magic tour lost city

Santa Marta
Things to Do
Restaurants
Holiday Rentals
Travel Stories
Add a Place
Travel Forum
Travellers' Choice
Help Centre

Magic Tour - lost city trek. Best... - Magic Tour Colombia

South America
Colombia
Magdalena Department
Santa Marta Municipality
Santa Marta
Santa Marta - Things to Do
Magic Tour Colombia

Magic Tour - lost city trek. Best experience in Colombia

I did the 4 day hike to the lost city with Magic Tour. This tour was just amazing!! The trek itself is very beautiful and everything was very well set-up. Our guide Maron and translator Juan were the best! They told us everything you want to know about the area and the locals and they took very good care of us. I’d really recommend doing this tour!

We are very happy to have shared this wonderful experience with you. We work every day to spreads smiles in all destination. Thank you for your comment, it is very valuable to us. Happy journey. Regards

Magic tour has been an efficient and very well organized agency. Both tours were really great. We enjoyed the walk to the lost city, the food of Alexis and the great company of our guide Indio. Be ready to get wet if it rains and stay wet. But the walk and the lost city are worth it. After a day of break (an excellent recommendation by the agency, we needed it to rest and get clothes washed and dry!) we took off on the tour to the Alta Guajira with Jorge. This is a completely different experience, from the tropical forest to the windy desert, even hotter but definitely less humid :-). 3 night in Chinchorros, suprisingly comfortable. We appreciated Jorge's humour and excellent driving skills in difficult and bumpy conditions. All in all, an unforgettable experience.

We are very happy to have shared both wonderful experience with you. We work every day to spreads smiles in all destination. ur team always do the best for giving you the best experience!!. Thank you for your comment, it is very valuable to us. Happy journey. Regards

Everything was perfectly organized. Our Guide Nicola and translator Jesus were great. The kept us motivated and where berry funny. They even organized some activities after the long walk which where fun and connected the people. I recommend them both for a private tour if someone is interested in one. Throughout the hike we always were provided with some fresh fruits and when we arrived at the camp's we could eat right away. The food was delicious. We were also able to swim in the beautiful and refreshing rivers of Sierra Nevada. The hike was harder then I thought. Make sure that your backpack is light. Mine was very heavy which made the hike hard. The exhausting hike to the top is worth every step. The lost city is way more beautiful then any pictures can show. Also we were able to learn allot from the indigenous people in the area. It was very interesting to see how they live and listen to what the have to say. Thanks allot to Magic Tour

Our team always do the best for giving you the best experience. We are Really happy for shared with you this experience. Thank you for your time.

The path to the lost city is more difficult than the companies tend to say. Be prepared. Special thanks to our guides, Kaylie, Maria and Nicolas who were perfect all along.

We are very happy to have shared this wonderful experience with you. We work every day to spreads smiles in all destination. Thank you for your comment, it is very valuable to us.

The lost city hike was an amazing experience. The views during the hike and the lost city were breathtaking. We would really recommend Magic Tour as tour agency because the organisation of the tour was perfect. The guides and cooks were great and you learn how the indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Martha live. Special thanks to our amazing guides (Piedro Negro and Brian). They explained very carefully what every day would be like (the walking distance, the stops, ...). They were very passionate, caring and funny.

Just the best agency in Santa Marta! Brian and Pedro did everything with fun and enthusiasm, I had really wonderfull time. I came from NYC for a short break and it was well worth it. The tour was very well organized, everything went smooth and well. Food was delicius. Thanks guys!

The Lost City Trek in Colombia: 27 Things I Wish I Knew

Discovering remains of ancient civilizations. Hiking through lush jungle. Swimming in cascading waterfalls.

If this sounds like the adventure you’re after, then the Lost City trek in Colombia should be on your bucket list.

But it’s certainly not a walk in the park!

The multi-day trek to the Lost City (or La Ciudad Perdida) is a tough hike that involves lots of walking in brutal heat.

Is it worth the expensive price tag? Is it too crowded? And is it as difficult as people say it is?

I answer all those questions (and more) in this guide to 27 things I wish I knew about the Lost City trek, Colombia.

Quick Navigation

Lost City Trek Overview

Time needed: 4 or 5-day tour
Costs: 2.150.000 COP (2024 fixed price 4-day tour)
Distance: 46 – 60 km
Difficulty: Medium to difficult
Type: Out and back route meaning you’ll follow the same route back (unless you’re doing the 5-day tour)

Is the Lost City Trek Worth it?

Yes, the trek to the Lost City is 100% worth it. Not only is it an incredibly scenic hike but the site itself is filled with so much wonder and mystery.

It was built by the Teyuna People around 800 AD (that’s 650 years before Machu Picchu was built), and was only recently discovered.

I had no intention of doing the Lost City trek in Colombia – but after it was recommended to me by numerous travelers, I decided to give it a go.

And I am so happy I did.

But it is expensive, and you need at least 4 days to complete the tour.

So, if time and budget aren’t on your side, you might need to rethink whether you include Ciudad Perdida in your itinerary or not.

This post will hopefully make that decision easier for you.

It’s not a hidden gem like it used to be

A few years ago, the Lost City was regarded as an off-the-beaten-track destination in Colombia.

Nestled deep in the Sierra Nevada mountains, few people made the trek to Ciudad Perdida. And those who did were met with isolated communities, remote landscapes, and very few creature comforts.

That has since changed!

The Lost City trek is no longer a hidden gem and the trails are busy, especially during December and January. It’s a backpacker haven where you’re guaranteed to meet like-minded travelers.

The camps are crowded, and you may be stuck behind a large tour group during certain sections of the hike, especially on the last day.

But the crowds don’t ruin the experience

Despite the crowds, hiking to Ciudad Perdida was one of my highlights of Colombia.

Nothing beats walking through the Lost City, which is a lot bigger than I had ever thought, and imagining what life was like for the people who once lived there.

But it’s not only reaching Ciudad Perdida that makes it a worthwhile adventure.

The trail is surrounded by dense forests with swimming holes next to each camp.

Cooling off in the rivers, sipping on ice-cold beers after a grueling 6-hour hike, and meeting people from all over the world – it was the entire journey to and from the Lost City that made it special for me.

Lost City Trek Difficulty: It’s not easy

The Lost City trek involves a lot of walking on uneven, muddy terrain, often uphill. And in high humidity.

But overall, it’s not a technical hike nor overly challenging. It’s the temperature and jungle setting that get to most people.

You’ll walk at least 6 hours a day and there are a lot of steep sections. When you reach the top of a hill, you’ll be huffing and puffing, and drenched in sweat.

The final stretch to the Lost City involves hiking up 1200 stairs. They are steep, slippery, and very narrow so you need to watch your footing.

I found this day (day 3) to be the most challenging.

Because it’s a long day as you’ll not only trek to the Lost City, but you’ll re-trace your steps to the halfway point where you’ll spend the night.

You need 4 or 5 days for the Ciudad Perdida trek

The most popular Lost City trek tour is 4 days. This is the perfect amount of time for most people.

And trust me, you don’t want to do any shorter!

There is also the option to do a 5-day tour. For this, your first 3 days will follow the same route as the 4-day tour. And you will still reach the Lost City on day 3.

But it differs from the standard trek as you won’t rush to get back to the trailhead on day 4.

Instead, you will take a detour along a quieter route and have an extra day to get back to the start.

Some people prefer this alternative exit route that’s taken on days 4 and 5 because it’s not very busy and you’re likely to have a large part of the trail to yourself.

I did the 4-day tour and was very happy with my decision.

The Lost City Trek is expensive

The 4-day Lost City trek costs 2.150.000 COP per person in 2024. That’s an increase from 1.750.000 COP per person in 2023 – nearly $100 USD more.

Yes, you read that correctly! It’s one of the most expensive activities to do in all of South America.

All tour costs are fixed no matter which operator you go with – so you won’t be able to negotiate a better price.

And no, you’re not getting anything luxurious in return.

The accommodation and food are very basic, and the hefty price tag is due to money that goes back to the communities that call the Sierra Nevada mountains home.

You can’t do it independently

The only way to trek to the Lost City of Ciudad Perdida is by booking a tour. It’s a requirement and you need to use a certified company that follows strict rules and regulations.

I booked my Lost City tour the day I arrived in Santa Marta and had no problems finding an operator with availability.

However, if you do not have flexibility in your schedule or if you have preference for a particular tour operator, I recommend contacting a few companies a week before your planned departure date.

November to April is the best time for the Ciudad Perdida hike

The dry season for the northern part of Colombia is from November to April. It’s best to plan your trip during this time.

You’ll have long days of clear skies and optimal hiking conditions.

But there’s no escaping the heat and humidity, no matter what time of year you do the Lost City trek hike.

May to October is considered the wet season with daily rain showers. Despite this, many people choose to hike to the Lost City during this time and enjoy the quieter trails.

I have heard that the rain can be quite intense from August to October so you may want to reconsider your plans if this is the only time you can go.

But December and January are extremely busy

I did the Lost City trek in February, and it was busy!

But after speaking to my tour guide, it seems that December and January are even busier.

70 people entered Ciudad Perdida the same day as we did, but apparently, during December, this number is double!

You’ll start your tour in Santa Marta

The coastal city of Santa Marta is the gateway to the Lost City trek. This is the departure point for all tours and is a 90 minute drive to the trailhead.

All tours depart early in the morning, so you’ll need to spend a night in Santa Marta before your start date.

Santa Marta wasn’t my favorite place to visit so don’t stay any longer than you have to!

Some operators will arrange transport to and from Minca and Palomino

I wish I had known this!

But yes, you can request a drop-off or pick-up in one of the nearby towns (which are more interesting than Santa Marta) such as Minca or Palomino.

But you need to check that the company offers this service at no extra cost. I didn’t and so the option wasn’t given to me.

However, a few people in my group had specifically requested to be dropped off in Minca after the tour. Arrangements were made for them, and their stored luggage was brought to the trailhead on the last day.

I believe the bigger tour companies offer this service at no extra cost so inquire about it if you have plans to visit Minca.

2024 Update: Unfortunately, the tour operator I booked with (Magic Tours) no longer offers this complimentary drop-off in Minca after the Lost City Trek. They will drop you off at the bus station in Santa Marta, and you can take the bus from there. Luckily, a reader has let me know that Teyuna Tours does drop-offs in Minca.

If you’re reading this and have found another operator that offers this Minca drop-off service, please let me know in the comments section!

This brings me to my next point…

Visit Minca after your Lost City Trek Tour

Minca is a mountain town about an hour south of Santa Marta.

It’s the perfect place to rest and relax after trekking to Ciudad Perdida.

You’ll finish your hike at lunchtime and from there, you’ll take an hour’s drive back to Santa Marta. But don’t spend the night here.

Head straight to Minca and treat yourself to a mountain hotel where you can chill for a day or two.

Tour group size: How many is too many

When doing my research, I made every attempt to find a Lost City tour operator that had good reviews and offered small group tours.

Despite my efforts, I somehow managed to book the most popular tour with the biggest group of travelers – there were over 20 of us in our group with 2 guides and a translator!

But this ended up being a blessing rather than a curse.

I met so many amazing people who made the difficult hike that much easier.

We sang, we drank, we sweated buckets – and I formed real connections with people from all over the world.

Lost City Tour recommendations

I booked my tour with Magic Tours, and I highly recommend them. I paid for the trip myself and they did not know that I was a travel blogger (so this is my totally unbiased opinion).

When I initially enquired about the tour, they said their group size was maximum of 12 per guide. What I didn’t realize is that they were quite happy to pair their groups together with 2 guides.

As I mentioned above, I was actually happy with this because it gave me the chance to meet 24 of the most amazing, diverse, and interesting people.

Teyuna Tours and Expo Tours also seemed to have big groups – and they also came with positive reviews.

However, if you’d prefer a smaller group, then you may want to avoid these tour operators.

There are showers

This one really surprised me!

Yes, there are showers at each camp (and no, they are not bucket showers). The water is cold but at least you’ll feel fresh at the end of the day!

There are also flushing toilets.

You have to carry everything

You must carry your own bags with all your clothes and toiletries.

Food and bedding is provided at the camp so you won’t need to lug those around.

Because you’ll be carrying everything yourself, it’s important to keep your pack as light as possible. You don’t need a new outfit for every day – you’ll thank me later.

Know what to pack

When packing for the Lost City trek, it’s important to bring light and breathable clothes to walk in.

There’s no avoiding the humidity and sweat! I brought two sets of exercise clothes and switched them after two days.

I also recommend bringing a clean set of clothes that you can change into after showering.

Bring your own sheet (if you can)

Clean bedding (sheets and blankets) will be waiting for you at each camp on the Lost City trek.

I had read online that there are bed bugs, with a few people suggesting bringing your own sleeping bag. But I wasn’t going to go out and buy one specifically for the trip.

So instead, I went to a fabric shop in Santa Marta and purchased 3 meters of fabric which I used as a fitted sheet. It was light, small, and cheap so I’m glad I took it along.

But no one else on my tour had taken their own sheet or sleeping bag. And no one got bed bug bites!

But if you’d prefer to err on the side of caution, you can find the sheet shop here.

You’ll need money for beer and snacks

You can buy cold beers and snacks at all camps along the Lost City trek.

But things get more expensive the further up you walk.

I paid 6000 COP for a beer at the first camp at 10 000 COP at the other two. But it was worth every penny.

I recommend taking 200.000 COP in cash with you.

Drinking water is provided

Filtered drinking water is available at all camps so be sure to bring a reusable bottle with you.

Many people question the quality of this water and if it’s really safe to drink. I used my Grayl Ultrapress waterbottle to filter the drinking water that was provided and didn’t have any issues.

But everyone else on my tour drank the water without filtering it, and they were all fine.

The stories of the Wiwa tribe are fascinating

Several indigenous tribes call the Sierra Nevada mountains home.

Most tours to the Lost City take you to one of these communities where you learn more about their customs, beliefs, and rituals.

We met the leader of the Wiwa tribe and it was a fascinating experience. I absorbed so much information in that short presentation and was blown away by their stories and lifestyle.

There’s constant development

To cater to the growing number of tourists, there is constant development along the Lost City route.

This is particularly true for the trail on day 1. As you go deeper into the jungle, there’s a lot less going on.

There are also new camps being built as tourists have previously had to sleep in hammocks (and even on tables).

You can get a moto-taxi on day 1

The first day of the Lost City trek is mostly on a dirt road leading to the first camp.

I assume this was once a small path surrounded by jungle that has been cleared to make way for motorbikes and supply vehicles to get to camp 1.

Tourists now have the option to pay an extra fee for a moto-taxi to the first camp.

Taking a moto-taxi (instead of walking) is not common and you will need to request this – but it is an option if you choose.

But are you missing out by not walking on day 1?

Tough question.

If you’re traveling in a group tour, then I definitely recommend walking to Camp 1 (instead of taking the moto-taxi option).

That first day is the perfect opportunity to get to know your team and form connections. You’ll miss out on this if you take the easy way!

In terms of scenery, day 1 is still beautiful and offers plenty of spectacular views. But you’re walking on a gravel road for most of the way, not a small trail covered by lush jungle.

The scenery on days 2 and 3 is better. But I still recommend walking on day 1.

There are rivers and waterfalls along the route

I’ve never been so happy (and relieved) to see a river as I was on the Lost City trek.

There are streams and small waterfalls next to each camp where you can cool off and chill after the day’s hike.

Don’t forget to bring your bikini or bathing suit.

You can’t hide from the Mosquitos

Bring Deet bug spray with you as there are lots of mosquitos.

Most of my group, including me, got bitten all over, but thankfully the bites weren’t as itchy as those in the Bolivian Amazon .

All bunk beds have mosquito nets, and they were in good condition.

Some tour operators camp next to the Lost City

There is a small camp alongside the Lost City which is without a doubt the best place to stay!

I was surprised when I first heard this and was so bleak that we weren’t camping next to the ruins.

But this particular camp is very small and can’t accommodate many people.

I also heard of groups that were promised they’d stay at the Lost City camp, but when they arrived there was no space for them and so they had to go back down to another camp.

Some tours have translators

Most guides and people from the local communities do not speak English. Because of this, some tour operators (including Magic Tours) offer the service of a translator.

I am so happy we had a translator on our tour as we were able to really appreciate the stories from the Wiwa people and learn more about the history of the Lost City from our guides.

If you cannot speak Spanish, you may want to choose a Lost City tour company that includes a translator – this wasn’t an additional expense.

