Chicamocha Park tour: Cable car & peasant market from Bucaramanga

What makes Chicamocha different from a quick drive-by is the cable car and the time to swim in the river below.

A full-day tour of Chicamocha National Park from Bucaramanga includes cable car access, a peasant market stop to taste regional food, and time in the river pool below the main canyon. The tour runs nine hours with a live guide in Spanish (English translator available), lunch and brunch, and pickup from your hotel. All areas are wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Chicamocha Park and Local Culture

• Hear revolution story at monument
• Cross under highway bridge
• Swim in slow river pool
• Visit peasant market and taste arepas
• Enjoy mountain views and local guide stories

The experience

The day starts with the monument to Santandereanity, where an audio guide in Spanish or English walks you through the story of the commoners' revolution. From there you move into Chicamocha National Park itself: the cable car crosses the canyon and back, giving you the full span of the gorge without the hike. The guide shares sayings and jargon of Santander culture as you go, anchoring the landscape to the region itself.

Before heading back, the tour crosses under the main highway bridge to reach a pool in the slow river below the park. This is where most families spend time swimming and cooling off. It's a deliberate stop, not a rushed photo moment. The peasant market comes earlier in the day, a working market where you buy and eat a chocolo arepa in the same place locals do, surrounded by the region's fruits and vegetables. You'll taste Santanderean gastronomy (arepas, sweets, meats and drinks like guaapo) in the setting where it's actually made and sold.

The climate of the Santander highlands stays cool even in the afternoon, so the views hold their clarity. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with other local tourists, which means the guide can answer questions and adjust pace slightly without running solo. Lunch and brunch are both included, so you're not hunting for meals between stops.

What’s included

• Park entrance and cable car round trip.
• lunch and brunch.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide in Spanish.
• hotel pickup.

Options for this experience

2 options

Adventure at Chicamocha National Park: Cable Car and MoreGuide in Spanish · 08:00Pickup is included

Additional English translatorGuide in Spanish · 08:00Additional English translator; pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SundayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (7 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideSpanish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Conoce Santander y sus Maravillas

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the cable car crossing and the river swim that most day trips skip, and if you're interested in eating regional food in a working market rather than a restaurant. The nine-hour length gives you time at each stop instead of rushing through. The optional English translator works if Spanish alone won't work for your group.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 17 years); Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I book this tour with an English-speaking guide?

The live guide speaks Spanish. An English translator is available as an add-on option at checkout. The audio guide at the monument to Santandereanity also offers English.

What's the peasant market like, and is it safe to eat the food there?

The peasant market is a working market where locals shop and eat daily. You'll taste a chocolo arepa and other regional foods (arepas, sweets, meats and drinks like guaapo) in the same environment where Santanderean people buy them. It's a place to experience the region's gastronomy firsthand, not a tourist version of it.

Is there time to actually swim in the river, or is it just a quick stop?

The tour includes time in the river pool below the park, where you can bathe and swim. It's a deliberate part of the day, especially popular with children and young people, not a passing photo stop.

How long does the full tour take, and what's included in the price?

The tour runs nine hours total. Included are park entrance, cable car round trip, lunch, brunch, air-conditioned vehicle transport, and a live guide in Spanish. Hotel pickup is included. An English translator can be added at checkout.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility concerns?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, transportation is wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for travelers with at least moderate physical fitness. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.