Guatapé, El Peñol Rock, El Retiro and Tequendamita Falls Private Tour

This private day trip from Medellín strings together four stops on the east side of the city: the town of Guatapé, El Peñol Rock, the woodworking town of El Retiro and the Tequendamita waterfall. Transportation is private and the guides are bilingual. The operator avoids large groups and lets guests ask questions and adapt the route to their preferences. The road goes through the longest tunnel in South America, then out into farmland and mountains. A first break is at Alto del Chocho, a roadside restaurant known for its pan de queso. The group passes the town of El Peñol, rebuilt on higher ground after the old town was flooded in the 1970s, and visits El Peñol Rock, 700 feet high, with 740 stairs to the top and the same number back down. Guests who skip the climb can see the reservoir and mountains from the base. In Guatapé there is a 20 to 30 minute walk through colourful streets and a coffee on the Zócalo plaza. The Tequendamita waterfall needs no hiking. The last stop is El Retiro, where the walk ends at the main square for another coffee.