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Travels in Colombia – El Penol and Guatape

colombia
21st June 2019
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Travels in Colombia – El Penol and Guatape

El Penol and Guatape

Guatape is known as the most colourful city in Colombia. That’s quite an achievment as it has lots of competition. Colombia is one of the most colourful countries I’ve visited. Guatape is about one and a half hours from Medellin and is a lovely spot for a day trip to escape Medellin’s noise and traffic or to relax for a few days. It was an early start and our 1st stop off was for breakfast which was delicious and plentiful with samosa style pastries. 

Guatape Colombia
Just outside Guatape is El Penol or the Rock of Guatape. It is well worth a stop off to climb this magnificent rock
El Penol rock, Guatape, Colombia
View to El Penol rock near Guatape, Colombia
This rock is 10 million years old. It was once worshipped by the indigenous Indians, the Tahamies. It is 7,005 feet high. In 1954 Luis Villegas managed to climb it using a series of boards which they wedged into a crack in the rock. His family still own the rock It took 5 days but the beautiful panoramic views from the top were stunning and made it more than worthwhile. In the 1970s the area below was flooded to make way for a dam, making the views even more impressive. It now overlooks lakes and small islands. Now for $6 you can climb the 659 steps to the top, via a staircase built onto the side of the mountain. It’s not as bad as it sounds, I was up there in about 10 minutes, although it has been said before that I’m a bit like a mountain goat.
View from the top of El Penol rock, Guatape, Colombia
The views are magnificent and breathtaking. Lookout points allow you to admire the magnificent vistas.
Us at the top of El Penel rock, Guatape, Colombia
View from El Penol rock, Guatape, Colombia
At the top there are stalls selling fresh fruit, snacks and a local speciality, beer topped with mango and salt.
A beer with mango at the top of El Penol rock, Guatape, Colombia
It is possible to take boat trips or rent kayaks on the lake below. The town of El Penol used to be located right next to the rock. It is now underwater, swallowed up by the dam. A wooden cross rises up from the water, marking the spot where the town was located. Tens of thousands of residents had to be relocated by a new town. The old church was reconstructed. El Penol and Guatape both claimed ownership of the rock. Guatape attempted to cement ownership by painting the name of their town in large letters on the side of the rock. El Penol residents protested and only the 1st two letters G and U were completed and can still be seen today.
El Penol, near Guatape, Colombia
When we hiked down from the rock we had a fantastic lunch at one of the restaurants at the bottom of the rock. It was one of the best lunch views I have had and some of the best fish and chips!

Book a day trip to El Penon and Guatape
We'd just climbed El Penol rock near Guatape, Colombia
Fish and chips at El Penol, Guatape, Colombia
It was then onto Guatape. Every building is covered in wall art and murals called ‘Zocalos’. Some of the murals relate to the professions of those living in the houses. Others animals such as donkeys, sheep or even dolphins. It is a lovely, sleepy, laid back town.
The colourful town of Guatape, Colombia
dav
Colourful decorations in Guatape, Colombia
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Me sitting on the colourful steps in Guatape
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Colourful fountain in Guatape
Beautiful houses in Guatape, Colombia
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Anun in Guatape, Colombia
The most colourful town of Guatape, Colombia
A day trip to Guatape with a stop at El Penol can be booked from Medellin. Otherwise, you can catch the local bus. It is definitely worth a visit.

This was part of a 22 day trip around Colombia with G Adventures
read my blogs on
Medellin
Trekking to the Lost City
Cartagena

Us with El Penol rock as a backdrop

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