Guatapé & El Peñol Rock Private Tour from Medellín under 7h

The longest tunnel in South America opens onto mountain farms and a 700-foot rock that rises alone from the landscape.

A private tour from Medellín to Guatapé and El Peñol Rock in under 7 hours, with bilingual guide and hotel pickup included. You climb 740 stairs to the rock's summit or stay at the base to explore the reservoir views, then walk through Guatapé's cobblestone streets and colorful plazas before sitting down at the Zócalo Plaza with a Colombian coffee. The tour avoids large groups, so the pace and stops adjust to what you want to know and see.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour Guatapé and El Peñol Rock

• Pickup from your place in Medellín
• Drive through South America's longest tunnel
• Stop at Alto del Chocho restaurant
• Visit El Peñol Rock and optional climb
• Explore souvenir shops near El Peñol Rock
• Walk through colorful Guatapé town
• Relax at Zocalo Plaza with coffee

The experience

The drive from Medellín crosses the longest tunnel in South America and opens onto a landscape that shifts from cityscape to mountain farms and the Andes. Your first stop is Alto del Chocho, a roadside restaurant surrounded by farmland and animals, where you try pan de quesos: the local cheese bread the place is known for. From there the road leads to El Peñol Rock itself, a massive stone that rises over 700 feet from the mountains and has drawn mystical stories for generations.

At the rock, you choose what suits the day: climb the 740 stairs to the peak for views that reach across the reservoir and mountains below, or stay at the base to walk the shops and restaurants and photograph the stone from the ground. Either way, you spend time with the thing itself instead of rushing past it. After that comes Guatapé town, where the houses, balconies and plazas are painted in bright colors and the cobblestone streets wind through neighborhoods that feel like they belong to another era. A short walk takes you through the town's hidden alleys and past traditional homes, then you settle at the Zócalo Plaza, the main square, to sit with a coffee or a cold drink and watch the local rhythm of the place.

The tour runs 6 to 7 hours depending on how much time you spend at each stop, and because it is private, the guide adjusts the route if something catches your interest. You travel in comfortable private transportation with a bilingual guide who speaks English and Spanish, and hotel pickup is included. Travel insurance and snacks are part of the package. If you are flying out the same day, the tour can drop you at the airport instead of returning to your hotel, turning the sightseeing into a seamless airport transfer.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a comfortable vehicle.
• bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• hotel pickup.
• travel insurance.
• snacks during the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

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

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The Andes Adventure Travels

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the guide adjusts the pace and stops to what interests you: ideal if you want to linger at the rock's peak or spend extra time in Guatapé's plazas without holding up a group. The 6 to 7 hour window fits a half-day or a full morning and afternoon, making it work for travelers with a flight the same day or those who want to see both the rock and the town without committing to a full-day itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How long does it take to drive from Medellín to Guatapé?

The full tour runs 6 to 7 hours total, which includes the drive through the longest tunnel in South America, stops at Alto del Chocho and El Peñol Rock, and time walking through Guatapé town. The drive itself is part of the journey, not a separate leg.

Can I climb El Peñol Rock, or do I have to stay at the base?

Climbing is optional. The 740 stairs to the peak are there if you want the summit views, but you can also explore the rock from the base, visit the shops and restaurants around it, and photograph the reservoir and mountains from ground level. The entrance fee to climb is 6 USD and is not included in the tour price.

What is pan de quesos, and where do we eat it?

Pan de quesos is a local cheese bread that Alto del Chocho, a typical roadside restaurant surrounded by farmland, is known for. It is your first stop after leaving Medellín, and trying it is part of the tour experience.

What makes Guatapé town different from other towns in the region?

Guatapé is known for its colorful houses, balconies and plazas painted in vivid colors, along with cobblestone streets and intricate decorative details called Zocalos that cover the lower walls of buildings. The town has a distinctive visual character that draws visitors to walk its neighborhoods and sit in its main plaza.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but the tour stops at the Zócalo Plaza in Guatapé where you can order a meal or a drink at one of the restaurants or cafés around the square. Snacks are provided during the tour.

Can the tour drop me at the airport instead of my hotel?

Yes, the tour can end with an airport drop-off instead of returning to your hotel, which works well if you are flying out the same day. Let the operator know when you book.