From Villa de Leyva: La Periquera Hiking Tour

La Periquera gives you a quick change of scene from Villa de Leyva’s grand plaza and whitewashed streets. Within a short drive, you reach a green trail beside the Cebada River, three waterfalls, and hills that make the town’s dry surroundings feel far away. The 15-meter La Periquera waterfall is the main prize, but the smaller falls and river pools make the walk feel like a proper outing rather than a single photo stop.

I like two things right away: private hotel pickup keeps the half-day simple, and the trail offers both scenery and a hands-on finish with a swim. The nature lesson also adds value, especially when your guide points out local plants and explains the area’s wildlife. The main caution is language: English is offered, but some departures have been led only in Spanish, so confirm this clearly before you pay.

Key points

• Three waterfalls along the Cebada River: The route includes La Periquera, a 15-meter fall, plus two other waterfalls.
• A gentle five-hour escape: The hike is described as low difficulty, though most of the outing is on foot and runs in all weather.
• Swimming is part of the fun: Bring a swimsuit and spare clothes for a quick bath in the river and creeks.
• Private guiding with Miguel or another guide: Miguel has received especially strong praise for his explanations and friendly manner.
• Pickup anywhere in Villa de Leyva town: Hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and points of interest are covered.
• A $76 nature outing: The price includes transport, entry, a private guide, and insurance, but not food or personal purchases.

Leaving Villa de Leyva for La Periquera

Villa de Leyva is famous for its historic center, but the town’s setting is just as interesting. In a short distance, the dry, open hills around town give way to cooler, greener pockets and fog-forest scenery. La Periquera is one of the easiest ways to see that change without giving up a full day of sightseeing in town.

Your guide collects you at your accommodation or another point within Villa de Leyva. Private transport matters here because the experience lasts about five hours, and you do not have to arrange a separate taxi or figure out the way to the park. It also lets you start or finish the outing around your plans for the historic center.

The drive itself is not presented as a major sightseeing section, so keep your attention on what comes next. This is a nature walk, not a long cultural tour with several village stops. That focus is useful if you want fresh air, waterfalls, and a break from churches, museums, and cobbled streets.

Following the trail through Boyaca’s plant life

Once inside La Periquera Ecological Park, you start along a trail lined with local plants. The route is described as smooth and low in difficulty, which makes it a good choice if you want time outdoors without signing up for a hard mountain hike.

Still, low difficulty does not mean effortless. Most of the tour is walking, and the park operates in all weather. Rain can make the ground wet, so shoes with a firm grip are a sensible choice. The provided information does not promise a paved path or step-free access, so you should be ready for natural trail conditions.

The guide’s role is most useful here. A good guide can turn a walk past plants into a lesson about what is native to Boyaca and how the local environment supports birds and other wildlife. Miguel has been singled out for explaining the flora and fauna clearly, as well as for connecting the natural setting with Colombian culture.

That educational side is a real benefit of booking privately. You can ask questions and set the pace more easily than in a large group. The tradeoff is that the experience depends quite a bit on the guide assigned to you. Most feedback about the guiding is positive, but one important weakness appears more than once: an English-language booking may not always result in an English-speaking guide.

Reaching the Cebada River and its three waterfalls

After walking through the park, the trail reaches the Cebada River. The riverbed is the natural backbone of the visit, shaping the falls and creating the spots where you stop for views and photographs.

You will see three waterfalls along this stretch. The largest, La Periquera, drops about 15 meters. It is the obvious photo stop, but the appeal of the route comes from seeing several falls in one compact outing. You are not simply driven to a viewpoint, given five minutes, and sent back to town.

The waterfalls also give the tour a nice rhythm. You walk, pause for views, listen to an explanation, and continue toward the next section. The scenery changes with the water, rocks, trees, and open hills around the park. Bring a phone or camera, but protect it from spray and keep your attention on the trail when the ground is wet.

The setting is especially good for anyone who wants a different side of Villa de Leyva. The town center is handsome and historic, but it can feel focused on buildings and paved streets. La Periquera shows you why adding an extra day around Villa de Leyva can be worthwhile.

The river swim: short, refreshing, and weather dependent

The tour includes time for a quick swim or bath in the clear water of the river and creeks. This is not presented as a long swimming session, and you should think of it as a refreshing pause rather than the main event.

That short swim gives the outing a playful edge. After walking beside the river and seeing the falls, getting into the water makes the setting feel more immediate. You can enjoy the cool water, take a few photos from the bank, and then change before returning to Villa de Leyva.

Bring a swimsuit and at least one extra set of clothes. This is one of the few tips you should treat as essential, not optional. Even if you decide not to swim, spray, rain, or a damp trail can leave you wanting dry clothing.

Weather can change the character of the stop. The tour runs in all weather, and one outing continued pleasantly despite rain. Rain may make the park feel fresh and dramatic, but it can also make the path slippery and the swim less appealing. If the forecast looks poor, ask how the water portion is handled rather than assuming it will be canceled.

