Into the Valle de Cocora

Horseback Riding in Salento, Salento

Overview

Salento is a gem of a Spanish-colonial town and a popular tourist destination in Colombia's coffee region. However, the town isn't the only highlight; just beyond Salento's borders lies an expanse of unspoiled country known as the Valle de Cocora (Cocora Valley). Green for days and boasting rolling hills dotted with towering wax palms, this valley is precisely why the Zona Cafetera has an earned reputation as one of the most spectacularly beautiful regions in Colombia. And one of the best ways to experience it is on horseback.

The day begins with a transfer a few minutes outside of town to the trailhead where the horses will be waiting. After receiving some basic instructions from the local guide, it's time to set off. Once in the valley, this four-hour tour follows a scenic trail abounding with panoramic vistas, plunging waterfalls, running streams, and of course the aforementioned wax palms (Colombia's national tree). The tour even includes a visit a working coffee farm for a quick tour before returning back to town.

Itineraries with Horseback Riding in Salento

Zona Cafetera and the Caribbean Coast - 8 Days

Begin your adventure in Colombia's Zona Cafetera coffee region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Cocorá Valley and its towering wax palms await. Then make your way to the Caribbean coast and the beaches of Parque Nacional Tayrona and learn about the Kogi people, who have lived in harmony with their environment for four centuries.

Iconic skinny wax palms in Colombia's coffee region.

Colombia Adventure: Zona Cafetera to the Caribbean Coast - 15 Days

Your journey starts in the heart of Colombia's Coffee Region, where you'll overnight on a working coffee farm. From there, head to the reborn metropolis of Medellín, a city whose reputation as a global hotspot is enhanced by its rising culinary and art scene. Then, it's time for a bit of nature as you embark on a rafting trip down the Río Verde and end your adventure on the Caribbean coast where you'll explore Cartagena and nearby islands.