New Product: The Wax Palms of La Carbonera and the Dormant Machín Volcano
Today, we would like to introduce you to an exciting full-day excursion from the colorful village of Salento, where we will explore the little-visited wax palms of La Carbonera and the 2,750-meter-high, rather unassuming Machín Volcano. The volcano lies beneath the green canopy of the cloud forest and, according to various scientists, it last erupted over 1,000 years ago.
Here is the product description:
Day Trip to the Wax Palm Valley of La Carbonera and the Machín Volcano
Today, we will be picked up early by our guide, and after a brief introduction, we will begin our journey to La Carbonera. Along the way, we will stop to take photos of the breathtaking landscape. We will admire the majestic sight of the wax palm, "Palma de Cera," the national tree of Colombia. During a relaxed hike, we will enjoy the scenery and take a break for a small picnic (included) with fruits, sandwiches, snacks, juice, and water. We will then continue to the "Casa de la Carbonera," where we will try the typical hot beverage made from sugarcane, "agua panela," with cheese, meet the house's residents, and observe the colorful activity of the hummingbirds. From here, we will proceed along an unpaved road to the village of Toche, where we will learn about the culture and the people and have a typical lunch.
Afterward, we will drive to Cerro Machín, a pyroclastic, ring-shaped volcano with a diameter of approximately 2.4 km. The volcanic explosivity index is officially rated at 5 on a scale of 8. Cerro Machín is located in the central Andean range of Colombia, about 7 km from the town of Cajamarca, 17 km from Tolima's capital Ibagué, and 35 km from Armenia. Together with the guide, we will hike to a small fumarole on the summit of the 2,750-meter-high mountain. The hike will take about 2 hours round trip. Finally, we will drive back to our accommodation in Salento.
Notes:
Duration of the activity: Approximately 5 hours of activity and 5 hours of transportation (2.5 hours each way from Salento).
Recommended departure time: 5:30 AM.
Due to road conditions on this tour, this service can only be conducted in a Jeep with a maximum of 5 guests and the guide.