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Travel inspirations by local experts.
Lost City Trekking Tour
From US$ 399 p.p. / 4 days / Group tour
Highlights
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Pre-Colombian ruins
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Fascinating fauna and flora
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Indigenous villages
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Tropical forest hiking tours
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Program description
Hidden deep in the jungle of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in Colombia sits Ciudad Perdida, the "Lost City." Built by the Tairona civilization more than 1,000 years ago, the archaeological site only became an attraction after it was discovered in 1976 by a group of Colombian archaeologists.
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Named Teyuna by the Tairona but dubbed Ciudad Perdida upon rediscovery, this ancient place is often compared to Machu Picchu as both are archaeological sites perched on hillsides and tucked into South American rainforests. The Colombian "Lost City" has complex construction systems, cobbled roads, stairs and walls linked by a series of terraces and platforms on which have been built ceremonial centers, homes and pantries. All structures discovered so far occupy an area of about 35 hectares. Since it has been discovered, all the area has been run by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology as a National Archaeological Park.
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There are no trains or buses allowing for easy travels to reach its ruins. The only way to witness its beauty firsthand is on foot: a multiday hike. Ciudad Perdida is located between 900 to 1200 meters high on the heights of the Cerro Correa in the northern region of the Sierra Nevada, on the right bank of the Rio Buritaca.
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Recent archaeological research in 2006 on the site indicate that this city was founded around 660 A.D. and was abandoned between 1550 to 1600 A.D. It is one of the most important cities of the 250 Tayrona villages discovered on the north and northeast part of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.
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Route
Santa Marta - Machete Pelao - Mutanyi - Teyuna
Heritage
Nature
Wildlife
Adventure
4 days / 3 nights
Check availability and plan the trip of your dreams!
Itinerary Details
Day 1
Lost City Trek – Estimated walking time 4-5 hrs. / 7,6KM / max. altitude 613m. The tour starts at our office around 8:00 am, where a 4WD truck will pick us up to leave for the Mamey, this trip takes about 2½ hours. In this place we will take our lunch and then start our walk to the Sacred Place of the Ancient Tayrona (former inhabitants of the Lost City). The walk to camp 1 takes about 4 hours, in the surroundings you will probably find natural pools, waterfalls and rivers. Then we will have dinner and the accommodation in hammocks will be ready to offer you a well-deserved rest.
Day 2
Lost City Trek– Estimated walking time 4-5 hrs. / 14Km / max. altitude 895m. The sun rises and we are ready to have a delicious breakfast and then start our second day of hiking through the Buritaca river basin, on this tour we can probably see some homes of the Kogui Indians, these houses are part of a settlement called Mutanshi. For this day we will have a tour of approximately 5 hours, entering the jungle of the Sierra Nevada and appreciating the natural diversity that exists on this path to finally reach camp 3 where we will have dinner, we can share with our group mates and rest.
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Day 3
Lost City Trek – Estimated walking time 9-10 hrs. / 10Km / max. altitude 1100m. Very early we have breakfast to start our ascent towards the Lost City, our adventure begins crossing the Buritaca River and starting up the 1,200 steps, a path that was built by the Tayronas, at the end of these stairs we will find the first part of the lost city once we arrive there, the guide will give us information about the sightseeing in this ancestral place full of stories, natural and spiritual wealth. We will stay for 3 hours in this archeological wonder and we will have enough time to take pictures and rest.
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Day 4
Lost City Trek – Estimated walking time 6-7 hrs. / 15KM / max. altitude 613m. The last day of our trip begins with breakfast to follow the path back to Mamey. It will be approximately 6 hours back where we can find rivers and waterfalls where we can cool off. We will arrive at Mamey around noon to have lunch, there the 4WD will be waiting for us to start the return to Santa Marta, where we will be back around 5:00 p.m. After fully enjoying our wonderful trip we will have a new adventure to tell about the Lost City and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Price & Inclusions
From US$ 399 p.p.
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1 Pax. Group discount from the second participant.
Tour as part of a group.
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Included
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Hotel Pick-up in Santa Marta
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3 nights in camps (accomodation in beds or hammocks)
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All meals
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All ground transfers
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ES Guide (Optional: EN Guide)
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All entrances, fees and taxes, Travel insurance
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Not Included ​
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International or national flights
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Personal expenses and tips
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As in program indicated optional services
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EN Guidance (On request)
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Bags carrier (On request)
Important Notes
Availability
All year round. Daily start from Santa Marta.
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Physical Difficulty: 5
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Language
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Duration
4 days / 3 nights.
Optional: 5-days program. The route is the same, the difference between is that the more days of tour the less the daily walking hours.
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Accommodation
The accommodation is offered in camps and farms in hammocks with mosquito net and cotton blankets. All the camps are equipped with basic bathrooms and showers but you need to bring personal hygiene tools such as soap, toothbrush and towel.
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Recommendations (clothing and equipment)
The amount of clothes that should be brought, depends on the number of days chosen to take the tour.The weather you can expect is hot and humid, that’s why it is really important to take with you comfortable clothes, that is: t-shirts and shorts for walking; on the other hand, temperature tends to go down at night, in this case we recommend you to bring a change of long pants and long sleeves shirts, they will help you to be protected against mosquitoes and also from the cold. Do not forget to take a water bottle (1 ½ liter is enough) once you get to the camps you can refill with filtered water or just buy a new bottle, insect repellent, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, walking shoes or trekking boots, swimsuit, 2 plastic bags( to separate wet and dry clothes) and last but not least, a camera. In addition to this you should bring sandals to relax after each trekking tour.
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Meals
Delicious food awaits for you in every single camp side where you will be staying, you will also find: typical dishes as a representative sample of the tasty Colombian gastronomy, tropical and exotic fruits native to the region, snacks, among others. In fact, if you have any food preference, it would not be a problem; our team of cooks will provide you meals that match them. If you require special food (vegetarian, vegan) or suffer from allergies, please inform us before starting the tour.
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Vaccination
So far there has been no history of yellow fever or malaria in this area. Having the yellow fever vaccination is a preventive measure since you are going to visit a tropical forest. The yellow fever vaccine must be applied at least 10 days before the trip. It is also high recommended to bring a good repellent.
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Communication
The cell phone signal is weak. We recommend telling your family that you will be absent during the days of the tour.