Reviewed · HIKING & TREKKING

Aerial Hammocks, Zip and Waterfall Trek on Medellin Private Tour

★ 5.0 · 39 reviews 9 to 10 hours (approx.) From $249 Operated by Ecoexperience · Bookable on Viator
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The main thrill here is the pairing of a long canyon zipline with a hike to the foot of Salto del Buey, one of the area’s most forceful waterfalls. You get more than a quick ride and a photo stop: the day mixes mountain roads, forest paths, big views, and time in hammocks suspended high above the valley.

I like two things right away. First, private transport and a private guide make a full day outside Medellín easier to manage. Second, the tour has a good rhythm: zipline, hike, lunch, hammock time, then another flight back toward your transport. The main drawback is the long drive from the city, so this is not the right pick if you dislike spending much of the day on the road.

Key points to know before booking

Aerial Hammocks, Zip and Waterfall Trek on Medellin Private Tour - Key points to know before booking

  • Two 700-meter zipline flights: The rides cross dramatic mountain country and are the tour’s biggest adrenaline hit.
  • A one-hour waterfall hike: You walk down to the base of Salto del Buey, then later climb back toward the hammocks.
  • Hammocks in the sky: This is a quiet pause after the hike, but it is still high above the ground, not a standard park hammock.
  • Early pickup and late return: Pickup is around 8:30 am, with hotel arrival expected near 5:30 pm.
  • Private setting: Only your group takes part, with private transportation and a guide.
  • Check the meal details: Lunch is described as included in the day’s schedule, but the inclusions section also says lunch is not included.

From Medellín to Los Saltos Ecoparque

Your day starts with pickup at your hotel or chosen location in Medellín at about 8:30 am. The drive to the Salto de Buey Natural Reserve takes roughly an hour and a half, with arrival around 10:00 am.

That transfer is a real part of the tour, not a minor footnote. You spend several hours in total going to and from the mountains. I would bring water, keep your phone charged, and treat the ride as part of a full-day outing rather than a short activity near the city.

The benefit is that private transport removes the need to arrange several connections into the countryside. You can focus on the day’s activities and return to the same hotel or pickup point after the final zipline. The tour is private, so your group does not have to share the vehicle or fit its schedule around a large bus group.

Los Saltos Ecoparque sits in the Salto de Buey Natural Reserve. The setting gives you a change from Medellín’s city streets very quickly: mountain roads, steep slopes, and open views replace urban buildings. One account of the day also included a stop at a beautiful waterfall on the way to the main attraction, though that stop is not listed as a fixed part of the schedule, so you should not count on it.

A few more Medellin trips to weigh up

The first zipline at 10:30 am

Aerial Hammocks, Zip and Waterfall Trek on Medellin Private Tour - The first zipline at 10:30 am

The first zipline is planned for about 10:30 am, shortly after arrival. Two flights of 700 meters are included in the tour, and the first one crosses a canyon with wide views of the surrounding mountains.

This is not simply a short warm-up ride. The height is a major part of the appeal. Descriptions of the ride place it hundreds of meters above the ground, with figures of about 330 meters and 400 meters mentioned for the height. The listed distance for each flight is 700 meters. Those figures describe different measurements, but together they make one point clear: you should be comfortable with a serious sense of height.

You get an admission ticket for the park and accident insurance as part of the package. The zipline has a maximum operating weight of 99 kilograms per passenger. That limit matters, so check it before paying if you are close to the stated maximum.

The first flight also helps you judge the rest of the day. If the height feels like too much, the waterfall hike and hammock section still offer plenty to enjoy, but the ziplines are central to the tour. This is not a waterfall outing with a small optional ride attached.

Hiking down to Salto del Buey

Aerial Hammocks, Zip and Waterfall Trek on Medellin Private Tour - Hiking down to Salto del Buey

At about 11:00 am, you begin the hike toward the base of Salto del Buey. The walk takes around one hour, and the reward is a closer view of the waterfall rather than a distant lookout.

The waterfall is described as powerful and intense. At the base, you can appreciate its force from a much more dramatic angle, with the water dropping through the mountain setting around you. The hike gives the day a useful change of pace after the flight. You are no longer moving quickly across a cable. You are walking through the reserve and taking time to reach the main natural feature.

The tour calls this light hiking, but you should still expect uneven outdoor paths and some effort. The schedule later takes you up toward the hammocks, so the day includes both a descent and a climb. The information provided does not give a distance, trail surface, or accessibility rating, so I would not choose this outing if you need a fully accessible route or want to avoid slopes.

Wear shoes suited to walking outdoors. The exact weather and trail conditions can change, and the tour requires good weather to operate. A wet day could make a waterfall path less comfortable even when the outing goes ahead.

Lunch among the trees at about 1 pm

The schedule allows a lunch break around 1:00 pm, after the waterfall hike. The setting is part of the charm: food is taken among the trees at a small café, according to the day’s description.

There is an important booking detail here. One part of the information says lunch is included, while the inclusions section says lunch is not included and also lists food and drinks not specified as extra. Ask Ecoexperience to confirm exactly what you receive before booking. Do not assume the meal is covered simply because the timetable includes a lunch stop.

That clarification is especially useful because the tour is long and active. You will want to know if you should budget for lunch, drinks, or both. The schedule does not describe a choice of menu or special dietary arrangements, so ask about those as well if they matter to you.

Same city, a completely different kind of day:

Hammocks in Heaven at 2 pm

At about 2:00 pm, the tour moves to the hammocks in the sky. This is the most unusual part of the day. Instead of ending the adventure after the hike, you get a chance to rest while suspended high above the valley.

