Lost City Trek

Welcome to Colombia! Get met at the Santa Marta Airport and transfer to your hotel. The drive takes about 30-45 minutes. At the hotel, receive a tour briefing and prepare for your hike before relaxing in the comfort of the hotel.

Your adventure begins in the morning with an exciting road trip to the trailhead. Leave your hotel, traveling in 4-wheel drive vehicles, and follow the coast to the northeast. After a little more than an hour, the paved road ends and your off-road adventure begins. Continue for another hour to reach El Mamey, or Machete Pelado, village (150 m/492’). Eat lunch here then begin your hike to the Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida).

Today’s hike is exposed to the elements, so be sure to pack plenty of water and dress appropriately for the weather. Tropical fruit will be available along your hike for refreshment and energy. Begin with a gentle trail along the Quebrada del Alto Mamey River for about one hour before the path climbs steeply up to the El Mirador Pass (640 m/2,100’). From the pass there are spectacular views overlooking the Buritaca River and the town of Mamey. Descend from the pass for 1.5 hours to the Donde Adan Lodge, which you’ll find in a lovely location beside the Quebrada Honduras River. After a day on the trail, a dip in the natural pool by the lodge is very refreshing. Spend the night in a hammock at the lodge.

Hit the trail early this morning for a long but rewarding day. First, take a gentle, well-marked path to the Mumake Pass (680 m/2,231’). Along the way, you’ll enter a protected area that’s controlled by the Kogi indigenous tribe. There are also Wiwa Indians settled in these valleys that run some of the hikers’ lodges. As you enter the protected lands, notice how the landscape changes from farmland to a more natural and well-preserved wilderness. Cross the Mumake Pass, then descend quickly to the Buritaca River (430 m/1,411’), where you can see a Kogi settlement called Montangi and get a glimpse of their way of life. Continue walking for about an hour, then cross a hanging bridge over the river where the trail climbs to the Koskunguena Pass (824 m/2,703’). Once across the pass, descend again to the Buritaca River (743 m/2,438’) and cross the river once again. Follow the banks of the river to El Paraiso lodge (870 m/2,854’), where a swim in the river refreshes you for a good night’s sleep.

Get an early start again today to allow plenty of time to explore the Lost City. As you leave the lodge, follow the Buritaca River, then after a short distance, you’ll find a river crossing. Cross the river here to find the ancient stairs that climb steeply up to bring you to the Lost City of the Tayrona (1,175 m/3,855’). You’ll feel like a time traveler as you climb these steps and draw closer to this fascinating archaeological site. This city, originally called Teyuna, is all that remains of the lost Tayrona civilization. It is believed that the Kogi people descended from the Tayrona people. Spend 4 hours touring the area and learning about the culture and architecture of the city. You may also be able to visit the home of a Kogi Mamo, or shaman, during your tour.

After your tour, return to El Paraiso lodge to eat lunch, then follow the same trail back toward the Mumake Pass. Spend the night at Mumake Lodge (389 m/1,276’), at the foot of the pass.

Complete your Lost City trek today. As you leave the Mumake Lodge, you’ll hike up to the Mumake Pass (680 m/2,231’). Cross the pass, follow the trail down to the Quebrada Honduras River, then climb once more up to El Mirador Pass (640 m/2,100’). Continue walking until you reach the town of El Mamey (150 m/492’), where the Lost City trail ends. Eat lunch here in town, then drive for about 2-2.5 hours to return to your hotel in Santa Marta.

Sadly, your Lost City Trekking Tour has reached its end. Transfer to the Santa Marta Airport after breakfast, which takes approximately 30-45 minutes. Have a pleasant journey!