From Villa de Leyva: La Periquera Hiking Tour

La Periquera gives you a quick change of scenery from Villa de Leyva’s grand plaza and colonial streets. In about five hours, you walk through the Boyaca countryside, follow the Cebada River, see three waterfalls, and reach La Periquera, a 15-meter drop. I especially like the easy pace and the chance to cool off in the river. The main caution is that the guide’s English may not always match the language requested, so confirm this before you pay.

I also like the private pickup and drop-off, since you do not need to arrange your own ride to the park. Guides such as Miguel have been praised for explaining local plants, animals, and Colombian culture. Still, at $76 per person, the tour is best value for visitors who want transport, park entry, and interpretation, not for confident hikers happy to go alone.

Quick points to know

• Three waterfalls on one short route: The trail follows the Cebada River and includes La Periquera, a 15-meter waterfall.
• A gentle nature outing: The hike is described as low difficulty, though most of the five-hour visit is on foot.
• Swimming is part of the fun: Bring a swimsuit and spare clothes for a quick bath in the river or creeks.
• Private service from Villa de Leyva: Pickup and return are included from hotels, hostels, rentals, and points of interest in town.
• Nature interpretation adds value: You may learn about endemic plants, local animals, and Colombian culture along the way.
• Check the language carefully: English and Spanish are offered, but some bookings have received a Spanish-speaking guide despite requesting English.

Leaving Villa de Leyva for La Periquera

Villa de Leyva is famous for its architecture and historic center, but the town’s setting is just as rewarding. Within a short drive, the dry hills around town give way to greener country and small waterways. La Periquera is a good choice if you want to add nature without committing to a full day away.

Your guide collects you anywhere within Villa de Leyva town. That includes hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and other points of interest. Private transport matters here because it removes the fuss of finding the park, arranging a return ride, or coordinating your timing with strangers.

The total outing lasts five hours, including transport, walking, time at the waterfalls, and the swim stop. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before booking. I would place this tour before or after your time in the historic center, rather than trying to squeeze it between fixed activities.

The drive is short, but the surroundings change quickly. Villa de Leyva’s built-up center fades into open Boyaca scenery, with hills and countryside setting the tone for the walk ahead. You are not signing up for a hard mountain expedition. This is a half-day outing designed to give you fresh air, water, and a taste of the area beyond town.

The trail through La Periquera Ecological Park

Once you enter La Periquera Ecological Park, the route takes you along a path lined with plants native to the area. The guide may pause to explain the flora and fauna, which gives the walk more purpose than simply following a path to a waterfall.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features. The park is not only a photo stop. It gives you a chance to notice the plant life and ask questions about the local environment. Guides such as Miguel have been praised for explaining what you see, as well as adding details about Colombian culture.

The route is described as low difficulty, making it a reasonable option for people who want an active morning without a demanding climb. Still, do not treat low difficulty as no effort. Most of the visit is walking, and the tour operates in all weather. Wet conditions can make any natural trail feel less easy, so bring shoes with a firm grip and dress for changeable conditions.

The park’s appeal comes from its variety. You pass through vegetation, reach the Cebada River, and then see water moving through the rock in a series of drops and pools. The route offers plenty of chances to stop, look around, and take photographs rather than rushing from one point to the next.

Following the Cebada River to three waterfalls

The Cebada River is the natural thread of the visit. It crosses the park and forms several waterfalls, three of which are included on the route. Each stop gives you a different view of the water and the surrounding hills.

La Periquera is the main visual prize. At 15 meters high, it has enough scale to make the stop feel like a proper outing rather than a quick roadside pause. You can take photographs here, but keep your attention on the footing too. Water, rocks, and weather can make the area slippery.

The other two waterfalls add variety to the walk. They may not have the same height as La Periquera, but seeing three falls in one visit makes the route feel more complete. The riverbed also gives the guide a natural setting for explaining how water shapes the park and supports its plant life.

The scenery is a major reason to bring a camera. You will find waterfall views, river scenes, wooded sections, open hills, and changing views across Boyaca. A phone is enough for most people, though you should protect it from splashes and rain.

This is also where the tour’s pace matters. The experience is not built around checking off a waterfall and immediately leaving. The stated plan includes time to enjoy the river, take pictures, and connect with the setting. Your exact pace will depend on weather, trail conditions, and the group, but a private outing generally gives you more room to stop than a large group visit.

A quick swim in the river

The chance to swim gives La Periquera a playful edge. After walking through the park and seeing the waterfalls, you can take a refreshing bath in the clear river or creeks. It is not presented as a long swimming session. Think of it as a short, welcome cool-down.

Bring a swimsuit and extra clothes. This is not a minor packing suggestion. If you plan to enter the water, dry clothes will make the ride back to Villa de Leyva much more comfortable. A small towel would also be sensible, although it is not listed among the inclusions.

Water conditions and weather can affect the swim. The tour runs in all weather, but that does not mean every day will feel ideal for getting wet. Follow the guide’s instructions and use good judgment around moving water, rocks, and waterfall pools.

The swim is most valuable because it breaks up the walking. You get an active outing, a scenic stop, and a simple outdoor experience that feels different from sightseeing in town. If you do not want to swim, you can still enjoy the river and waterfalls, but the tour’s full appeal is strongest for people happy to get a little wet.