Embrace the Lost City Trek experience

The site of Ciudad Perdida is truly a special place and is more impressive than I ever could have imagined.

While the Lost City trek is gaining popularity amongst all travelers, it still has an authentic charm and is one of the best things to do in Colombia.

Are you planning on doing the Lost City trek in Colombia? Let me know if you have any questions!

Like it? Pin it!

Guide to the lost city trek in colombia, south america

Hi, I'm Carryn. I’m an adventure travel blogger trying to figure out my way through life by traveling and exploring. Join me as I share my travel guides and tips for life abroad. Find out more about me here .

Visiting the Bolivian Amazon Rainforest: A Complete Guide 2024

Cenote diving in tulum: everything you need to know, 11 thoughts on “the lost city trek in colombia: 27 things i wish i knew”.

Hi Carryn, thanks for this post! I’m pretty sure I’m heading to Colombia, and doing the Cuidad Perdida Trek very soon, but your post opened my eyes to the many tour operators guiding the trek! I’m actually thinking about Minca too, but are the views not pretty much the same after you’ve been on the Trek?!? … though no doubt, much more relaxed in Minca. Heading to Minca right after the Trek seems like a neat thing to do … Do you remember which tour operator allows for this option? Thank you … & keep on travelling!

Hey Martin,

I’d say the views from Minca are from up above, where as with the Lost City Trek, you’re mostly deep in the jungle. I recommend going to Minca after if you want a few days of down time as it’s a much better place to recover than Santa Marta.

I did my trek with Magic Tours and they offered a complimentary drop off in Minca after the trek. But they don’t advertise this so I wasn’t aware of it at the time – until I heard via other people on my trek. The best thing to do would be to message them directly and confirm (please let me know the outcome). I think most tour operators will offer this service so if you have a particular company you’d prefer to go through, you should ask them too.

Hi! Thank you for very useful information regarding the hike and tour operators! I am also planning to go to Minca after the hike. I just messaged Magic tour and they did not offer drop off in Minca. They said I could be dropped off at the bus station in Santa Marta and from there take the bus to Minca. I can imagine being very tired on the last day so I might do some more research to find someone that does drop offs in Minca 🙂 Cheers!

Thanks for the update regarding drop offs in Minca. It’s a pity they’ve dropped this service given how expensive the tour is! If you find a tour operator that does a complimentary Minca drop off after the Lost City Trek, please let me know so I can update the post and recommend them.

Thanks, Carryn

Hi, I just booked with Teyuna tours and they will drop me off in Minca 🙂 Jenni

Thanks for letting me know Jenni! Have a great time at The Lost City.

ooops, I didn’t see your reply! I’m actually in Calabazo right now … hiking Tayrona tomorrow … then getting picked up by Expotur outside El Zaino entrance, to go on their 4-day trek. I wish I had seen Jenni’s reply. I brought up, at the Expotur office today, that I would be heading to Minca after, and I was offered being dropped off at Mamatoco, which I thought was great, until I took a good look at the map just now. I should probably go to the market in Santa Marta instead, and catch the bus to Minca.

I was dropped off at TRANSPORTADORA SIERRA MAR SAS MINCA (Diagonal 39 #5-148, Santa Marta), for a 10mil COP trip to Minca (3/2/2024).

Thanks for the update Martin!

Do you have any recommendations for lodging in Minca? Your photo with the hammock over the hillside is exactly the kind of R&R I’m looking for!!

That photo in the hammock is from Sierra Minca (here) . We spent the day here as they allow for day visitors to make use of their pool and restaurant which is what I recommend. It was stunning!

There are lots of options for accommodation high in the mountains (like Sierra Minca). They downside is that many are difficult to get to and you need to go by moto taxi. I paid 35 000 COP for the one way ride from Minca which took 40 minutes on a bumpy road. So if you stay at one of these lodges, you’ll probably spend most of your time there. If that’s what you’re looking for – then they’re perfect! But if you want to explore the town, eat at different restaurants, do a few waterfall treks, then you will spend a lot of time and money on moto taxis to and from Minca.

I suggest staying at a place like Casa Loma Minca (here) . I went for sunset drinks here and it’s a beautiful spot only a short walk from town. It is a popular place for sunsets though! You can then do a day trip to Sierra Minca instead.

Enjoy Colombia.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE LOST CITY, COLOMBIA

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link.

The Lost City, also known as Ciudad Perdida or Teyuna, was first discovered in 1972 by two Spanish explorers searching for hidden treasure. They accidentally stumbled upon the steps leading up to the Lost City and discovered the ruins.

The Lost City was built by indigenous communities around 800 A.D (650 years before Machu Picchu) but was only lived in for a short period of time before it was abandoned, when the tribes moved and set up their communities in a different location.

The Lost City is situated deep in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, located close to the city of Santa Marta, along with the Caribbean coast in northern Colombia.

The rounded stone archaeological marvel has never been truly ‘lost’ with the indigenous communities of the Wiwas, Koguis, Arhuacos, and Kankuamos, using it still to this day once a year as a sacred place to perform ceremonies. These indigenous communities were once rich with gold and jewels, and as part of their ceremonies, they used these riches in celebrations and also buried their loved ones with gold after they had passed away. The indigenous communities kept the location of the Lost City a secret to prevent outsiders from discovering the gold.

Once the Lost City was discovered it was subsequently destroyed as looters invaded to dig up the gold and sell it. You can find many pieces of gold from the site in the Gold Museum in Bogota, which has been restored to their original quality. In 1976 archaeologists began the reconstruction of the village with the help of the Colombian government.

The city was restored with the help of local indigenous communities to how it stands today, and it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1979.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Accommodation.

During the trek, there are numerous camps pre-set upon the path. These camps are set up with bunk beds, mosquito nets, kitchens, dining areas, toilets, and showers. Which camp you stop on the trek depends on the tour operator you choose, but each camp is set up so the tour guides, chefs and staff arrive at the camp and utilize the facilities. Some camps have space for up to 100 people at one time, with multiple tour companies staying there at the same time.

The camp closest to the Lost City is called El Paraiso Camp and is located just 1 km from the entrance to the Lost City. This camp tends to be the busiest with the majority of tour companies stopping here at the same time. The camp has a series of bunk beds and open spaces for hammocks to utilize as much space as possible. There is also a large kitchen and dining hall.

Each camp is clean and well kept, and all food, bedsheets, and mosquito nets are provided. The bunk beds are set up with open beds covered by mosquito nets, roofs and hanging spaces to attempt to dry clothes. Some camps along the way are located close to rivers or natural pools, which are a great place to cool off after a sweaty day’s walk.

Each camp has limited electricity, with occasional plug sockets and lights. The toilet facilities at each camp are basic but each camp has proper toilets with running water (utilized from the rainwater), flushable toilets, sinks, and showers. Each camp has a small shop that sells drinks, snacks and occasionally beer available to purchase in the evening.

The trek to the Lost City is 46.6 km or 28 miles in total, and you will walk the same way there as you do back. The path to the Lost City is often narrow, though sometimes it is big enough for 3 people to walk next to each other. Along the pathway are the overnight camps and stops to purchase drinks or snacks.

Each day the walk is split up into small sections three or four hours long. The trek will begin after a bumpy ride from Santa Marta and hearty lunch in the village of Machete, followed by a four-hour trek. The second day will be split into two with a stop at a camp for lunch and a break before proceeding onto the El Paraiso Camp. The 3rd and 4th days are following the path back to Machete. The last day (if you do the 4-day trek) is the longest stretch.

Along the trek, the path winds past indigenous communities who are still living in the way they once did in the jungle. It is important to respect these people and often the guides will stop to talk about the tribes and explain the history of them.

The Lost City trek itself is challenging, rewarding, (sweaty!) and just incredible. The scenery is breathtaking: there are endless mountain views, rivers, waterfalls and the stunning landscapes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The terrain varied immensely but even the uphill battles are made easier by supportive guides and regular fresh watermelon breaks! The path moves around mountains, through rivers, and over bridges.

THE LOST CITY

After a 4:30 am wake-up call the journey to the Lost City begins, watching the beautiful sunrise between ancient trees, clambering over rocks and wading through a river, before you reach the bottom of the steps up to the Lost City. Here you can understand why the city was hidden for so many years. After 1,200 ancient and small slippery steps, the Lost City shows itself.

Most tours spend between 2 and 3 hours walking around the archeological site, taking pictures and the endless mountains surrounding the city, unique spiritual feeling in the air, sense of history and sanctity make looking out over the city an awe-inspiring experience. Some tour companies even offer the chance to meet a Shaman who lives beside the village and learn about their culture.

The Lost City is over 12,000 square meters and was once home to over 2,000 people. Parts of the city are still hidden beneath dense jungle, but each year more is being discovered. A major part of the city was discovered when a hurricane came through the area, blowing over trees and clearing parts away to reveal more of the site and a completely new area.

It is said that they have only discovered 10% of the city’s actual area. The Lost City is one of many archaeological sites within the area, but it’s the only one known by non-indigenous communities.

For those who are concerned about safety along the tour, you shouldn’t be. In 2003 there were some issues with local guerilla groups, but the area was closed and reopened in 2005, and from then on the area has been perfectly safe for visitors.

In the Lost City itself, there are a small number of Army guards there to offer support and protection but this is just a precaution from the Colombian Government. There is no danger at the site. The tour operators have been through every possible situation and scenario. They have donkeys along the path which carry food and supplies to camps, but they are also available to transport people if they have an injury or problem and need to return to Machete.

FOOD AND DRINK

You will not go hungry on this trek, lunch and evening meals are usually rice, plantain in some form, meat or fish, salad and a dessert. Breakfast is normally fresh fruit, eggs and cheese toasties. They also offer fresh watermelon or pineapple at stops along the trek and provide water, coffee, fruit juice as well as the other drinks and snacks available for purchase at the camps.

They have big tubs of water that you can fill your water bottle up with. It is important to not drink the water from the rivers or lakes and only drink the water provided by the tour companies.

TOUR COMPANIES

To take part in a Lost City trek you have to go with an organized group complete with a guide. Over the years the tour has adapted and developed but to keep visitor numbers down and tours controlled, there is only a very limited number of local operators organizing and leading the treks. These local tour companies all have their own guides, translators (upon request), chefs and camps along the trek.

While all these local tour operators essentially offer the same service there can be big differences between overall tour experiences, and some tour companies have indigenous guides. The tour companies employ guides from the local area who have excellent knowledge of the area and its history.

Every tour company has a similar price for the tour between $300 and $350. The tour is the same price no matter if you choose the 4, 5 or 6-day trek. The 5 and 6-day tours have more rest time and less walking each day on the return journey. Big worldwide tour companies offer treks to The Lost City but anyone charging more than $350 is just making a profit, so it is best to contact one of the four tour local companies who run the tours: Turcol Travel, Expotur Eco Tours , Magic Tours , and Guias Y Baquianos.

You can also find some Colombian travel operators offering the tours in partnership with these operators if you are looking to pre-book. One example is Impulse Travel , which offers tours in partnership with hand-picked tour companies and guides. They can also arrange all requests including bilingual tour guides or translators. Every trek has at least two guides, chefs who walk in front of the group to the next camp to set up for the group’s arrival.

The Lost City is open year-round except in the month of September to allow communities to visit the site and perform ceremonies and events. Be aware even though the temperature is roughly the same year-round, the rainy and dry seasons will make a big difference. In the dry season, the rivers will be low, paths solid and only occasional rain. However, in the rainy season, the rivers could be waist-deep, paths muddy and torrential tropical rainfall could happen.

The dry season in Colombia is December to early March and the rest of the year will have wetter conditions. The National Park and Reserve have a cap on numbers but to avoid crowds in camps and in the Lost City try to avoid the holiday periods which tend to be busier.

WHAT TO PACK

The trek is sweaty and as soon as you put on new clothes and begin walking you will sweat more than you ever have before. It is advised to pack very light as you will have to carry everything you need for the journey. You do not need to pack food or bedding. Quick-drying clothes are recommended as it’s so humid in the jungle nothing will dry quickly.

A reusable water bottle (they have water available throughout the trek which they purify with tablets)
Bug spray (high DEET)
1 set of clothes for each day trekking (2 or 3 tops/shorts)
2 pairs of long trousers (for the evening, to avoid mosquitos)
2 long sleeve t-shirts (for the evening, to avoid mosquitos)
Hiking boots or good walking shoes and socks
Rain jacket
Quick-dry towel
Toiletries including toilet paper (some camps offer toilet paper but others do not and it’s limited)
Sandals or flip-flops for the evening
Rain cover or a black trash bag to cover your backpack if it rains
Waterproof bag to put your valuables
Bag for wet items
Portable Battery Charger
Sleeping Bag Liner
Cash for snack purchases along the journey

Trekking to the Lost City in Colombia was one of my favorite experiences and I hope this guide has inspired you to make the trek yourself one day!

Have you ever been on a trek? If you have any additional tips for our readers or questions please leave these in the comments below.

Do you want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.

Subscribe to get access to our FREE eBook with tips for saving money when you travel!

Our Top Places To Stay In Santa Marta, Colombia

Placita Vieja Hotel Boutique Spa S.A.S
Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina
Hotel Boutique Don Pepe
Find the best price on hotels in Santa Marta
Sign up to AirBnB with this link and receive a US $35 off your first booking

Pin For Later

This website is a free resource we may use affiliate links in our articles. Please see our Disclosures for more information.

You’ll Also Love

January 14, 2019 at 8:04 am

Awesome post, thanks! I’m doing the lost city trek with my boyfriend in February. We are booking with Wiwa tours, because they are indigenous. You didn’t mention them in your post. Reviews are few but decent. Did you meet anyone who went with Wiwa? Also, is February going to be overcrowded? Thanks so much!

Get Access To The Travel Resources Library

Subscribe to receive free access!

Work With Us
TESTIMONIALS
DISCLOSURES
TERMS OF SERVICE
PRIVACY POLICY
ACCESSIBILITY

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

Expedition Colombia

Colombia Adventure Travel

Lost City Trek

Summary 4 days santa marta trekking.

What Machu Picchu is to Peru, the Lost City is to Colombia.

The Lost City or ‘Ciudad Perdida’, is an ancient city and sacred site of the Tayrona Civilization. It once covered the Caribbean coastal plain of Colombia and extended to the highest coastal mountain range on earth, the Sierra Nevadas of Santa Marta.

Travellers can see Machu Picchu by bus, plane, or taxi, but only an adventurous trekker can dare to explore the ‘Lost City’. Alongside a knowledgeable, bilingual, indigenous guide, commit to a minimum 4-day 70-km trek on ancient trails carved in mountain and jungles that cross over rivers and waterfalls.

Average trekking time 5 hours per day.

