La Carbonera: Wax Palm Sanctuary Guide

One of the most popular tours among both foreigners and locals, the trip to La Carbonera, also known as the wax palm paradise or the wax palm sanctuary, is usually reached by Jeep Willys or 4×4 vehicle in about 3 hours, enjoying the finest natural landscapes and rural culture along the way.

As additional info, this tour isn't very demanding, yet it's one of the best-preserved in the Coffee Region. The La Carbonera tour takes you through its mountains and trails among the wax palms, topped off with incredible natural views. Best of all, it's a private destination: you won't find thousands of people like at other well-known spots such as Valle del Cocora. As a bonus, you can extend the trip if you like to visit the Machín volcano and its natural hot springs.

La Carbonera, Tolima, is a must-see if you're visiting Salento, Quindío, since along the way you'll find many native species, and the Jeep or Duster ride lets you take in the scenery from start to finish.

Why choose this beautiful destination called La Carbonera.

This is a unique, private destination.
It's home to the tallest wax palms in the world
You can still spot yellow-eared parrots.
You won't just see the palms, you'll learn all about them.

To do this tour you need an experienced local guide and comfortable transportation, like what we offer at Cocoratours with local and bilingual guides.

To enjoy this beautiful tour, keep these three essentials in mind: 1. Start as early as possible, between 5 and 6 a.m., so you can see the Nevado del Tolima in the distance along the way. 2. Bring suitable clothing for this tour, including gloves and a jacket, since the vehicle crosses a high mountain where it gets very cold. 3. Enjoy nature, walking and learning, since this is a large nature reserve.