Lost City Ciudad Perdida Tour
The area around the Lost City is controlled by 4 indigenous tribes: the Kogi, Wiwa, Arhuaco and Kamkuamo. In the Indigenous language the Lost City is known as Teyuna, or “Mother Earth”. During the trek you will get to meet and interact with some of the communities and get to know their culture.
The Lost City is reached by a stunning and rewarding 4 to 6 day hike through the jungle to reach the ruins situated 12000 metres above sea level on the sides of the Buritaca River in the Sierra Nevada mountains outside of Santa Marta. What remains of the City covers an area of about 35 hectares that includes around 170 terraces, plazas, paved roads, stairs, and structures. The trek is of moderate difficulty and includes various ascents and descents as well as river crossings, made all the worthwhile by the stunning nature and scenery along the way! The trek can be done in 4 days, or the more relaxed options of 5 or 6 days.
The area was once known for its armed conflict between the Colombian military and various guerrilla and paramilitary groups, notoriously the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). In 2003 they kidnapped 8 foreign tourists who were trekking to the city. Tours to the area were stopped at this time, but the tourists were released three months later. Tours to the Lost City started again in 2005 and, luckily for us, they have been incident free ever since.
The Lost city Ciudad Perdida tour is one of Colombia’s premier tourist attractions. Hidden for years, the Lost City is well worth the trek of discovery.
The Lost City trek is usually done in either a 4,5 or 6 day trek. While all three cover the exact same territory, the 4 day trek is at a faster rate and is probably for those people who are a bit fitter.
We usually work with a company which is owned and operated by the indigenous people of the area. On occasion we also work with another fully licenced proffesional company. Both companies have a great reputation operating the Lost City trek. Its usually possible to have an English speaking guide as well, but it does depend on the trip.
All treks are priced at $1,100,000 COP regardless of duration. This is due to an agreed equal pricing structure between all companies.
Price: $1,100,000 COP
Duration: 4, 5 and 6 day options available
Included:
- Guide
- All meals
- Return transport from Santa Marta
- Toilets and showers at every camp
- Hammocks/beds
What to take:
- Suitable walking shoes and clothes
- Towel and bathing suit
- Personal medicines or other items you might need or want
- Insect repellant
- Water bottle (minimum capacity 1L)
- Warm change of clothes (nights are cool)
- Flashlight
- Sun protection
Basic Itinerary, subject to alterations
Day 1:
The departure time is usually around 8.30am when you will be picked up from your hotel/hostel in Santa Marta or Taganga. You’ll then drive for around three hours, past the Tayrona national park, to reach the town Mamey where we will stop to have lunch before starting the trek. Around 30 minutes after starting the trek you’ll reach the first of many natural rock pools where you can swim and recuperate after your strenuous morning. After 3 hours later you will reach the Alfredo Hut where the first night will be spent in hammocks with mosquito nets.
After dinner you’ll have as briefing from your guide letting you know what the plan will be for the next day.
Day 2:
Your group will visit the indigenous town of Kogui Matanzi, followed by around 3 hours walking to the next hut by the river Buritaca. You will enjoy free time to swim and enjoy the nature. Aproximately 4 hours later you will reach the hut of Mamo Romualdo, the highest religious authority of the natives in the region. You will spend the night in Hut 3 or Mamo Romualdo’s Hut. To reach it we will need to do four river crossings so keep your bathing suit handy!
Day 3:
We will have early start, climbing 1200 steps to reach the Lost City at 1,200m above sea level. The group will have a 3 hour guided tour through the site followed by free time to photograph and explore. We will then trek back down to Hut 2 where the group will spend the last night.
Day 4:
An early start, 6-7 hours walking back to the Pueblo Mamey where we will have lunch and the jeep will be waiting between 3-5pm to return us to Santa Marta.
Basic Itinerary, subject to alterations
Day 1:
8:30 departure from hotel. It is a journey of around 3 hours in jeep to reach the town Mamey where we will have lunch before starting the trek. After about 30 min we reach a natural pool where you can swim and refresh, followed by 3 hours walking to reach the Alfredo Hut where we will spend our first night in hammocks with mosquito nets.
Dinnertime and then a briefing by your guide for the following day.
Day 2:
After a full breakfast, we will start the walk to Hut 2. Perhaps on the way we will visit the town Kogui Matanzi, where they still live in a traditional manner, protecting their culture and beliefs. It is 3 hours walking to reach Hut 2 near the river Buritaca. Take time to refresh and swim before dinner and briefing by your guide.
Day 3:
The third day you will arrive at the Hut of Mamo Romualdo, the highest religious authority of the natives of this region. You will have the opportunity to talk with him and learn more about the culture and customs. The third night we will either sleep at Hut 3 or at the Hut of Mamo Romualdo. To get there we have to do four river crossings so keep your bathing suit handy. We are now only an hour from the Lost City. Dinner and the guide will brief us on the next morning.
Day 4:
You will start off early to reach the Lost City situated at 1200m above sea-level. After climbing 1200 steps to get there you will experience that overwhelming exhilaration arriving at this incredible hidden civilization at the heart of the Sierra Nevada.
You will have a three hour guided tour, with your guide imparting knowledge about the buildings, the way of life of the indigenous people, the knowledge of the culture and much more. You will then have free time to explore before hiking back to hut 2 where the group will spend the final night.
Day 5:
An early start, 6-7 hours walking back to the Pueblo Mamey where we will have lunch.
The jeep will be waiting between 3-5pm to return us to Santa Marta.
Basic Itinerary, subject to alterations
Day 1
8:30 departure from hotel. It is a journey of around 3 hours in jeep to reach the town Mamey where we will have lunch before starting the trek. After about 30 min we reach a natural pool where you can swim and refresh, followed by 3 hours walking to reach the Alfredo Hut where we will spend our first night in hammocks with mosquito nets.
Dinnertime and then a briefing by your guide for the following day.
Day 2
After a full breakfast, we will start the walk to Hut 2. Perhaps on the way we will visit the town Kogui Matanzi, where they still live in a traditional manner, protecting their culture and beliefs. It is 3 hours walking to reach Hut 2 near the river Buritaca. Take time to refresh and swim before dinner and briefing by your guide.
Day 3
The third day you will arrive at the Hut of Mamo Romualdo, the highest religious authority of the natives of this region. You will have the opportunity to talk with him and learn more about the culture and customs. The third night we will wither sleep at Hut 3 or at the Hut of Mamo Romualdo. To get there we have to do four river crossings so keep your bathing suit handy. We are now only an hour from the Lost City. Dinner and the guide will brief us on the next morning.
Day 4
You will start off early to reach the Lost City situated at 1200m above sea-level. After climbing 1200 steps to get there you will experience that overwhelming exhilaration arriving at this incredible hidden civilization at the heart of the Sierra Nevada.
You will have a three hour guided tour and then you will have ample free time to explore before hiking back to hut 2 where the group will spend the final night.
Day 5
A relaxed start and a hike of about 4 hours returning by the indigenous village. You will have lunch at Hut 1 where you will also spend the last night. In the afternoon your guide will take you to visit the Waterfall Alfredo where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water.
Day 6
Rise early for a 4 hour walk back to Pueblo Mamey where you will enjoy a last special lunch with your fellow companions. The jeep will be waiting between 3pm and 5pm to take us back to Santa Marta.
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