TravellingCorner

My favourite place in Colombia. If I ever come back it would definitely be Salento and at least for a week.  This lush green, humid  tropical place is just extraordinary.  To combine some hiking activity to Valle de Cocora park and later  just enjoying the nature and relax in quiet and peaceful rural setting.
We arrived from Cali via Armenia with minibus. Roads were almost empty and after about five hours of easy driving we arrived to Salento village. I think this was the most atmospheric place i visited in Colombia. Since we arrived on Saturday plaza was bustling with locals, food stalls were serving  delicious trucha – trout (weekend only), Colombian music was playing, really really nice.

Next day we got up early and arranged a ride to Valle de Cocora – be early –jeeps are leaving between 7 am – 7:30 am from  main square and it takes about 45 minutes on a muddy road to be delivered to starting point. Be prepared that this ride will be interesting  – there were about 15 people  squeezed in one tiny jeep.

Before you go  to Valle de Cocora:
-    Make sure you have appropriate shoes – it is really muddy ( have seen optimistic travellers in flip flops! Have sturdy shoes, in some hostels it is even possible to rent gum boots, if you have a chance you will make a wise decision.
-    Wear something  you don’t care about, you will get dirty at least to knee high
-    Take some extra money – in  case you decide on location to hire a horse – eases  struggling with mud

-    Weather is tricky, even though it look like it will be sunny weather conditions change rapidly, it is good to bring  raincoat

Ok, it was muddy walk but totally worth it.