We love a good road trip at Plan South America. Fortunately this is the best way of visiting Villa de Leyva & Barichara, a pretty colonial town of cobbled streets, whitewashed facades and wooden balconies draped in bougainvillaea.
A three-hour drive north of Bogota, Villa de Leyva is set against a backdrop of Andean foothills, dotted with churches and a large open plaza. The town can be covered in a day on foot, but there is plenty to explore nearby for those interested in taking to the hills on horseback to meet local artisans.
Continuing on to the enchanting town of Barichara, through plunging valleys, winding rivers and rich emerald hills. Journeying north, temperatures soar and the scenery grows increasingly impressive. Barichara is a beautiful, sleepy, slow-paced town. Sandstone streets are lined with red roofs. We have our ear to the ground and can show you to the best spots in town to eat and drink. Our favourite place to rest our heads? Casa del Presidente, a private villa tucked away against a backdrop of mountains, is an oasis of peace and style.
Your road trip will end in the cosmopolitan hub of Bucaramanga. We can arrange a hire car for you to drive yourselves, or we can organise a driver, allowing you to concentrate on the views.
The final leg of the journey is arguably the most impressive and takes around 3½ hours, winding down the vertiginous corkscrew road to Bucaramanga, via the breathtaking Chichamocha Canyon. For the most spectacular experience, we recommend paragliding through the canyon. Heli-rides can also be arranged to explore the remotest corners of the Santander province.
Field Notes
Swap the backcountry roads of Villa de Leyva & Barichara for the urban vibrancy of Bogotá.
Many of the delights of Colombia are found off the beaten track. Take in the Marquezian charm of Mompox, the biodiversity of the Amazon, the wild beauty of El Chocó, the quaint cobbles of Barichara, or the vast wetlands of Los Llanos.
LONDON OFFICE
+44 (0)20 7993 6930US OFFICE
+1 646 688 2317Let’s Explore Villa de Leyva & Barichara
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