From Villa de Leyva: La Periquera Hiking Tour

A good waterfall walk starts with one trail. This 5-hour La Periquera outing pairs easy hiking with three waterfalls, plus a short lesson on endemic flora and fauna. The only real heads up is that it is mostly on foot, in all weather, so you’ll want the right clothes and gear.

I love how the tour shows another side of Villa de Leyva, where Boyacá changes fast and you can feel far from town without a huge trip. You’ll start on a path with local plants, then reach the Cebada riverbed where the water shapes the whole experience. And yes, you get photo stops at every turn, not just one dramatic viewpoint.

The mild difficulty is a big plus if you want nature time without a strenuous day. Still, the day is weather-dependent, and the river and creek moments can mean you’ll get wet, even if the swim is just quick.

Key things that make La Periquera special

• Three waterfalls on one route, including La Periquera at about 15 meters
• Endemic plant and animal lesson early in the walk, not tacked on later
• Cebada riverbed walking that changes textures and views as you go
• A refreshing river swim time that feels natural, not forced
• Hotel pickup and drop-off inside Villa de Leyva, making it easy to fit in

Why La Periquera Fits Your Villa de Leyva Plans

Villa de Leyva is known for more than its whitewashed streets and colonial charm. What surprises many people is how quickly the region’s character shifts around town, from drier looks to mistier, greener areas in a short drive. This hike is one of the best ways to get that change in a half day.

If your days are already full, La Periquera is a smart add-on before you go exploring the historic center or after you’ve done your walking in town. You get outdoors time without losing an entire day to transport. Plus, the park’s focus is nature first, so it feels like a genuine reset.

Pickup, Private Guide, and the Smooth Start

You’ll get picked up anywhere within Villa de Leyva town, including hotels, hostels, and other rental spots. That matters more than it sounds, because it cuts out the awkward parts of day trips: finding the right bus, timing taxis, or dragging your day bag through the town center.

This is a private group with a Gran Colombia Tours guide. In practice, that means you’re not squeezed into a fast-moving pack. Your guide can adjust pace to the weather, and they can point out the plants and details that you’d easily miss on your own.

What a private format helps with

• You can ask questions in real time during the short lesson on what you’re seeing
• You can move at a comfortable speed while keeping the hike smooth
• You can pause for photos without feeling rushed

The Endemic Plant Trail And the Small Lesson That Changes Everything

The tour begins when you enter the trail through the ecological park. You’ll walk along a path where the guide highlights endemic plants, the kinds that naturally belong to this region. This is one of those small touches that upgrades the whole hike, because you stop treating the scenery like background and start seeing it as a living system.

You can expect a brief explanation on endemic flora and fauna. It is not a long lecture. It’s more like orientation, so when you spot something unusual, you have a starting point for what it might be and why it matters here.

A hiking tour can be either “walk, then stop for the big waterfall” or “walk, and learn what the trail is telling you.” La Periquera leans toward the second. Even if you care more about the photos than the botany, you’ll still come away noticing more than you would on your own.

Down to the Cebada Riverbed: Three Waterfalls, One Signature Moment

The heart of the experience is the way the Cebada riverbed cuts across the park. As you move along, the water forms different waterfalls, and the route lets you see multiple perspectives instead of one single stop.

You’ll have a chance to view three waterfalls. One of them is La Periquera, about 15 meters high. That height gives you a real sense of scale, and it’s typically the moment that makes the photos pop, because you’re capturing the water’s movement plus the surrounding rock and vegetation.

Why seeing three waterfalls is better than it sounds

It’s not just more water, it is more angles. You get variety in sound, mist, and how the river runs through the terrain. It also helps if conditions are different at each stop, like wind or cloud cover, because the falls will look and feel distinct even on the same day.

River Time: The Quick Swim and What You Should Pack

One of the most fun parts is that you don’t just watch the water. You get a chance for a refreshing bath in the river, in the clear water along the creeks and river stretches.

