La Chorrera Waterfall Guided Hike with Private Transport

The tallest waterfall in Colombia is not in some remote corner of the Amazon. It is 90 minutes east of Bogota, near the town of Choachi, and most international visitors have never heard of it. La Chorrera drops 590 meters in tiered stages down a cliff face wrapped in cloud forest, loud enough that you hear it well before you see it. This private day takes you there with a guide, a driver, and nothing to organize: pickup at your Bogota hotel, the hike, a traditional lunch, and the ride home.

The trail itself is half the reward. You walk through one of the most biodiverse elevation bands in the Andes: orchids growing on bark, mist that erases the path ahead and then hands it back, and the strange rock formations locals call the monkey stones. A 55-meter warm-up waterfall, El Chiflon, meets you near the trailhead before the forest leads you to the main event.

Check live availability and prices — or read on for how the day unfolds.

How the day works

• Hotel pickup and the drive east (about 2 hours). The day opens at Guadalupe, one of Bogota’s highest and least-visited viewpoints, for a panoramic look back at the city before the mountain road to Choachi.
• El Chiflon (about 1 hour). A first waterfall at the park entrance, 55 meters of it, where adventurers rappel down the icy face. You use it as a warm-up and a photo stop before going deeper.
• The monkey stones (about 1 hour). The trail’s oddest landmarks: unusual rock formations in the forest, with your guide’s account of the park’s ecosystem, history, and the conservation work happening around it.
• La Chorrera (about 1 hour). The main cascade, fed by meltwater from the Cruz Verde paramo above 3,200 meters, descending in stages through the cliff. You feel it before you see it.
• Lunch and the drive home (about 2 hours). A traditional lunch among locals, included, then the ride back to your Bogota hotel.

What’s included

• Private English-speaking guide for the full day
• Private hotel pickup and drop-off in Bogota
• Round-trip private transportation
• Park entrance fee to La Chorrera Natural Park
• Traditional lunch
• Risk insurance

Not included

• Additional food and drinks on the trail
• Rappelling at El Chiflon (adventure add-on, booked separately)
• Personal purchases and tips

Good to know

• The trail: rugged and hilly, climbing and descending through cloud forest, and frequently muddy in any season. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots are strongly recommended; leave the white sneakers and sandals at the hotel. Rated moderate: no technical sections, but several hours of up-and-down that ask for reasonable stamina.
• Weather: the maximum at La Chorrera is around 13°C, and the waterfall area runs colder. Dress in warm, moisture-wicking layers with a rain jacket; the tour runs in all weather.
• Altitude and sun: UV at this elevation is far stronger than it feels. Sunscreen and sunglasses even on cloudy days, and at least 2 liters of water per person.
• Knees: if you have knee or stability concerns, bring a trekking pole; the terrain repeats its ups and downs.
• Cancellation: free up to 12 hours before departure; within 12 hours, non-refundable.

Frequently asked questions

Is it really Colombia’s tallest waterfall?

Yes: 590 meters, which also makes it the sixth tallest in Latin America. It falls in tiers rather than a single free drop, which is exactly what makes standing at the base of it so striking; the water keeps arriving from somewhere above the mist.

How difficult is the hike?

Moderate. The trail rises and falls through the forest for several hours, and mud is part of the deal. An active traveler at ordinary fitness handles it fine; the two things that make or break the day are footwear and layers, both of which are in your control.

Is the road and the area safe?

You travel in a private vehicle with a professional driver on the main route to Choachi, and your guide stays with you the entire day, door to door. The park is a managed natural reserve with marked trails; nothing about the day is improvised.

Is lunch included?

Yes, a traditional lunch with locals near the park is part of the day. Snacks and extra drinks along the trail are your own.

Can I try the rappelling at El Chiflon?

Rappelling is an adventure add-on run at the site, not part of the standard tour. If you want it, tell us when you book and we will confirm the options for your date.

Do I need to acclimatize first?

If you have spent a day or two in Bogota, at 2,640 meters, you are already most of the way there. Pace yourself, drink water, and tell your guide if you feel the altitude; the hike’s rhythm can flex around you.

Ready? Check your date and lock it in — free cancellation up to 12 hours before departure.