The hike to the Lost City is a stunning and History of La Ciudad Perdida: 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.
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.
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
Itinerary 4 days /5 nights
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:
We will visit to the indigenous town Kogui Matanzi, followed by around 3 hours walking to the next hut by the river Buritaca. Free time to swim and enjoy the nature, then around 4 hours more walking to reach the Hut of Mamo Romualdo, the highest religious authority of the natives in the region. We 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 1200m 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
Itinerary 5 days /4 nights
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
Itinerary 5 days /4 nights
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.
List of important intems to take on the hike:
Apart from the obvious comfortable shoes and clothes to trek in plus the medium backpack to put in all in you´ll need:
- 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