aerial view of the lost city
instagram lost city
ruins lost city
meditation lost city
boy with camera with mountains in the background while trekking through lost city of Colombia
sierra nevada rainforest
Indian village
Indian village
trek lost city
archaeological remains on the trip to the Lost City of Santa Marta of Colombia
two people going up in the trek to the lost city of Colombia
stairs on the way to Colombia's lost city tour
lake in sierra nevada de santa marta in the lost city trek of Colombia
three travelers in the Colombian jungle
plate lunch on the tour to the lost city of santa marta
typical soup on the lost city tour in colombia
Trek to the Lost City Colombia in 4 days
Trek to the Lost City Colombia in 4 days
Trek to the Lost City Colombia in 4 days
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Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida tour)

Guided tour to the Lost City in 4 days with transfer in 4x4 from Santa Marta

(50 reviews)
Santa Marta
4 days
Spanish and English
Starts: From your lodging in Santa Marta or Taganga between 7:00 am and 9:00 am
Ends: To Santa Marta or Taganga at about 5:00 pm
Free cancellation!

Briefing

Explore Teyuna, the Lost City of the Tayrona people in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with this all-inclusive 4-day tour. The Howlanders Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida tour) is a guided round-trip trek from Mamey to the archaeological ruins.

You’ll hike for 4 days with a local indigenous guide in small groups of up to 15 or with a private guide just for you. The tour includes round-trip 4x4 transportation from Santa Marta, 3 nights of full-board camping, entrance to the ruins, and payments to indigenous communities. Discover this hidden treasure while learning about local cultures and nature.

This is a must-do experience in Colombia, and you can only reach the Lost City through a guided tour. Don’t miss out!

Tour details

Included

  • Transportation 4x4 Santa Marta- Mamey (round trip)
  • Pick-up + drop-off at your hotel in Santa Marta
  • Indigenous guide
  • Full board
  • 3 nights of lodging in camps
  • Entrance to the Lost City
  • Payment to indigenous communities

Not included

  • Breakfast DAY 1
  • Dinner DAY 4
  • Alcoholic beverages

Important information

🔴 Requirements for the Lost City Tour Santa Marta

It is essential to be in good physical shape to partake in the 4-Day Lost City Tour of Santa Marta. The trek is considered a medium-high difficulty trek. In four days trekkers will walk an average of six hours a day through the jungle on steep and slippery trails in very hot and humid conditions.

Camping in Ciudad Perdida Santa Marta

The Ciudad Perdida Santa Marta Tour includes three-night accommodations in campsites. The campsites are very basic and are located along the road. This is the only accommodation option available for the trek. The accommodations feature a common dining space and a sleeping area equipped with beds or hammocks with mosquito nets, that are covered by a roof and without walls. Bathrooms and showers are shared (between 2 and 4 in each per camp).

Cancellation policy

Free cancellations!

If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show, no refunds will be provided.

Tour itinerary

DAY 1 Santa Marta 🚐 Mamey - Camp 1

Difficulty: moderate

Distance: 4.7 mi. (7.6 km.)

Duration: 4 hours

Starting elevation: 459 ft. (140 m.)

Max. elevation: 1,476 ft. (450 m.)

Rest: camp 1

Pick-up in Santa Marta

Along with your guide, the 4x4 vehicle will pick you up at your hotel in Santa Marta around 7:00 am. The exact pick-up time will be confirmed the day before by WhatsApp. Once the group is together, the 4x4 will start the two and a half hour journey to El Mamey that passes through Taganga. If you are staying in the Taganga area and want the transport to pick you up there, remember to indicate it in the reservation form.

If you prefer, you can also go directly to the office of the local agency located in the center of Santa Marta to start the tour. The agency offers a free luggage storage service.

If you need to add a transfer service at Santa Marta airport at the beginning or end of the tour, please contact us and we’ll help with booking this extra. Keep in mind that the flight schedule must be compatible with the tour schedule.

Shuttle bus in Santa Marta

El Mamey: start of the trek to Ciudad Perdida

After about two and a half hours of travel, you’ll arrive at El Mamey. During a quick stop, you’ll have time for lunch and then you’ll get ready for the beginning of the trek.

During the next four hours, your guide will lead you down the trail from Mamey to Camp 1 by crossing rivers and waterfalls. In this first stage, swim and enjoy the authentic nature in the jungle of the Sierra Nevada. Around 6:30 pm is when you should be arriving at "Camp 1", where you’ll be treated to a well-deserved rest. After dinner is served, spend the night in hammocks or beds with mosquito nets.

