Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)
Guided trek to the Lost City in 4 days with transfer in 4x4 from Santa Marta
💥TOUR WITH DISCOUNT UNTIL AUGUST 31 > BOOK NOW! 💥
Briefing
Discover Teyuna, the Lost City of the Tayrona Indians in the jungle of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with this 4-day all-inclusive tour. Howlanders' Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida) tour is a guided round-trip trek from El Mamey (Machete Pelao) to the archaeological ruins of the Ciudad Perdida. A 4-day trek with a local indigenous guide in small groups of up to 15 travelers. The tour includes round trip transfer from Santa Marta to the Mamey in 4×4 vehicles (with pick-up and drop-off at your hotel), 3 nights accommodation in campsites with full board, entrance to the archaeological ruins of the Lost City and payment to the indigenous communities.
Venture into the jungle in search of the Lost City, an archaeological treasure of the Tayrona Indians hidden in the jungle of the Sierra Nevada. You will learn about the indigenous communities and the awe-inspiring nature of the region as you make your way to one of the most amazing archaeological sites in South America.
This is one of the most important routes you can take on your trip to Colombia and you can only get to the Lost City by booking a guided tour. Are you going to miss it?
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 be able to do the 4-day Lost City Tour Santa Marta. The trek is considered of medium-high difficulty. During 4 days you will walk an average of 6 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 3 nights accommodation in campsites. The campsites are very basic and are located along the road. This is the only accommodation option available during the trek. They are all equipped with beds or hammocks with mosquito nets and are covered by a roof and without walls. They have common bathrooms and showers (between 2 and 4 in each per camp) and a common dining area.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation! 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 no-show, no refunds will be given.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1 Santa Marta 🚐 Mamey - Camp 1
Difficulty: moderate
Distance: 4,7 milles (7.6 km.)
Duration: 4 hours.
Starting elevation: 459 ft. (140 m.)
Max. elevation: 1476 ft. (450 m.)
Rest: camp 1
Pick-up in Santa Marta
The 4x4 vehicle with your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Santa Marta from 7:00 am. The exact pick-up time will be confirmed the day before by whatsapp. Once the group is gathered, the 4x4 will start the trip to El Mamey. The trip from Santa Marta to El Mamey takes two and a half hours and passes through Taganga. If you are staying in the Taganga area and you 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 free luggage storage service and you can leave there the luggage you do not need for the trek and pick it up on the last day of the tour.
If you need to add pick-up and/or drop-off service at Santa Marta airport at the beginning or end of the tour, please contact us and we will tell you how to include this extra to your reservation. The flight schedule must be compatible with the tour schedule.
El Mamey: start of the trek to Ciudad Perdida
After approximately two and a half hours by road you will arrive at El Mamey. You will make a stop to have lunch and get ready for the beginning of the trek.
During the next 4 hours and accompanied by your guide, you will follow the trail from Mamey to Camp 1 crossing rivers and waterfalls. In this first stage, you will be able to swim and enjoy the authentic nature in the jungle of the Sierra Nevada. Around 18:30 you will arrive at "Camp 1", a well-deserved rest. You will be served dinner and spend the night in hammocks or beds with mosquito nets.
💙 HOWLANDERS TIP
During the 4-day trek to Ciudad Perdida you will cross several rivers on foot, which means you will get your feet wet. From Howlanders we recommend you to carry some extra sandals or water shoes (like booties) in your backpack to use them when crossing the river to avoid getting your trekking shoes wet. If you prefer you can also cross barefoot as the guide in the photo is doing👣. Keep in mind that if you cross the river with your trekking shoes, they will remain wet practically during the 4 days of the tour. Due to the humidity of the area, it is very difficult to dry clothes and shoes in the camps.
DAY 2 Camp 1 - Mutanzi Village - Camp 3
Difficulty: moderate
Distance: 94 milles (15.2 km.)
Duration: 7 hours
Starting elevation: 1640 ft. (500 m.)
Maximum elevation: 2952 ft. (900 m.)
Rest: camp 3
Buritaca River Valley
The second day of the tour will start early with a good breakfast, so early in the morning will allow you to make the most of the trekking day and avoid the hottest hours of the day. The hike will last 7 hours and will take you through the jungle of the Sierra Nevada and the Buritaca river valley.
Mutanzi indigenous village
Halfway you will arrive at Camp 2 where you will stop for lunch and to recharge your batteries. You will also pass through the Mutanzi indigenous village, where you will 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 you will have dinner and spend the night in hammocks or beds with mosquito nets.
DAY 3 Camp 3 - Ciudad Perdida - Camp 2
Difficulty: moderate-high
Distance: 6,21 milles (10 km.)
Duration: 6 hours
Starting elevation: 2952 ft. (900 m.)
