from the Boquia river basin into the legendary Otun basin, one of the best-preserved river basins in Latin America.

A steep ascent is followed by a descent as we make our way across valleys to eventually drop down to around 2,300m into the Regional Natural Park Ucumari.

Our destination is La Pastora, located at the end of a largely deforested valley surrounded on all sides by forest-clad cliffs. Views are stunning.

Cabins await, along with a log fire. A hearty dinner makes for a good night’s sleep before the next day’s big climb.

Highest point:  2,450m/8,038ft

Starting altitude:   2,100m/6,889ft

Finishing altitude:    2,450m/8,038ft

Height gained:   350m/1,148ft

It’s a big day today as we aim to get further up the valley and to some higher climes.

We start early start for our ascent to the village of El Bosque, further along the River Otun valley.

The walk will last 6-7 hours with 1,125m of ascent over 9km, very similar to a big Munro day. This day will be a journey through ecosystems and the experience never fails to amaze.

A steady climb will take us to 3,000m where walls of high-Andean forest and waterfalls surround us before the real upward hiking begins. We walk up and along a 600m high ‘white-stair’ of rocks that never seems to end.

The air starts to become thin and elfin forest begins to appear, as do Jersey cows and thick mist.

On a clear day entering the village of El Bosque is an emotional sight.

It’s not only because of the view of the camp and the signal that the climb is over, but also because this perfect horseshoe caldera is one of PNN Los Nevado’s most beautiful locations.

Condors and Paramo eagles can be seen hovering on the thermals.

After a rest, we can visit the local farm and chat to the locals en El Bosque village. As dusk approaches, there is the option to scout for Mountain Tapir or the endemic Rufous-fronted Parakeet.

Highest point:  3,600m/11,811ft

Starting altitude:  2,450m/8,038ft

Finishing altitude:    3,600m/11,811ft

Height gained:   1,125m/3,691ft

Following the exertions yesterday, today is a shorter day.

We take a leisurely breakfast and then it’s a later start to begin trek to El Berlin valley.

We’ll be at 3,819m/12,530ft by the end of the day. It should take 3-4 hours to walk the 5-6km up to this higher level.

We hope to get to Berlin farm for lunch and then have the afternoon free to explore the valley, or take it easy as the body adjusts to these higher levels.

Highest point:  3,819m/12,530ft

Starting altitude:  3,600m/11,811ft

Finishing altitude:    3,819m/12,530ft

Height gained:   219m/719ft

Today we hit our highest point as we go over a pass of 4,170m/13,681ft, the Alto de la Amargura – ‘High point of BItterness’ – a fitting name for this mountain pass that can be pounded by biting winds.

We’ll walk for 5-6 hours to go up and over the pass and then down to La Argentina farm, which is situated at 3,476m/11,404ft. Dona Gloria is the lovely host here.

There are various stops so we can look at the frailejones plants in this area, as well as more Sub-Paramo flora.

With good weather there are some excellent look out points over the high Andean basin of the River Cardenas.

Time in the afternoon to explore local surroundings and other trails that head deep into the forest.

Highest point:  4,170m/13,681ft

Starting altitude:  3,819m/12,530ft

Finishing altitude:    3,476m/11,404ft

Height gained:   351m/1,152ft

We bid a fond farewell to Dona Gloria an La Argentina finca, and start a lovely descent down to Cocora Valley.

First we skirt the mountains and farmlands before plunging down into the cloud forest. You’ll feel how quickly we go from the crisp air into the warmer valley, seeing different trees, foliage and animals as we descend.

Hummingbirds and flowers become more prevalent as the moisture and heat of the sun start to warm our bones.

There are some energetic down hills to bound down, until we reach the valley of Cocora, and its incredible, gigantic wax palm trees.

These giant thrust up to 60 metres from earth to skyline with some reaching up to 70 metres, making it the tallest palm tree in the world.

They pock the hills and make them incredibly photogenic.

We take lunch in Cocora, jump aboard a Willys Jeep and head back to Salento.

Highest point:  3,476m/11,404ft

Starting altitude:  3,476m/11,404ft

Finishing altitude:    2,100m/6,889ft

Height lost:   1,376m/4,514ft

Colombia is the country that has everything you could need from a South America holiday.

Diverse people and landscapes make this a country rich in wildlife, landscapes and culture.

Hikers can choose to trek to glaciers on snow-capped peaks, or through steamy forest to hidden ruins, or to unique Paramó plains.

Cyclists can pedal over and around the Andean peaks that dominate, and adventure seekers can try anything from paragliding to canyoning.

Beach lovers can enjoy surfing and relaxing with a Colombian twist, or head to islands for a more Caribbean vibe.

Prefer wildlife? Try the pacific coast and its whales and turtles, or perhaps the Amazon and its diverse flora and fauna.

The cities are cosmopolitan and cultured, replete with incredible museums with enormous collections.

Colombia is divided into five main geographical regions: Pacific, Llanos, Amazon, Caribbean and Andes.

The Andes dominate and have three main branches, all running roughly from south to north.

The Cordillera Occidental lies furthest to the west, running parallel to the Pacific coast; Furthest east lies The Cordillera Oriental running almost to the whole length of the country and incorporating Bogota; and in between these two, is the Cordillera Central.

Less than 3% of the population live in two lowland areas that comprise more than half of Colombia’s overall size.

The first lies to the east of the Andes called Llanos and is a savannah, and forms a part of the Orinoco river basin.

The second is Colombia’s steamy Amazon rainforest, which lies to the far south east of the country and covers almost one third of the entire country.

In the north is the hot and humid Caribbean coast, characterised by beautiful beaches and turquoise seas as well as fertile and low-lying plains and La Guarija Desert.