Explore the largest pre-Colombian city discovered in all the Americas
Trek in the tallest coastal mountains in the world, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Visit a Kogi village and learn about indigenous cultures of Colombia
Meet the living descendants of the Tayrona civilization
Relax in jungle camps with beds, bathrooms, showers, and hot meals
Swim in natural swimming pools, rivers, and tropical waterfalls

BOOK THE TRIP

The 4-Day Trek option includes 2.5 days of trekking to get to the Lost City and 1.5 days to get back
Day 1: Santa Marta to El Mamey town to Adán Camp (Distance: 12.5 km)
Day 2: Adán Camp to Paraiso Teyuna Camp via Mumake Camp (Distance: 23.5km)
Day 3: Paraiso Teyuna Camp to Mumake Camp via The Lost City (Distance: 22.2km)
On Day 3 enjoy 4 hours at Lost City to relax and take photographs
Day 4: Mumake Camp to El Mamey vía Adan Camp (Distance: 12.2km)
Return on Day 4 via an easy 4- hour trek and receive transport to Santa Marta
Extension option to visit an indigenous village en-route, or upon return, to Santa Marta (depending on the village’s calendar) to gain Arhuaco perspective on the Lost City
In total, the trail to and from the Lost City runs along the same path, weaving through the thick jungle of the Sierra Nevada mountains and covers the total distance of just over 45kms as the crow flies, or over 75kms (accounting for all the ups and downs)
To begin the journey, your guide meets you at your hotel in Santa Marta, the second oldest city in South America and the capital city of dept. of Magdalena
Drive for 100 km along a highway and dirt road (approx. 3 hours) from Santa Marta to trailhead at small town of El Mamey
Today, trek from El Mamey to Adán Camp (Official Distance: 7.6km Actual Distance: 12.5 km)
Experience stunning views of jungle mountains
Tonight, you’ll sleep in open air bunk beds with mosquito nets
Pillows and blankets will be provided
Facilities at camp: bathrooms, showers, electricity with limited use (by generator)
Enjoy breakfast at camp (eggs, bread, and some fruit along with coffee/hot chocolate/tea)
Today, trek from Adán Camp to Paraíso Teyuna Camp via Mumake Camp (-Official Distance: 14.7km, actual Distance: 23.5km)
Arrive at Mumake around 10-11am, and have plenty of time to relax and unwind before lunch
Keep your bathing suit at the top of the pack as there is another swimming hole waiting for you at Mumake. It’s about 5-10 min walk away, but a dip in the refreshing, chilly waters is wonderful!
Enjoy fruit stands along the way and a delicious lunch of rice, lentils, fried or grilled fish or chicken, salad, and fresh fruit juice
After lunch, begin a 2-hour trail that follows the beautiful Buritaca River
Visit a Traditional Kogi village en route to the Lost City and learn about indigenous cultures
The descendants of the Tayrona, the habitants of the Lost City, are today known as the Kogis and Arhuacos are people remained ruled by ritual priesthood they believe the ecological well-being of the planet is held in their hands, their prayers maintain the cosmic balance of the universe
Arhuaco and Kogis consider themselves as the elder brothers- they have a moral and ethical responsibility to educate us, “the younger brother” & they want to. They speak with passion in Spanish and in their own languages, to articulate with elegance about how the rest of the world needs to get our act together and care for the planet
In Colombia, they’ve emerged as symbol of continuity and hope- the last 5 presidents have visited the Arhuaco communities via helicopter to get their blessing
After a visit with the indigenous community, arrive at Paraiso Teyuna Camp for a restful sleep
Today trek from Paraiso Teyuna Camp to Mumake Camp via The Lost City (Official Distance: 13.6km Actual Distance: 22.2km)
Day 3 is an early 5:30am wake-up call, so you have breakfast and set off on today’s hike by about 6:30am
Trek for one hour from the campsite to the Lost City with plenty of time there to take photographs, relax, and take an archeological tour
It’s about an hour walk from the campsite to the start of the 1200 step climb up to the Lost City. It sounds like this part would take forever, but you can easily reach the top of the stairs within 20 mins!
Begin a fascinating archeology tour that elaborates on the Lost City’s history:
The city dates back to 14th century when it was populated by some 2,000-4,0000 native Tayrona people and served as their biggest urban and commercial hub spread over an area of 2 sq kms
The conquest of Colombia in the 16th century was delayed, but when it broke out it was particularly violent, and the indigenous groups fled up to the lush jungle of the Sierra Nevada mountains and were miraculously left out of sight, out of mind, so they continued to follow their ritual practices. (other indigenous in general area are Arhuaco, and Wiwa people, but it is not thought that they lived in the lost city)
In 1970, a local man stumbled upon the city in his grave-robbing expedition. For about a decade, the Lost City, which at the time was referred to as “Infierno Verde”, (Green Hell) was a site of fighting between the grave-robbers (Spanish: quaqueros), until the government finally allocated resources to protect and excavate the site
Upon completing your Lost City tour, begin your return along the river bend and back to Paraiso Teyuna Camp for lunch.
From there, you’ll head all the way back to Mumake Camp (approx. 5 hours)
Electricity is generator powered and only goes on from 6pm-9pm. You will need to ask the owners as the outlet is in the house
Trek from Mumake Camp to El Mamey via Adan Camp (Official Distance: 7.3km Actual Distance: 7.8km/12.2km)
After an early breakfast, you’ll set off on a 4-5-hour trek towards Adan Camp
This morning trek is fairly easy morning with some ups and downs along the trail
Once at Adam Camp, those on the 4-Day Trek, will take a quick fruit and water break and continue for another 4 hours all the way back to El Mamey Camp
Enjoy lunch at El Mamey Camp and hop aboard a 4WD van that will take you back to Santa Marta with your guide

Indigenous Visit Option:

Extend your trip by one day and one night to visit an Arhuaco village after your trek. Have the rare chance to connect with indigenous leaders by visiting their village situated on a beach by the sea and a beautiful river. Feel free to bring your bathing suit to swim or go fishing and indulge in local fish stews. Connect with the local weavers and watch as they make traditional weaving handicrafts, such as the Arhuaco “mochila”, or purse. Stay overnight at Taironaka Tourism Eco lodge and Archeology site located on the Don Diego River close to an Arhuaco village. In the evening, enjoy delicious food prepared by chefs at the lodge’s restaurant and stay overnight at the ecolodge. The following morning, you can float down the river in kayak or tubes to reach your own private beach on the sea, and return for transport to Santa Marta.

5 Day Lost City Trek Option:

The 5-Day Trek option, which breaks up the return journey by splitting up the 4th day of hiking into 2 shorter days. Those on the 5 Day trek will have lunch, enjoy the rock pools, and rest at Adan Camp. The following morning, you’ll take a leisurely 3-hour walk from Adan Camp to El Mamey where you’ll have lunch and catch a 4WD ride back to Santa Marta.

6 Day Lost City Trek Option:

There is also a 6-Day Trek option, which breaks up the 2nd (the longest and most exhausting day) into 2 days.

Expert bilingual adventure and cultural guides (languages: Spanish, French, English)
Emergency beacon, First Aid Kit, Colombian insurance
All food and accommodation
Excellent, filling hot meals prepared for you at camp
A staple meal usually consists of rice, small salad, beans, and a serving of meat, alternating between fish, chicken, and pork
Coffee/tea/hot chocolate and a sweet snack (a chocolate bar) are usually served for dessert
Breakfast consists of eggs, bread, and some fruit along with coffee/hot chocolate/tea
Lunch consists rice/beans/meat or fish or a hearty soup
For snacks, your guide will provide you with fresh fruit and other delicious energizing goodies, but we recommend you pack extra snacks as you like
Excellent vegetarian, vegan, gluten- free, and other dietary options * please notify us of any dietary preferences when you book the trip
Accommodation on the trek includes clean campsites with bunk beds instead of just hammocks to sleep in for the night.
Beds are right next to each other, but each bed has its own mosquito net that provides a bit of privacy between you and the person in the bed next to you
Extension option includes comfortable overnight stay and dinner at Taironaka Tourism Eco lodge and Archeology site

Bathing suit, sunscreen, bug repellent, sun hat, headlamp, UV Water Filter
Lightweight, breathable long sleeved shirts and convertible hiking pants for sun protection (expect humid and hot conditions with warm breezes)
Daypack (40 liters or more), bag rain cover, and dry bag for electronics
4 T-shirts, 3 pairs of socks, 4 pairs of underwear, 1 warm layer for cold nights, rain jacket
A solid pair of hiking shoes, hiking poles (recommended), sandals
Blankets and sheets are provided at camps, but a sleeping bag/ travel lining is highly recommended (or ask about this rental option when you book the trip)
Most campsites have electricity as well as shower and bathroom facilities, so feel free to bring electronic equipment but you may want to bring a power bank for extra charges
Bring your valuables, like a camera and tripod, but be aware that you will be sharing campsites with other groups and guided tours
Travel Pillow, travel towel, soap, personal toiletries
Your passport (no copies)

FITNESS LEVEL: 3 out of 5 = Several moderate physical activities raise your heartbeat on this trip. A good level of physical fitness is required. This trek is not technical & it does not require any equipment or any particular skills, but walking sticks, and a determined attitude, are highly recommended.

When to go:.

Dry Season (which runs from December through to early March) and rainy season (March to November). Treks to the Lost City are offered year around, but if you have a chance to choose when to trek, go in the dry season. Hiking in the rain on this hike is not ideal to say the least.

PRICE & RESERVATION

All included 4-days trek, all included 5-days trek, what they say:.

Departures everyday! Excellent vegetarian and vegan options! The best company to discover the Lost City in Colombia! Write us NOW!

Related trips.

Beginner Kayaking Course

Our beginner kayak course is an introduction to the world of whitewater kayaking. 9 days with our expert guides. Guided adventure in Colombia

Rio Claro Cave “El Prodigio”

Located near Rio Claro, El Prodigio is a hidden gem! Join the local community who have recently discovered a network of caves and archeological sites.

Samana River Float trip

Enjoy a relaxed river trip, with overnight at lodge by the river, fish, float, birdwatch and hike to caves and petroglyphs on the highly curated experience

San Agustin Kayak Course

Kayak Colombia | San Agustin kayak course | Embark on an 8-day intermediate to advanced guide kayak trip | El Estrecho del Rio Magdalena

Lost City trek and hike in Colombia – Everything you want to know!

Ever heard of La Ciudad Perdida, or the Lost City of the Tayrona? An archaeological site, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Colombia? Hundreds of years ago this place was inhabited by the Tayrona indigenous people. Nowadays it is a unique place in Colombia because it can only be reached by foot through the jungle. Two and a half days to get there, a visit to the city and then the exact same way back. Everything you walk up, you walk down and vice versa. An incredible experience! In this article you can read everything you want to know about the Lost City trek and hike in Colombia, including a packing list + many useful tips.

Lost City trek Colombia: Day 1.

For the second time in my life I am going to do this trek. And again, I find it exciting. At 8 am we are picked up at the hotel in Santa Marta and taken to the office of Osprey Expeditions . After a short briefing and getting to know our guide Pedro, we get into the jeep. On our way to our adventure. I catch myself immediately looking at my fellow travelers. How fit are they? I won’t say that this is the most important thing, but after all, you do form a small team for the next few days.

It is about a 2 hour drive to the starting point of our Lost City hike and along the way we get to know each other. A super fit American/French couple and a couple from Bogotá , little to zero experience. After 1.5 hours we make a stop at the entrance of the National Park and buy some last things. And then it’s another half hour, via a bumby road into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, to the village of Mamey, also known as Machete Pelao.

As soon as we arrive, we hear cheering and clapping from travelers who have returned from the Lost City hike in Colombia and made it. They look sweaty and worn out. Ai, this is exciting. After a nice lunch, we get ready for departure. We look one more time at the map. 48 kilometers doesn’t sound that much, but when you see how many hours certain parts take, you understand that it won’t be easy. In exactly 4 days we will be back at this point.

Mamey – Camp Adain – 4 hours

We slowly walk out of the village. Today is the least beautiful route, because we walk on a road where scooters regularly race by. Also, it is quite dusty and steep at certain parts. In addition, the sun burns heavily on our skin because there is little shelter.

As we progress along the path, the views become more and more beautiful. We look far out over the mountains and see the Caribbean coast in the distance. The guides stop a lot along the way to drink juice, eat fruit and rest. I would like it to go a little faster because sometimes you get more tired of stopping a lot. But you can tell that these guides are experienced. The good thing is that everyone can walk at his own pace. After 3.5 hours we reach the first campsite: Camp Aidan. I can’t believe we are already there. That went very well.

Campsite Aidan

Camp Aidan is idyllically located on a river and surrounded by flowers. These rivers will play an important role in the coming days. After all, there is nothing nicer than to cool down after a few hours of walking and sweating.

Moreover, you share this beautiful place only with a handful of other travelers, which allows you to take the most beautiful pictures.

Camp Aidan is quite luxurious for a campsite in the middle of the jungle. There are bunk beds with real mattresses, blankets, pillows and a mosquito net. There are also showers (of course with cold water), including electricity and a bar to buy drinks.

After a dinner of fish and rice, an explanation follows about the area where we are. And then, around 9 PM, it is time to go to bed. Tomorrow we have to wake up at 5AM. Yes, really, every day at 5AM we have to get up, breakfast is at 5.30 AM and 6 AM is departure time. With the sound of the river, crickets, frogs and birds, we are in for a surprisingly good night.

Interesting is it that the local guides share a lot about their personal life: From the day they had to survive as a coca- and marihuana farmer (something the region was known for) until the day they received an education for becoming a guide. Still, only local people from this region in Colombia are allowed to guide the trek to the Lost City.

Day 2 of the Lost City trek in Colombia: Camp Aidan – Camp Mumake – Camp Paraiso – 8 hours

At 5 AM the alarm goes off. This turns out to be unnecessary, because guide Juan Carlos wakes everyone up by walking around and singing his daily morning song. I am not sure whether I like this way of waking up but it is a nice try. It is pitch dark and you notice that everyone gets out of bed a bit confused. I can’t imagine going on a 8-hour hike just yet.

After a good breakfast, we indeed leave at 6 AM. It is light and I notice that my body is ready for the day. Very soon we walk deep into the rainforest and it is beautiful: The sounds of nature, the beautiful vegetation, the colors of green and the idyllic streams.

Indigenous community

After 3 hours of walking with some stops for fruits, we approach the first villages. It is a crazy idea that several indigenous communities live here deep in the Sierra Nevada. Most indigenous people are not waiting for the tourist. They quickly disappear into their thatched houses. I think it is a good thing that people decide themselves how they want to deal with visitors. It is nevertheless beautiful to observe daily life. Children walk with their mothers with little pigs and dogs on their arms and men pass by with mules.

In a Kogui village we get an explanation from one of the leaders about life in the Sierra Nevada, including local traditions and customs.

La Ciudad Perdida is part of the National Park Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This protected area consists of 401,480 hectares and is considered the center of the world by indigenous cultures such as the Wiwas, Arhuacos, Koguis and the Kankuamos. These communities still live here according to their own local traditions and customs.

After the visit, it is only a short hike to the camp where we have lunch (also the place where we will return tomorrow to spend the night). Upon arrival, there is time to take a dip in the river. And believe me, this feels like a reset. So refreshing. Especially because one of the toughest things about the hike is the heat and high humidity. After walking for half an hour, you are already completely sweaty.

The afternoon is dedicated to Happy Hour , as the guides call it. One hour of non stop hiking uphill. It is indeed a tough climb and there seems to be no end to it. Yet again, it is not so bad. And before I know it, I’m at the top and I’m eating the most delicious pineapple ever. The route afterwards consists of trails going uphill, downhill and is beautiful. You enter the green tropical rainforest, full of lianas and pass perfect streams, rivers and waterfalls.

Camp Paraiso

Camp Paraiso is again situated on a river, at the foot of La Ciudad Perdida. Tomorrow morning is the day that we visit the Lost City and that is exciting. After dinner, an explanation of the city follows so we can fully enjoy our visit and the surroundings the next day.

Day 3: Camp Paraiso – Lost city – Camp Mumake

While enjoying the singing of Juan Carlos we wake up at 5 AM. Because we come back to the campsite for lunch after our visit to the Lost City, our belongings can stay behind.

The never-ending staircase

Today I do feel that my legs are tired. And today is the day of the 1250 steps, which leads to the Lost City in Colombia. The stairs go up steeply and the steps are uneven and narrow. Fair is fair. This staircase is tough and once again, there seems to be no end to it. After about an hour, we finally make it and reach a small house where we show our Lost City passport for a stamp. It is a small booklet with nice information about the Lost City, the guides provide you with.

The Lost City tour in Colombia

Then our tour of the lost city begins. And how beautiful it is here! There are so many different colors of green in one glance. Because it is so early, it feels like the city is still waking up. The first rays of sunshine and birdsongs are just magical.

Moreover, we are the very first visitors of the day and have the whole city to ourselves. Because I want to take beautiful pictures, I change my clothes every now and then: I change my sticky hiking clothes for long dresses.

We walk along various sectors and the dogs and cats, who live in the city, keep following us. It does feel special to be here. The Lost City in Colombia is only accessible by foot so you really have to do something for it. And after 2 days of hiking, you realize this even more. Even the helicopters are not allowed to land.

Iconic photo spots

After countless moments of joy, we come close to the iconic photo spots. You can see these images in all promotions. And the views are breathtaking. Gradually, the other groups arrive. But even with the maximum number of visitors per day, being in the city at the same time, it is still very quiet.

At the viewpoint, the guides prepare a a plate with chips, chocolate and lots of fruit. This way we regain our strength and continue our tour through the city. We also pass an indigenous community that lives here in the Lost City. Very special.

After our vist, we walk down the infamous stairs. Perhaps even more challenging than the way up. You really have to be careful. Everyone is relieved to be down.

