Lost City
Trek
“Lost City in Colombia” are simple words in the mind of every hiker who visit South America.
Explore the scenic backcountry of Colombia on a 4- or 5-day trek to this legendary site, hidden deep in the dense jungle. You’ll hike 29 miles (47 kilometers) passing unspoiled waterfalls and rivers along the way, eventually reaching this amazing archaeological treasure built by the Tayrona Indians between the 11th and 14th Century in the northern foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Itinerary
Day 1. Santa Marta – Camp Site #1
After collecting you at your hotel in Santa Marta, we will ride in a jeep for about 45 minutes on the highway. We will stop at a convenience store to buy snacks and drinks, and from there, we turn off the highway, up a dirt track into the mountains. After arriving in Machete, we will have lunch and then have a short swim to cool off. Then we hike a steep uphill grade for around 45 minutes before a long descent into the valley where Adán, the first campsite, is located.
(L& D/ ½ day hiking to Adán – 7.6 km (4.7 mi)
1,900 ft ascent, 900 ft descent)
Day 2. Adan- Camp site # 3
The 15 kms route starts along the Buritaca River, taking you further into the vivid green jungle past small villages en route to the evening campsite. We will walk uphill and across some beautiful terrain, including some local farms. After a jump in a swimming hole and lunch at Wiwa Camp (Camp Site #2) we will continue to Paraiso Camp (Camp Site #3), located only 1km downhill from the Lost City. Today’s journey takes you through a varied landscape, deeper into the tropical jungle, across rivers and past a couple of Kogi villages.
(B,L,D/14.7 km -9.1 mi 3500 ft ascent, 2000 ft descent)
Day 3. The Lost City
We will wake up at about 430A.M so we can can set off at dawn and enjoy the Lost City in the softest light and coolest air possible. After a short walk from the campsite, we will reach the 1,200 stone stairs that ascend to the terraces of the city above. Climbing the steps, we will reach the lower chambers of Teyuna, also known as The Lost City. It is believed that this was a capital city built by the Tayrona civilization in 800 A.D., approximately 600 years before the Incas built Machu Picchu in Peru. After visiting the Lost City, we’ll return to El Paraiso for a quick lunch before heading to Campsite #2 for overnight.
(B,L,D/12 km -7.5 miles, 1800 ft ascent, 3500 ft descent)
Day 4. Camp Site # 2 – Santa Marta
We will start early again, since much of the trail is unshaded, and therefore becomes quite hot. After a stop for fruit at the first campsite and a jump in the swimming hole, we’ll find ourselves back where we began, in Machete, for lunch. We will drive back to Santa Marta to end this exciting trek, feel free to check mark “Lost City Colombia” in your thoughts.
(B,L/½ day hiking to El Mamey,Return to Santa Marta
12.7 km (7.9 mi) 2200 ft ascent, 3000 ft descent)
