"The Forest Above the Forest" was how Alexander Von Humboldt described the visual impact of the The Wax Palm (Palma de Cerra) which is the national tree of Colombia. We drive through Salento along the upper reaches of the Rio Quindio for 40 minutes or so along a rough track through the Corcora Valley to the lower slopes of the Cloud Forest to find these 60 metre 200 year old giant trees standing on the hillside. Further up into the Cloud Forest they tower above the mist of the forest. Here we can hike horse ride, relax or dine in one of the local restaurants. There is also a Trout Farm which is fed by the pure waters of the Andes.
Above Corcora a further 5km and at 2,770m is the Acaime Natural Reserve which is the most important Wax Palm zone in Colombia. Hummingbirds, Toucans and Parrots all feed on the fruit of the palm. |
