This guide will give you a complete overview of what you need to know about the Valle de Cocora, what to bring for your adventure and a comprehensive guide on completing the hike THE RIGHT WAY.

If you’re planning a trip to Colombia, the Lost City trek is a must-see attraction that should be on your itinerary. Check out this guide to everything you need to know before embarking on the Lost City trek for a detailed description of what every day will be like and insider tips to help you make the most of your journey.

Slowly we approach the towering peaks surrounded by veils of mist on the bumpy road. The slopes are covered with gigantic palm trees. The idyllic Valle de Cocora is named after the Cera palm tree, one of the tallest palm trees in the world. In this small natural paradise, you can enjoy the landscape, hike, and learn more about flora and fauna of the country.

The Cocora Valley with its stunning Wax Palms

In the middle of the green, high-altitude coffee zone, the Valle de Cocora is located between 1,800 and 2,400 meters above sea level. Thus, the Valle de Cocora belongs to the Andes, which also run through Colombia, just as they do through the countries of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.

Since 1985 the wide valley has belonged to the National Park Los Nevados, one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. In total, the national park covers about 58,000 hectares and is one of the most famous protected areas in the country.

Above all, the valley, like the entire protected area, is known for the giant wax palms called Cera, which grow up to 60 meters high and in large numbers, especially in the Valle de Cocora. These slender palms are among the tallest in the world, but there is more to see in the plant and animal life in the Valle de Cocora. The tropical-looking valley is also home to numerous birds, including giant Andean condors, tiny hummingbirds, and colorful toucans.

How to get to the Valle de Cocora

Jeep tours from the beautiful village of Salento are offered every day, departing in the morning from about 6:30 am down into the Cocora Valley to the starting point of the hike. The jeeps are parked at the town square of the small village.

There you can also buy your ticket directly. Be sure to purchase round-trip tickets now, so you don’t get ripped off on the return trip. The roundtrip will cost COP 8.000, and the Jeep leaves as soon as it is full.

They will be ready to take you back to Salento in the evening. Note that after 05:00 pm, it can be challenging to find a jeep back to Salento.

What you need to bring for your hike through the Wax Palms

The weather in the Valle de Cocora changes quite a lot. In the morning, it might be sunny, and you will get a sunburn, and two hours later, it rains non-stop, and you are soaking wet. I put together a list of handy things for the hike through the Cocora Valley.

• Hiking Boots/Boots with a good grip
• Mosquito Spray
• Sun Screen
• Plenty of Water
• Snacks (There are no shops or anything on the trail)
• Rain Coat
• Hat
• Camera
• Raincover for your backpack (Yes, it rains that heavy)

Hiking in the Cocora Valley: The big 6-hour CLOCKWISE Tour

Before I start telling you about the hike and my personal experiences, let me tell you that I genuinely believe that doing the Tour in a clockwise direction is the BEST option. The reasons are the following:

• In the morning the weather is clearer and more beautiful. This means that you will reach the wax palm viewpoints in Valle de Cocora at the beginning of your hike and therefore have a better view than in the afternoon.
• Most People choose the COUNTER Clockwise Tour, meaning you will have the Wax Palms all to yourself.
• At the beginning of the hike, you still look fresh, for the great photos you just have to take at the miradors.
• The trail leads only slightly steeply uphill, so you can walk the steep 1000-meter altitude part downhill. Otherwise, you would have to climb it up all the way.

Getting dropped off in the Valle de Cocora

After a short, half-hour ride in one of the Jeeps, we reach the valley. Surrounded by lush green mountains, we can already see some of the stunning Wax Palms in the distance. It is still relatively early. We made sure to leave before 8 am to avoid the crowds.

As you step out of the Jeep, you will see a big blue gate. So, most of the tourists are going to go through this gate. THAT IS WHAT YOU WON’T DO. You will stay on the gravel street and walk slightly uphill. And you will remain on this road for a little while.

