Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) Santa Marta Colombia 4 days

      
   Ciudad Perdida
   181 Google reviews 
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   Kayode Lewis 
 2024-07-13
 
 
  Fantastic multiday hike. Loved the whole thing and one of the best experiences of visiting South America
  
 
       
   Ryan Robson 
 2024-07-08
 
 
  Amazing trek!!! Would not recommend magic tours though as the guides are useless - Jose and Maron
  
 
       
   Andres Felipe Solanó Murillo 
 2024-07-07
 
 
  Muy buena la experiencia
  
 
       
   Joseph Mulkis 
 2024-06-22
 
 
  Very impressive, trek worth going on.

Beautiful to be out in nature for the trek, and then the lost city itself is pretty cool.

Slept each night in open air bunk beds by indigenous villages, with mosquito nets and a roof to keep out the rain (didn't actually rain during our trek). Electricity available thanks to solar panels, some wi-fi which you have to pay for (but not extortionate).

Regular stores along the hike sell snacks and drinks, at surprisingly reasonable prices considered the isolated location.

Not easily accessible so few tourists go (no road access at all, only a few indigenous villages around, only transport for them is by foot or on mule), very peaceful.

One warning: A couple of us got food poisoning the last night, they suspect it's from the juice they gave us at the camps (maybe water used not perfect), so perhaps stick to bottled drinks. Other than that the food was great.

Also, should know it's not at all an easy trek:
- I did the 4-day version, and found it very hard going, hardest trek I've ever done (by way of comparison, I found it much harder than 4 days trekking in Peruvian Andes at 4000m, or climbing Acatenago volcano in Guatemala).
- Think it was the heat (40° and very high humidity, little shade in first sections of the trek) that did for me, but should note that also had quite a lot of uphill sections.
- But luckily had the option to pay for a mule to carry me for the harder parts, about a day and a half. Not ideal but otherwise I don't think I would have managed, I was already getting heat exhaustion.
  
 
       
   Christopher Mullins 
 2024-06-10
 
 
  The doubling of the price in January 2024 from roughly 1,100,000 COP to 2,150,000 has turned this from an accessible and worthwhile experience into a tourist trap and cash cow. Disappointing really as this will price lots of people out of doing the trek and may end up costing them revenue in the end. None of the many people I have met who have done it at the price point last year (or lower) have agreed it's worth what they're charging now...

Ciudad Perdida is an ancient ceremonial, political and religious center of the Tayrona civilization, hidden among the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. For any nature lover visiting Colombia, this destination is a must-see.

General information:

Ciudad Perdida, also known as Teyuna, is located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park, in the department of Magdalena, in the Colombian Caribbean region. Discovered in the 1970s, this archaeological zone has allowed us to preserve the invaluable historical, architectural and cultural legacy of the Tayrona civilization, much older than Machu Picchu in Peru.

How to Get to Ciudad Perdida:

From cities like Santa Marta, Cartagena, Bogotá and Medellín, you can reach Ciudad Perdida. However, access is exclusively through organized tours, which usually last 4 or 5 days, covering around 60 kilometers of walking. These tours include transfers, lodging, food, entry permits and local guides.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Santa Marta – Camp 1 towards Lost City
The walk begins from Santa Marta, taking you by 4×4 vehicle to El Mamey. From there, you walk around 8 kilometers to Cabaña 1, passing through impressive landscapes and enjoying the lush vegetation of the Sierra Nevada.

Day 2: Camp 1 – Paraíso Teyuna – 2 kilometers from Ciudad Perdida
The second day involves a walk of approximately 15.5 kilometers until you reach Paraíso Teyuna. This section includes a visit to Casa Wiwa and the Mutanzi indigenous people, offering you a unique experience of contact with the local culture.

Day 3: Teyuna Paradise – Lost City – Mumake Camp
The third day is the most exciting, as you will visit the legendary Lost City. After ascending the 1,260 steps that lead to the archaeological park, you will have time to explore its structures and immerse yourself in its history before returning to Cabaña Mumake.

Day 4: Camp 2 – Santa Marta
The last day involves the return to Santa Marta, completing about 16 kilometers of walking. After enjoying a farewell lunch at El Mamey, you will be transferred back to Santa Marta, where you can reflect on the incredible adventure you have experienced.

Recommendations for Traveling to Ciudad Perdida:

Bring a light suitcase and only the essentials for the hike.
Don’t forget sunscreen, insect repellent and comfortable clothing.
Book your tour in advance, as access is limited and a guide is required.