THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Follow the Cebada river through shaded forest and sunlit hills to three waterfalls, including the 15 m La Periquera. This easy, five-hour guided hike from Villa de Leyva pairs short scrambling and river swims with geological and cultural notes on Boyacá’s high plateau.
Follow the Cebada river through shaded forest and sunlit hills to three waterfalls, including the 15 m La Periquera. This easy, five-hour guided hike from Villa de Leyva pairs short scrambling and river swims with geological and cultural notes on Boyacá’s high plateau.
A cool mist greets you before the trail opens — the Cebada river threading clear rock pools and stepping down into three distinct falls. The largest, La Periquera, drops about 15 meters, a vertical line in the green that invites a closer look and, for many, a dip in its cold basin. The path moves between open hills and a pocket of montane forest, switching from sun-baked scrub to shaded, damp understory in minutes.
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Operated by Gran Colombia Tours · Villa de Leyva, Boyacá
A cool mist greets you before the trail opens — the Cebada river threading clear rock pools and stepping down into three distinct falls. The largest, La Periquera, drops about 15 meters, a vertical line in the green that invites a closer look and, for many, a dip in its cold basin. The path moves between open hills and a pocket of montane forest, switching from sun-baked scrub to shaded, damp understory in minutes.
Villa de Leyva sits on a high Andean plateau in Boyacá (≈2,140 m elevation), a town long shaped by colonial stonework and nearby fossil-rich plains. Geologically, La Periquera is carved out of highly weathered Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments; streams have cut terraces and pools that feel younger than the rolling hills they punctuate. Locals value the site for clean water and easy access to native plant species, and guides often point out endemic shrubs and orchids along the trail.
Practically, the outing is a short, mostly gentle hike of about five hours including transport from town. Trails are singletrack with some slippery river crossings and uneven rock near the falls, so sturdy footwear matters. Bring a swimsuit and quick-dry towel for a river bath, carry 1–2 liters of water, and layer for cool mornings at altitude. Mornings are quieter and sunnier; the trail gets busier and wetter after midday in the rainy months. Guides typically provide entry, pick-up, and orientation, leaving you to enjoy easy scrambling, swimming, and broad Boyacá views with minimal exertion.
easy.
5 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; short, steady walking with occasional uneven sections—no sustained climbs.
Yes — guides typically allow swimming in the calmer pools; always assess current and depth before entering, and avoid swimming after heavy rains.
Most tours include private hotel pick-up and drop-off; independently, local taxis can drive the short dirt-road approach to the park entrance.
The route is rated easy and works for many families, but supervision is needed near riverbanks and rocky stretches; check mobility limits before booking.
Villa de Leyva is around 2,100 m; most visitors feel fine, but allow time to acclimatize if arriving from sea level and limit heavy exertion on day one.
Villa de Leyva’s colonial center dates to the 16th century; the surrounding landscape has long been used for grazing and small-scale agriculture, shaping trails to water sources like La Periquera.
Keep to established paths and avoid soaps in the river to protect aquatic life; local guides support low-impact visitation and park entry fees fund maintenance.
Gran Colombia Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A cool mist greets you before the trail opens — the Cebada river threading clear rock pools and stepping down into three distinct falls. The largest, La Periquera, drops about 15 meters, a vertical line in the green that invites a closer look and, for many, a dip in its cold basin. The path moves between open hills and a pocket of montane forest, switching from sun-baked scrub to shaded, damp understory in minutes.
A cool mist greets you before the trail opens — the Cebada river threading clear rock pools and stepping down into three distinct falls. The largest, La Periquera, drops about 15 meters, a vertical line in the green that invites a closer look and, for many, a dip in its cold basin. The path moves between open hills and a pocket of montane forest, switching from sun-baked scrub to shaded, damp understory in minutes.
Villa de Leyva sits on a high Andean plateau in Boyacá (≈2,140 m elevation), a town long shaped by colonial stonework and nearby fossil-rich plains. Geologically, La Periquera is carved out of highly weathered Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments; streams have cut terraces and pools that feel younger than the rolling hills they punctuate. Locals value the site for clean water and easy access to native plant species, and guides often point out endemic shrubs and orchids along the trail.
Practically, the outing is a short, mostly gentle hike of about five hours including transport from town. Trails are singletrack with some slippery river crossings and uneven rock near the falls, so sturdy footwear matters. Bring a swimsuit and quick-dry towel for a river bath, carry 1–2 liters of water, and layer for cool mornings at altitude. Mornings are quieter and sunnier; the trail gets busier and wetter after midday in the rainy months. Guides typically provide entry, pick-up, and orientation, leaving you to enjoy easy scrambling, swimming, and broad Boyacá views with minimal exertion.