The Zona Cafetera, Colombia’s main coffee-growing area, is the wide valley between the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Central (cf. The Formation of Mountains). The Valle Cocora, filled with tall palm trees, is located in the foothills of the Central Cordillera.
Starting from a neighbouring valley, we try a hike up to Laguna Otún (in Los Nevados National Park) and walk up 2000 metres in altitude on muddy paths through dense cloud forest. However, we miss a turnoff and grope across the paramo on the wrong side for an hour before making the long way back.
