HIKING AND BIRDING
Our hiking tours will immerse you in the natural beauty of Villa de Leyva. Follow the trail up to the Iguaque lagoon, or join us into some private natural reservations, to discover the amazing birds in this area.
You'll come across some details that typical tourists miss while enjoying spontaneous encounters along the way. You'll also be fully insured.
IGUAQUE SANCTUARY OF FLORA AND FAUNA
* THE SACRED LAGOON "BACHUE" TRAIL*
FOR THIS HIKING TOUR YOU MUST CHECK AVAILABILITY IN ADVANCE.
As a Natural reserve, the Iguaque Sanctuary have some restrictions for turism, take into account the load capacity for this trail is
88 visitors per day.
If you hire our guidance service, we will do the entire registration process for you.
To check availability just contact us on whatsapp or fill the form below.
The day of the tour. A driver will pick you at your hotel in Villa de Leyva to take you to the entrance of the national park. After an induction talk at the park, you'll start hiking up along with the guide towards the San Pedro de Iguaque lagoon, a sacred place for the Muisca people who believe this was the point of origin of mankind.
Hiking the 9 km (5,5 mi) trail, which winds its way uphill through cloud forest, isn't easy. Wear practical boots, and be prepared for cold and rainy weather, as the temperature can drop fast.
Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager
Chesnut-crowned Antpitta
It's worth it when you reach the Páramo, a unique ecosystem. With our guide you'll be able to spot and identify different species of Fauna and Flora.
The site is a magical place that invites you to reflect while in deep contact with nature, clean your spirit and come down from the mountain feeling renovated and full of energy, so be respectful and always follow the guide's instructions.
Duration: full day
Level: medium / high
Participants: From 2 to 10
Availability: All year round - Check availability at least 15 days before your visit -
IGUAQUE SANCTUARY OF FLORA AND FAUNA
* THE BIRDING "IE-SUE" TRAIL*
FOR THIS HIKING TOUR YOU MUST CHECK AVAILABILITY IN ADVANCE.
As a Natural reserve, the Iguaque Sanctuary have some restrictions for turism, take into account the load capacity for this trail is
50 visitors per day.
If you hire our guidance service, we will do the entire registration process for you.
To check availability just contact us on whatsapp or fill the form below.
The day of the tour. A driver will pick you at your hotel in Villa de Leyva to take you to the entrance of the national park. After a induction talk at the park, you'll start hiking up along with the guide into the IE-SUE trail.
This one is 1.88 km long (1,1mi).
It starts at the Carrizal Administrative Headquarters. The route takes you through the Andean forest ecosystem, passing through the Carrizal ravine. This trail also passes by the auditorium and the ruins of the “Mamarramos”house .
With our guide you'll be able to spot and identify different species of Fauna and Flora.
At this site you'll be abble to spot some specialties such as:
always follow the guide's instructions.
Duration: half day (you can make it a full day)
Level: Easy.
Participants: From 2 to 10
Availability: All year round - Check availability at least 15 days before your visit -
THE BIRDS AND THE CHEESE
Birdwatching at this part of the country is a bit of a challenge, it takes sensibility and patience, birds are shy in paramos and cloud forest, and this is perfect if you are just starting with this activity! Our guides are very knowledgeable about finding their favorite places.
This tour will take you to the perfect location for birding. It is a 5 hectares property, that has been recovering oak forests and undergrowth for the last 22 years.
Cinnycerthia
unirufa
Chlorospingus
flavopectus trudis
Here you can spot some specialties such as: Chlorospingus flavopectus, Anabacerthia striaticollis, Tangara nigroviridis, Cinnycerthia unirufa, Grallaria ruficapilla, Aulacorhynchus prasinus, Assio flammeus, Cyclarhis nigrirostris, Xiphorhynchus triangularis and Coeligena prunellei
Carlos and Mara are the owners of this private nature reserve, and have developed a harmonious way of living that is really worth seeing and learning.
After the break and a little farm tour, you can walk freely inside the property to spot and photograph new birds or hike around to enjoy the magnificent scenery. This tour starts at 6am and ends at 1pm, so be prepared because we'll pick you at your hotel at 5am.
Duration: 5 to 7 hours
Level: Intermediate
Participants: From 2 to 10
Availability: All year round - Check availability at least 15 days before your visit -
YATAROS - THE AMAZING WATERFALL
This tour is designed for people interested in natural scenery and everyday rural landscapes, away from the beaten track.
We’ll meet at your hotel to guide you to “Las Coloradas” lagoon, located in Gachantiva, 18km away from Villa de Leyva.
We’ll start hiking from the lagoon into the misty forest, into a private natural reserve where the waterfall is located. Along the way you’ll be able to identify some birds and features of the Andean forest.
Thamnophilus
multistriatus
Picumnus
olivaceus
After a 4km hike, we´ll arrive to the waterfall to cool off on the river .
The trail back is a different one, in order to explore another part of this beautiful natural reserve. The car will pick us up again at Gachantiva, to take us back to Villa de Leyva
Duration: half day
Level: med/high
Participants: From 2 to 10
Availability: All year round
THE ROCK ART GALLERIES
OF SACHICA
This hiking tour is designed for people interested in history and anthropology.
You will be guided by a local historian guide and joined by an interpreter (you can choose between english or french).
We’ll meet at your hotel, to drive you to the town of Sachica 5km away from Villa de Leyva, where the tour begins.
You’ll learn about the historic importance of this town for the Muisca people and how the Spanish conquerors intervened, you'll also learn about the meaning of some colonial relics such as: the punishment stone, the atrial cross and the church itself.
After that we’ll start walking across the farm fields through little trails commonly used by the local community. This paths will take us to the hot springs, located on the river's side, if you feel in the mood, you can also dive in!
From there, we'll start walking into the mountain towards the rock art gallery, whose origin is unknown.
It has been written by the Spanish chroniclers that this areas used to be sacred places for the PreColombian people.
These colonial documents describe the relation between the Muiscas and the pictographs as teachings from their own ancestors. The inhabitants of Sachica are trying to preserve and teach about the importance of this archeological findings that used to be, and still are endangered.
Duration: full day
Level: High
Participants: From 2 to 10
Availability: All year round
CHIQUIZA HIKE
For this excursion we'll meet at your hotel in Villa de Leyva. You will hike into the main mountain, up the town and into the hills, following narrow paths you'll pass by impressive rock walls and native trees, heading to a viewpoint where you'll be able to appreciate the majestic canyon location of the town of Chiquiza.
This path was a traditional road for the Muisca people to move and commerce between one town and the other.
Wear practical boots, and comfortable clothes.
You can do this hike on your own, so pass by our office and we'll give you directions to get there. You can also hire a guide so please contact us for special rates for groups.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Level: low/intermediate
Availability: Just during rainy season, due to fire risk. Please check the weather conditions