Ciudad Perdida, was built as Teyuna by the Tayrona indigenous people around 650 AD. The Lost City is therefore older than Machu Picchu in Peru. The city was abandoned for unclear reasons between the 16th and 17th centuries and taken over by the jungle. Even though local people knew about its existence, it wasn’t until 1972 that the Lost City was officially rediscovered. For a long time, the city was unsafe to visit due to the political situation in Colombia. But today it is one of Colombia’s best places to visit . Ciudad Perdida consists of a series of 169 terraces carved into the mountainside, a network of roads and several small circular squares. The city is located at an altitude of 1200 meters and is one of the largest pre-Columbian settlements in South America.

Camp Paraiso – Camp Mumake – 4 uur

Back at the campsite there is time for a refreshing dip in the river and lunch. After this magical morning, the moment of realization comes: Now we have to walk the exact same way back for two days. With the beautiful memories in our heads we start the route. Everything we ascended yesterday we descend today. It is striking that you always think you have recognition points. But every time you think you are almost there, you are wrong.

After 3 hours we reach Mumake, the place of the lunch of yesterday. Today we sleep in tents on the second floor of a building, also on nice mattresses with blankets and pillows. Our last night in the jungle!

Day 4 – Lost city trek Colombia: Camp Mumake – Camp Aidan – Mamey – 7 hours

The last day of the Lost City hike in Colombia is there. With mixed feelings. On the one hand I am happy that we will arrive in the civilized world, on the other hand I am sad that this beautiful adventure is almost over. Strangely enough, this is the day I am nervous about the most. I have the feeling that today will be hard, also because my legs are more tired.

After about 45 minutes of walking, the first steep mountain starts, through mud and red sand. Somehow, no one can remember that we went down this steep part before. We walk past the indigenous villages where the morning is bustling with activity. The children are awake and waving which makes for nice pictures.

Again, it is best to consider the route as completely new. Several times I thought I knew or recognized something and it turned out to be completely different. Probably because you have already seen and experienced so much. After 3 hours, there is a short break with snacks and juices at Camp Aidan, our former overnight location of day 1.

The last part

And then there is another steep mountain before we approach the paved road. It just feels crazy to walk up a paved road again. Even though we think we are almost there, it is still a long way down to civilization. After a few hours of walking, we see the first houses at the edge of the village of Mamey. And then we see the restaurant, where we started the Lost City hike in Colombia. And we too are applauded for making it! What a fantastic hike!

How hard is the Lost City hike in Colombia?

Hard! How hard? That is different for everyone. But as the organization itself says: This is no walk in the park. You really need to be a bit fit and have the right mindset. Especially to be able to enjoy it. It is the trail that makes the Lost City hike so worthwhile.

I would say that it is the length and heat that make the hike difficult. You walk an average of about 7 hours a day and the humidity is enormous, about 85%. This ensures that within half an hour you are already completely sweaty.

Day 1 is fairly easy, day 2 is very long with a hard part hiking uphill. On day 3, you will feel your legs and you will experience the challenging stairs to the Lost City. And day 4 is long with two “secretly” heavy climbs. And the longer you are on the road, the more tired your legs are. Still, I found the trek to be fairly easy this second time around. In other words, I was able to really enjoy it at every moment, despite harder moments. If you don’t have any injuries and you make sure you are in a little bit of shape, this trip is doable and amazing.

If you are tired on the last day of the Lost City trek in Colombia, it is also possible to return by mule. A number of people in our group did this.

Campsites during the Lost City hike in Colombia

I mentioned it before. The campsites during the Lost City trek are simple but very well taken care of. And if you compare it to other campings during treks in South America, even luxurious. There are real beds with mattresses, blankets, pillows and a mosquito net. There are toilets with showers (of course with cold water), including electricity and there is a bar to buy drinks. In the evening you can even watch soccer and there is wifi for a fee. Something you probably don’t want to use at all, as you are in such a beautiful area.

Food & beverages along the way

The food during the Lost City hike in Colombia is included and great. You’ll wonder how they manage to prepare so much delicious food, deep in the jungle. All campsites have a kitchen and each group has its own cook who prepares the meals. Every day, there is breakfast, lunch and dinner. On the way you also stop regularly for delicious fruit. And upon arrival at the campsite there is popcorn and hot chocolate.

It is recommended to bring your own snacks and a good water bag. These can be refilled free of charge at all campsites during the Lost City hike in Colombia.

Yes or no for a porter

With every hike I am saying this again. I always spend some extra money on porters. Just to enjoy a long hike to the fullest. I am therefore happy to pay a penny more so that I only have to carry my daypack. Moreover, the porters are always local people who earn a little extra this way. And in the case of the Lost City trek in Colombia, the luggage is often placed on a mule together with the food.

Best time to go on the Lost City trek in Colombia

You can go on the Ciudad Perdida hike all year round, with the exception of September. However, the best period is from December to March. That is the dry period. During the rainy season, the Ciudad Perdida hike is even harder.

Keep in mind: The Ciudad Perdida hike is closed around September every year. This is because the area is spiritual cleaned by the indigenous Wiwas population. The amount of tourists affects the health of mother earth, according to local people. Mother Earth and other nature gods play an important role in the lives of the local inhabitants. The spiritual leaders, also called Mamos, make sure that Mother Earth can recover, by provinding a ceremonial cleansing.

What to bring – packing list for the Lost City trek in Colombia

My recommendation is to bring as little as possible during the Lost City hike. You don’t need much. Just keep in mind that everything gets wet and won’t not dry. Check out my useful packing list for your Lost City trek in Colombia.

Good walking shoes
Sufficient socks
Mosquito spray and after bite (you can’t bring enough)
Light clothing (keep in mind that clothes will stay wet because of thee humidity)
Swimwear + water shoes
Quick drying towels
Sunscreen/sunglasses/hat
Long pants and long sleeved shirt for the evenings (because of mosquitoes, but also because it can cool down in the evening)
Flip flops to use on the campsite
Powerbanks (there is electricity at the campsites but it is always good to have some spare)
Blister plasters + medical kit
Water bag (you can refill water at all campsites)
Bags for dirty clothes
Money for snacks and drinks along the way
Sheet bag (this is not necessary but I found the blankets at the campsites a bit sticky because of the humidity)
Daypack (if someone is carrying your large luggage) or a larger backpack (if you are carrying your own stuff)
Rain coat (maybe in the rainy season, but since it’s so clammy and humid you’ll get wet anyway)
Walking sticks – optional, there are often bamboo sticks available at the start of the Los City hike.
A notebook to keep track of your experiences. Use discount code traveltheworld and receive 10% off all Miss Wood products.

Tip 1: put your phone on airplane mode. This way the battery will last longer. Tip 2: In the evening you want to put on a clean outfit. Since it won’t get dirty, you can put on the outfit from the night before every day. That way, you don’t drag along any unnecessary luggage.

H ow to go on the Lost City hike in Colombia

It is only possible to go on the Lost City hike in Colombia with a professional guide and organization. And that’s a good thing. This way, the safety of visitors, nature and local people is guaranteed, and the flow of tourists is regulated. I myself chose Osprey Expeditions because of the small-scale character, the professional service and the sustainable collaborations with local parties. You can choose from a 4 or 5 day Lost City hike, with the 4 day hike being done the most.

Looking for things to do in Santa Marta? Have a look in my city guide with many tips and things to do.

I love to spend the night in a comforatbale and luxurious place after a multi-day hike. Are you looking for a true paradise? Then you should stay at One Santuario Natural, also known as One Love hotel, near Palomino in Colombia. This eco resort is located along the Palomino River and is a place you will not easily forget. At One Love you experience nature in its purest form. The beautiful jungle surroundings, the flowers, the sound of the river, the delicious food and the sounds of the birds will make you relax and recharge for your next adventures. In this article you will read all about my stay at One Santuario Natural . You can find availabiliy and the latest rates here. Curious to find more hotels in Colombia? Have a look in my article with the most beautiful places to stay in Colombia.

About Osprey Expeditions

Osprey Expeditions is a renowned travel agency that offers different tours in Colombia and Venezuela. All tours are dedicated to nature, interaction with the local population, outdoor and unforgettable experiences. Curious about Osprey Expeditions ? Then take a look at the website . You can also follow them on instagram and facebook.

Pin and save “The Lost City Trek” for later

About colombia.

Intererested in reading more about Colombia? This is an article with the most beautiful places to visit in Colombia , including the best time to visit. Or check out the Colombia blog page with city guides and things to do in Medellín , Bogota and Santa Marta. Tips for lovely towns such as Salento, Mompox and Villa de Leyva. But also the Tatacoa desert and Valle de Cocora . Interested in archaeology? Read more about the mysterious San Agustín statues .

This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of our links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you, which helps us keep this blog alive. Thank you for your support! Please see our disclosures for more information.

Lost City Trek 3 days

RECOMMENDATION
Complete your information
Sierra Nevada
The Lost City Trek

Lost City Trek

Book now & deposit only 10% of the total amount, ($3.050.000 cop), pay the balance before starting the tour.

Lost City Trek Tour is one of the most important treks that you can do in South America, you will discover amazing secrets that Sierra Nevada hide in the middle of this powerful jungle and appreciate countless landscapes, lush vegetation, archaeological ruins and many wildlife animals. Remember that is necessary to have a good physical condition since the walks are of 7 to 8 hour daily.

You can reserve Lost City Trek 3 days with 10% ($305.000 COP) and pay your balance ($2.745.000 COP) in our offices in cash (only colombian pesos COP) or credit card. Total Price of the tour $3.050.000 COP.

Note: This tour is only suggested for people in a very good shape.

Items to bring or carry:

Trekking Boots
Two pair of shorts
Sandals to stay in the camps.
Insect Repellent
Flash Light
Three t- shirts
Personal Toiletries (soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant among others)
Toilet Paper
Plastic Bag to keep dry clothing separate from wet clothing.
if take medicines don’t forget to bring them
Identification document

Another option is: lost city 4 days

Santa Marta • Mamey • Camp 3

Departure at 5:00 a.m. from the hotel for three hours by 4×4 until arrive to the village of “El Mamey”.
Breakfast at the village
Hike to the Mutanzi indigenous village.
Hike to camp 2 (Mumake) where you will have a delicious lunch.
Five hours hiking to Mamo Romualdo’s camp (Paradise camp).
Night in hammocks or beds with mosquito nets.
Dinner in the camp.

Camp 3• Lost City • Camp 2

Early departure at camp 3, climb for about one hour until arrive to the Lost City.
Two hours observation of the archaeological, ethnological and historical area plus free time to enjoy the place and the healing energy of the mountain.
Return to the Camp 3, Lunch.
Four hours hiking heading to Camp 2.
Dinner at the camp.

Camp 2 • Mamey • Santa Marta

Early departure from Camp 2, walking for about 7 hours to the village of “El Mamey”.
Lunch and departure in 4-wheel drive car to tour lodgement.

Recommendations for the tour Lost City Trek.

We have some small recommendations that you should keep in mind before and during the Tour Lost City Trek:

If you are vegan or vegetarian please make sure you notify it when booking.
If you have any special health condition or allergies please notify when booking.
Do not take any valuable object.
If you have extra lugagge, we can store at our office for free.
Carry all your charged electronic devices and if possible, carry a portable battery.
Bring a bottle of 1.5 liters of water for the fir st day. We will supply the water needed during the trip.
Bring with you what you really need for 4 days, remember that it is a long walk and if you bring less things the walk will be easier.
Use comfortable clothing like short, t-shirt for walking because the weather is hot and humid and at night is important to wear long pants, long-sleeved sweaters for sleeping because of mosquitoes or insects.
Keep in mind this is an ecological destination with some adaptations in accommodation, bathrooms and rest area to ensure a pleasant experience.
During the trip, follow the guide instructions at all times.
In each camp you have a store where you can buy bottles of gatorade, water, soft drinks , and snacks.
You are responsible for your personal belongings. Take care of them.
It is prohibited: Drugs, alcohol in excess, prostitution and bad behavior that attempts against others.
Take in mind that you will stay in a sharing camping with another tourism agencies customers.
Make sure to notice where are you going to go after your trek in order to store your extra luggage.

Tour Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Leave a Review

Cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The Complete Guide to The Lost City Trek Colombia

Posted on Last updated: December 22, 2023

The Lost City Trek Colombia , or Ciudad Perdida Tour, has been at the top of my ‘to do’ list since I arrived in Colombia . Despite reading a lot of different blogs and speaking to others I still felt unsure what to expect leading up to the trek. So, to help you be as prepared as you can for taking on this challenging hike here is my complete guide to The Lost City Trek .

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet? The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy. Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.

Colombian Guides | The Complete Guide to The Lost City Trek

What is the Colombia Lost City Trek?

The Ciudad Perdida trek is a 46 km (28 miles) hike through the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is a jungle trek, so think hot and humid!

After day one you will be completely ‘off road’ and the only mode of transport other than your legs is a mule. The Ciudad Perdida hike takes you through the jungle to visit the abandoned city known locally as ‘Teyuna’.

Ciudad Perdida Tour,lost city trek colombia

It is believed that the city was founded in 800 CE (FYI that’s 650 years before Machu Picchu). The Lost City was ‘rediscovered’ in 1972 by a father and son who began to loot the site. After the ancient artifacts began to appear on the black market Colombian Archeologists found out about the site and began reconstruction, which was finished in 1982.

History of Tourists Trekking Ciudad Perdida

Adventurers from around the world began to visit the Ciudad Perdida in the 70’s navigating through the jungle alone. Formal tours didn’t begin to take place until later. A government program to help displaced farmers began training them to be tour guides and take groups of tourists to visit the site. It is now compulsory to go with a local guide and money from each tour goes to help support over 400 families in the area.

The trek was relatively unknown to mass tourism until 2003 when the ELN kidnapped 8 tourists . Ironically, after this, people began to flock to Colombia to see the Ciudad Perdida for themselves. Don’t worry about the trek, and hiking in Colombia, in general, is now very safe. In fact, there is even an army unit based in the city. You can rest assured that it is now safe for tourists.

The form you have selected does not exist.

Who is the Ciudad Perdida Trek for

This tour is not recommended for beginner hikers or people with a below-average level of fitness.

One thing I would say is that it’s not an easy trek, you need to be prepared for a lot of walking in some difficult conditions.

Therefore this isn’t a trek you get talked into doing by your friend. You need to want to do it. And you need to be prepared for it. It is one of the best things I have done, but it was hard! So if I haven’t already put you off, keep reading for more information. Or take a read of these inspirational quotes to find some more motivation!

There are plenty of less challenging places for hiking in Colombia close to Santa Marta , like within Parque Tayrona .

How to choose the right tour operator for the Lost City Trek

When the government put conditions on the trek to make it fair all of the operators have to charge the same price. This means what you need to look for in a tour operator is the service you will get. There are 6 main tour operators running tours to Teyuna, so you only have to choose between the 6! I decided to do with Magic Tour Colombia for 2 reasons.

1, I took a tour to Punta Gallinas with them and I was seriously impressed with the service I received and

2, they had great reviews. I can’t speak for the other operators but here are some things to look out for and my experience with Magic Tour Colombia:

Accommodation on the Lost City hike

Some of the operators provide hammocks to sleep in. With Magic Tour Colombia, I slept in a bed all 3 nights. Now, this might not seem like a big deal, but after hiking for 7+ hours a day the thought of sleeping in a hammock didn’t appeal to me! The temperature in the jungle drops at night and the hammocks are more exposed to the elements.

What is the food like on the Lost City Tour?

As a vegetarian food on tours is always a bit of an issue for me. When you are doing something this physical you need to be well fed to sustain your energy. I can honestly say that I was really, really well fed over the 3 days. In fact, I was so well fed I didn’t eat my snacks! I ended up giving away all my snacks as I didn’t want to carry them around anymore. We had a whole catering team who traveled with us.

They were total rockstars! The food was incredible and we were told right at the start that if we wanted more food all we had to do is ask.

Is the Lost City Tour in English or Spanish?

This is a general thing in South America . If you don’t speak Spanish you need to make sure you communicate this to the tour operator.

Some operators will charge you extra for having the tour in English. Either because they will need to provide you with a translator or they will need a guide who speaks English, this is seen as an extra skill so the guide could be better paid. With Magic Tour Colombia, we had both a Spanish and English-speaking guide at no extra cost.

If you need the tour in English make sure to request this when booking .

If like me you are a bit of a history geek, and love learning about the history of a place, then take this into consideration. Our guide Tomas was pretty amazing. I learned so much over those 4 days about the local area, culture, history and especially about the indigenous people. It was the highlight for me.