The swim time is described as quick, but that’s often the right call for this kind of half-day nature outing. You get the reward without turning the day into a long, gear-heavy water activity. It’s also a good way to cool down if the hike turns out warmer than you expected.

What to bring so you feel comfortable

They recommend extra clothes and a swimsuit. I’d treat that as non-optional if you want to enjoy the swim moment rather than just watching it. Even if you never planned to get in, splashes happen.

If you’re thinking ahead, pack so you can change fast. Wet clothes can make the rest of the walk back feel colder or less fun, especially if weather shifts.

Rain, Timing, and All-Weather Walking

This tour operates in all weather conditions, and most of the experience is walking. That means you should be mentally ready for muddy patches, slippery edges near water, and darker skies that can change your light for photos.

The good news is that the hike is listed as a low level of difficulty. You’re not signing up for technical terrain. Still, rain changes traction, and water areas always require a careful step.

I like that the tour is designed as a “go outside anyway” half day. If you’re the type who waits for perfect weather, you’ll miss opportunities. Here, the experience adjusts to what the day gives you, including how the waterfalls look and how the river mist feels.

Guides Matter: Professional Explanations and Real-World Language Notes

The tour includes a live tour guide in Spanish and English. That is a great baseline, especially if you want more than scenery captions.

Some guide feedback also points to strong personality and professionalism, including a guide named Miguel, who showed a lot of care and knowledge while explaining what you’d be seeing. When guides take pride in the place, the whole outing feels more personal, not just transactional.

One thing to consider for English speakers: while English is offered, your experience can depend on which language the guide uses that day. If English is important to you, it’s worth double-checking when you book so you know you’ll get the language support you expect.

Price and Value: Is $76 Worth It?

At about $76 per person for a 5-hour private tour, you’re paying for more than a basic walk. The value comes from the combo of:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in private transportation within Villa de Leyva town
• Entry to La Periquera
• A private guide
• All risk insurance

That is a strong package for a half-day, especially in a place where you’d otherwise spend time piecing together transport and tickets. You’ll still need to budget for breakfast and lunch, since those aren’t included. So if you plan well, you can keep your total day cost under control by eating before pickup or after drop-off.

Also, think about the swim and the waterfalls. When a tour includes time at multiple waterfalls plus a river bath opportunity, you’re getting active nature time, not just “stand and look.” In many cases, that makes the price feel more fair.

Who This Hike Is Perfect For

This tour is ideal if you want:

• Easy nature time with low difficulty and lots of photo opportunities
• A day that includes both walking and a water moment
• A guided experience that gives you a quick understanding of the local ecosystem

It’s also a good choice if you want to explore outside the historic center but still keep your day structured. The pickup and private format make it easier for couples, small groups, and anyone who’d rather not navigate a park on their own.

When you might choose differently

If you hate walking in wet or changing weather, this might feel like too much unpredictability. Also, if you’re expecting an extremely long hike with huge climbing, this one is more about smooth exploration than a workout.

Should You Book La Periquera Hiking Tour?

If you’re in Villa de Leyva and you want one memorable nature outing, I think booking La Periquera is a smart move. You get the key ingredients in a tight time window: a guided hike, three waterfalls including the standout La Periquera, and a chance to cool off in the river.

Do book it if you pack extra clothes and treat the day like a real outdoor experience, not a museum visit. Skip it only if you need dry, predictable conditions and want to avoid the wet parts of river parks.

If you’re excited to see Boyacá beyond town, this is a straightforward way to do it.

FAQ

How long is the La Periquera Hiking Tour from Villa de Leyva?

The tour lasts about 5 hours.

What’s included in the price?

It includes a private guide from Gran Colombia Tours, hotel pickup and drop-off in private transportation within Villa de Leyva town, entry to La Periquera, and all risk insurance.

Is there time to swim during the tour?

Yes. You get a quick but fun chance to take a bath in the refreshing waters of the river and creeks.

What should I bring?

You should bring extra clothes and a swimsuit, since most of the tour is walking and operates in all weather conditions.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live tour guide is available in Spanish and English.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.