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 are walking through Boyaca’s hills, following the Cebada River to three waterfalls, including the 15-meter La Periquera Falls. The route is not a hard trek, but it is a real outdoor outing with wet ground, river crossings, and weather to consider.

I like the chance to swim in clear river water after the walk, and I like the small nature lesson along the trail, where your guide points out local plants and animals. The main caution is language: English is offered, but some departures have been led only in Spanish, so confirm this before you pay.

Key Points Before You Go

• Three waterfalls on one short route: The Cebada River cuts through the park and forms several falls, with La Periquera dropping about 15 meters.
• A gentle hike with a wet finish: The walk has a low difficulty level, but you should expect to walk for most of the five-hour outing and possibly get wet.
• Private pickup in Villa de Leyva: Transport collects you from hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and other points within town.
• A useful nature lesson: The guide introduces endemic plants and animals instead of treating the park as a simple photo stop.
• Bring a swimsuit and dry clothes: Swimming is brief, but river water and changing weather make extra clothing a smart choice.
• Check the guide language: Spanish and English are listed, though some guests received a Spanish-only guide despite requesting English.

From Villa de Leyva Streets to La Periquera’s Green Trails

Villa de Leyva is best known for its enormous stone plaza, colonial buildings, and nearby dry country. La Periquera shows you another side of the area. The change is striking: after leaving town, you reach a natural park where the trail follows river water, trees, rocky ground, and hills.

The tour lasts five hours, including private transportation from Villa de Leyva. That makes it easy to fit around a stay in town. You can use it as a half-day break before a longer Colombian trip, or place it after your time in the historic center when you want fresh air and movement.

I like this setup because you do not need to arrange a separate taxi, park entry, or local guide. The price is $76 per person, which is not cheap for a five-hour trip. Still, it includes private transport, admission, a guide, and all-risk insurance. The value depends on your group size and priorities. If you are traveling alone, the cost may feel high for a relatively short walk. For a small private group, the convenience and transport can make more sense.

A Private Ride and a Simple Start

Pickup is available anywhere within Villa de Leyva town, including hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and points of interest. That is helpful in a town where your lodging may be some distance from the main plaza. The ride is private, so you are not waiting for a large group or adjusting to several unrelated pickup stops.

Once you arrive at La Periquera Ecological Park, the visit begins on foot. There is no long warm-up section or complicated route described here. You enter a trail surrounded by plants and follow it toward the Cebada River.

The tour is called low difficulty, but do not read that as no effort. Most of the outing is walking, and the ground near waterfalls and creeks can become slippery. The tour runs in all weather conditions. A light, flexible attitude helps, especially if rain changes the feel of the trail.

You should wear shoes suitable for outdoor walking and bring a swimsuit, towel, and a complete change of clothes. The operator specifically recommends extra clothes and swimwear. That advice matters more here than it might on an ordinary sightseeing walk.

Following the Cebada River to Three Waterfalls

The Cebada River is the natural thread of the park. As you move along the trail, the riverbed shapes the route and creates the waterfalls. You will see three falls, each offering a different look at the water cutting through the Boyaca hills.

The first part of the walk is about getting into the park’s natural setting. Your guide can point out endemic plants and explain some of the local flora and fauna. This is one of the better reasons to book the private version instead of simply arriving alone. A waterfall is easy to photograph, but a guide can help you notice the smaller details along the path.

That said, guide quality can vary. Some departures have included Miguel, who is praised for explaining the plants, animals, and Colombian culture with care. Other visitors found the guide friendly but not useful enough, especially when questions could not be answered. I would treat the guide as an important part of the price, but I would also confirm the language and request an English-speaking guide if that matters to you.

The route is designed for enjoyment rather than a demanding athletic challenge. You get time to look around, take photos, and enjoy the river without committing to a full-day mountain hike. The trade-off is that experienced hikers may find the outing too short or too easy.

La Periquera Falls and the River Swim

The biggest named waterfall is La Periquera, which drops about 15 meters. This is the natural high point of the walk, both literally and visually. The surrounding rock, moving water, and wooded hills give you the kind of setting that makes the park worth the short trip from town.

You will have time to take photos at the waterfalls. The park offers plenty of simple photo opportunities: water moving over rock, river bends, wooded slopes, and open views toward the surrounding hills. Bring a phone or camera you can protect from water. The route and swimming stop make this a poor place for loose electronics.

The tour also includes the chance to take a refreshing bath in the river and creeks. The swimming time is described as quick and fun rather than a long river session. Conditions will affect how much time you spend in the water, and the tour operates in all weather, so you should not book it only for swimming.

I like the swim because it gives the outing a clear payoff. After walking beside the river, you can get into it and experience the place instead of only looking at it from a trail. Still, cold water and changing weather may not suit everyone. If you prefer to stay dry, you can focus on the falls and views instead.

