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*HIDDEN GEM, THIS IS NOT COCORA*

DESTINATION: LA CARBONERA, Salento, Colombia - Be one of the first to lay eyes on an unspoilt paradise!

In Salento, Colombia there is a palm tree forest sitting at 3000 meters called "La Carbonera". People usually come to Salento to visit Valle de Cocora to see the 900 tallest palms in the world, however La Carbonera has 2 million palms making it the largest in the world and is entirely off of the radar, you won't find it on Google or in any guidebook.

La Carbonera has only been visited by 900 tourists since 2016. Only one tour company has permission to show people this beautiful valley. 20 years ago the entire region was occupied by rebel forces which has kept it off of the tourist route.

This is also the only place you can spot the yellow eared parrot, a bird species that was considered extinct in the 90s until later rediscovered in La Carbonera. 400 live in the area and can't be seen anywhere else in the world.

HOW TO GET THERE: @SalentoCycling are the only tour company that can take you there. The guys drive you to a view point with a delicious picnic. After you'll have the chance to walk into the forest before biking 20km downhill back into town (not for the faint hearted!) 100,000COP/£28.

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