Health & Safety

If there is one thing I’m always a bit worried about it’s getting injured doing something like this. As far as I know, all of the guides have to do first aid training before starting the job. My worst nightmare happened on the way back and I fell spraining my ankle and knee. The team was great and got me strapped up quickly. Luckily I was able to finish the hike (more about this later) and one of the guides stayed with me (at the back) to make sure I was ok.

How to prepare for the Lost City hike

If there is one thing I wish I had done before the hike it would be to be better prepared physically. Don’t get me wrong I’m not in bad shape. BUT I had just spent 4 weeks in Spanish school sitting on my backside. I think if I had just gone for a run once or twice a week that might have helped! So if you know you have been sitting on a lot of busses and not been very active then get yourself outside and go on a few long walks or runs. Your body will thank you for it!

What to pack for the Ciudad Perdida Tour

Rule number 1, only take what you absolutely need!

You are going to have to carry this stuff on your back for 4 days. This is what I would suggest taking with you.

Small hiking backpack – make sure you have a waist strap (for comfort) and a place to keep your water for easy access.
Quick-dry towel
Hiking boots / Hiking sandals/ sneakers with a good grip
4 pairs of socks
4 t-shirts to walk in (ideally these would be quick dry)
2-4 pairs of shorts/ long pants/ leggings (you want 2 as a minimum 1 pair of shorts and 1 pair of long pants. Things don’t dry in the jungle so if you don’t like the idea of wearing something damp and dirty take 4). I took 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of leggings and 1 pair of long trousers that could turn into shorts.
Swimsuit – You get to swim every day so don’t forget this!
Something to wear in the evenings and to sleep in – I took some lightweight bottoms and a long-sleeve T-shirt which I wore each night for dinner and to sleep in. Remember it gets cold at night.
Something warm to wear in the evenings – My only regret was not bringing a jumper with me! A lightweight fleece would have been perfect.
Underwear – I’m not a fan of bras, so I just took 2 bikini tops 2 bottoms and 3 pairs of panties with me. I wore the bikinis to hike in as they are not only quick dry but it also meant I was ready to swim at any time!
Headtorch – you will need this in the evenings
Sun Care products
Bug spray – super important!
Toilet paper
Mini first aid kit (Make sure you have ibuprofen and plasters)
Earplugs (jungles are noisy and you sleep very close to others who could be snoring)
Energy powers to add to your water – get something with electrolytes in it to help keep your energy up.
Water 2L minimum – if you have a Camelbak bring it!
Hiking stick
Shampoo (I didn’t take this as I kept my hair braided for 4 days)
Lavender oil (Great for bug bites, cuts etc and it will help you get to sleep)

Need Transportation in Colombia?

I highly recommend booking Colombia transportation with GottoGo . You can search for buses, shuttles, ferries, and flights on their website—I love their customer service. I know them personally from my time living in Guatemala, and they genuinely care for their customers. If a delay occurs and you miss your bus, call them for help. If you book through GottoGo, you will pay more than at the bus station, but it’s worth it for the ease and security. Click here to search for transportation in Colombia.

What to expect on the Ciudad Perdida Tour

In this section, I’m going to talk you through each day of the trek. To be clear this is my personal experience of it. Everyone experiences it differently depending on their fitness and preferences, I have tried to be as neutral as possible, but this was my experience of the Lost City trek with Magic Tour .

Be sure to get a good night’s sleep and eat a decent breakfast! I was told to be at the office in Santa Marta at 8:45. This is to sort out the paperwork, pay the final balance and listen to the pre-trip brief. We didn’t leave the office until 10:30, but there was coffee, so I was happy!

You will go in a minibus first before changing into a 4X4 to make the rather bumpy journey to Mamey or Machete as it is locally known. You will have the chance to grab any last-minute supplies at both stops.

We had lunch at Restaurant Edel Mira in El Mamey at 1 pm followed by a more detailed pre-hike talk from our guide Tomas. Using the map, he talked us through each day of the trek letting us know what to expect. Then we started the hike, from here you will have no phone service until you return after the hike.

On day one you have 3 hours of hiking. This was the worse day for me. The hike was brutal! It’s all uphill, you are at a low elevation so it’s still very hot, there is little shade and my bag was at its heaviest due to water. Plus it was a bit of a shock to my body after being sat in class for 4 weeks prior to this.

In some ways, it’s easier as you are mostly on the road so you don’t need to be quite so alert to where you are stepping, but the lack of jungle coverage made the sun pretty unbearable. For me, nothing over the 4 days got worse than this.

The good thing is at the top of each hill was fresh fruit and at each place we camped, we were able to go swimming! I can’t even tell you how good it felt after hiking it jump into that water and cool off!

Be warned you will have early starts every day! We were up at 5 am, breakfast at 5:30 and on the trail by 6 am.

Although this may feel like a shock if you aren’t a morning person the mornings were my favorite hikes. Hiking before the sun is high was so much easier! You are well and truly in the jungle now and honestly, I felt like Indiana Jones! The path is pretty easy to follow and as I lagged behind filming and taking photos a lot there were times when I found myself alone walking the path. Although I wasn’t ever alone for long I really enjoyed these moments.

Expect a lot of uphill in the morning, but as you are shaded and it is early it’s pretty cool. We stopped at an indigenous village to learn more about it. This village is still in use but just for special occasions and celebrations.

After 3.5 hours of hiking, we then stopped for a swim and lunch. BEST. THING. EVER. after all of that walking. If you get lucky and it is sunny you can hang your clothes up to dry. We did get lucky and in an hour managed to dry everything off. This was the only time this happened during the trek! From here on expect to be wet!

The afternoon hike was tough (but not as tough as the day before). The views are spectacular during the pm so take your time and soak it all in. You will have to walk through a river so make sure you wear shorts on day 2! If you have hiking sandals now is a good time to wear them! Otherwise, you will need to take off your boots to cross the river.

Word of warning, go slowly and be careful! I saw 2 people fall in the river, one of the girls got her boots soaked and had to walk for 2 days with wet boots! Not fun.

On night 2 everyone for all of the tour groups stays together in Paradise Camp. Because of so many people, a lot of the groups slept in hammocks. Lucky for me Magic Tour made sure most of us had a bed. A few of the younger group members who volunteered to sleep in a hammock. There was a river to swim in here, but as you are at a higher altitude it is COLD. So I gave it a miss, the cold shower was enough for me!

We ate a lot of popcorn and then spoke about what to expect the next day. I can’t even tell you how happy I was to find out I wouldn’t have to carry my bag up the 1000+ steps to the lost city haha.

The big day! Be sure to get up early and get ready to leave at 6 am. You will be able to lock your bag up in a storeroom and all of the groups leave at a different time to avoid ‘congestion’ on the trail. The hike to Teyuna in the morning is pretty short compared to the other days. But it’s 1000+ steps up! Great workout for your butt though.

It actually wasn’t so bad. But save some energy for when you get there as the Lost City is built on the side of the mountain so you will keep climbing up if you want to get the iconic photo.

As we were guided around Thomas gave up so much information about the city and the history.

After this, we were given some time to explore on our own before meeting back up for snacks!

Once we had finished exploring the Lost City we continued on to see a traditional casa up close, where If you get lucky you will get to meet the Mama (leader of the Kogi people living in the area).

Sadly he wasn’t there but we did get to meet some of his children.

Here we learned more about the indigenous people of the 4 tribes Kogi, Wiwa, Kankuamo, and Arhuaco. After passing many Kogis and Wiwas it was so interesting to learn more about them.

We then took some time to go for a swim before beginning the descent back to camp!

My ‘little’ accident

On my way back not long after leaving the camp, I fell pretty badly and I managed to sprain my ankle and twist my knee. It was a bit of a shock and I’m not going to lie I was pretty worried! Mostly because I knew I had another 22km to go and my only option other than walking was to get a mule! Having had many injuries as a dancer I’m well acquainted with ankle sprains so I knew my best bet was to get straight up and keep walking.

So that’s what I did. I activated my yoga breathing and just kept going. It was hard, I was in a lot of pain but Tomas stayed with me checking in and making sure I was OK. When I got back to camp I cried! I think part relief I’d managed to do it and part pain! I was worried about it swelling and not being able to walk the next day so I went to bed early with a tone of arnica and ibuprofen!

Because of my ‘little accident’, I was pretty nervous about today. Especially as I knew a lot of it was downhill (which was so much more painful than uphill). I’m pretty stubborn so I decided I was going to try and at least walk the first 3 hours back to camp 1 and after that, I would be able to get a Moto back. I did send my backpack on a mule for 20Mil though!

I was slow and careful and it wasn’t much fun. So I can’t really tell you much about day 4 as I spent most of it heavy breathing with my head down focusing on putting one foot in front of the other! When going uphill I felt nothing and dreaded going downhill. In some ways, I think my focus and breathing actually made it easier!

Anyway, after making it back to camp 1 I decided I had to finish this on foot or I would just be super disappointed in myself. So I just kept going! I may have been slow but I made it all the way back and felt so proud of myself. It wasn’t a terrible time either and I wasn’t the last in our group back surprisingly!

I got a round of applause from my group for making it, we all had a beer and another great meal before heading back to Santa Marta!

Final Thoughts

This hike was a huge challenge mentally and physically. But I LOVED it. Even with my injury. I’m also really glad I went with Magic Tour, once again they were incredible and I felt so well looked after by them. All of the groups have the same cost, they don’t all have this level of service though. If you are planning on doing the hike I highly recommend choosing them as your tour guides.

I hope this is helpful if you are backpacking in Colombia be sure to check out my other guides ! Also, you can follow my 1-week , 2-week , and 3-week Itineraries for the Caribbean coast .

The Complete Guide to The Lost City Trek Colombia

Looking for somewhere to stay in Santa Marta? Here are the places I personally recommend:

Rua Hostels

Hotel Nueva Granada

Arbore Hostel

Solaz Hostel

This post was proofread by Grammarly

Explore the Caribbean Coast of Colombia in two weeks - 197 Travel Stamps

Thursday 6th of September 2018

[…] the middle of the Sierra Nevada jungle, there are hidden ruins of the Ciudad Perdida, an ancient indigenous town built 800 years BC. Which makes it more than 500 years older than Machu […]

Saturday 11th of August 2018

Hello i really want to do this but im not going to lie i am out of shape. i did a hike in thailand and i thought i was actually going to die. i ran out of water and got really hot and little bit dizzy and my legs had no strength in it. out of breath hot etc. luckily i made it i pushed through as i had no choice but to keep going. is it possible to rent a horse or mule ? i know ill look like a big baby while everyone is hiking and im on the mule but honestly its the only way i can do this 4 day hike… i dont mind paying little bit extra for the mule so i can get this awsome picture…

Claire Summers

Honestly I don't think a company would take you. Mules and horses are there for people who get I injured. No company would take you on a mule. For a start just to get up to the lost city and then walk around it is very hard going due to all of the steps. So I would say no. Maybe use it as motivation to get in shape ?.

Stella Jane

Tuesday 27th of March 2018

This sounds like an incredible experience. I have never heard of the Lost City, but the name alone makes me want to go there. It seems like you absolutely picked the right tour company. I definitely agree that a bed is better than a hammock after a day of hiking.

Thursday 29th of March 2018

I know I would have been such a grump if I'd of slept in a hammock haha #princess

I too worry about health and safety when I do activities like this. So sorry to hear you sprained your ankle and knee. Luckily it was on the way back and happy to hear the response was quick.

I know! It's just my luck to do something like this. Glad I did it on the way back jaja

I can't believe I havent been to Colombia yet even though I am living in Ecuador. Would love to go soon. Would love to do the Lost City Trek, I might have to prepare for the hike here in Ecuador. So good you include the packing list, very useful for people who don't know how the climate will be like. I would love to do a hike that takes days, I havent really done that before. Thank you for all the tips :D

Haha I still haven't gotten to Ecuador yet!

Hi I’m Claire!

At 34 I sold all my worldly possessions that wouldn’t fit into 3 boxes or my backpack and hit the road.

I started Claire’s Itchy Feet to inspire women to pack their bags and travel more. With no plans to stop anytime soon I’m always looking for my next adventure be it attempting to surf or climbing a volcano I’ll try (almost) anything once!

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

Lost City Trek (4 days)
Lost City Trek (5 days)
Lost City Trek (6 days)

Lost City Trekking (5 days)

Lost City Trekking (5 days) You have the choice to change it to the four days, you have confirm it to the guide! Lost City Trekking ideal for people willing to enjoy nature that accompanies this tour. Lost city trek 5 days offers relaxation and fun in the refreshing waters of the waterfalls and natural pools.

DAY 1 SANTA MARTA – EL MAMEY – CAMP 1

This adventure to the Lost City Trekking starts around 9:30 at our office; where a 4 WD car will take you in a 2 ½ drive to El Mamey, the place where we have lunch and then begin the search for the sacred place of Tayronas (antique Lost City residents). At the end of the afternoon, we arrive at the first camp, and in its surroundings we´ll find rivers, natural pools and waterfalls to have a relaxation moment, and then we have dinner and spend the night in hammocks.

DAY 2 CAMP 1 – CAMP 3

The day begins and we have breakfast early in the morning, then we start to walk by the riverside of Buritaca River where we will find plenty of houses that make part of a Kogui indigenous village called Mutanshi. Our trek during the day will takes about 7 hours (14.7 km, mostly uphill, some downhill) going through the jungle of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and enjoying the biodiversity to finally reach the third camp (equipped with hammocks and/or beds) where we’ll have a delicious dinner and rest after an adventurous day.

DAY 3 LOST CITY – CAMP 2

Early in the morning, we have breakfast to start climbing up 1.200 steps to our main destination, a trail constructed by Tayrona people to reach the stunning Lost City . Once we get there, the guide will show us everything related to this magic place full of relics and ancestral stories. We will spend the morning enjoying the landscapes and having enough time to go around and take pictures (under guide´s supervision). Finally, we will go back to have lunch at the third camp and then go back to the camp 2 for having dinner and spend the night. This a 7 hours day trek (6 km, uphill and downhill).

DAY 4 CAMP 2 – CAMP 1

We have an early breakfast to go back to the first camp we stayed first night, where we are able to rest and chilling out at this camp and spending the last night (Here you will see the difference between the 4 and the 5 days Lost City Trekking). This is a 4 hours day trek (4.5 km some uphill, mostly downhill).

DAY 5 CAMP 1 – EL MAMEY – SANTA MARTA

The last day of this Lost City Trekking begins with the breakfast at the camp 1 to then continue the way back to the point where all started. Finally, we reach El Mamey , place where we will have lunch and our 4WD car will pick us up to go back to Santa Marta arriving from 3:00 to 5:00p.m. (Depending on weather conditions and your group). Tired and amazed of getting a new lifetime experience in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta . This a 4 hours trek (5 km some uphill, some downhill).

Traveler Responsibilities

Respect the privacy of indigenous and peasants. Not enter their houses and take pictures of them or their belongings without asking permission.

Pack only the essentials, because the weight is an important factor. Make sure you are in good health. Return all trash to Santa Marta . Caring and respect what you find. No harm natural or cultural property. There is no mobile phone signal in the park. Tell your family and friends that you can only communicate with them once you are again to Santa Marta.

Clothing and Equipment

During the day, the weather is hot and humid, so we recommend wearing comfortable clothing, shirts and shorts for walking. At night, the temperature is about 16°C and there is a high proportion of mosquitoes and other insects, so it is important to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts for sleeping and use insect repellent.

Please do not forget:

A bottle of water (1 liter), insect repellent, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, walking shoes, and camera.
Bring only the essentials things in your backpack, remember that the more light is, the walk will be more comfortable and enjoyable.
Use sport or walking shoes for the trek, and wear sandals for your stay in the camps.
You have to bring your personal care items, so do not forget your soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, foot powder, among others.
Your personal medicines, if necessary bring them with you.
If you feel it is necessary, you can bring your sleeping bag, but we offer blankets.
Among your clothes, be sure to wear shorts, shirts, long pants, socks and swimwear.
Two big plastic bags will be very useful to keep dry clothing separate from wet clothing.
The insect repellent is essential to protect you against bites, like sunscreen to protect your skin.
A bottle of 1 liter of water is sufficient for the first day, we will supply the water needed by the rest of the way with purification tablets.
Finally, do not forget your camera so that you register the highlights of your trip.

Documentation

To book the Lost City Trek you must show in our offices your identification document (passport or identity card). To take the tour a copy of the document is enough. It is better not to take the original to prevent damage.