What the private format adds at $76

The price is $76 per person. That is not a bargain basement walk, especially if you are comparing it with visiting the park independently. One Canadian customer felt the cost was high for the amount of hiking involved, and that is a fair question to ask.

The price becomes easier to justify if you value the included services:

• Private guide
• Private transport from and back to your Villa de Leyva accommodation
• Park entry
• All-risk insurance
• A five-hour outing rather than a brief transfer and waterfall stop

You are paying for convenience and interpretation as much as for the trail itself. If you already have transport, speak Spanish comfortably, and prefer to walk without a guide, the tour may not offer enough extra value for you. If you want someone else to handle the ride, entry, and route, the cost is more reasonable.

The private format is also useful for couples, families, or small groups with different walking speeds. You can ask for explanations, pause for photographs, and spend time at the river without being tied to a large party. The information provided does not state the maximum group size, only that it is private, so ask how many people your booking covers if that affects your decision.

The guide and language question

Guide quality is one of the biggest factors in this experience. Miguel has earned particular praise for his friendly manner, clear explanations, and care for the natural setting. Several strong assessments also point to good attention and solid knowledge of the area.

There is one practical wrinkle. Spanish and English are both listed as available languages, but at least two English-requesting bookings were assigned guides who spoke only Spanish. One person had to translate for a companion during the whole outing. That can take the ease out of a holiday, especially when the nature lesson is one of the tour’s selling points.

I would confirm the language in writing before booking and again before pickup. Do not assume that selecting English guarantees an English-speaking guide on every departure. If you are comfortable in Spanish, this concern largely disappears, and a Spanish-speaking guide may still provide a very enjoyable outing.

The overall rating of 4.5 from 10 assessments suggests a strong experience with a few meaningful service issues. The repeated praise centers on the scenery, waterfalls, guide attitude, and explanations. The lower scores focus on language and price, not on the park itself.

Who will enjoy this half-day outing?

I would recommend La Periquera to you if you want a moderate outdoor break during a stay in Villa de Leyva. It suits people who enjoy walking, waterfalls, photographs, and a little cold-water fun without committing to a demanding trek.

It is also a good fit if you want to learn as you go. The flora and fauna explanations can give the walk more purpose, particularly if you do not know much about Boyaca’s natural setting. Miguel’s style appears especially well suited to people who appreciate detailed explanations rather than a guide who simply leads from one stop to the next.

Families and small private groups may like the flexible setup, but the trail and wet conditions still matter. The supplied details do not give a minimum age, child policy, or accessibility information, so ask before booking if you are traveling with young children or anyone who needs a fully accessible route.

You may want to skip it if you dislike walking in rain, do not want to carry spare clothes, or expect a major adventure park with a long, strenuous route. This is a low-difficulty nature walk with waterfalls and a short river swim. Its pleasures are simple, close-up, and tied to the setting.

Practical preparation for the five hours

Wear shoes that can handle a natural trail and possible wet ground. Pack a swimsuit, dry clothes, and something to protect your phone or camera near the water.

You do not get breakfast or lunch with the tour, so plan food around the five-hour schedule. Extra purchases are also your responsibility. Since pickup is available around Villa de Leyva, you can keep the morning or afternoon fairly simple, but check the start time when booking because availability varies.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Villa de Leyva plans are still shifting. These are useful booking terms, but the more important questions are still the guide language, weather plan, and what the day’s swimming stop will look like.

Should you book La Periquera?

Book this tour if you want an easy-to-moderate nature outing with private transport, three waterfalls, and a chance to swim. The best parts are the changing scenery outside Villa de Leyva, the 15-meter La Periquera fall, and the chance to learn about local plants and animals instead of walking past them without context.

At $76, the tour is best value when you are traveling without your own transport or want a private guide. It is less compelling if you can reach the park easily yourself and would rather explore independently. Confirm the English guide before payment, bring spare clothes, and expect a real walk in changing weather.

For most visitors with one extra half-day in Villa de Leyva, I would put La Periquera high on the list. It gives you waterfalls, fresh air, and a clear look at the natural side of Boyaca without turning the day into a major expedition.

FAQ

How long does the La Periquera Hiking Tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including private transportation from Villa de Leyva, time on the trail, waterfall visits, and the river stop.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available anywhere within Villa de Leyva town, including hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and points of interest.

How many waterfalls will I see?

The route includes three waterfalls along the Cebada River. One of them, La Periquera, is about 15 meters high.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The tour includes a quick opportunity to bathe or swim in the clear water of the river and creeks.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit and extra clothes. Since the tour operates in all weather and includes substantial walking, suitable footwear is also important.

Is the hike difficult?

The hike is described as smooth and low in difficulty, but most of the tour is walking and natural trail conditions can change with the weather.

Is an English-speaking guide available?

English and Spanish are listed as available languages. Because some English-requesting bookings have received Spanish-only guides, confirm the guide language before booking.

What is included in the $76 price?

The price includes a private guide from Gran Colombia Tours, private hotel pickup and drop-off, entry to La Periquera, and all-risk insurance.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.