A day out from Armenia and the area's signature landscape. From Salento, jeep willys leave from the main square and drop you at the trailhead, where a loop walk of four to six hours climbs through cloud forest to a hummingbird reserve called Acaime, then descends back through the open valley among the wax palms.
The palms are unmistakable — slim grey-white trunks shooting up to sixty metres, scattered like ship masts across emerald cattle pasture. The full loop is mostly easy walking with a few steep sections, several river crossings on suspension bridges, and a fair bit of mud after rain. Wear boots, bring a rain jacket, and start early to beat both the crowds and the afternoon cloud. From Armenia, allow an hour by car each way to Salento, then half an hour onward to the trailhead.