Guatapé is beautiful and everyone visits this site, but do you really know the story behind the rock and below the lake? Our specialized cultural guide gives you insight on the secrets of Guatapé. You’ll walk on a promenade by the Guatapé Lake, go off the beaten path to visit with locals, go on a small boat tour, and take in the history of the region once inhabited by indigenous communities. The fitness level for this tour is rated a 2 out of 5. No physical fitness preparation is necessary to make the most of the journey, but enjoy some easy physical activities throughout the trip such as climbing up the stairs to the top of El Peñol of Guatapé!
After breakfast, meet your bilingual professional cultural guide at 8 a.m. at our Medellin office (Cra. 43e #11-13, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia), and drive 2 hours to the town of Guatapé. Learn on the way about the cultural and economic history of “El Oriente Antioqueno”. Hear about the recent stories of development of this region, from the construction of dams for hydroelectric power, the history of Pablo Escobar and narcos, and Colombia’s armed conflict. Next, visit the historic town of Guatapé, the most colorful town in Colombia, and admire the town’s beautiful artwork along the lower half of its buildings. Discover the historic meaning of the art work and learn how development changed the livelihood of the villagers. Take in stunning vistas of the dazzling monolith (a huge stone block), composed of feldspar, mica and quartz, known as “El Peñol”, and drive from the town to the rock. Upon your arrival at the rock, climb the 649 steps of the El Peñol Rock to admire the classic view of Guatapé Lake reservoir. Return to your hotel in Poblado, Medellín by 5 p.m.
With the luxury option, take a peaceful boat ride around the numerous islands of the lake.
To arrange a 2-3 hours bicycle tour in Guatapé, please ask us ahead of time to arrange a bilingual cycling guide with great instructor experience and gear rental. You may choose between mountain biking on a dirt road or road cycling on a paved road. Return to your hotel in Poblado, Medellín by 5 p.m.
Pricing depends on private or public transportation, as well as optional biking and boat tours. Please contact us to customize your trip.