Colombia lays claim to two small islands, close to Nicaragua, called San Andres and Providencia, and islands in the Pacific and these are known as the insular area.

The narrow Pacific coastal lowlands are densely covered with vegetation, with very few people living here.

Good kit is vital for every trip.

Overview

In general you’ll need cool clothes for the trekking days if weather is good, and then warmer clothes for nights or inclement weather.

If you choose to camp, then you need to take a sleeping bag/mattress or can hire locally (advance notice required).

Give plenty of thought to kit selection, and try to keep weight down.

Detailed kit list

Medium weight waterproof jacket and trousers.

2-3 long-sleeve shirts – no cotton.

2-3 short-sleeve T-shirts – no cotton.

2 pairs trekking trousers.

2 pair of hiking shorts – cotton or synthetic material (no jeans).

2-3 mid-weight (wool or synthetic) socks.

2-3 liner/thin/running socks if needed.

Athletic-type socks, for city use.

Hiking boots that are waterproof, give ankle support and are well broken-in, and suitable for muddy terrain.

Training shoes / all-terrain sandals – for crossing rivers and relaxing at camp.

Swim suit.

1 fleece or sweat trousers.

1 lightweight wool sweater or windproof fleece.

1 wool or synthetic warm hat.

Broad-brimmed sunhat, essential.

Sunglasses with UV filter.

Bandana – to protect neck from strong sun.

Scarf, for the cold.

Medium weight gloves.

Warm hat for the evenings.

Daypack (at least 30 litres). Comfortable and with waterproof lining or cover.

Large rucksack / sports bag for main luggage.

Sleeping bag liner – we provide blankets and sheets in the refugios, but the liner works well for hygiene.

Water bottle (2 litres approx.) & purification tablets.

Personal first-aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, anti-biotic cream, general antibiotics (ask your GP), after-bite (tiger balm), anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication.

Insect repellent (just in case).

Quick dry towel & wash-kit.

Trekking poles (optional).

Wet Wipes/antiseptic hand-wash cream.

Sunscreen (factor 30+) and lip salve.

Head-lamp (plus spare bulb and batteries).

Penknife.

Travel alarm clock.

Plastic bags – ‘Zip-loc’ & tough bin liners.

Camera and film / memory cards (take at least twice the amount you think you will need!).

Powertraveller charger (US type socket).

Book, e-book, mp3 player/ipod or other to help pass the time.

Binoculars.

Spanish/English phrasebook.

Extra snacks i.e. cereal bars or favourite chocolate bars.

Assorted stuff bags.

Miscellaneous others

Money belt.

Passport.

U.S. dollars cash, mixed-denomination notes, undamaged and unmarked.

ATM cash/credit card.

Any inoculation certificates.

Personal & medical insurance certificates.

Presents e.g. Postcards from home.

Comfortable clothes for travel, smart clothes for night life.

Colombia has warm to hot average temperatures all year round.

Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, for example, averages around 325 days of sunshine a year, even during its ‘winter’.

There are, however, two rainy and dry seasons that Colombians call summer and winter.

The severity and length of these seasons also depends on where you are in the country – the coast has slightly more severe and longer dry seasons than the Andean region, for example.

Dry season

Dec-March and July-early Sept.

On the coast the rainfall stays low during the whole of September.

Wet Season

April to June and October to early December.

Much depends on where you are in the country. Up in the mountains one of the great attractions of Colombia is the fact that within half and hour of travel, either losing or gaining altitude, you can emerge in a totally different climate, substantially hotter and drier, or colder and more humid, depending on where you are.

On mountain treks the temperature will decrease around 6°C for every 1,000 metre (3,300 feet) increase in altitude.

In the Paramo, temperatures average around 5ºC and drop below freezing at nighttime.

Again, variations depend on geography.

Andean Trails has 25 years of experience of putting together the best South America holidays.

We pay a fee to the CAA for every licensable passenger we book since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking.

We also offer ATOL (Civil Aviation Authority) protected holidays to give our customers peace of mind when booking and travelling.

When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package from Andean Trails Ltd you will receive a Confirmation Invoice from us confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 6275.

You can read more about ATOL, who is covered and what protections you have if not ATOL-covered, on our ATOL page.

What is ATOL?

The CAA’s ATOL scheme offers protection to your money and your holiday if you book with us. Not everybody is covered (see ‘Who is covered?’ for more), as you must purchase an ‘air package holiday’ with Andean Trails to be protected.

And  ‘air package holiday’ is defined as including a flight and some ground services (hotel, transfer, trek etc). This is also known as an ‘ATOL-protected holiday’.

Who is covered?

To be covered by ATOL, you must book a flight and some ground services with us and be from the UK. If you are from the UK and only book ground services and no flights, you are not covered by ATOL (see below for more on how non-ATOL clients are covered).

If you are outside the UK and buy flights with us, you will be ATOL protected IF any of the flights booked with Andean Trails touches/stops in the UK at any point during your holiday package booked with us.

If you buy your flights elsewhere, please check with that agent if you are ATOL protected. Be careful with online flight purchases and make sure you know what protection you have, if any, before paying for flights.

Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking.

For land only holidays not involving any air travel, in accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992”, all UK passengers booking with Andean Trails Ltd. are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all money paid to us, arising from cancellation or curtailment of travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Andean Trails.

I’m not ATOL covered, what protection do I have?

If you are not ATOL covered, any payments you make to us go to a Trust account.

We can only access this money once your tour has been completed, meaning that if anything happens to Andean Trails Limited while you are on holiday, then your money is secure and you can either complete the trip or be able to make it home.

If you pay for your holiday with a credit card, some offer payment protection – please check with your cardholder.

You also should have cancellation protection written into your insurance (which we recommend you have at the time of booking) in case you need to cancel.