Nowadays the Lost City is reached by a stunning and rewarding 4 to 6 day hike through the jungle to reach the ruins situated at 12000 m above sealevel on the sides of the Buritaca River in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. What remains of the City covers an area about the size 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 Lost City was founded by the Tairona civilisation around 700 A.D. and at it´s peak supported a population of over 2000 people. The civilisation was abandoned soon after the arrival of the Spanish and only rediscovered in the 1970´s by local treasure hunters. Soon after more looters arrived in search of gold until the Colombian government finally took measures to protect the area with the Colombia Anthropological Institute going in in 1976 to reconstruct the area.

The area was once known for its armed conflict between the Colombian military and various guerrilla and paramilitary groups, notoriusly the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). In 2003 kidnapped 8 foreign tourists trekking to the city. They were release 3 months later and access to the area was restricted for a while. Since the area reopened in 2005 there have been no more incidents and it is completely safe to visit.

In the area live 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 have to privilege to meet and get to know some of the communities and their culture.

To book your 4, 5 or 6 day organised trek or for more information contact us at tours@mamallena.com

 

Trek Itineraries: 4 days & 3 nights/ 5 days & 4 nights / 6 days & 5 nights

 

List of important intems to take on the hike:

  • Walking shoes and clothes
  • Insect repellant
  • Sun protection
  • Flashlight
  • Drinkbolttle (minimum capacity 1L)
  • Warm change of clothes (nights are cool)
  • Towel and bathing suit
  • Any personal medicines or other items you might need or want

Included in the trek price is:

*Transport Santa Marta to the trek start and finish point and the return to Santa Marta

*All meals

*Sleeping-a mixture of hammocks and beds

*Guide

At every camp there are toilets and showers