- Hiking excursion into the lush Valle de Cocora
- Marvel at the up to 60 m high Quindio wax palms
- Numerous hummingbirds take photos at the Reserva Natural Acaime
- Enjoy the view of Salento from the Mirador
Again it starts early for that Valle de Cocora to explore. However, there will be a regular one in half an hour Willys Jeep-Taxi would leave, we treat ourselves to the luxury of private transport. The road meanders into the wonderful, mainly to the Cow husbandry used valley. Soon the first of the bizarre, Quindio wax palms up to 60 m high on. From Cocora we start hiking on the extremely swampy path.
Cows graze on either side and everything is lush green. if it weren't for the palm trees you could almost feel as if you were in an alpine valley. After a while we reach the forest, from where it is now steeply along the stream leads up. The rise in one Height up to 2640 meters above sea level is not entirely without. An almost Magical mountain forest extends here on the slopes of the area bordering the Los Nevados National Park.
The way in narrow canyon crosses the creek several times using makeshift Suspension bridgeswhich smooth as Indiana Jones backdrop could serve.
After another good hour with a few stops for photos, we achieve that Reserva Natural Acaime. Almost intrusive and unfriendly, we are asked to pay the 5000 COP entry fee and receive a drink. On the cleared area, some flowering plants were planted and nectar dispensers were set up, which turn out to be true attractions for the hummingbirds of the surrounding forest.
Again and again one of the smallest birds on earth look. However, photographing the lightning-fast dwarfs is an extremely difficult undertaking and I have to resort to a few tricks. Usually nothing works without pre-focusing. Fortunately, there is no shortage of fleeting subjects and I have enough time to find out what works and what doesn't.
Suddenly another one appears Quatis family who know exactly that many tourists have a bite to eat for them. As we experienced first hand at the Iguacu Falls, the cute animals are anything but harmless.
After our picnic we go to the way back. After all, the steep climb up to Montana would be quite time-consuming and the last jeep should drive back to Salento at 5 p.m. So we enjoy the wonderful forest, which protects us from the occasional raindrop.
Back in Salento Let's browse through some souvenir shops again and climb the numerous steps up to the Mirador (Viewpoint). After taking a shower, we enjoy the inviting place with its great atmosphere for the last time.