What the guide adds to the walk

A guide can make this trip much better, but the quality of the interpretation matters. The best version of the experience includes explanations of endemic plants and animals, along with local culture and the story of the park’s natural setting.

Miguel has been singled out for his friendly manner and strong explanations. Other guide feedback also points to good attention and useful information, including during rainy weather. That matters because a wet day can test the mood of any outdoor outing. A guide who stays engaged and takes time with questions can keep the experience enjoyable.

There is one practical concern: language service has not always been consistent. Spanish and English are offered, but some bookings were handled by a Spanish-only guide even when English had been requested. If you need English, confirm the language of the specific guide assigned to your date. Do this before the tour, not when you are already standing at the park entrance.

If you speak Spanish, the guide service is likely to feel more natural. If you do not, the tour may still work as a scenic walk, but you could miss much of the plant, animal, and cultural explanation if communication is limited. That is especially important because interpretation is one of the main reasons to pay for a private tour instead of visiting independently.

Is $76 per person a fair price?

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see La Periquera. The price includes a private guide, private transport from and back to Villa de Leyva, park entry, and all-risk insurance. Breakfast, lunch, and personal purchases are not included.

The value depends on how you travel. I think the price makes more sense for couples, families, or small private groups who want door-to-door transport and a guide for a half-day. It also helps if you want a smooth plan and do not want to spend time working out the route yourself.

The value is weaker for an independent hiker who can arrange transport, enter the park, and follow the route without help. One booking rated the experience poorly for exactly this reason, feeling the guide added little. That is a fair concern. The tour is not selling a rare expedition or a full-day adventure. It is selling convenience, company, interpretation, and a private schedule.

Language should be part of your price calculation. If you book English service but receive a Spanish-only guide, the tour loses some of its value. Confirming this detail is the simplest way to avoid disappointment.

There is no need to bring money for a meal as part of the plan, since lunch is not included. Eat before you leave or arrange your own food according to the starting time. Extra purchases are also your responsibility.

Weather, clothing, and trail comfort

This tour operates in all weather, so pack for a real outdoor visit rather than a polished town excursion. A light rain layer, comfortable walking clothes, and sturdy footwear will help. The route has a low difficulty rating, but rain can change the feel of a natural trail.

A swimsuit and spare clothes are specifically recommended. Add a small towel, sun protection, and a way to protect your phone or camera from water. These are practical items for any outing built around rivers and waterfalls.

The tour is five hours long, and much of that time is spent walking. If you want a completely relaxed day with little physical activity, this is not the right pick. If you can manage a gentle hike and enjoy walking outdoors, the pace should be approachable.

Photography is easy to fit into the day. The park offers waterfall views, river scenes, plants, hills, and open sections with broad views. Keep your equipment light. You will get more enjoyment from stopping often with a small camera or phone than carrying heavy gear on a short hike.

Who will enjoy this half-day outing?

I would recommend La Periquera to anyone spending several days in Villa de Leyva and wanting to see more than the historic center. It is also a good choice if you have just arrived and want a gentle introduction to the area, or if you prefer to finish your sightseeing with a morning outdoors.

Nature lovers will get the most from the park’s plants, animals, river, and waterfalls. Photographers will appreciate the number of changing viewpoints. Families and private groups may like the flexible feel of a private vehicle and guide, provided everyone is comfortable walking for most of the five hours.

This is less suitable for someone seeking a hard hike, a full-day wilderness trip, or a long swim. It is also not the best choice for a visitor who dislikes uncertain weather or wet trails. The activity is simple, but the setting makes it memorable.

The mixed guide-language experiences also make pre-trip confirmation important. If your booking depends on English explanations, ask specifically for an English-speaking guide and confirm that request. Spanish speakers have a simpler decision, since the language concern is less likely to affect the experience.

Should you book La Periquera?

Book this tour if you want an easy nature break from Villa de Leyva, private pickup, three waterfalls, and a short river swim without arranging the day yourself. The strongest reasons to go are the scenery, the relaxed hike, and the chance to learn about local plants and animals from a guide such as Miguel.

Think twice if you are comfortable traveling independently or if $76 feels high for a half-day walk. You should also confirm the guide’s language before booking, since that detail has affected the experience for some English and French-speaking customers.

For the right visitor, La Periquera is a useful extra day in Villa de Leyva: active but not punishing, scenic without a long transfer, and full of simple outdoor moments. Bring dry clothes, accept that the weather may change, and let the river and waterfalls do most of the entertaining.

FAQ

How long does the La Periquera Hiking Tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including pickup, transportation, hiking, waterfall stops, swimming time, and the return to Villa de Leyva.

What is included in the price?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Breakfast, lunch, and extra purchases are not included.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is available anywhere within Villa de Leyva town, including hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and points of interest.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is described as low difficulty, but most of the tour involves walking and it operates in all weather conditions.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. You have the opportunity to take a quick, refreshing bath in the river or creeks. Bring a swimsuit and extra clothes.

Is the tour available in English?

English and Spanish service is offered. Confirm the language of your assigned guide before booking, since some English requests have received a Spanish-speaking guide.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.