To Gachantivá

Location:
Villa de Leiva , Colombia

Other Activity Types:
Caving, spelunking, Rappelling, torrentismo, Scenic route

By Lorraine Caputo

The road to Gachantivá is a pleasant mix of human and nature’s hand. Delve into one of the many caves that pockmark the land, like Cueva del Indio and Cueva la Furatena. This earth, too, is bathed by many creeks and cascades. Practice torrentismo (rapelling) in Cascadas la Periquera, camp on the banks of Quebrada la Honda or hike to Laguna las Coloradas. To wash the sweat off after a long day of adventuring, dip into the Pozo de la Vieja on the banks of Río de la Cebada. To top this cake off are the ruins of old viceregal Gachantivá Viejo, with its graveyard segregated by class and race, the old church and other buildings.

Getting There
It is difficult to reach most of these without a private car. Tour agencies in Villa de Leyva offer half and full day trips to these sites.

Travel Tips: Torrentismo or rappelling in the Periquera waterfalls is a possible activity.

Relative price: Mid-Range

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Bring water, food (snacks and for a picnic lunch), hat, sunscreen, camera.

The museums, churches and colonial buildings in Villa de Leyva; the monuments along the Villa de Leyva-Santa Sofía and beyond Santa Sofía; Ráquira and Candelaria; Santuario de Flora y Fauna Iguaque.

Currencies accepted
Colombian Peso