Guatapé tour from Medellín: Peñol Rock, boat ride, llamas

Climb 700 steps to a 360° view, then drift past island estates on a reservoir boat

A full-day guided tour from Medellín to Guatapé includes breakfast, the ascent of Peñol Rock with its panoramic summit, a traditional lunch, a boat ride across the reservoir, and a stop to feed and interact with llamas and horses. Groups stay under 18 people per guide, and the tour runs in all weather; the Peñol Rock entrance fee is included, though the 35,000 COP cash fee to climb the steps is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guatapé tour with rock climb and boat ride

• Meet guide at Parque del Poblado
• Enjoy traditional breakfast break
• Pass through New Peñol town
• Visit Replica of Old Peñol
• Climb 700 steps of Peñol Rock
• Have traditional lunch
• Take luxury boat ride on reservoir
• Explore Guatapé town with guide
• Free time to explore Guatapé
• Visit animal farm to see llamas and horses
• Return to Parque del Poblado

The Experience

The day starts at Parque del Poblado in Medellín with a short drive and a traditional breakfast stop—corn arepa, soft cheese, and eggs cooked your way, with coffee or juice. From there you pass through the town of New Peñol, rebuilt after the dam construction displaced the original settlement, and stop at a scale replica of the old town square where you can pose for photos in a traditional ruana against the backdrop of the dam. The real draw is next: the Peñol Rock itself, a massive batholith with 700 steps climbing its face. The ascent takes effort, but the reward is a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape and the reservoir below—the cash fee to climb (35,000 COP) is separate from the tour price and paid on-site.

After descending, you eat a traditional lunch—soup, rice, salad, yuca, and your choice of protein, with juice included—then board a luxury boat for a relaxing ride across the reservoir. The boat passes islands and the waterfront estates of notable Medellín residents, a stretch of the day built for taking in the landscape without moving. Back on land, you walk through Guatapé's most recognizable streets with your guide: Calle de las Sombrillas, Plaza de los Zócalos, Calle del Recuerdo, and Parque Central. You then have free time to wander the town on your own before the final stop at a small animal farm where you feed and interact with llamas and horses. The return to Parque del Poblado happens around 7 p.m.

The tour runs in all weather, and the itinerary can shift based on traffic, crowds, or conditions. Transportation is shared—a bus or van with other groups—but each guide stays with a maximum of 18 people, which keeps the experience more personal than the standard 40-person tours. Breakfast and lunch are included; vegan and vegetarian options are available for both meals. Bring a passport or ID card, as local authorities may ask for it. If you plan to climb the Rock, carry 35,000 COP in cash; they don't accept cards at the summit.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation from Medellín in an insured vehicle.
• breakfast with coffee or juice.
• entrance to the Peñol Rock Tourist Center.
• traditional lunch with your choice of protein and juice.
• a luxury boat ride across the reservoir.
• guided walking tour of Guatapé's main streets.
• time to explore the town at your own pace.
• animal interaction with llamas and horses.
• bottled water.
• life jackets for the boat.
• travel insurance.
• vegan and vegetarian meal options.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by GIGI TOURS

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to experience the full day—rock climb, boat ride, town, and wildlife—in a group of 18 rather than 40, and you're prepared to either climb 700 steps or explore the base while others summit.

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Top questions

How many steps is the Peñol Rock climb, and do I have to do it?

The Peñol Rock has 700 steps to the summit. Climbing is optional—the entrance fee to the tourist center is included in the tour price, but the fee to ascend the steps (35,000 COP, cash only) is separate and paid on-site. You can visit the base and explore the replica of Old Peñol instead if you prefer not to climb.

What's included in the meals on this tour?

Breakfast includes a corn arepa, soft cheese, and eggs cooked to your choice (scrambled, with seasonings, with sausage, or with ham), plus coffee, hot chocolate, or juice. Lunch is a traditional Colombian meal with soup, rice, salad, yuca, and your choice of protein (chicken, chorizo, pork belly, pork, or ground beef), plus juice. Vegan and vegetarian versions of both meals are available if you request them in advance.

Is the boat ride on the reservoir included, or do I pay extra?

The luxury boat ride across the reservoir is included in the tour price. It's a relaxing stretch where you see the islands and the waterfront properties along the water, with no additional cost.

How many people travel together on this tour?

You travel in a shared bus or van with other groups, but each guide accompanies a maximum of 18 people. This keeps the experience more intimate than larger tours while keeping the price affordable.

What time does the tour end, and where do I get dropped off?

The tour returns to Parque del Poblado, where you started, at around 7 p.m. The tour lasts approximately 11 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Do I need to bring cash for anything besides the Rock climb?

Yes, bring 35,000 COP in cash if you plan to climb the Peñol Rock steps—the tourist center only accepts cash for the ascent fee. Everything else on the tour, including meals, boat ride, and animal interaction, is included. It's also advisable to carry your passport or ID card, as local authorities may request identification during the tour.