Taironaka Archaeological Park
Trekking
Don Diego
Description of the experience
Taironaka is located near the Don Diego River and this was an ancient Tayrona indigenous civilization, now extinct, that existed for many years. Visiting these archaeological ruins in Taironaka is one of the most outstanding ethnic activities in Santa Marta where visitors live a unique cultural experience.
It is an intimate and unique experience with nature, during the 30 minutes trekking you will appreciate the birds, howler monkeys, Kogui Indians, view towards the mountains where you will appreciate the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Simon Bolivar and Cristobal Colon 5775 MSNM).
Travelers take a tour through the stone paths, terraces, and stairs, transporting them to the history of this culture; after the tour they will visit an important museum where they will learn about the history of the Tayrona Indians who long ago inhabited the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
At the end of the visit to Taironaka, you will go tubing down the Don Diego River for approximately 1 hour until you reach the mouth of the river, where a boat will take you back to the starting point of the activity for lunch.
How to get there
How to get there by public transportation
Go to the public market in Santa Marta, from there buses leave every 20 minutes to Palomino; after approximately 2 hours, ask the driver to stop at Don Diego.
How to get there by private vehicle
Take the trunk road of the caribbean via Santa Marta – Guajira until you reach the village of Don Diego; then turn onto the street until you reach the parking lot of Taironaka.
How to get there by private transportation
In the city there are several land operators that make this route in cars, 15-person vans, cabs or buses for groups.
Itinerary of the experience
- In the morning hours, tourists are picked up by the vehicle at their lodging places to be transported to Don Diego (Taironaka).
- Travel time is approximately 2 hours to Don Diego from Santa Marta.
- After the travelers are transported to the Don Diego River.
- Begin an ecological hike of approximately 25 minutes to Taironaka.
- Arrival in Taironaka and guided tour of the most representative ancestral sites.
- Tourists take a guided tour of these archaeological ruins.
- Tour in the small museum of Taironaka, here tourists learn about the pre-Columbian handicrafts of the ancient Tayrnona.
- At the end of the visit to Taironaka, you will go tubing down the Don Diego River for approximately 1 hour until you reach the mouth of the river, where a boat will take you back to the starting point of the activity for lunch.
- Free time to enjoy the river until it is time to return to Santa Marta.
- Return to Santa Marta in the vehicle to the tourists’ lodging places.
- Transfer time: two hours to the hotel.
- End of the adventure.
What is included
- Transportation from the place of lodging and back.
- Ecological hike along the banks of the Don Diego River.
- Guided tour of the archaeological ruins of Taironaka.
- Visit the Taironaka museum.
- Tubing down to the Don Diego river bridge.
- Refreshing swim in the Don Diego River.
- Meals (lunch and snacks).
- Tourist guide.
- Travel insurance.
Recommendations
It is recommended to enter Taironaka before 5:30 pm. It is recommended to travel to Taironaka in low season.
Bring adequate clothing for hiking, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent and enough water to stay hydrated during the trek.
Contact with the Kogui Indians depends on the length of time that the mamo estimates to stay in the archaeological park.
If you wish to take pictures of our indigenous brothers and sisters, you must consult the tour guide in advance.
What to bring
- Identification document.
- A small backpack.
- Camera.
- Comfortable clothes for walking.
- Walking shoes.
- Resistant sandals.
- Hat or cap.
- Bio-repellent.
- Sunscreen.
- Swimwear.
- Plastic bags for humidity.
- Personal medicines.
- Cash.
