Guided Tour of El Soplao Cave

A Speleological Odyssey

After driving 3km up a mountain, you will board a mining train to access the main entrance of the cave through La Isidra tunnel. Once inside, magnificent geological formations await. From eccentric helictites to cascading sheets of translucent calcite draperies. See natural structures like the Sentinels, the Opera, and the gallery of Ghosts, where stalagmites and stalactites make uncanny shapes. The visit is supplemented by light and sound effects as well as a voice-over in the La Gorda room. 6 of the cave’s 17 miles are currently open to the public.

Choose from the following ticket options with varying levels of depth and difficulty.

• General Guided Visit: 55-minute guided visit of the 300-meter Pasarela route.

• Adventure Tourism Visit: 2.5-hour guided visit of crude portions in the cave, including the tunnels of Campamento, El Órgano and El Bosque.

• Mine Visit: 3.5-hour guided visit of a 2.5-kilometre long route through the mines of La Florida.

Discover How Mines Work

This cave system was discovered and subsequently exploited in the early 20th century when the mines of La Florida were being built. The name ‘El Soplao’ comes from a mining term that describes the blowing air felt when perforating a tunnel with less oxygen. As you traverse through the mine galleries, you will experience the culture, traditions, and working conditions of this historic economic practice.

Your chosen walking tour ends when you arrive back at the inner station of the cave. You will once again take the El Soplao mining train to access the outer station and make your way out.

Guided Tour of El Soplao Cave

Discover the breathtaking Cueva El Soplao on this sightseeing tour that includes a guided visit through intricate speleothems, featuring three types of experiences: General Guided Visit, Adventure Tourism Visit, and Mine Visit. The tour covers approximately 25 kilometers of cave passages with highlights including helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, dog-tooth spars, and more. Visitors will see towering columns and dizzying gorges while exploring tunnels like Campamento, El Órgano, El Bosque, and other less accessible portions of the cave. The tour lasts around 3 hours and is available in multiple languages including Spanish, English, and French. With a focus on understanding karst formations and mining history, this guided experience offers unique insights into geological wonders and historical practices.

Explore Intricate Speleothems in Cueva El Soplao

Your tour stops at Cueva El Soplao where you will discover an extensive network of cave passages filled with spectacular karst formations. Discovered in 2006, the cave spans over 15 kilometers and includes various types of speleothems such as helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, dog-tooth spars, and more. The cave's unique features include towering columns reaching up to 35 meters in height and gorges that are incredibly deep and narrow. Visitors can spend approximately 2 hours exploring these intricate formations while learning about the geological processes that created them. Cueva El Soplao is particularly renowned for its helictites, which are delicate mineral deposits that grow in unusual directions due to capillary forces within the cave environment.

Adventure Tourism Visit at Campamento Tunnel

Campamento tunnel serves as a highlight of the Adventure Tourism Visit where guests can explore some of the less accessible portions of Cueva El Soplao. This section includes tunnels that are only reachable through guided tours, offering visitors an opportunity to see unique formations up close. The tunnel system extends for about 5 kilometers and is known for its challenging terrain, making it a thrilling experience for adventurous travelers. Visitors will spend approximately 1 hour navigating the Campamento tunnel while learning about the geological history of the area. This tour option provides a deeper understanding of the cave's complex structure and offers a more immersive exploration compared to standard guided tours.

Visit La Florida Mine Galleries

Your tour includes access to the adjacent mine galleries of La Florida where you can understand the process and practice of mining in Cueva El Soplao. Established in 1975, these galleries showcase the historical significance of mining activities within the cave system. The mine galleries cover an area of approximately 20 kilometers and offer insights into the extraction methods used to obtain minerals from the cave environment. Visitors will spend about 1 hour exploring La Florida mine galleries while learning about the environmental impact and economic importance of mining in this region. This unique feature sets Cueva El Soplao apart as a destination that combines geological wonder with industrial history.

Tour Highlights

• Explore intricate speleothems at Cueva El Soplao
• Discover helictites, stalactites, and dog-tooth spars in the cave passages
• Guided visit available in Spanish, English, and French languages
• Adventure Tourism Visit at Campamento tunnel with challenging terrain
• Mine Visit to La Florida mine galleries established in 1975
• Unique formations including towering columns up to 35 meters high
• Access to less accessible portions of Cueva El Soplao through guided tours
• Learn about geological processes and historical mining practices throughout the cave system

Perfect for nature enthusiasts, geology students, and adventure seekers, this guided tour provides an in-depth exploration of Cueva El Soplao's unique features. The 3-hour format allows you to explore intricate speleothems, navigate challenging terrain at Campamento tunnel, and understand historical mining practices at La Florida mine galleries, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the cave system's geological wonders while enjoying its stunning natural beauty.