The hammocks offer a slower, calmer contrast to the ziplines. You can take in the height and mountain views without moving across the cable. For many people, this will be the ideal time for photographs and a breather before the final activity.

It is also worth understanding what the phrase means in practical terms. These are not ground-level hammocks in a garden. The setup is high above the surrounding terrain, so anyone uneasy with heights may find this section just as challenging as the zipline. If you love the feeling of being above a canyon, it adds variety. If you prefer solid ground, it may be the least comfortable stop.

The hammock period also helps the schedule feel less rushed. The hike to the waterfall is followed by food and then a rest, rather than a string of nonstop activities. That balance is one of the tour’s strongest features.

The second flight and the ride back

Aerial Hammocks, Zip and Waterfall Trek on Medellin Private Tour - The second flight and the ride back

At about 3:30 pm, you take the second zipline flight. Afterward, transport takes you back toward Medellín, with arrival at your hotel expected around 5:30 pm.

The final flight gives the day a clear finish. You already know what the height feels like, and you can focus more on the views and the sensation of crossing the canyon. It also avoids the anticlimax of walking straight from the hammocks to a vehicle.

The schedule adds up to about nine hours, while the stated duration is approximately nine to ten hours. Plan your day around the longer figure. Mountain roads and activity timing can make the return later than the estimate, and it would be unwise to book a tight evening reservation in Medellín.

Because transportation is private, this return is more convenient than finding your own way from a rural reserve. It also means the tour is easier for couples, families, or small groups who value privacy and want to keep the day together.

What the guides add to the day

A guide is included, along with private transport and accident insurance. The guides named in accounts of this outing are Felipe and Philippe, though you should confirm who will lead your departure.

That personal guide matters most during the transitions: finding the activity areas, managing the timing, and helping your group move from the waterfall route to lunch and the high hammocks. The tour also promises guide knowledge about the area, and the available descriptions point to guides with energy and useful information.

Still, I would ask a few direct questions before departure. Confirm the guide’s name, the meal arrangement, pickup details, and the weather plan. These are small points, but they can make a long day outside Medellín feel much easier.

The private format is a strong advantage if you want to ask questions, take photos, or move at a pace that suits your group. It does not mean the activities are private in the sense of having the entire park to yourself. It means only your group participates in this booked tour.

Is $249.99 a fair price?

At $249.99 per person, this is not a low-cost day trip. The price makes more sense if you would otherwise need to arrange transport, park admission, a guide, two zipline rides, insurance, and the waterfall visit separately.

Private transportation is the biggest value point. A public route to a remote reserve could take more planning and would give you less control over the day. You are also paying for a full schedule, not a single zipline ticket.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a waterfall photograph or one quick flight. In that case, the long drive and full-day price may feel excessive. The tour earns its cost through variety: two major zipline flights, a hike to the waterfall base, the hammock stop, a guide, insurance, and door-to-door transport.

Food remains the one price question to settle. Since the details conflict on whether lunch is included, ask for a clear answer before you compare this tour with other Medellín day trips.

Who should book this Medellín adventure?

I would recommend this for an active visitor who wants a full day in the mountains and enjoys mixing adrenaline with nature. It suits couples, friends, and private groups who like having their own vehicle and guide.

You should be comfortable with heights. The ziplines are long, the hammocks are high, and the surrounding terrain is steep. You should also be ready for about an hour of hiking down to the waterfall and a later climb toward the hammocks.

This is a less natural fit for anyone who dislikes long car rides, needs a gentle walking route, or wants a flexible day with no fixed schedule. The mountain setting is the reason to go, but reaching it takes time.

The tour is available to most participants, but the 99-kilogram zipline weight limit is firm. The information does not provide a minimum age, detailed accessibility guidance, or a list of required equipment, so ask the operator if any of those points affect your plans.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

Good weather is required for this outing. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, so keep an eye on the forecast before that deadline.

The tour is booked, on average, six days ahead. That is useful planning information for a private activity with a fixed daily schedule, especially if you have only a few days in Medellín.

Wear comfortable outdoor clothing and shoes suitable for a hike. Bring drinking water and plan for sun or rain protection, but confirm with Ecoexperience what the park requires and what equipment is supplied. Keep valuables secure during the active portions of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a big outdoor day rather than a simple sightseeing trip. The combination of a forceful waterfall, two long zipline flights, high hammocks, private transport, and a guide gives you a varied way to see the countryside outside Medellín.

Skip it if long drives frustrate you, heights make you anxious, or you want a short and inexpensive activity. Before paying, confirm the lunch arrangement, guide name, pickup details, and the 99-kilogram zipline limit. With those points settled, this is a strong choice for an adventurous group that wants both mountain scenery and a real adrenaline rush.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine to ten hours. Pickup is planned for about 8:30 am, and arrival back at your hotel is expected around 5:30 pm.

Where does the tour go?

It goes from Medellín to Los Saltos Ecoparque in the Salto de Buey Natural Reserve, including a hike to Salto del Buey and time at the sky hammocks.

How many zipline rides are included?

Two zipline flights are included. Each is listed as 700 meters long.

Is lunch included?

The schedule includes a lunch break, but the tour details also say lunch is not included. Confirm the current meal arrangement with Ecoexperience before booking.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour, and private transportation is included.

Is there a weight limit for the zipline?

Yes. The maximum operating weight is 99 kilograms per passenger.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

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