Tours list
Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida). Colombia
Article:
329
Country:
Colombia
Tour type:
Hiking and trekking
Directions:
Tayrona National Park
Complexity:
Easy
Number of participants:
From 1 people
Maximum height:
1175 m
Season:
All year round, but there are holidays
Start of the program:
Santa Marta
Finish program:
Santa Marta
Duration:
6 days
Price:
680 USD
Count:
Tours dates
  
01.01.202431.12.2024
01.01.202531.12.2025
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Day 1    
Meeting in Santa Marta transfer to the hotel in the central part of the city. In the evening, a briefing and preparation for the upcoming trip to the Lost City.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2    
Morning pick up at hotel and transfer, in 4WD cars, driving northeastwards along the Caribbean coast. After 1-1.5 hours, leave the paved road and here the adventure begins! After about a 1-hour drive on a dirt road, through a beautiful landscape, the village of “El Mamey” (150 m) also called “Machete Pelado” appears. Lunch will be served upon arrival and then the hike to “Ciudad Perdida” starts. This day’s hike is exposed to the sun or the rain, therefore it is important to have a good amount of water and suncream!. Tropical fruit will be offered along the trek. The group will take the river trail, which is a more pleasent walk than the main road. This trail follows “Quebrada del Alto Mamey” river valley for about 1 hour and then ascends steeply (1,5 h) to “El Mirador” pass (640 m) that has a great view down to the Mamey town and the Buritaca River. From this point, a constant descent (1,5 h) to the “Quebrada Honduras” river, where the “Donde Adan”’s lodge is located. It is possible to take a swim in a beautiful natural river pool at the lodge. Dinner will be served in this rustic lodge.
Night in hammocks.
Ascent: 490 m / Descend: 160 m / Highest altitude: 640 m / Distance: 8,9 Km / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Day 3    
Today is the longest day of the program.  After an early breakfast, the ascent begins right away taking a well marked trail that gently gains altitude up to “Mumake” pass (680 m). Before the pass, there is the invisible border between “Colonos” lands (Peasants not originally from the area) and the “Kogi’s” Indigenous territory. From now on, the trek will be done in an area protected and ruled by this tribe. There are also “Wiwa’s” Indians, original from another sector of the Sierra, had settled in these valleys and now are running some of the lodges. It is also noticeably the change from extensive farmland into a better-preserved and much less exploded area. From the mountain pass, there is a relative quick descent to the “Buritaca” river valley (430 m), where the only Kogi settlement on the trek is placed. This settlement is called: “Montangi” and is a perfect spot to get an glimpse into the local life style and traditions. After about 1 hour, a river crossing over a hanging bridge, leads to a second ascent (2 h) up to “Koskunguena” pass (824 m) and then back down to the “Buritaca” river (743 m) for a last crossing. The last part of the day is an almost flat area up to “El Paraiso” rustic lodge (870 m), the place for the night. This lodge is just by the shores of the “Buritaca” river, a fantastic place to relax and swim.
Night in hammocks.
To Mumake pass: Ascent: 200 m / Descend: 250 m / Highest altitude: 680 m
To Koskunguena pass: Ascent: 394 m / Descend to Buritaca River: 77 m / Ascent to “El Paraiso” Lodge: 127 m / Highest altitude: 824 m / Distance: 13.6 Km / Activity duration: 7-8 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Day 4    
Very early departure taking the trail on the right margin of the Buritaca river for about 25 min. up to a crossing, once on the other margin, the archaeological stairway begins ascending rather steeply all the way to the first terraces of the Lost City (1175 m). From here begins a journey through time, to one of the most interesting archaeological sites of Colombia’s pre-Hispanic period.
The Lost City of the Tayrona is worldwide known. Its original Indigenous name is “Teyuna” and is one of the three large citadels of vanished Tayrona civilization. Teyuna is the only city that has been discovered until now and thus partially restored. Tayrona’s cities were connected by a complex network of trails, from the Caribbean coastal area to the high mountain in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The Tayrona had a well-developed social organization and an effective system of products and goods exchange between the different settlements. Although there is no precise information of the role of Teyuna in the Tayrona culture, it is believed that it was a place for religious worship and center of political power.
During the course of 4 hours visit to the archaeological complex, the group will learn about the different types of terraces and how the city was divided into areas according to hierarchy and types of work. During the visit, it is possible to see the home of a Kogi Mamo (shaman-wise person) who lives in the same traditional way, as it is thought the inhabitants did. It is also believed that the Kogis are descendants from the Tayronas, pushed to the higher lands during the Spanish conquest.
After the visit, hike down to “El Paraiso” lodge to have some lunch and then continue (4,5 h), back on the same trail as the day before, but this time a bit further out, crossing the hanging bridge and down the Buritaca river valley, passing once again the “Montangi” Kogi settlement to “Mumake” lodge (389 m), just at the foot of the “Mumake” pass.
Night in hammocks.
To Lost City: Ascent: 305 m / Descend: 305 m / Highest altitude: 1175 m / Distance one-way: 1,9 Km / Activity duration: 5 including a 3 hours visit.
Ascent to Koskunguena pass: 77 m / Descend to “Mumake” lodge: 481 m / Highest altitude: 870 m / Distance one-way: 7,5 Km / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Day 5    
Today is our last day of hiking! From “Mumake” lodge (389 m), the ascent being right from the front step, leading up to “Mumake” pass (680 M) and after descending to “Quebrada Honduras” river to ascent (1,5 h) to the last pass: “EL Mirador” (640 m) and then to the final destination “El Mamey” town (150 m). Upon arrival there will be lunch and then a transfer to hotel in Santa Marta (2-2,5 h).
Night in hotel.
Ascent to Mumake pass: 291 m / Descend to “Donde Adan” lodge: 200 m / Ascent to El Mirador pass: 160 m / Descend: 490 m / Highest altitude: 680 m / Distance: 14,2 Km / Activity duration: 4-5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic

Day 6    
In the morning after breakfast, meeting at the hotel, transfer to the airport of Santa Marta (30-45 min).
Included meals: breakfast

Santa Marta - El Mamey Village (150 m) - El Mirador Pass (640 m) - Donde Adan Lodge (480 m) - Mumake Pass (680 m) - Coscunguena Pass (824 m) - lodge "El Paraiso" (870 m) - Lost City (1175 m) - El Paraiso Lodge - Mumake Lodge (389 m) - Mumake Pass (680 m) - El Mirador Pass (640 m) - El Mamay Towns (150 m) - Santa Marta
 

The cost of the full package of services -  from 680 USD*
* cost for a group of 6 people 

Included:

  • Shared international or Private group according the chosen program
  • Local Spanish speaking guide trekking guide
  • Transfers from airport to hotel and back in Santa Marta
  • 2 nights in shared double rooms in the City of Santa Marta
  • Shared transport to and from head of trail for both Shared and private groups
  • Hammocks or mattresses for the Lost City trek (mattresses according to availability)
  • Entries to the Lost City
  • Cook for campsite
  • Meals as specified in the day to day itinerary

Not Included:

  • Domestic and international flights
  • Local English speaking translator for the trek (Only translator, not a guide. Can be booked for a whole group – see price in the Extra Services table)
  • Pack animals for carrying personal luggage during the trek (Can be booked, for a whole group- see price in the Extra Services table)
  • Separate airport transfers in case of multiple arrival/departures
  • Personal gear
  • Insurance
  • Tips
  • Everything not mentioned in the “Included” list

Note:

  • Domestic flight tickets in Colombia - from 250 USD
  • For an additional payment: single room and tent, equipment rental

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  • The Lost City trek closes once a year around the beginnings of September, due to Indigenous religious ceremonies. If you are planning your trip around this time of the year, please contact us to confirm the exact restricted dates.Due to new local indigenous communities’ regulations from 2020 the
  • Tayrona National Park will close three times a year in the following periods:  February 1st to 15th, June 1st to 15th, October 19th to November 2nd. If you are planning your trip around these dates, please confirm with us the closure dates as they might change from year to year.
  • This itinerary is the regular program, but it can be altered due to climatic and/or force majeure factors.

La Ciudad Perdida of the Tayronas, known in English as The Lost City, is one of the best-restored and preserved archeological sites in the country. It is located in the Buritaca valley in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest costal range in the world. There are only two ways to visit the citadel; one is trekking or the other a helicopter’s flight. The trek implies not only a challenge, but also an additional experience that enriches the trip. The trek to the Lost City is an adventure in itself with its beautiful and varied landscapes, fauna and flora. Trekking in a tropical rain forest is hot and with high levels of humidity, which can be challenging for some. One of the main rewards of this program is getting an insight into the traditional way of living of the indigenous groups of the Sierra.

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