Our recommendation is to have the yellow fever vaccine as a preventive measure for Lost City Trek.

$2.150.000 COP/PP.

The same price it applies for 4 or 5 days. The Lost City Trek leaves every day from our office in Santa Marta.*

*All rates are in Colombian Pesos.

IF YOU GET A LOWER RATE AT ANY OTHER TOUR COMPANY, WE’LL OFFER YOU A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER PRICE THAN THE OTHER ONE (subject of terms and conditions, Do not hesitate to ask us).

Transportation.

Round trip transfers from the hotel or where you stay to the starting point of the tour (El Mamey) in 4WD vehicles.

Four (4) breakfasts.
Five (5) lunches.
Four (4) dinners.
Typical food prepared by local chefs.
Fruits and snacks during walks.

Accommodation

The accommodation during the tour is in hammocks, beds or tents, depending on availability. We provide mosquito nets and blankets every night.

Our guides are from the region trained by SENA, with years of experience. They are trained to provide cultural, historical and anthropological information of the indigenous communities and the area.

Travel Insurance

During the trip you will have a medical assistance insurance that cover accidents and illness occurred during the tour. It covers transportation from the place of the event to the medical center, medical assistance, hospitalization and surgeries when it is necessary.

Contribution to the Communities

We work closely with indigenous and peasant communities. We are committed to support the development of the region through contributions that help to improve the life quality of the locals.

Entrance to the Archaeological Park

The Teyuna Archaeological Park is managed by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH); an institution assigned the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Colombia. The entrance fee to the archaeological park is included in the tour.

Payment methods

Deposits via Paypal or PayU through the active payment modules linked in our official web-sites.
In cash exclusively in our offices in Santa Marta with our authorized staff.
In all our offices in Santa Marta, we accept payments with credit cards as Visa or MasterCard.

Payment policies

A 15% deposit of the total of the package is required prior to confirmation of all bookings.
The remaining balance must be paid at least in the same date of departure, before leaving.

Cancellation policies – Right to retrace

Confirmed bookings will have a cancellation policy in the following terms:Cancellations or changes will have a 20% penalty of the total of the package.

Reimbursements

Once the tour has started, the services included in the package that the passenger does not take will not be reimbursed.

Before making a deposit for the Lost City Trekking, ask about the availability for your departure’s date to [email protected] If the availability is confirmed you can proceed to make a deposit through these any payment platforms here, deposits to our Bancolombia account are able only through colombian banks accounts.

SOME PHOTOS

– –

Carrera 3 # 17-27 Edificio Rex, Local 3 Historic Center of Santa Marta

– – Mail Us

[email protected]

(+57) 605 420 7739 Santa Marta

(+57) 605 728 8232 Riohacha

– – WhatsApp

(+57) 320 511 1458 Santa Marta

© 2012 LostCityTrekColombia, All Rights Reserved — Lost City's authorized operator — Santa Marta, Colombia.

Information

We will walk along ancient trails and admire the lush jungle landscapes, while learning about the culture and history of the indigenous people who inhabited this land centuries ago. We will arrive at the impressive Ciudad Perdida, a unique archaeological site that bears witness to the ancient indigenous culture.

Entrance to the Lost City Archaeological Park
Round trip transportation.
Complete food
Contributions to the indigenous community
Luggage storage service
Accommodation in hammocks or beds with mosquito nets
Purified water and snacks
Guide service
Accident insurance

Destination

Departure time, return time, not included.

Create your own memories

Your opinion counts!

We value your experience and we care about your opinion. We want to know every detail of your incredible trip to continue to improve and provide exceptional service to our future travelers.

We know that each trip is unique and that your experiences and discoveries can make a difference. Your comments and reviews help us understand what you liked the most and also those aspects in which we can grow and improve.

Did you feel captivated by a special place? Did you experience the thrill of discovering a new culture? Did our team provide you with exceptional service? Your opinion can inspire other travelers to venture on their own journey and create unforgettable memories. Leaving a review is quick and easy. You can share your thoughts on our social networks, on specialized review platforms or even on our website. We can't wait to read your story!

Also, by sharing your experience, you can help create a community of travelers in which we all benefit. Positive feedback helps others make the right decisions, and constructive feedback allows us to constantly improve and provide even more exceptional service in the future.

Remember that every review counts and your voice matters. It does not matter if it is your first trip or if you are an experienced traveler, all opinions are valuable to us. So what are you waiting for? Take a moment to leave us your review and share your experience. We're excited to hear what you thought of your trip and thankful you're a part of our travel community!

Thank you for your time and for choosing for your trip!

South America

Expotur colombia: trekking to the lost city.

Reaching our first landmark -- this viewpoint -- after starting my Ciudad Perdida Colombia tour with Expotur Colombia

Colombia’s Lost City (“Ciudad Perdida” in Spanish) is an ancient Tayrona ruins site abandoned during the Spanish conquest. It’s older than Machu Picchu and only reachable via a four-day trek through the jungle . You must do this trek as part of a guided tour — you cannot trek independently. I went with Expotur Colombia . In this post I’ll share my experience hiking in Colombia with them.

Only a few tour companies operate this trek: Expotur, Turcol, Magic Tours, Wiwa Tours, and Guias y Baquianos. If you book through your hostel or another agency, they’re just a middle-man for these agencies. Price is not a factor in choosing your trek — the Ciudad Perdida trek price is fixed and non-negotiable at $950,000 Colombian pesos ($312 USD).

I’m writing this review so you know exactly what to expect when embarking on a Ciudad Perdida Colombia tour with Expotur — both the good and the bad. These opinions are 100% my own. I paid for my trip just like you would and do not have any sort of relationship with the agency.

Before the trek

The Expotur Santa Marta office is something of a mess when all the trekkers arrive for their Lost City Tour Colombia.

The Lost City trek starts in Santa Marta, about five hours from Cartagena and a short flight from anywhere else in the country. It’s a fun place for young backpackers to party and has great food and hostels, but otherwise not a lot to do.

You used to be able to roll up to the Expotur Colombia office the day before you wanted to start trekking and book a tour. But now, if you’re traveling in high season, you may find the treks all booked out for days. I’d recommend booking in advance if you’re in Colombia in November-March or August.

Luckily, Expotur is used to dealing with a high volume of bookings and makes the process easy and painless.

Communication and booking from abroad: 10/10

I didn’t do much research before selecting Expotur Colombia for my trek. Knowing that only a few companies operate the trek, and they all charge the same government-mandated price, made the decision easier. Plus Expotur has a reputation for giving back to the local Indigenous communities.

I emailed Expotur asking about my dates. We exchanged a couple of back-and-forth messages to answer some questions I had: would there be an English translator? When did I need to arrive in Santa Marta? Etc. They always responded within a few hours, and they always answered my questions completely.

When I was ready to book, I had to send them my passport information and make a 10% deposit payment. They sent me a PayPal link. I didn’t have to pay any additional foreign currency fees — the process was easy and painless. They informed me I could complete the payment with cash or credit card when I arrived in Santa Marta.

Then, a couple days before my trek, the agency sent me a reminder email confirming my booking. They asked if I would be able to come to the office the night before to complete the payment, but I told them it would not be possible and they said that wasn’t a problem, I could just do it in the morning after they picked me up.

Overall, Expotur Colombia gave off the impression that they were super organized and responsive to customers.

Meeting in Santa Marta: 6/10

As positive as my booking-from-abroad experience with Expotur was, things were not as smooth on the morning of the trek.

First, someone from the Expotur Santa Marta office arrived at my hostel to pick me up (and drive me the whopping 3 blocks to the office) an hour before they were supposed to. It turned out they were picking up multiple groups from my hostel and didn’t know who was in which group, so they mistakenly told me I was running late. Luckily I was just about ready to go. But I wish I’d been given the option to just go to the office myself rather than go through the disorganized pickup process.

Since I was in one of the earlier groups to be picked up, I was also one of the first people to pay and register. That part was done in five minutes. Since I wouldn’t be returning to Santa Marta after the trek, the staff clearly marked my bag to meet me at the final lunch spot.

But things got a bit more chaotic as more groups showed up to pay for their treks. In total, Expotur processed over 50 trekkers that morning, with only two staff. It wasn’t stressful or anything — it was clear that the staff just wasn’t ready for us yet — but it did feel like a waste of time. It would have been far more efficient if we’d been picked up in the same order that we’d be leaving for the trek, so we could leave in shifts.

Finally, the staff divided us into our actual trekking groups and sent us to the trucks to start our Expotur Ciudad Perdida adventure. It was almost 10 am — two and a half hours after I arrived at the office.

On the trail with Expotur Colombia

Once you leave Santa Marta, your life is in the hands of the staff at Expotur Colombia. The jungle on the way to the Ciudad Perdida is extremely remote. The guides’ radios are the only point of contact with the outside world. So it’s absolutely critical that the staff does everything right — to ensure your safety and enjoyment.

The guide: 5/10

My Ciudad Perdida tour got off to a rough start when the guide left me behind at the camp.

The primary guide for my Lost City tour was Jorge. He was reserved, but quite knowledgeable about the history and culture of the Sierra Nevada.

The highlight of my experience with Jorge was the Ciudad Perdida tour itself. He provided in-depth knowledge about the ancient Tayrona civilization. He was able to answer everyone’s questions thoroughly. And he went above and beyond to tell us some stories about the grave robbers who pillaged the city in the mid-20th century — information the other groups didn’t get.

Jorge also gave informative nightly briefings about the Indigenous communities and the campesinos in the area, the history of the cocaine trade in the region, and the government’s efforts to protect the trail. Compared to the other Expotur Colombia groups, he spent more time talking with us about these issues and was more attentive to our questions.

Unfortunately, when it came to being a trekking guide, Jorge fell short. For instance, at the beginning of the trek he told us to stay between him in the lead and an assistant guide at the back. But on the trail, Jorge hung back to chat with the assistant the whole time. This meant we didn’t always know where to stop for fruit breaks or what to do when the path split.

But my biggest frustration with Jorge came on the morning of the Lost City tour. We finished breakfast early — around 5 am. Jorge asked us to meet at the exit to the camp in five minutes to leave. I ran to the restroom, thinking I had enough time. I was gone for maybe three minutes. But when I came back, Jorge and the group had already left — without even bothering to check if everyone was there.

I spent the next fifteen minutes looking for other Expotur Colombia guides who could radio Jorge before we figured out he’d already left. I ended up leaving the camp with another group and catching up with Jorge when we reached the Lost City. He didn’t even acknowledge that he’d left me behind. It struck me as very unprofessional.

If you prefer to be very independent on a trekking tour, you might enjoy trekking with Jorge. But if you want a high-energy guide who looks out for you at all times, Jorge is not a great fit.

The translator: 10/10

At the beginning of your Expotur Ciudad Perdida trip, you'll get a briefing on the route.

In addition to Jorge as our guide, our Expotur Colombia team included a translator — Jorge didn’t speak English. Santi (short for Santiago) was a great companion on the trail and picked up some of Jorge’s slack when it came to looking after the trekkers.

Santi lived in the United States for awhile, so his English was excellent. Instead of just memorizing the scripts the guides used, he really listened to exactly what Jorge was saying, so he could translate the nuances. Other translators I heard on the trek sounded more like they were just repeating things back like robots.

What’s more, Santi seemed very interested in the history and culture of the Tayrona. He had done a lot of reading about this civilization and was able to fill in details when Jorge didn’t know the answer to a question. It was also nice just to have a translator who genuinely cared about giving the best Ciudad Perdida tour instead of just going through the motions.

Santi also provided excellent customer service along the Lost City trek. When it started to rain on our second day, he was the one who made sure everyone had protection for our backpacks. When someone in my group got sick, he found some medicine for them. He always remembered who was vegetarian and was always the first one to ask if anyone needed anything.

Overall I would highly recommend Santi as a translator with Expotur Colombia.

The camps: 7/10

The most unpleasant part of the Lost City tour Colombia is staying at Paraiso Camp the second night.

During the trek to Colombia’s Lost City, you sleep in open-air jungle lodges with bunk beds and hammocks. They’re surprisingly comfortable and charming.

Expotur Colombia uses two of its own camps (where you won’t run into people from other agencies) on the first and third nights. Both are clean (well, as clean as you can get in the jungle) and comfortable. They have enough beds for everyone — no one has to sleep in a hammock. They have cold-water showers, sanitary bathrooms, and even mirrors. Additionally and importantly, they have plenty of places to hang up wet clothes.

On the second night of the Ciudad Perdida Colombia tour, everyone from all the different agencies stays at the same camp — Paraiso. This is the least pleasant of the camps, as it’s extremely crowded. You have to eat dinner and breakfast in shifts, since the camp doesn’t have enough seating for everyone. Some people have to sleep in hammocks, because it doesn’t have enough beds for everyone. The lines for toilets and showers are long, and cleanliness takes a plunge for the worse.

Unfortunately, Paraiso is the only option for the second night, since it provides easy access to the Lost City in the morning. And I don’t blame the agency for it being less than perfect. It’s just something to be aware of before you book an Expotur Ciudad Perdida trip.

The food: 8/10

You can still eat well while hiking in Colombia, even on remote sections of the Ciudad Perdida hike.

One of the best parts of a Lost City tour is indulging in the amazing food Expotur Colombia provides. (And hey, you’re trekking for six hours a day, so you can eat anything you want…right?)

Your group’s private chef freshly prepares three meals a day for you and your fellow trekkers. You get a decent amount of variety — pasta dishes, chicken, fish, beef, pork, rice, potatoes, soup, eggs, arepas, and more. No sad bologna sandwiches handed to you half-smushed on the side of the trail here! (We’ve all been on those tours…)

Expotur Colombia can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary preferences with no problem. In fact, the veggie dishes looked better than the meat dishes at least half the time.

In addition to meals, you’ll also stop along the trail for fruit breaks — watermelon, pineapple and oranges. (Who knows how they get so many watermelons to these remote places?) You’ll have snacks like popcorn and cheese puffs. You’ll have dessert and fresh-squeezed fruit juice with each meal. And you’ll have the option of coffee or hot chocolate each morning (and sometimes tea), and more coffee in the afternoons.

Expotur also provides drinking water for trekkers, so you don’t need to buy bottled water along the way. It’s treated with iodine and completely safe, and it doesn’t even taste that weird.

The activities: 9/10

The Lost City Colombia trek culminates in a visit to the abandoned city itself.

The two main activities you’ll do while doing the Expotur Lost City Trek are hiking and visiting the ruins. Both are amazing (and exhausting).

The hiking on the Lost City trek is surprisingly difficult . It’s near-constant up and down, sometimes in the rain, always in extreme heat and humidity. But the Expotur staff understand that some people hike faster than others, and they never rush you to keep up with the 21-year-old backpackers at the front of the group.

The visit to the Lost City itself is on the morning of the third day. The tour takes about three hours and covers all the different sections of the city, along with a couple of great viewpoints.

The whole way, the scenery is spectacular. While other jungle treks I’ve done mostly traverse dense forests, the trekking in Colombia is through the mountains — they just happen to be covered by virgin rainforest.

You will also get the opportunity to interact with the Indigenous Kogi communities who call this part of Colombia home. You’ll visit one of their villages on the second day, and on the third night, Expotur Colombia arranges for a spiritual leader to speak with your trekking group and answer questions about their lifestyle.

Another popular activity during the Lost City trek is swimming. The second and third camps both sit on the banks of rivers with natural swimming holes, and you can go for a dip at lunch on your second day, too. It’s the ideal way to cool off.

The one reason I didn’t give Expotur Colombia a perfect rating in this category is sometimes you arrive at camp really early in the afternoon (like 2 pm), and have nothing to do for the rest of the day. I highly recommend bringing some playing cards or a book to help pass the time.

Dealing with the unexpected: 10/10

Everything went smoothly on my way to the Ciudad Perdida Colombia -- no major problems for Expotur to deal with.

One of the most important aspects of a tour company for me is how they deal with unexpected situations and emergencies. These events tend to expose the truth about how skilled the guide is, or whether the agency cares about its customers or is just out to make money.

The good news is, no emergencies came up while I was on the Lost City Trek with Expotur. Everything went smoothly — we barely even got any rain. To me, that’s an indication that the agency does a good job anticipating all problems and taking steps to make sure nothing goes wrong.

