Lost City Tour
Trekking
The Lost City Tayrona
Description of the experience
The 5-day tour to the Lost City in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is an unforgettable adventure that combines trekking, cultural exploration and connection with nature.
The Lost City expedition is perfect for those looking to dive deep into nature and move at a more relaxed pace. Unlike the 4-day version, this tour extends the experience, allowing travelers to enjoy two nights in the first lodge, located at the beginning and end of the tour. This slower pace offers more time to appreciate the surroundings and absorb the unique atmosphere of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
How to get there
Arriving in 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 5 days, crossing jungles and mountains, so make sure you are in good physical shape.
Itinerary of the experience
- Departure from Santa Marta to El Mamey in a 4×4 jeep or air-conditioned van, start of an exciting road trip of approximately 3 hours.
- Lunch and Integration Session in El Mamey, in this village of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta the adventure begins, the guide takes a moment to get to know the group and prepare them for the trek.
- Beginning of the trek from El Mamey to the first camp, a 4 hour trip with stops in natural scenery of the Sierra Nevada to rest and take pictures.
- Overnight at the first camp cabin, dinner and briefing by the guide to end the day.
- After breakfast, start trekking from this camp 1 to the “Wiwa hut”, enjoying a revitalizing bath in a waterfall of the Buritica River.
- Lunch and rest in the Wiwa hut, and then continue on the route where you will go deeper into the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
- You will border the indigenous Kogui village “Mutanzhy”, take pictures and then finish the day arriving at camp 2, where you will have dinner and a night’s rest awaits you.
- Ascent to the Lost City of Tayrona, after breakfast, you will climb the 1,200 steps to the ancestral Lost City of Santa Marta, a labyrinth of paths, terraces and walls.
- Exploration tour and return, the guide will explain to the group of tourists the essence of these ancient archaeological ruins where they will discover the secrets of this ancient Tayrona city and then descend to the second camp for lunch and followed by the return to the third camp “Cabaña Wiwa”.
- After breakfast, they start the return trip, where the route turns into a trail that takes them to the magical Cascada de Pablo waterfall.
- After enjoying the waterfalls, including the impressive Tina Waterfall, you will learn about local crops in an afternoon of cultural immersion.
- They have breakfast and then continue the return trip to the village of El Mamey, reflecting on their experience.
- Returning to the Mamey, the vehicle will take travelers to Santa Marta, ending this unique 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.
