Rappelling into the Heart of the World: An Adventure at Cueva de la Tronera

Discover the thrill of rappelling into Cueva de la Tronera, “El Corazón del Mundo.” Read about the countryside trek, heart-pounding descent, and expert guides in this unique Colombian adventure.

carvene de la tronera from the inside with the light creating dramatic picture

aerial view of the caverna de la tronera or corazon del mundo

Journey to El Peñón

Getting to Cueva de la Tronera is an adventure in itself. From Barbosa, only a few buses run each day ( 6am, 8am, 10:30 am & 2pm), so plan to arrive the night before. The journey sets the tone for what’s to come—remote, wild, and full of anticipation.

Morning Start and Countryside Trek

Our adventure began at 8 am. We met Edwin, the owner and main guide, and Neycer, the second guide. We rode a motorbike loaded with equipment to the starting point of the trail. The path is in the middle of the countryside, so green and beautiful. By 9:15, we gathered in front of the walking trail, waiting for the rest of the group. While we waited, I flew my drone to capture the lush green fields and towering rocks around us.

aerial view of the countryside at El Penon, Santender, Colombia

Countryside of El Penon

Four people joined us: three tourists like me and their guide. They came from a nearby city and added to our group. Soon, we set off on a 1 km walk through the countryside. The path wound between emerald fields and impressive rock formations. Edwin stopped various times along the way to share his knowledge about the local rocks, trees, and even the bees that call this place home. This was also a perfect moment to catch our breath.

As I was at Edwin’s shop, I had the chance to get some proper boots, because the field is so muddy sometimes your feet disappear under the mud. That wasn’t the case for the others, and I think they threw away their shoes after that.

Caverna de la tronera or 'Corazon del Mundo'

The Descent into the Heart

At the entrance to the cave—known as “El Corazón del Mundo”—it really does look like a heart from above, and it’s truly impressive and beautiful. You can’t see it directly when you arrive at the spot; it’s only once you’re equipped and ready to go down that you see the huge hole and its shape. Edwin and Neycer prepared our gear with care. Neycer went down first to secure the path, while Edwin stayed above to help each of us descend.

Edwin going down the cave

We went one by one, equipped with gloves and harnesses. The first 50 meters allowed us to rappel ourselves, using the wall for support and letting the rope slide through our hands. It felt daring and exciting.

After that, we couldn’t touch the wall anymore. Edwin took control, slowly lowering us down from above. Both parts of the descent were thrilling, with the massive heart-shaped opening looming overhead.

For me, that was a rush of adrenaline! A big, big rush. Seeing this huge height beneath me was so impressive and scary, knowing the only thing holding me was a rope and I had to trust Edwin all the way. I’m not used to this kind of activity, so this first time was a big rush of emotions—good emotions. At the end, this is some kind of extreme sport, and I love that!The rappel lasted something like 10 minutes, but it can feel much longer!

Exploring the Cave and Return

Once all of us reached the bottom, we walked through the cave toward another exit. The underground world was cool and mysterious, with echoes bouncing off the walls. There is a whole ecosystem in this cave, with birds living here. You constantly hear birds screaming, and it creates a weird ambiance that feels like you’re surrounded by thousands of animals—the sounds, amplified by echoes, don’t even seem like birds, and you don’t see them because the cave is quite dark. After exploring, we climbed out and walked another kilometer back to the rappel site. The cave is also quite fresh, so think about bringing a sweater down there.

Back at the entrance, we reunited with Edwin and continued our journey by motorbike. The entire experience lasted until about 1:30 pm, leaving us with memories to last a lifetime.

Carverna de la tronera from inside

My Review: Trust, Thrills, and Local Expertise

I did the rappelling experience at Caverna la Tronera, also called “El Corazón del Mundo.” The whole adventure was incredible.The walk through the countryside set the mood, with Edwin sharing fascinating facts about the landscape. Reaching the heart-shaped hole, I felt a rush of excitement.Rappelling down was both challenging and rewarding. The first part let me take control, while the second required full trust in Edwin’s guidance. The scale of the hole, shaped like a heart, was truly impressive.Inside the cave, we found our way to a natural exit before heading back through the fields. Neycer, always ready to help, made sure everyone felt safe. Both guides were friendly, professional, and clearly passionate about their work.You can only do this tour with Edwin and Neycer. Their daily experience and attention to safety make this adventure special. If you’re looking for a unique, adrenaline-filled day, this is it—approved by HorizonHugo!

Informative panel of the Caverna de la tronera

Entrance by foot of the Caverna de la tronera or 'Corazon del Mundo', in Santender, Colombia

Entrance by foot of the Carvena de la tronera

I’m Hugo, a traveler at heart who’s visited more than 30 countries. Through my stories and tips, I hope to inspire you to explore new places. If you need help organizing your own trip, just click the button below—I’m here for you!

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