From the small town of Cócora, roughly 11 kilometres east of Salento, a well-trodden path leads into a misty, pristine valley of cloud forest, dotted with some fascinating ruins of pre-Columbian tombs and dwellings. The emerald valley hosts an abundance of magnificent plant life including orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, and of course the postcard-perfect towering wax palm trees for which the valley is known. The landscape is also home to an impressive array of rare wildlife such as endangered mountain tapirs, spectacled bears, pumas, sloths, and mountain lions. A multitude of bird species also inhabits the park, including toucans, eagles, motmots, and most notably, the yellow-eared parrot, which nests in the hollow trunks of the wax palms themselves. The Cocora Valley is a dynamic, tranquil hikers’ paradise small enough to traverse on foot in one day - although guided horseback rides are also a popular option.