The one example I saw of how Expotur Colombia does this well is they have mules on hand to help sick or injured trekkers get out of the jungle. In an area this remote, with no road access and nowhere for a helicopter to land, you have few options if you can’t walk. Expotur arranged a mule for one guy in another group who had a severely infected mosquito bite, leaving his ankle so swollen he couldn’t put his boots on and a high fever. They organized it fast enough that it didn’t disrupt any of the other trekkers’ schedules at all.

Overall experience with Expotur Colombia: 7/10

My Lost City trek Colombia may not have been perfect, but I still had fun.

Overall, my experience with Expotur Colombia was positive. While I was disappointed in my guide and the agency’s handling of departing for the trek, I was impressed with how smooth every other aspect of their operation runs. And I appreciate their support and sensitivity to the needs of the local Indigenous people. So I’d still recommend them over the other agencies offering this trek.

I should also say that my group trekked on the same schedule as two others from Expotur. Their guides were much more energetic and attentive. So I would recommend asking the agency for the name of your guide in advance. If you’re placed in Jorge’s group you may be able to request a change to a different group. Alternatively, if you don’t mind a guide who takes a very hands-off attitude, you might enjoy trekking with Jorge.

Whichever agency you choose, I highly recommend the trek to the Lost City in Colombia. It’s a jungle experience like no other — with a bit of culture too. You’ll surely enjoy the adventure no matter who you go with!

What do you look for in a jungle trekking tour company? Leave a comment and let me know!

Like this post? Pin it!

Are you considering the Lost City Trek when you travel to Colombia? Expotur is one of the top Colombia tour companies, and one of only four to offer this trek. Read about my experience hiking in Colombia with Expotur.... #travel #colombia #hiking

Bonus tip: Expotur also offers a highly rated option to tour Puntas Gallinas — a great addition to your trek if you have time.

Read more about traveling in Colombia here.

Carrie is the founder of Trains, Planes and Tuk Tuks. For more than seven years, she's been solo-backpacking around the world to places few other tourists dare to explore -- from Ethiopia to Nicaragua to Jordan and beyond. When she's not on the road, you can find her hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and eating the world's best barbecue in her home city of Asheville, NC.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Wow, I would have seriously panicked if I had been in that situation with the guide! That said, the views look like they were well worth it. Thanks for this in depth post.

yeah, definitely worth it…just a little more stressful than I was expecting!

It’s nice to know that you had a good experience with this company! I want to go back to South America and explore Colombia!

Do ittt! I haven’t explored a ton of south america but colombia is definitely my favorite country so far.

Loved reading the details about your trek! Such beautiful jungle scenery-makes me want to visit one day.

It is really beautiful! I hope you get a chance to go!

OMG 4 days trek just to reach the lost city! Your ratings give a good picture of the trek planner. It is so good to know about their support and sensitivity to the needs of the local Indigenous people.

Yeah, they’ve taken a huge risk by letting trekkers through their ancestral homeland, so it’s super important to be respectful.

Sounds like a great trek, but sorry to hear about your experience with the guide. It should never be the case that a guide falls short for the thing he actually has to do (guiding) so I appreciate your honesty here …

Hah truth. I never hold back my criticism 🙂

Loved reading this post, I did the Lost City trek a couple of years ago and it brought back many happy memories. I went with one of the other agencies you mentioned, Magic Tours, and had a really great experience, but I think you’re right, a lot of that is down to who you get as your guide and translator. Can’t believe you got left behind on the big day! Glad you enjoyed it overall, it’s such an incredible trek.

Yeah, it’s all about the individual guides. It seemed like Magic Tours also did a better job spacing out their groups so it didn’t seem so crowded.

Can’t believe they left you! Oh man, way to persevere. Though it did look like a gorgeous trek Didn’t realize those ruins were older than Machu Picchu–so cool!

Yeah, the ruins are amazing! Relatively little is known about them compared to other ancient sites in South America.

Great post! Your bathroom break incident doesn’t sound like a great experience but I’m glad that you had a positive trip overall. Fruit breaks – YUMM! Pineapple would definitely be my fave!

100%! When I saw the pineapple I was soooo happy.

What an adventure! The four-day trek to Ciudad Perdidais with Expotur Colombia sounds like an excellent way to explore Colombia’s ancient Tayrona ruins. Too bad about the early morning pick-up – good thing you were ready an hour early! The check-in sounds tedious. And I can’t believe your guide left without you and didn’t even apologize. Hopefully Expotur will take your advice an implement a more efficient process and enhanced procedures to ensure trekkers don’t get separated from the guide. For me, safety is a priority. It sounds like Expotur does a lot right, but there is room for improvement.

Yeah, I was a bit disappointed considering how much credit they get from the guidebooks for being perfect.

Colombia is so high on my list, but I haven’t even considered doing a trek while there! I’m not sure I could withstand something that lasts 4 days but the Lost City does look spectacular!

It’s so worth it! Plenty of people on my trek had never done a multi-day hike before…you can do it 🙂

Carrie, the views look like they were well worth the effort 🙂 I liked your point system – it makes it easier to understand the difficulty level!!

thanks richa, glad it was helpful!

What an informative post! We’ve always wanted to do this trek, and this is super helpful. Thanks for your honest descriptions. Bookmarking this for later!

I’m most intrigue with the tribe more than anything – also 50 trekkers with 50 guides? Or is it 5:2. Im so sure you had a blast with your trip! More to come!

It was 15 trekkers to a group, 4 groups. But the groups also had 3 guides each. So yeah, a lot of people.

I am not much of a trekker, but there is still a lot of great information for people to choose to take a tour. I think you have it right when you examine how well the tour company handles emergency situations. Surely I would be a bit afraid of getting injured, or having an infected mosquito bite in the middle of a jungle. And I like the advice about asking for the name of your tour guide before taking the adventure. It sucks when you are landed with an un-fun guide.

yeah, it’s a bit scary — the only way out of the jungle if something happens is to ride a mule or walk.

You had a private chef!! That’s amazing 🙂 It’s nice to get spoilt when travelling.

First of all I had no idea that there was a lost city in Colombia, thanks for writing about it. And second thanks for sharing your candid experience with the tour. I can’t believe they left you behind without even acknowledging or apologizing for it! We were left behind once on a tour but the guide was terribly apologetic for not doing a head count before leaving.

Thanks for sharing about this trek. I loved the lush greenery in your pictures.

This is my first time hearing about this trek and it’s so worth the effort because it looks beautiful! How in-depth did you have to provide passport information for though? I would definitely be interested in trying this, but not sure if I’m comfortable giving out my complete passport information :/

Just name, passport #, expiration date I think? It’s pretty standard stuff for any trip you book from abroad.

The trek seems so adventurous and amazing. Thanks for this very informative review. I would love to visit Colombia soon!

I hope you get to go someday!

I can only imagine how scary it must be to realise the group had left you behind. We were almost left in a random town in Morocco by our bus driver, but luckily the group shouted until he stopped and let us back on! I love the way you have ranked every section and I think the lost city would be a lovely place to visit. Shame about Jorge!

Luckily there were plenty of other groups around to help out…that situation in Morocco sounds way scarier!

Destinations

Card Database

Hatsune Miku Comes to Secret Lair

For seventeen years, Hatsune Miku has been thrilling fans with her digital performances as a virtual singer. And now the world-famous digital superstar has added Secret Lair to her world tour! In the first of four amazing drops, Hatsune Miku brings her undeniable electricity to a set of cards featuring stunning art from Miku fans from around the world. Inspired by the cherry blossoms and lightning of a Japanese spring, these cards will stun your table in English or Japanese.

Art by Jehan Choo, Justyna Dura, Mandy Jurgens, Dani Pendergast, Yuko Shimizu, 出利/SYUTSURI

Secret Lair x Hatsune Miku: Sakura Superstar

1x Chandra's Ignition as "Miku's Spark"
1x Harmonize
1x Azusa, Lost but Seeking as "Miku, Lost but Singing"
1x Feather, the Redeemed as "Miku, the Renowned"
1x Inspiring Vantage
Non-foil: $29.99 USD
Rainbow foil: $39.99 USD

About Hatsune Miku

What is HATSUNE MIKU?

Hatsune Miku is a music software developed by Crypton Future Media, INC., which enables anyone to make their computer sing by entering lyrics and melodies. As a massive number of users created music using the software and posted their works on the Internet, Hatsune Miku quickly evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Since then, Hatsune Miku has gained much attention as a character, involved in many fields such as merchandising and live performance as a virtual singer. Now her popularity has spread across the globe.

*Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO and KAITO are also virtual singers developed by Crypton Future Media, INC.

What Is Magic: The Gathering ?

Magic: The Gathering is the original collectible card game, and its rewarding and strategic gameplay, compelling characters, and fantastic Multiverse have entertained and delighted fans for more than 30 years. With more than 50 million fans to date, Magic is a worldwide phenomenon published in more than 150 countries.

Choose how you build—then play—your own customized deck of creatures, powerful allies, and mighty spells to claim victory.

Across in-person tabletop games, online with your computer, or through your mobile phone or tablet, there are so many other players that you'll never play the same game twice. Jump in and start playing Magic now !

Secret Lair x Hatsune Miku: Sakura Superstar is the first of four drops featuring superstar Hatsune Miku, each celebrating a separate season and appearing in future Secret Lair superdrops across 2024. All Secret Lair x Hatsune Miku drops will be available in both English and Japanese languages.

Sign up to be among the first to know when the concert begins with Secret Lair x Hatsune Miku: Sakura Superstar as part of the Spring Superdrop 2024, available starting May 13 at 9 a.m. PT until June 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT:

Chinese American
Filipino American
Indian American
Japanese American
Korean American
Pacific Islander
Pakistani American
South Asian American
Southeast Asian American
Vietnamese American
Application
Bad Ass Asians
Breaking Bamboo
Wayne’s World
2023 Members
2022 Members
2021 Members

AsAmNews to begin 8 city Lost Kinjo tour in California

constitution
discrimination
Little Tokyo
segregation

By Raymond Chong

The incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II not only disrupted their lives and violated their constitutional and civil rights, it destroyed their neighborhoods.

Historian Raymond Chong will share stories of the more than 40 communities that disappeared after WWII during an 8-city speaking tour that begins Sunday, May 5 in Oakland.

Lost Kinjo is a year-long project of AsAmNews funded by the California Public Library Civil Liberties Project and the Takahashi Family Foundation.

It’s the forgotten history of the Lost Kinjo – The Lost Japantowns in California . Audiences will hear about the systematic discrimination, scapegoating, intimidation, appropriation, segregation, exclusion and dehumanization of Japanese Americans in California.

LATEST STORIES

Idaho State Museum installing a Japanese American WWII exhibit

Princeton’s Kaitlyn Chen transfers to UConn women’s basketball

Washington University campus in St. Louis

Students from India uneasy after 11 deaths in U.S.

Teacher speaks to a classroom of Asian students

Honoring Lau v. Nichols, a civil rights victory in education

Tara Wong-Nash makes history as the first Irish-Chinese Miss Chinatown USA

From 1890 to 1942, the Japanese Americans, Issei and Nisei, thrived in the Japantowns, aka Nihonmachis, across California. Every Japantown was a social and cultural center with its activities and events. The businesses catered to their needs for services and goods in their segregated world.

In today’s American society, other Asian American, African American, Latino, and Native American communities are under threat through gentrification and are in danger of vanishing too. We will connect the neighborhoods’ impact on cultures and livelihoods in the context of civil rights, similar to the lost Japantowns in California.

The White oligarchy engaged in legalized but unconstitutional discrimination against the Japanese Americans:

 1880 – The California state legislature amended the miscegenation law under the Civil Code to prohibit the issuance of a marriage license to a white person and a “Negro, Mulatto, or Mongolian.”

 1894 – A United States district court ruled that Japanese immigrants could not become citizens because they are not “a free white person” as the 1790 Naturalization Act requires.

 1906 – The San Francisco Board of Education passed a resolution to segregate children of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean ancestry from the majority population.

 1908—Japan and the United States agreed (Gentlemen’s Agreement) to halt the migration of Japanese laborers to the United States. Japanese women are allowed to immigrate if they are wives of U.S. residents.

 1913— The California state legislature passed the Alien Land Law, forbidding “all aliens ineligible for citizenship” from owning land. This later expanded to include the prohibition on leasing land as well.

 1922 – The United States Supreme Court ruled on the Ozawa case, reaffirming the ban on Japanese immigrants from becoming naturalized United States citizens.

 1924 – The United States Congress passed the Immigration Act, effectively ending all Japanese immigration to the United States.

 1942 – President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing military authorities to exclude civilians from any area without trial or hearing. The order did not specify Japanese Americans – but they were the only group to be imprisoned as a result of it.

From late spring to mid-summer, * will speak at eight venues in California. At every venue, I will expand the speech to cover the unique Japantowns in the region.

The talks are free; however, you are encouraged to register in advance. Scan the QR code to register or email [email protected] .

 Oakland, Buddhist Church of Oakland, Sunday, May 5, 2024, 2:00 PM  Fresno, Chinatown Fresno Foundation, Saturday, May 18, 2024, 1:30 PM  Sacramento, Sacramento History Museum, Saturday, May 25, 2024, 2:00 PM  San Jose, Japanese American Museum of San Jose, Saturday, June 15, 2024, 1:30 PM  San Mateo, San Mateo Japanese American Community Center, Sunday, June 16, 2024, 1:30 PM  Los Angeles, Japanese American National Museum, Saturday, July 13, 2024, 1:30 PM  Guadalupe, Guadalupe Veterans Memorial Building, Sunday, July 14, 2024, 1:30 PM  San Diego, San Diego Central Library, Saturday, August 10, 2024, 1:30 PM

In crafting his Lost Kinjo speech, Chong discovered many remarkable aspects of the Japanese American experience in California:

 The White authorities segregated several Japantown and Chinatown “on the other side of the tracks” along the Southern Pacific Railroad Company tracks to separate the Orientals from the White population.

 The “Picture Brides Era” (1908-1920) resulted in marriages for the male Issei pioneers and the subsequent boom of the Nisei generation. The Japantowns changed from catering to a bachelor society to a family society.

 The Japanese American farmers successfully grew vegetables, fruits, and flowers in the Central Valley and California Coast valleys. The White agricultural industry viewed them as a threat. Because of the California Alien Law, most Issei farmers only leased their farms as sharecroppers.

 During the settlement from the concentration camps after 1945, the White majority viciously crushed the returning Japanese Americans with their ugly hostility and harassment in Lompoc Japantown in the Santa Maria Valley.

Given the current climate of hatred in America, the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander community must be vigilant to protect their American civil rights. We have recently seen the Presidential Executive Order that banned Muslims from immigrating to America, the State of Florida Alien Land Law against the Chinese, and the Siskiyou County California ordinance that banned the delivery of water to Hmong farmers.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

– George Santayana (1905)

AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc. Follow us on Facebook , X, Instagram , TikTok and YouTube . Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our efforts to produce diverse content about the AAPI communities. We are supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate .

Worth the Time

Aapi winemakers, chefs bring taste of home to food & wine fest, will asian american voters be more than an afterthought in 2024, indian american family of 4 killed in fatal crash near san francisco, regular features, ’the other ones’ reconnect with their ancestry, kexp’s first asian american dj and aapi heritage month programming, a belt-free vacation despite all the cravings.

AsAmNews is a community of users interested in reading, learning and commenting on news, events, people & issues in the Asian Americans and Pacific Islander communities.

info (at) asamnews (dot) com

Follow AsAmNews

Discover more from asamnews.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Neil Young and Crazy Horse scaled heights of ragged glory in transcendent Phoenix concert

Neil Young didn't waste any time getting into the epic guitar jams Saturday, April 27, at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, taking the stage with Crazy Horse to set the tone for his first Phoenix concert since 2003 with the fuzz-guitar transcendence of "Cortez the Killer," a speaker-shredding meditation that made it past the 15-minute mark, just long enough to leave you wishing it had gone another 15 minutes.

They were six minutes deep before the singing started. And they dusted off the missing verse Young recently unearthed that didn't make it onto "Zuma" because the console in the studio lost power in the midst of recording an otherwise perfect take.

“I floated on the water,” Young sang nearly 50 years later in Phoenix. “I ate that ocean wave/ Two weeks after the slaughter/ I was living in a cave/ Came too late to get me/ There’s no one here to set me free/ From this rocky grave/ To that snow-capped ocean wave.”