What the Guide Adds, and Where the Tour Can Fall Short

The best version of this tour is personal and curious. A private guide can explain what you are seeing, adjust the pace, help with the route, and make the walk feel more connected to the area. Several ratings praise the guides for their friendly manner, clear explanations, and care for the natural setting.

Miguel is specifically praised for his explanations and his respect for nature. That kind of guide can turn a pleasant walk into a useful introduction to Boyaca’s plant life and outdoor culture. You may also learn about Colombian culture along the way, not just names of trees and waterfalls.

But you should not assume every guide will offer the same level of interpretation. One departure received a poor rating because the guide could not answer many questions. Two French-speaking guests also reported that a Spanish-only guide was assigned despite requesting English. The listed languages are Spanish and English, yet the actual match has not always been reliable.

My practical advice is simple: put your language request in writing and confirm it before the tour date. If you speak Spanish, the language issue is less important. If you do not, an English-speaking guide is central to the value of the experience, not a minor extra.

Is $76 a Fair Price for Five Hours?

At $76 per person, this is a midrange private excursion rather than a bargain walk. You are paying for more than park entry. The package includes pickup and drop-off in private transportation, a private guide, admission to La Periquera, and all-risk insurance.

The cost is easier to justify if you value door-to-door service and want someone else to handle the trip outside Villa de Leyva. It also works better for couples or small groups who prefer a private outing. You can ask questions, take photos, and manage your pace without joining strangers.

The price is harder to justify if you are a confident independent hiker who can reach the park alone. One rating makes exactly this point, saying the guide added little and that visiting independently might have been better. The park is the main attraction, so the tour is not offering a long list of additional stops.

The quality of the guide is therefore the deciding factor. With a good English-speaking guide, you receive transport, interpretation, safety coverage, and a relaxed private outing. With a guide who cannot communicate well or answer questions, the price can feel excessive for a short waterfall walk.

Who Will Enjoy La Periquera Most?

I would recommend this for several types of visitors:

• You want a half-day nature trip without leaving Villa de Leyva for a distant destination.
• You enjoy light hiking but do not want a difficult mountain route.
• You want private transport and a guide rather than arranging every detail yourself.
• You like swimming, waterfalls, and outdoor photographs.
• You want to learn a little about local plants, animals, and Colombian culture.
• You are traveling with companions and can share the cost of a private experience.

It is less suitable if you want a strenuous hike, a long swimming session, or a full-day excursion. It may also disappoint if your main aim is a detailed specialist lesson in botany. The tour offers a brief introduction to local nature, not an advanced field course.

Families and older visitors should think about the walking conditions and weather. The route is rated low difficulty, but it still operates outdoors in rain and includes river and creek areas. Anyone with limited mobility should ask for more details before booking, since most of the tour takes place on foot.

Practical Advice for a Smoother Visit

Wear clothing that can handle mud and rain. The operator recommends extra clothes and a swimsuit, and I would add a small towel and a waterproof bag for phones and wallets.

Do not plan this as a polished city excursion. The appeal is the contrast between Villa de Leyva’s architecture and the rougher, wetter setting outside town. You are going to walk, stop at waterfalls, listen to moving water, and possibly enter the river.

Allow yourself enough time to enjoy the stops. Five hours is a useful length because the trip does not take over your whole day, but the walk should not feel rushed. You will want time for photographs and the nature explanations, especially at the larger fall.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Villa de Leyva plans may change. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before choosing your day.

Should You Book the La Periquera Hiking Tour?

Book it if you want an easy private escape from Villa de Leyva, especially if waterfalls, short hikes, river swimming, and outdoor photography appeal to you. The combination of private transport and a local guide removes much of the hassle, while the five-hour length leaves room for other plans.

Before paying, confirm that an English-speaking guide is available if you need one. That single detail can shape the entire experience. I would also ask your group to bring proper shoes, swimwear, and dry clothes.

For independent hikers, $76 may be more than necessary. For visitors who want a simple, guided outing with transport and a chance to see the Cebada River and La Periquera Falls, the price can be reasonable. The park is the draw, but the right guide makes the visit more informative and personal.

FAQ

How long does the La Periquera Hiking Tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including pickup, transportation, the walk through the park, waterfall visits, and the return to Villa de Leyva.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $76 per person.

Where does pickup take place?

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

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation from Villa de Leyva to La Periquera and back to your accommodation is included.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in Spanish and English. Confirm the requested language before booking because some departures have had Spanish-only guides despite an English request.

Are park admission and insurance included?

Yes. Entry to La Periquera and all-risk insurance are included.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. You will have the opportunity for a short swim or refreshing bath in the river and creeks. Bring a swimsuit and extra clothes.

What happens if the weather is rainy?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. Most of the experience takes place outdoors and on foot, so bring clothing suited to changing conditions.