Rio Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

💙 HOWLANDERS TIP

During the 4-day trek to Ciudad Perdida, you’ll be crossing several rivers on foot. At Howlanders, we recommend carrying extra sandals or water shoes (like booties) in your backpack to cross the river. You also have the option to cross barefoot like the guide in the photo 👣. Keep in mind that if you cross the river with trekking shoes, they will remain wet for most of the duration of the tour. Due to the humidity in the area, it’s very difficult to dry clothes and shoes in the camps.

Guide crossing the river

DAY 2 Camp 1 - Mutanzi Village - Camp 3

Difficulty: moderate

Distance: 94 mi. (15.2 km.)

Duration: 7 hours

Starting elevation: 1,640 ft. (500 m.)

Maximum elevation: 2,952 ft. (900 m.)

Rest: camp 3

Buritaca River Valley

The second day of the tour will start early with a hearty breakfast. With an early morning start you make the most of the trekking day and avoid the hottest hours of the day. The hike will last seven hours and will take you through the jungle of the Sierra Nevada and into the Buritaca River Valley.

Mutanzi Indigenous Village

Halfway through, you’ll arrive at Camp 2 where stopping for lunch and a quick recharge is a must. On your way, you’ll also pass through the Mutanzi indigenous village, here, you’ll learn about the lifestyle of the Kogui community. And the route will continue! The second day of the Ciudad Perdida tour will end at Camp 3, where dinner will be served. Spend the night in cozy hammocks or beds with mosquito nets.

Mutanzi Indigenous People

DAY 3 Camp 3 - Ciudad Perdida - Camp 2

Difficulty: moderate-high

Distance: 6.21 milles (10 km.)

Duration: 6 hours

Starting elevation: 2,952 ft. (900 m.)

Maximum elevation: 3,937ft. (1200 m.)

Rest: camp 2

Lost City

The third day of the tour will be the most spectacular: the ascent to the Lost City of the Tayrona People. After breakfast, start the hike from camp 2 up the 1,200 steps to the Tayrona village. After arriving at the archaeological ruins of the Lost City, your guide will give you a tour and present the history and secrets of this magical place.

At the end of the guided tour, there will be free time to enjoy all the surroundings at your own pace.

Camp 2

After such an intense day, return to Camp 2 by the same route, eat dinner, and then rest well on the final night of the tour.

Travelers on the route to the Lost City

DAY 4 Camp 2 - Mamey 🚐 Santa Marta

Difficulty: moderate-high

Distance: 92 milles (14.8 km.)

Duration: 7 hours

Starting elevation: 1,542 ft. (470 m.)

Maximum elevation: 1,542 ft. (470 m.)

Return from Camp 2 to Mamey

After enjoying breakfast, start the last day of the tour to Ciudad Perdida. First, you’ll leave Camp 2 to make your way back to the village of Mamey. A stretch that takes about seven hours, through waterfalls and rivers.

Transfer from Mamey to Santa Marta 

Upon arrival at Mamey, enjoy lunch before returning to Santa Marta in the 4x4 vehicle. Once you’ve reached the coastal city, say goodbye to your guide and adventure companions!

Santa Marta beaches

What to bring to Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida ) tour

  • 4.5 lbs backpack (30 liter)
  • Trekking boots (not new)
  • Sandals or booties to cross the rivers
  • 2 pairs of shorts
  • 3 pairs of long pants
  • 3 short-sleeved T-shirts
  • 1 long-sleeved cotton T-shirt (thin fabric)
  • 4 pairs of socks
  • Sandals or flip-flops for changing at campsites
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Flashlight
  • Bathing suit
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper
  • Towel
  • Plastic bags (to keep dry clothes separate from wet clothes)
  • Camera

Where does the tour Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida ) start

The tour begins and ends in the city of Santa Marta and includes round-trip transportation in 4×4 vehicles to the town of El Mamey, where the hike begins. The only way to get to the archaeological ruins of the Lost City of the Tayrona is by booking a guided tour from Santa Marta.

Most travelers arrive in Santa Marta from Cartagena, trip stopping in Barranquilla (4.5 hours). If you arrive by bus remember to bring warm clothes because it’s normally very cold. Another option to get to Santa Marta is via plane since the city has an airport with flights from the main cities of Colombia. The airlines that fly to Santa Marta are Avianca, LAN, and the low-cost airline: Vivacolombia. If you need to add a transfer service at Santa Marta airport at the beginning or end of the tour, please contact us and we’ll help you include this extra to your reservation.

