Into the Jungle
The Lost City Trek is a fairly unknown trek that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. An ancient city located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Northern Colombia is an incredible adventure into the jungle to reach the old archeological site. In this Ultimate Guide to the Lost City Trek we will explore all the information you need before going on this fantastic adventure!
History
Ciudad Perdida, or the Lost City is an archeological site that is believed to date bake to 800 AD, making it 650 years older than Machu Picchu! Consisting of 169 terraces carved into the mountainside, with roads and plazas that once hold the houses of this ancient civilisation. To enter, one must climb the 1200 stairs up to the city.
The city is believed to have housed between 2000-8000 people known as the Tairona People that lived for thousands of years all the way up until the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.
Today the area close to the Lost City are home to a few descendent tribes of the Tairona people. They are also represented on the back of the 50 000 peso bill of Colombia.
Cost
The cost for doing the trek is set by the government, so there is no real possibility of finding a cheaper offer than the once being offered by many companies in the city of Santa Marta. As of 2024 the price is 2,150,000 COP or approximately $550. Included in the price are two guides, food, water, snacks and accommodation. The accommodation are proper beds in the camps along the way.
In my experience the food is delicious and plentiful with lots of fruit and snacks to keep you going. The guides also have lots of knowledge about the history of the Lost City and the indigenous people still living inside what is today a national park.
In my experience there is no need to book in advance, unless you are really short on time and need exact dates to make it work. You can easily just pop into one of the travel agencies there and book for the next day, or do it through your hostel like I did. This way I gained a free night at Mr. Baboon Hostel. Highly recommended!
Preparations
In terms of preparations it can be a good idea to spend some time along the Caribbean coast of Colombia to get used to the extreme heat and humidity. In terms of fitness, you should be in decent shape as the road goes up and down, and the heat can affect your energy. Also if you go during the rainy season that will require even more strength to get through the trek.
That being said, you have plenty of time to reach camp each day with early mornings to get going before the sun rises when the temperatures are cooler. During the trek you will stop many times for a break at local shops along the way enjoying some of the best watermelon and pineapple you’ve ever tasted!
Day 1
The first day starts in Santa Marta before taking a 4-wheel drive on the dirt roads into the National Park to the village El Mamey. Here you will eat lunch before starting on the road to the Lost City. The first day is quite relaxed and a good way to ease into trekking in the heat and humidity. About 4-hours to reach the first camp where you will spend the night relaxing, eating dinner and going for a relaxing swim if you want to.
Day 2
The second day starts early before sunrise with a quick breakfast. Hiking up and down for a couple of hours stopping for snacks and also a visit with the indigenous people to learn more about them and their traditions. Then you continue for another hour until camp where you will eat lunch and go for a swim if you want.
After lunch there are four more hours to reach the final camp before the Lost City. Here you will enjoy a nice dinner, a relaxing swim in the cold river and maybe even a cold beer to celebrate with your new friends playing cards and snacking before an early night.
Day 3
Get up as early as possible for the main attraction. A quick hike along the river before you get to the stairs. Then feel your heart pumping as you climb the 1200 steps up to the Lost City. Only those worthy will gaze upon what was once an incredible city in the jungle.
Wander around taking pictures as you listen to the guides explain some of the history behind this place. Enjoy some snacks as you stand on top and look down on the famous view of Ciudad Perdida. Take a moment to think about how this place was in its heyday, and reflect on the fact that you’re standing in the middle of the jungle!
After a few hours enjoying the views and history head back to camp for lunch and maybe a swim. Then hike four hours back to camp where you had lunch on day 2 for dinner and a good night rest.
Day 4
Last day is another early start and a long 7-hour hike back to El Mamey with snacks along the way. Back in town enjoy a well deserved lunch and maybe a cold beer before the 4-wheel ride picks you up and takes you back to Santa Marta where you will probably want to do laundry, eat dinner and get some well earned sleep!
What are you waiting for?
Anyone spending some time along the Caribbean coast of Colombia should consider trekking to the Lost City. It’s a jungle adventure like no other full of history, and a sense of adventure as you walk deeper and deeper into the jungle. It was one of my many highlights in South America and up there with the very famous Inca Trail.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to the Lost City? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
