Villa de Leyva Adventure: Rappel, ATVs & Horseback

Rappel into a cave, ride ATVs across desert, then sleep in the colonial highlands

A 2-day private adventure from Bogotá combines rappelling into the Hoyo de la Romera cave, ATV exploration of colored water ponds, horseback riding through countryside, and two nights' lodging in Villa de Leyva with a bilingual guide. Day one moves from the cave descent through lunch and afternoon activities to arrival in town. Day two lets you choose between a heritage site or the artisan town of Ráquira before returning to Bogotá.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and adventure activities

• Pick up from Bogotá hotel
• Travel to Boyacá with break
• Ecological walk in Santa Sofia
• Rappel into Hoyo de La Romera cave
• Speleology exploring stalactites and fauna
• Climb out using climbing wall
• Lunch with typical regional dish
• ATV ride in desert area
• Visit colored water mirrors
• Horseback ride through countryside
• Visit museums and sacred sites
• Return to Villa de Leyva and check-in
• Free time at lodging

Day 2: Local visits and return

• Check-out from lodging
• Choose visit: national heritage site or Ráquira artisan town
• Return to Bogotá with lunch stop

The experience

The journey starts at 6 a.m. from your Bogotá hotel with a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Boyacá, breaking once on the road. At Santa Sofia, you begin an ecological walk that leads to rappelling down into the Hoyo de la Romera cave, where you'll navigate stalactites and stalagmites before climbing back to the surface using a climbing wall. The cave itself holds fauna you won't find on the surface, and the speleology activity, moving through passages on foot, is the core of the morning's work.

After lunch on a regional dish, the afternoon splits into two activities. You'll ride ATVs through the desert landscape near Villa de Leyva, passing the colored water ponds that give the area its name, then transition to a quieter horseback ride through the countryside where you visit museums and sacred sites. By 5:15 p.m., you're checked into a 4-star lodging in Villa de Leyva with the rest of the evening free. On day two, you choose your direction: either a heritage site known for its architecture and history since 1620, or Ráquira, the artisan town full of handmade goods and cultural tradition. A road stop for lunch happens on the return to Bogotá around noon.

A professional adventure sports instructor travels with you throughout, and the operator handles all transportation, insurance, and lodging logistics. The bilingual guide speaks both English and Spanish, so language is not a barrier. Estimated times can shift because Bogotá traffic is unpredictable, but the itinerary itself is fixed once you book.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Bogotá hotel.
• professional adventure sports instructor.
• insurance policy.
• two nights' lodging (4-star on night one, 3-star on night two).
• bilingual guide in English and Spanish.

Options for this experience

3 options

Day tripGuide in English or Spanish · 05:00 and 05:30Adventure Villa de Leyva - Full day: Over a single day we will take part in 3 adventure activities (rappelling, horseback riding and ATVs). We will not stay overnight and will return to Bogotá the same day. Pickup is included.

2 days, 1 night at a standard hotelGuide in English or Spanish · 05:00Standard Hotel: Your stay will be at one of the best hotels for travelers in town, in a room with a private bathroom. This accommodation does not include wet rooms or wet areas. Duration: 2 days. Day 1 is in Villa de Leyva for adventure sports, and on day 2 we explore part of the area and return to Bogotá. Pickup is included.

2 days, 1 night at a premium hotelGuide in English or Spanish · 05:00Premium Hotel: You will spend the night at one of the top-rated hotels in the area. Premium accommodation includes a suite room, a private balcony, a private bathroom with a jacuzzi, Wi-Fi, a fireplace, a minibar and a safe. Full access to the hotel's wet rooms. Duration: 2 days, 1 night. On day 1 you will be in Villa de Leyva for adventure sports, and on day 2 we will explore part of the area and return to Bogotá. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 05:00 and 05:30

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Paraíso Travels

Is this one for you?Choose the 2-day option if you want to combine multiple adventure activities (rappelling, ATVs, horseback riding) without rushing through them in a single afternoon, and if you're willing to spend a night in the highlands rather than return to Bogotá the same day. The day-trip version compresses the itinerary. The 2-day structure lets each activity breathe and includes the colonial town itself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years). Children under 13 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly happens when you rappel into the Hoyo de la Romera cave?

You descend by rope into the cave, then explore stalactites, stalagmites, and the wildlife living inside before climbing back to the surface using a climbing wall technique. A professional instructor is with you the entire time.

Can I choose which site to visit on the second day, or is it set?

You choose between two options at checkout: a heritage site with architecture dating to 1620, or Ráquira, the artisan town known for handmade crafts and cultural tradition. The operator will confirm your choice when you book.

How long is the drive from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva?

The drive is approximately two and a half hours, with a break on the road. Return to Bogotá on day two happens around noon after your chosen morning activity and a lunch stop.

What's included in the lodging for the two nights?

The first night is at a 4-star hotel in Villa de Leyva. The second night is at a 3-star hotel. Both are included in the package price, though dinners and drinks are not.

Is this suitable for someone who has never done rappelling or ridden an ATV before?

Yes. The professional adventure sports instructor teaches you the rappelling technique and supervises the entire descent. ATVs are ridden through marked trails, and the itinerary is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health. Children are welcome from age 13.