Questions & Answers

  • What is the level of difficulty of the 4-Day Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)?

    The level of difficulty of the Lost City Tour of Santa Marta is medium-high. The trekking is not too demanding however the weather conditions (heat and humidity) and the number of hours walking each day increase the difficulty level. The most challenging time to make the trek is from mid-July to October.

    During these four months, the rains increase, encouraging the vegetation and undergrowth to grow wilder, making it more difficult to trek through. The high temperatures paired with the rain also cause mud and humidity. It’s imperative to be physically healthy to complete the 4-Day Lost City Tour of Santa Marta.

  • What is the difference between the 4-day and 5-day Lost City Trek Colombia?

    The trekking for both tours is the same but the difference lies in the distance covered over days 4 and 5 of the tour. The first three days of the tour are the same in both the 4-day and 5-day versions. In the 4-day tour, on the fourth and last day of the tour, the group walks from Camp 2 to Mamey (and from there back to Santa Marta); in the 5-day tour on the fourth day, the group walks from Camp 2 to Camp 1, and on the fifth day of the tour, from Camp 1 to Mamey. While both versions are considered equally medium-high difficulty, if you are looking for the least demanding of the two tours, we recommend booking the 5-day Ciudad Perdida Tour here.

  • How many people will be on the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)?

    The maximum group size for the Santa Marta Lost City Tour is 15 travelers however you will meet other groups at the campsites.

  • Does the guide of the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida) speak English?

    The tour is available in English and Spanish. The local agency organizes the groups taking into account the preferred language of each traveler. If the guide speaks very basic English, a translator will be added to the tour.

  • Do the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida) campsites have restrooms and showers?

    Yes, all camps have bathrooms and showers (between 2 and 4 per camp). We advise bringing your personal hygiene products such as soap, toothbrushes, etc. The boldest travelers can refresh themselves directly in the cool river.

  • What kind of luggage should I bring to make the trek to Ciudad Perdida?

    A trekking backpack is the best option because you'll be walking long distances. Limit yourself to just the essentials and travel light with items such as clothes, a bottle of water, insect repellent, and a flashlight. If you cannot leave your luggage at your accommodation, there is a luggage locker service at the local agency.

  • What to wear on the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)?

    We recommend well-fitted sneakers or hiking boots that cover the ankle. We also advise bringing sports clothes, comfortable long-sleeved shirts, and pants for the campsites. You can see the list of recommended items to bring in the section "What to bring to Tour Ciudad Perdida Santa Marta".

  • What type of accommodations are included in the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)?

    The Ciudad Perdida Santa Marta tour includes three nights of lodging at campsites. The campsites are basic and located along the trail. This is the only accommodation option available during the trek. Each is equipped with beds or hammocks with mosquito nets and is covered by a roof without walls. They share common bathrooms and showers (between 2 and 4 in each per camp) and a common dining area. The Indigenous community creates sleeping arrangements (hammock or bed), therefore we cannot guarantee that you will have a bed or hammock when making your reservation.

  • Do I need to bring a sleeping bag for the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)?

    If you prefer, you can bring your own sleeping bag in your backpack but it is not necessary. The beds and hammocks in the camps are equipped with sheets, blankets, and mosquito nets.

  • Is it possible to choose a special menu: vegetarian, gluten-free... on the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)?

    Yes, menus for special diets are available. You only have to indicate it in the 'Notes' section when making your reservation.

  • What type of footwear should I wear for the trek to Ciudad Perdida?

    The best footwear is waterproof hiking boots that cover the ankles however normal boots or even comfortable sneakers are suitable. We highly recommend bringing sandals to wear in the camps while resting and extra water shoes to cross rivers.

  • At what altitude is the route to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida)?

    The altitude ranges between 3,000 ft and 4,000 ft (900 and 1,200 m) above sea level.

  • When is the best time to go to La Ciudad Perdida?

    Any time of the year is great to visit La Ciudad Perdida but it is good to know the rainy season is from October to November. Keep in mind that during September, the archaeological site is closed for maintenance work done by the locals.

  • Is Ciudad Perdida closed in February?

    No, Ciudad Perdida closes in September for maintenance work done by the locals. In February Tayrona Park closes, but this does not affect the trek as it is located in a completely different sector.

Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida ) tour reviews with Howlanders

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