We walk along the street and pass the stalls with horses. For those who don’t feel like hiking. Eventually, we walk downhill a little bit again, some more uphill, and then we finally reach a tiny house on the right side of the street. There is also a little gate there. At the house, we pay a small fee and start walking uphill. From here on, the trail is straightforward to follow, and some signs show the distance to the different viewpoints.

The trail winds itself up the hill. But it is not really steep and quite a comfortable walk.

Mirador 1 and 2

We reached Mirador 1 and expected the most incredible view ever…but we were kind of ripped off. We did not see anything because it was too cloudy. Well, nothing really to do about it. We continued our journey, hoping that Mirador 2 would be better. And we weren’t disappointed! It was absolutely stunning! And we had it all to ourselves. The Waxpalms looked genuinely impressive.

The Mountain Farm of Valle Cocora

After enjoying the beautiful view and taking tons of pictures, we continue our journey uphill. I would describe it as a steady, gradual uphill. Eventually, you will reach the Mountain Farm. They don’t really sell anything there. We just asked the lady who lives there for the directions because we could not believe we would have to go down that steep hill.

But that is the way we had to go, she assured us. Standing in front of the house is a small gate on the site, where small muddy trails go downhill reasonably steep. That is the way you have to take it. From then on, the trail goes down continuously downhill. It can be pretty muddy, and the stones can be slippery, so watch your step.

Reserve of the Hummingbirds in Acaime

Eventually, we reached a crossing. There you can decide whether to take a detour to see the hummingbirds. We decide on the hummingbirds. Finally, we reach the wooden house, where we warm up with hot chocolate. There hang four sugar dispensers to which the hummingbirds fly. One can photograph the green-brownish hummingbirds really well. When you decide whether you should take the detour, you should be aware of the following:

• The hike to the hummingbird house takes another 20 minutes each way. Counting in the time that you will spend there, you can overall add an hour
• The path to the hummingbirds is uphill all the way
• You will have to cross a fast-flowing stream
• Cost: 15.000 COP (Hot drink included in the entree fee)
• For us, it was definitely worth it

Crossing mysterious bridges

Back on the main path, the trail follows a river now. After a short time, we cross the first of six bridges. The bridges are more or less stable, but you should watch your step. This part of the hike is relatively easy. We walk downhill, but it is not really steep, just a little muddy.

Idyllic meadows with cows and Wax Palms in the background

The mud got a lot worse once we left the forest and entered the lush green meadows. We were in the Valle de Cocora during the Raintime, so the trail was more of a mud puddle than anything else. The hike along the meadows took longer than we thought, and although we had left early, it started raining already.

Returning back to Salento

After our shoes were completely covered in mud, we finally crossed the last bridge, went uphill for a tiny bit, and reached the blue gate! We made it! There were the Jeeps, already waiting for us! Completely exhausted but happy, we made our way back to Salento.

Hiking in Cocora Valley: The short 1-hour tour to the best viewpoints seeing the Wax palms

As you step out of the Jeep, you will see a big blue gate. So, most of the tourists are going to go through this gate. You will not go through the gate. You will stay on the gravel street and walk slightly uphill. And you will remain on this road for a little while. You walk along the street and pass the stalls with horses. For those who don’t feel like hiking.

Eventually, you walk downhill a little bit again, some more uphill, and then you finally reach a tiny house on the right side of the street. There is also a little gate there. At the house, you pay a small fee and start walking uphill. From here on, the trail is straightforward to follow, and some signs show the distance to the different viewpoints 1 and 2. When you are done enjoying the view and taking pictures, you will take the trail, which you will find at Mirador 1, back down the mountain.

Wrapping Up

I was thrilled by the Valle de Cocora. The hike is varied. The hummingbirds and the wax palms in the lush green landscape are a real highlight, which I would not want to miss. I can only advise you to start very early because the whole landscape has something magical and is not too crowded. Salento is also a charming village that I can only recommend.

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