Trekking to the Lost City
Trekking
The Lost City Tayrona
Description of the experience
Among the dense jungle of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta lies the Lost City of Colombia, also known as Teyuna, one of the most important archaeological findings for the research of the Tayrona culture.
To make the trek to the Lost City Tayrona, you must hire a tour with one of the operating agencies to the Lost City in Santa Marta; some agencies work with professional tour guides and others with native indigenous guides of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
The most popular travel option among tourists is the 4-day, 3-night tour, where you will hike up to 8 hours a day on jungle and mountain trails. You will spend the nights in bunk beds or hammocks that you will find in the campsites located along the route to Ciudad Perdida.
How to get there
Travel to the city of Santa Marta: The Lost City of Tayrona is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Book a guided tour: Since the Lost City is a destination of difficult access, jungles and mountains with wild animals, indigenous territories and a protected archaeological zone, it is necessary to book a tour for this experience. There are several operating agencies in Santa Marta that offer this tour.
Be physically prepared: The trek is demanding (60 km round trip) and lasts 4 days, crossing jungles and mountains, so make sure you are in good physical shape.
Itinerary of the experience
- Departure at 9:00 AM from the agency’s office or from the place of lodging.
- Approximately 3 hours drive to El Mamey.
- Lunch at El Mamey, the starting point of the trek.
- A 5-hour hike to Camp No. 1, rest, dinner and lodging in hammocks or bunk beds.
You will enjoy natural pools and rivers to refresh yourself during some parts of the trek to Ciudad Perdida.
- Breakfast 6:00 AM – 6:30 AM
- 5 hours trekking from Camp No. 1 to Camp No. 2.
- At 12:30 PM the tourists have lunch at Camp No. 2.
- Rest and hydration to continue the journey to Camp No. 3.
- During the journey you will observe the Kogui indigenous community: Mutanzhy
- Approximately 4 hours trekking to camp No. 3.
- Rest, dinner and accommodation in hammocks or bunk beds.
During this journey, travelers will have a demanding hike of approximately 9 hours, the experience is somewhat demanding, but the scenery is spectacular.
- Early breakfast and 1 hour trek to the Lost City of Tayrona.
- Guided tour of 3 hours in the Lost City Tayrona, cultural and historical explanation.
- Cultural talk with mamo Romualdo (optional).
- Photographs and an authentic experience in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
- Hike back to Camp No. 3 to have lunch and continue with the descent.
- Approximately 3 hours trekking to Camp No. 2.
- Rest, dinner and lodging in hammocks or bunk beds with mosquito nets.
- Breakfast 6:00 – 6:30 AM
- Early departure from Camp No. 2
- Approximately 3 hours walk to Camp No. 1.
- Rest and hydration to continue the descent to Mamey.
- Lunch at El Mamey and then departure to Santa Marta in the vehicle.
- End of the adventure in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta
End of experience.
What is included
- Transportation in a 4×4 vehicle or air-conditioned van
- Local or indigenous guide
- Hosting
- Feeding
- Travel insurance
- Contribution to indigenous communities
- Contribution to farming communities
- Contribution to ICANH
- Entrance to the Teyuna archaeological site
- Fruits and snacks during trekking
Recommendations
Santa Marta enjoys an ideal climate almost every month of the year.
The best dates to make the trek to Ciudad Perdida are in low season.
Remember that in September the Lost City is closed to tourism for one month.
What to bring
- Personal identification.
- Do not carry valuables.
- Thermos of 1 liter of water.
- Trekking shoes.
- Sandals to cross rivers.
- 2-3 pairs of shorts or shorts.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Sunscreen or hat.
- Long pants for trekking
- Flashlight for the nights.
- 5 cotton T-shirts.
- Swimsuit for rivers
- Toiletries.
- Towel for drying.
- Comfortable and lightweight backpack
- Plastic for wet clothes.
- Several socks or stockings.
- Camera or cell phone.
