Tree huggers' paradise

The walk almost everyone does when they visit Salento is through the Cocora Valley. There are 4 or 5 routes ranging from a gentle stroll to a full on 5 hour loop. We opt for the big one and it takes us 8 hours.

It's not that we're slow, it's because it's so gobsmackingly wonderful that we can't help stopping every few yards to soak it all in.

The first section zigzags across the stream on the valley floor via a series of rope bridges that become increasingly rickety the further we go.

We see lots if colourful birdlife but none of the many orchids we were promised.

However, once we climb to a higher elevation the real fireworks start.

What a view.

Behind us the clouds roll over the hills.

Beneath us we see the verdant valley floor.

And straight ahead there are hundreds of quindio wax palms.

These remarkable trees seem otherworldly, they can reach 50 metres in height and completely dominate the skyline of the national park.

We are so absorbed by the sunset that we end up missing the last transport back to our digs.
 

Worth it though, so so worth it.