Neil Young and Crazy Horse treat Phoenix to elevating guitar jams

It was a glorious start to a brilliant performance, from the cavernous majesty of his guitar tone to the weathered ache of his lead vocal as the members of Crazy Horse effortlessly lived up to the reputation that led him to title a 1990 album "Ragged Glory," played out in front of the oversized fake Fender amps and road cases they used on the Rust Never Sleeps Tour in the '70s.

This is Young's first major tour with Crazy Horse in 10 years and they're only three shows in, so we may have lucked into a concert that was even looser-limbed than usual. Songs were falling together like magic in slow pursuit of something more elusive than perfection.

It's been 55 years since Young and Crazy Horse spent two weeks in the studio bottling lightning on "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere," a masterpiece that featured heavily in Saturday's performance, from the proto-punk riffing of "Cinnamon Girl" to a sprawling rendition of "Down By the River," "The Losing End (When You're On)" and the country-rocking title track.

It's actually kind of amazing that two of the three original members of Crazy Horse — bassist Billy Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina — are still out there touring with Young after 55 years. They're joined by Micah Nelson, Willie's son, on this tour. The 33-year-old is filling in on guitar for Nils Lofgren, who couldn't do this tour because of a previous commitment with the E Street Band.

But more on Lofgren later.

Nelson previously toured with Young as a member of Promise of the Real.

Neil Young and Crazy Horse haven't lost their magic after 55 years

To look at Young and his two fellow travelers from the early days, you'd clearly know they've aged a year or two since 1969. To hear them? Not so much. It didn't sound much different than the tours I saw Crazy Horse do in the '90s. It rocked with that same urgency and passion (and distortion).

Young has never been the world's flashiest guitarist but he gets more magic out of one note than most guitar heroes can pack into 20 or 30 notes in half the time, arriving at a sound that's his and his alone.

As a singer, his vocals have rarely been flawless, but they've always done exactly what the songs require with raw emotion to spare, and that remained the case Saturday in Phoenix, where the 78-year-old Young sounded great.

Neil Young and Crazy Horse 2024 setlist: Every song they played at Phoenix concert

Neil Young's set went heavy on classics, from 'Powderfinger' to 'Cortez'

The set went heavy on the classics, from those already mentioned to "Don't Cry No Tears" and "Powderfinger."

After "Love and Only Love," the only song they played from "Ragged Glory," Young sent his bandmates away for a three-song mini-set on acoustic guitar and harmonica, including “Comes a Time” and “Heart of Gold."

Then his bandmates returned to bring the set to a cacophonous conclusion with the speaker-bleeding majesty of “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)," Young defiantly insisting "Rock and roll will never die" while illustrating why that is before returning for a one-song encore, "Danger Bird," with guest piano by Lofgren, who lives in the Valley and was home on a break in touring with the E Street Band.

By that point, it was everything you could've hoped for from an artist who's been touring since the '60s, playing to the strength that made him such a legend in the first place.

The newest song they played was “Scattered (Let’s Think About Livin’)” from 1996’s "Broken Arrow," prefaced by a heartfelt tribute to producer David Briggs, who worked with Young on countless classic albums before his death in 1995.

It was as close to a greatest hits tour as you'll likely see from Young but because he kept it so unpolished and spontaneous, it felt as fresh as those songs would've felt at any point in Young's career, even a warhorse as frequently featured as "Cinnamon Girl" or "Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)."

It was everything a Young fan could've hoped for when the tour was first announced and then some.

Young and Reverend Billy & the Stop Shopping Choir deliver Love Earth gospel

After the second song, "Cinnamon Girl," Young took a moment to address the fans.

"This is the part of the show where I stand here at the front and figure out what to say for just a minute or two," he said before leading the crowd in a call-and-response of "What's your favorite planet?" "Earth!"

Then, when the applause died down, he added, "I want my grandchildren's grandchildren to have this so they can go way out in the forest and walk around, way out in the fields and walk around. That's what I want them to see. We've gotta be here."

This is the Love Earth Tour, a sentiment at the heart of the opening set by Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, a performance art ensemble whose surreal performance found the Reverend, dressed in a white suit, preaching an anti-war, pro-environment gospel.

"We're here to talk to you about the Earth!" the Reverend shouted. "We've got some high stakes here this evening. Couldn't be higher. It's about life! Saving life! Loving life! Being strange enough to change enough to find a way to live!"

Neil Young and Crazy Horse 2024 setlist: Every song they played in Phoenix

Here’s every song Neil Young and Crazy Horse played at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix:

"Cortez the Killer"
"Cinnamon Girl"
"Don't Cry No Tears"
"Down by the River"
"The Losing End (When You're On)"
"Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere"
"Scattered (Let's Think About Livin')"
"Powderfinger"
"Love and Only Love"
"Comes a Time" (Neil Young solo acoustic)
"Heart of Gold" (Neil Young solo acoustic)
"Human Highway" (Neil Young solo acoustic)
"Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)"
"Danger Bird"

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley .

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

IMAGES

Lost City Colombia Trek 5 days
Lost city colombia- magic tour 24
Lost-city-colombia-magic-tour-29
Lost City Colombia 4 days
Lost City Colombia
Oficial Operator of Lost City

VIDEO

ЛСП x Magic City (Альбом 2015)
Disney Dreamlight Valley
The Lost City прохождение
Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven. Большая прогулка. ФИНАЛ
Lost Magic OST
Magic City Pelota

COMMENTS

Oficial Operator of Lost City
Magic Tour Colombia is a Tourist agency that promotes conscious tourism, we are committed to traditional cultures and sacred territories. Discover Lost City, Cabo de la Vela, Punta Gallinas, Tayrona Park & more. ... Guide to visit Lost City in 2024 with Magic Tour Colombia: Tips, Routes, and More. February 16, 2024. Tour Categories.
See our Tour Lost City Trek
Tour Lost City Trek is one of the most important treks that you can do in South America, where you will appreciate countless landscapes, lush vegetation and many wildlife animals. If you are an adventurer and you love feel the adrenaline in your body. ... Guide to visit Lost City in 2024 with Magic Tour Colombia: Tips, Routes, and More ...
Lost City: everything you need to know
Lost City is an incredible tour in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Visit this incredible place that you will surely fall in love with. (+57) 317 679 2441. ... Guide to visit Lost City in 2024 with Magic Tour Colombia: Tips, Routes, and More. February 16, 2024.
Lost City Colombia Trek 5 days
You can reserve tour Lost City Colombia Trek with 10% ($215.000 COP) and pay your balance ($1.935.000 COP) in our offices in cash (only colombian pesos COP) or credit card. Total Price of the tour $2.150.000 COP. Magic Tour Colombia Office, Hotel or place of accommodation. 7:00 AM. Approximately 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
Magic Tour Colombia
Magic Tour Colombia is a contemporary company, committed to Traditional Cultures and Sacred Territories. ... The 4 day Lost City tour was definitely one of the most memorable traveling experiences I've ever had. I was very fortunate to join the team with very fun and friendly people including our tour guide Sergio, who was really nice ...
The Complete Guide To The Lost City Trek Colombia
The Ciudad Perdida hike takes you through the jungle to visit the abandoned city known locally as 'Teyuna'. It is believed that the city was founded in 800 CE (FYI that's 650 years before Machu Picchu). The Lost City was 'rediscovered' in 1972 by a father and son who began to loot the site.
Lost City Trek with the fantastic Magic Tour
The Lost City was great, I had little expectations before going but it was very large and the nature and site was absolutely beautiful, helped by the fact that with Magic Tour we were the first people to enter and the weather was fabulous. We were given lots of information about the Lost City and the indigenous people which was really interesting.
Magic Tour
The lost city hike was an amazing experience. The views during the hike and the lost city were breathtaking. We would really recommend Magic Tour as tour agency because the organisation of the tour was perfect. The guides and cooks were great and you learn how the indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Martha live.
Lost City Tour. Everything what you need to know
Know in detail how is the Lost City Tour. Discover the wonders hidden in this enchanting archaeological site and get ready to visit it. (+57) 317 679 2441. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Home; ... Guide to visit Lost City in 2024 with Magic Tour Colombia: Tips, Routes, and More. February 16, 2024.
Guide to visit Lost City in 2024 with Magic Tour Colombia: Tips, Routes
Magic Tour Colombia: Your Best Option for the Lost City Tour. As one of the leading tour operators for Lost City, Magic Tour has over 18 years of experience in the tourism sector and has been an official operator of Lost City since 2008. Our team of local guides, farmers from the Sierra Nevada area, has extensive knowledge in various subjects ...
The Lost City Trek in Colombia: 27 Things I Wish I Knew
Lost City Trek Overview. Time needed: 4 or 5-day tour Costs: 2.150.000 COP (2024 fixed price 4-day tour) Distance: 46 - 60 km Difficulty: Medium to difficult Type: Out and back route meaning you'll follow the same route back (unless you're doing the 5-day tour) Is the Lost City Trek Worth it? Yes, the trek to the Lost City is 100% worth it.
The Ultimate Guide to The Lost City, Colombia
Big worldwide tour companies offer treks to The Lost City but anyone charging more than $350 is just making a profit, so it is best to contact one of the four tour local companies who run the tours: Turcol Travel, Expotur Eco Tours, Magic Tours, and Guias Y Baquianos.
2024 Ciudad Perdida Santa Marta Colombia
We did the 4D Lost City Trek with Magic Tours. Basically, all agencies do the exact same tour: same trail, same food (Provider by the camps), same snacks, same price (1.400.000COP). So to differentiate which is a great company or just an average company it boils down to the service/guide. Unfortunately, on our tour Magic Tours turned out to be ...
Lost City Trek
The 4-Day Trek option includes 2.5 days of trekking to get to the Lost City and 1.5 days to get back. Day 1: Santa Marta to El Mamey town to Adán Camp (Distance: 12.5 km) Day 2: Adán Camp to Paraiso Teyuna Camp via Mumake Camp (Distance: 23.5km) Day 3: Paraiso Teyuna Camp to Mumake Camp via The Lost City (Distance: 22.2km)
Lost City trek Colombia
You really need to be a bit fit and have the right mindset. Especially to be able to enjoy it. It is the trail that makes the Lost City hike so worthwhile. I would say that it is the length and heat that make the hike difficult. You walk an average of about 7 hours a day and the humidity is enormous, about 85%.
Lost City Trek Colombia 3 days
Lost City Trek 3 days Tour is the ideal for those who want to discover this amazing and hidden place in South America in less days. Book your tour now! (+57) 317 679 2441. ... Magic Tour Colombia Office, Hotel or place of accommodation. DEPARTURE TIME: 5:00 a.m. RETURN TIME: Approximately 3:00 to 5:00 PM. DURATION 3 days - 2 nights:
Lost City Trek Colombia
Lost City Trek Colombia is the best hike in South America. Includes transportation, meals, hammocks or bunk beds with mosquito nets and guided by locals. ... We offer you three options to do the Lost City Trek: Adventurous (4 days tour), Knowing nature (5 days tour) and Trek Slow (6 days tour). You can choose your hike intensity according to ...
Ciudad Perdida Tour
The Ciudad Perdida hike takes you through the jungle to visit the abandoned city known locally as 'Teyuna'. It is believed that the city was founded in 800 CE (FYI that's 650 years before Machu Picchu). The Lost City was 'rediscovered' in 1972 by a father and son who began to loot the site.
Lost City Trekking
DAY 3 LOST CITY - CAMP 2. Early in the morning, we have breakfast to start climbing up 1.200 steps to our main destination, a trail constructed by Tayrona people to reach the stunning Lost City. Once we get there, the guide will show us everything related to this magic place full of relics and ancestral stories.
Lost City Trek Colombia 4 Days
The archaeological ruins of the Lost City of Tayrona, were once an ancient indigenous civilization called Teyuna, inhabited by the ancient Tayrona people. Please arrive at 7:30 AM at the indicated meeting point for a prompt departure at approximately 8:00 AM. At approximately 4:30 PM on the last day of the tour. 4 Days / 3 Nights.
LOST CITY
LOST CITY. Best destination . Information Gallery Reviews ... Book this tour. Check Availability. Magic Experience. Welcome to Colombia Magic Experience. We are excited to help you plan your next adventures. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach trip, an exciting city break, or a unique cultural experience, we're here to make your travel ...
Expotur Colombia: Trekking to the Lost City
Colombia's Lost City ("Ciudad Perdida" in Spanish) is an ancient Tayrona ruins site abandoned during the Spanish conquest. It's older than Machu Picchu and only reachable via a four-day trek through the jungle. You must do this trek as part of a guided tour — you cannot trek independently. I went with Expotur Colombia.
Hatsune Miku Comes to Secret Lair
And now the world-famous digital superstar has added Secret Lair to her world tour! In the first of four amazing drops, Hatsune Miku brings her undeniable electricity to a set of cards featuring stunning art from Miku fans from around the world. Inspired by the cherry blossoms and lightning of a Japanese spring, these cards will stun your table ...
AsAmNews to begin 8 city Lost Kinjo tour in California
The incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II not only disrupted their lives and violated their constitutional and civil rights, it destroyed their neighborhoods. Historian Raymond Chong will share stories of the more than 40 communities that disappeared after WWII during an 8-city speaking tour that begins Sunday, May 5 in Oakland.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse: tour rocked Phoenix with epic guitar jams
Nelson previously toured with Young as a member of Promise of the Real. Neil Young and Crazy Horse haven't lost their magic after 55 years. To look at Young and his two fellow travelers from the ...

Magic Tour - lost city trek. Best... - Magic Tour Colombia

Magic Tour - lost city trek. Best experience in Colombia

The Lost City Trek in Colombia: 27 Things I Wish I Knew

Lost City Trek Overview

Is the Lost City Trek Worth it?

It’s not a hidden gem like it used to be

But the crowds don’t ruin the experience

Lost City Trek Difficulty: It’s not easy

You need 4 or 5 days for the Ciudad Perdida trek

The Lost City Trek is expensive

You can’t do it independently

November to April is the best time for the Ciudad Perdida hike

But December and January are extremely busy

You’ll start your tour in Santa Marta

Some operators will arrange transport to and from Minca and Palomino

Visit Minca after your Lost City Trek Tour

Tour group size: How many is too many

Lost City Tour recommendations

There are showers

You have to carry everything

Know what to pack

Bring your own sheet (if you can)

You’ll need money for beer and snacks

Drinking water is provided

The stories of the Wiwa tribe are fascinating

There’s constant development

You can get a moto-taxi on day 1

But are you missing out by not walking on day 1?

There are rivers and waterfalls along the route

You can’t hide from the Mosquitos

Some tour operators camp next to the Lost City

Some tours have translators

Embrace the Lost City Trek experience

Like it? Pin it!

Visiting the Bolivian Amazon Rainforest: A Complete Guide 2024

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE LOST CITY, COLOMBIA

WHAT TO EXPECT

THE LOST CITY

FOOD AND DRINK

TOUR COMPANIES

WHAT TO PACK

Our Top Places To Stay In Santa Marta, Colombia

Read More About Colombia

Pin For Later

You’ll Also Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Get Access To The Travel Resources Library

Lost City Trek

Indigenous Visit Option:

5 Day Lost City Trek Option:

6 Day Lost City Trek Option:

PRICE & RESERVATION

Departures everyday! Excellent vegetarian and vegan options! The best company to discover the Lost City in Colombia! Write us NOW!

Beginner Kayaking Course

Rio Claro Cave “El Prodigio”

Samana River Float trip

San Agustin Kayak Course

Lost City trek and hike in Colombia – Everything you want to know!

Lost City trek Colombia: Day 1.

Mamey – Camp Adain – 4 hours

Campsite Aidan

Day 2 of the Lost City trek in Colombia: Camp Aidan – Camp Mumake – Camp Paraiso – 8 hours

Indigenous community

Camp Paraiso

Day 3: Camp Paraiso – Lost city – Camp Mumake

The never-ending staircase

The Lost City tour in Colombia

Iconic photo spots

Camp Paraiso – Camp Mumake – 4 uur

Day 4 – Lost city trek Colombia: Camp Mumake – Camp Aidan – Mamey – 7 hours

The last part

How hard is the Lost City hike in Colombia?

Campsites during the Lost City hike in Colombia

Food & beverages along the way

Yes or no for a porter

Best time to go on the Lost City trek in Colombia

What to bring – packing list for the Lost City trek in Colombia

H ow to go on the Lost City hike in Colombia

About Osprey Expeditions