Hike to La Chorrera & El Chiflón waterfalls near Bogotá

Experience a full-day hike from Bogotá to Colombia’s tallest waterfall and stunning cascades

This full-day hiking tour from Bogotá takes you to La Chorrera, Colombia's tallest waterfall at 590 meters, and El Chiflón, with a professional guide in your language, hotel pickup, entry tickets, snacks and lunch option included. The hike covers altitudes between 1,923 and 2,600 meters in the Andes foothills east of the city, with about 3.5 hours of active hiking through forest. You'll walk behind El Chiflón's cascades and swim in its turquoise pool, then hike deeper into the forest to reach La Chorrera before returning to Bogotá for a traditional Colombian meal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike to El Chiflón and La Chorrera

• Hotel pickup and drive to East Hills
• Hike to El Chiflón waterfall
• Enjoy local snack
• Hike to La Chorrera waterfall
• Return hike to vehicle
• Lunch in La Candelaria or Choachí
• Return to Bogotá hotel

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Bogotá hotel and a scenic drive into the East Hills, a series of forest-covered peaks within the Andes. As the road climbs, your guide shares insights about the region's geology and the landscape opens into views from roadside cliffs. You begin hiking through vibrant green forest toward El Chiflón, where you can walk directly behind the cascading water for a perspective most visitors never get, or take a swim in the turquoise pool below the falls.

After a local snack to refuel, the hike continues deeper into the forest toward La Chorrera. The route passes through diverse plant life—bromeliads, cedar, orchids—and as you approach, you hear the roar of the waterfall before you see it. At 590 meters (1,936 feet), it is the tallest in the country. You spend time taking in the views and photos before the return hike begins. The whole hiking section takes about 3.5 hours of active walking.

Once back at the vehicle, you head down to the city for a traditional Colombian lunch in either the historic La Candelaria neighborhood or in Choachí, depending on timing and availability. The tour concludes with a return trip to your Bogotá hotel. Note that the hike involves significant altitude—ranging from 1,923 to 2,600 meters above sea level—so it's recommended you wait at least two nights after arriving in Bogotá before booking if you're not accustomed to height. Swimming is allowed at El Chiflón but not at La Chorrera.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Bogotá area.
• professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or German.
• entry tickets to both waterfalls.
• snacks and bottled water throughout the day.
• lunch at a traditional Colombian restaurant (included only if you select the lunch option at checkout).

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Impulse Travel

Is this one for you?Book the version with lunch if you want a full day without stopping to arrange a meal in an unfamiliar neighborhood; choose the hike-only option if you prefer to eat back in central Bogotá or if you're sensitive to altitude and want to keep the day lighter. Either way, plan this tour for at least your third day in Bogotá so your body has time to adjust to the 2,600-meter elevation before you spend 3.5 hours hiking uphill.

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Top questions

How hard is the hike to La Chorrera and El Chiflón?

The hike is strenuous and requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness; good cardiovascular health is recommended. The active hiking portion takes about 3.5 hours, and you'll be walking at altitudes between 1,923 and 2,600 meters in the Andes foothills, so acclimatization matters—waiting two nights after arrival in Bogotá is advised if you're not used to elevation.

Can you swim at these waterfalls?

El Chiflón has an inviting turquoise pool where you can take a refreshing swim, and you can walk behind the cascading water for a unique perspective. Swimming is not allowed at La Chorrera, but you'll have time to soak in the views and take photos of Colombia's tallest waterfall.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in the Bogotá area, entry tickets to both waterfalls, a professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or German, snacks, and bottled water throughout the day. Lunch at a traditional Colombian restaurant is included only if you select the lunch option at checkout.

How long is the full day, and when do you return to Bogotá?

The full tour runs about 8 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. After about 3.5 hours of active hiking, you return to the vehicle, drive back to the city for lunch, and then head back to your Bogotá hotel to conclude the day.

What should you bring or wear for this hike?

Hiking shoes are essential, and you should bring a change of clothes since you may get wet at El Chiflón. The tour provides all necessary equipment, bottled water and snacks, but personal items like sunscreen, a camera and a light rain jacket are practical additions given the forest environment and altitude.

Is this tour suitable for children or teenagers?

The minimum age is 12 years old. Children and teenagers must have at least a moderate level of physical fitness to handle the strenuous hike and the altitude, so it's best suited to active young people rather than casual hikers.