Maximum elevation: 3937ft. (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 Indians. After breakfast, you will start the hike from camp 2 up the 1,200 steps to the Tayrona village. You will then arrive at the archaeological ruins of the Lost City where the guide will give you a guided tour and explain the history and secrets of this magical place.
At the end of the guided tour, you will have free time throughout the morning to enjoy all the surroundings and corners of this place at your own pace.
Camp 2
After this intense day, you will return to Camp 2 by the same route, where you will have dinner and spend the third and last night of the tour.
DAY 4 Camp 2 - Mamey 🚐 Santa Marta
Difficulty: moderate-high
Distance: 92 milles (14.8 km.)
Duration: 7 hours
Starting elevation: 1542 ft. (470 m.)
Maximum elevation: 1542 ft. (470 m.)
Return from Camp 2 to Mamey
After enjoying breakfast, you will start the last day of the tour to Ciudad Perdida. Leaving from camp 2, you will make your way back to the village of Mamey. A stretch of approximately 7 hours, through waterfalls and rivers.
Transfer from Mamey to Santa Marta
Upon arrival at Mamey, the 4x4 vehicle will be waiting for you to have lunch and then return to Santa Marta. Once in the coastal city, you will say goodbye to your guide and to those who have been your adventure companions during these 4 days.
What to bring to Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)
- 30 liter backpack
- Trekking boots (not new)
- Sandals or booties to cross the rivers
- Two shorts
- 3 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 starts 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. It is a 4 and a half hour trip stopping in Barranquilla. If you do this tour by bus remember to bring warm clothes as they usually put the air conditioning on very strong. Another option to get to Santa Marta is by 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 Vivacolombia. If you need to add pick-up and/or drop-off service at Santa Marta airport at the beginning or end of the tour, please contact us and we will tell you how to include this extra to your reservation.
Questions & Answers
What is the level of difficulty of the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida) 4 days?
The level of difficulty of the Lost City Tour Santa Marta is medium-high. The trekking is not really demanding, but the weather conditions (heat and humidity) and the number of hours you will walk each day make the level of difficulty increase. The time when we can consider this tour more demanding is precisely from mid-July to October, because during these 4 months the rains increase on the road and this makes the vegetation and undergrowth is wilder because of the high temperatures, mud and humidity. It is imperative to be in good physical shape to be able to do the 4 day Lost City Tour Santa Marta.
What is the difference between the 4-day and 5-day Lost City Trek Colombia?
The trekking done in both tours is the same and the difference lies in the distance covered on days 4 and 5 of each tour. The first 3 days of the tour are the same in both the 4-day and 5-day versions. While in the 4-day tour, on the 4th 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 4th day the group walks from Camp 2 to Camp 1, and on the 5th day of the tour, from Camp 1 to Mamey. While both versions are considered equally medium-high difficulty, if you are looking for the less 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 and 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, and the local agency organizes the groups taking into account the preferred language of each traveler. In case 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). It is advisable to bring your own personal hygiene products such as soap, toothbrush, etc. The more adventurous can also 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, since you will be walking a long distance with it. Try to carry only the essentials and travel light, as you should only bring the basics you might need, such as clothes, a bottle of water, insect repellent or a flashlight. In case you cannot leave the rest of your luggage at your accommodation, remember that you can use the luggage locker service of the local agency.
What to wear for the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)?
We recommend well-fitted sneakers or hiking boots that cover the ankle. We also advise you to bring sports clothes for the hikes, and comfortable long-sleeved shirts and pants for the campsites. You can see the list of everything we recommend 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 3 nights of lodging in campsites. The campsites are very basic and are located along the trail. This is the only accommodation option available during the trek. All of them are equipped with beds or hammocks with mosquito nets and are covered by a roof without walls. They have common bathrooms and showers (between 2 and 4 in each per camp) and a common dining area. It is the community who assigns where you will sleep (hammock or bed), so we cannot guarantee that you will have a bed when you make your reservation.
Do I need to bring a sleeping bag for the Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)?
If you consider it, you can carry 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, any type of menu is available. You just have to indicate it in the 'Notes' section that you will find when you make your reservation.What type of footwear should I wear for the trek to Ciudad Perdida?
The best option is waterproof hiking boots that cover your ankle, but you can use normal boots or even comfortable sneakers. In addition, it is highly recommended to bring sandals to wear in the camps while resting and some extra water shoes to cross the rivers.
At what altitude is the route to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida)?
The altitude ranges between 900 and 1,200 meters above sea level.When is the best time to go to La Ciudad Perdida?
Any time of the year is good to visit La Ciudad Perdida, but it is good to know that the rainy season is during the months of October and November. Keep in mind that during the month of September the archaeological site is closed for maintenance work 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.
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