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This day trip is a great opportunity to walk through diverse forest and alpine landscapes before relaxing in thermal pools. The day starts bright and early so we can catch the local chiva on the milk run from Manizales to our destination. We walk through a range of ecosystems and so are able to see a diverse variety of birds and flora - some lucky people have even spotted the Andean Condor! The paramo is a particularly special high altitude barren alpine landscape, dotted with the amazing and unique frailejon plants - a real treasure of Colombia’s rich biodiversity which grow just 1cm per year and can reach up to 4m in height! We stop in to share a refreshing agua de panela (sugar cane drink) with a local family. You will also be able to admire spectacular views of the Parque de Los Nevados, the national park that contains towering snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and active volcanoes, including el Nevado del Ruiz. Your day finishes with a tonic to your muscles by relaxing in hot pools before enjoying a yummy healthy meal back at The Secret Garden.
Staying overnight with local families in the remote Colombian Andes makes this two-day trek especially memorable. They share their remarkable stories and simple food so you can get an insight into their lives and contribute to their communities. You will use local transport on the milk run to access the starting point of the trek early in the morning - a great time to spot the views of the Parque de Los Nevados. Walking through Andean forest gives you lots of photo opportunities of the lush and biodiverse flora and fauna. Further up you will be able to see the stunning volcanic landscape and wander through the unique alpine paramo - the tussock and unique plants are very special and highly interesting. The night skies can be remarkable in this remote region, and watching the sunrise over the mountain ranges is a very special experience. Your route back out takes you through more stunning forest and the chance to see some very special birds and waterfalls before a soak in thermal pools and a celebratory meal at The Secret Garden.
Be one of the first to take on this new three-day route through a diverse range of Andean forests and jungles as you make your way between Salento and Pereira (or vice versa). This special trip gives you the opportunity to walk through one the few remaining virgin forests in Colombia and spot a diverse array of birds endemic to the region. Amazing butterflies and orchids are also easy to admire from the path. The Valley de Cocora is world-renowned for its beauty and your vantage-point is extra-special as we enter from a different direction than the usual. The national Colombian Cera Palm Tree grows prolifically in this area, at the highest altitude you will find palm trees in the world (approximately 1,800m above sea level). This trip involves camping in two spectacular locations giving you a great opportunity to get close to nature and enjoy the fresh air and sunsets. You are welcome to bring your own gear or use our high quality supplies. There may be spots to swim in on the way as you explore beautiful natural springs, rivers and cascades that are found in the different types of forest we pass through. The bird song on this trip is striking highlighting the remoteness of our journey. We will have refreshments with local families along the way when possible, giving us a glimpse their lives and activities in rugged conditions as they eek out an existence from the land. Altogether an amazing trip that will give you many special memories of your experiences!
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