Overview
On this extension, hike amid the tallest palm trees in the world in the Cocora Valley and see the unique architecture of Filandia, one of Colombia’s most charming towns. You’ll walk to the sound of red-howler monkeys in Otun Quimbaya, a nature reserve sheltering over 200 bird species, and dine on gourmet Colombian cuisine at a renowned restaurant. Overnights are at the lovely Casa San Carlos Lodge.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive / Casa San Carlos Lodge
Arrive in Pereira and transfer to Casa San Carlos Lodge. This hotel is built from local Guadua bamboo, and owes its unique design to over 140 local artisans whose works adorn the walls. Overnight at Casa San Carlos Lodge.
View Lodging
Pereira, Colombia
Days 1 to 3 (3 nights)
With its surreal setting in the coffee region, Casa San Carlos Lodge is the perfect base while exploring the area. The lodge uses sustainable materials in its design including local bamboo and rock, and each guest room is individually decorated to highlight some of the unique features of the region. There is a lovely open-air restaurant, fire pit, and hot tub. You can take a dip in the pool, lounge on the deck with a drink from the pool bar, or head out on a walk through the property—you'll likely to see a wide variety of bird species.
Day 2
Cocora Valley / Casa San Carlos Lodge
Home to the tallest palm trees in the world, the Cocora Valley is dotted with beautiful wax palms that tower more than 100 feet tall. Hike up the hillside beyond the open meadow, keeping an eye out for the endemic yellow-eared parrot. Just a short drive away lies Filandia, one of Colombia’s prettiest towns full of bright, colorful architecture. Enjoy a meal at one of the region’s top-rated restaurants, specializing in local, organic Colombian cuisine, sourced from small local farms. Overnight at Casa San Carlos Lodge…BL
View Lodging
Pereira, Colombia
Days 1 to 3 (3 nights)
With its surreal setting in the coffee region, Casa San Carlos Lodge is the perfect base while exploring the area. The lodge uses sustainable materials in its design including local bamboo and rock, and each guest room is individually decorated to highlight some of the unique features of the region. There is a lovely open-air restaurant, fire pit, and hot tub. You can take a dip in the pool, lounge on the deck with a drink from the pool bar, or head out on a walk through the property—you'll likely to see a wide variety of bird species.
Day 3
Otun Quimbaya / Casa San Carlos Lodge
Otun Quimbaya is an easily accessible nature reserve filled with hundreds of animal species, including howler monkeys and tapirs, as well as rare birds and butterflies. For the best chance of seeing wildlife, you’ll want to enter the park at dawn. After an early morning drive, enjoy your first chance to observe countless hummingbirds, motmots, and even antpittas, with the help of your local ornithologist guides. We head out again after breakfast to explore the surrounding river, marshland, and forest ecosystems. Return to our lodge in the afternoon and relax. Overnight at Casa San Carlos Lodge…BL
View Lodging
Pereira, Colombia
Days 1 to 3 (3 nights)
With its surreal setting in the coffee region, Casa San Carlos Lodge is the perfect base while exploring the area. The lodge uses sustainable materials in its design including local bamboo and rock, and each guest room is individually decorated to highlight some of the unique features of the region. There is a lovely open-air restaurant, fire pit, and hot tub. You can take a dip in the pool, lounge on the deck with a drink from the pool bar, or head out on a walk through the property—you'll likely to see a wide variety of bird species.
Day 4
Depart
Transfer to the airport and depart on homeward-bound flights…B
Details
Length:
4 days
Arrive:
Pereira, Colombia
Depart:
Pereira, Colombia
Lodging:
3 nights nature lodge
Meals:
All meals as noted in itinerary
Activity:
Cultural Adventures, Walking, Wildlife & Natural History, Photography
Trip Level:
Nature walks on uneven terrain
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples: