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Lost City Trekking in Colombia

Lost City Trekking in Colombia

From $ 1,795 AUD

Description

The ancient archaeological site of Teyuna, or the Lost City, sits within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains and can only be reached by a guided multi-day trek. On this week-long walking trip, you’ll do just that, with knowledgeable local guides to guide the way into Tayrona National Natural Park. Starting in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cartagena, you’ll jump straight into local Colombian culture, explore the scenic port city of Santa Marta and then begin your trek to the Lost City. Meet local Indigenous leaders, sleep in mountain campsites away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and spend four days in the mountains, hiking through rainforest and jungle to this sacred Colombian site – a perfect adventure for any avid adventurer, hiker and explorer!

Trip Name
Lost City Trekking in Colombia
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
7
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Hike to the Lost City to Tayrona (or Teyuna) – the most important archaeological site in Colombia. Explore this sacred place with our local guides and revel in the secrets of a site only reached by multi-day hiking.
  • Spend four days trekking in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada – a great opportunity for a true digital detox – through tropical forest landscapes, along rivers and surrounded by mountain views.
  • Visit the Indigenous WIWA Community, where a spiritual guide and leader of the community will share their ways of life, including the roles that local women and men have within the community.
  • Wander beneath the floral balconies of Cartagena – the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town that combines Caribbean charm and old-world accents.
  • End your trip in Santa Marta – a tropical paradise on the Caribbean Sea, this is the perfect place to relax after your trek.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway.

Day 1 - Cartagena
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Colombia. Your adventure begins in Cartagena – one of South America's most historic cities and a UNESCO Worls Heritage site – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not walk around the Old City within the walled town, packed with churches, monasteries, plazas and heritage mansions. Your hotel for tonight sits in the vibrant Getsemani neighbourhood, which features lots of colourful street art and is perfect for a self-paced walking tour. After the meeting tonight, you’ll head out for an orientation walk with your leader to get a feel for the city and see anything you may not have had time to see. Tonight, why not sit down with your group for an optional welcome dinner.
Day 2 - Santa Marta
Today begins with a scenic private transfer to the historic coastal city of Santa Marta – your gateway to the Tayrona National Natural Park. When you arrive, settle in and enjoy the hotel’s relaxing atmosphere. Then, head out with your leader for a walk through downtown Santa Marta, where you'll learn about the layered history and experience some of the vibrant local culture. Stroll past the Santa Marta Cathedral, Parque de los Novios and Plaza de Bolivar, as your leader shares insights into the city's heritage. As the sun sets, you'll have some free time to unwind or explore further. For dinner, ask your leader for some restaurant recommendations and explore the local dining scene.
Day 3 - Lost City Trek
This morning, hop in 4WDs and travel offroad to the small town in the mountains of Sierra Nevada, Mamey (or Machete Pelao), which sits at about 120 m above sea level. When you arrive, you’ll have lunch before heading out on your first scenic hike in the mountains – to the Lost City. Hikehrough humid, tropical forest with amazing mountain views all around you. When you arrive at Adam, your mountain camp for the night, have dinner with the group under the stars. You’ll spend the night here at an altitude of about 470 m above sea level.
Day 4 - Lost City Trek
Your second day of hiking takes you to the WIWA Community Camp, where you’ll meet El Mamo – considered the sage and spiritual guide of this community. The Indigenous guide will share their way of living here and the role that both women and men have within the community. After, hike through the humid, tropical forest to Mutanyi – the small Indigenous village of the Kogi people, home to only 20 huts made of mud, wood and palm trees. Continue your hike along the Buritaca River until you reach Mumake campsite for a break. When you arrive, sit by the crystal-clear waters of the river, have lunch with the group and recharge. After, you’ll carry on through the mountains, soaking up the sounds of nature along the way. The day’s hike ends at Paraiso Teyuna campsite where you’ll spend the night. Maybe go for a swim in the natural pool and listen to stories and anecdotes from your local guides as the sun goes down.
Day 5 - Lost City Trek
Today is the hardest day of hiking, heading through the rainforest to the great Lost City of Tayrona (or Teyuna). To get to this ancient archaeological site, you’ll cross the roaring waters of the Buritaca River with the help of your guides, then climb the 1200 stone steps to reach the first stone rings. When you arrive, take a tour with your local guides, feeling like you’ve travelled back in time in the middle of the jungle. Learn about this important Colombian archaeological site, which is older than Machu Picchu, and take in your lush surroundings and the sounds of the forest. After exploring the Lost City, you’ll retrace your steps back to Paraiso Teyuna campsite for lunch. Rest and recharge, then continue your route back to Mumake campsite, where you’ll spend your last night in the mountains.
Day 6 - Lost City Trek/ Santa Marta
It’s your last day in the mountains and time to return to Santa Marta. You’ll wake up bright and early this morning and walk back to Machete, stopping at Adam campsite to recharge your batteries with a few snacks and maybe a dip in the natural pool. Continue your descent, then have lunch, before hopping in your private transfer back to Santa Marta. When you arrive, you have a free evening to rest or head out to an optional farewell dinner with your fellow travellers to celebrate the end of an epic adventure.
Day 7 - Santa Marta
Today after breakfast, your trip comes to an end and you’re free to leave at any time after check-out. Consider extending your stay in Santa Marta to relax in this paradisical port city, taking full advantage of the beautiful beaches. If you do decide to stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
13-07-202519-07-2025AUD $ 1,795-
10-08-202516-08-2025AUD $ 1,865-
09-11-202515-11-2025AUD $ 1,795-
07-12-202513-12-2025AUD $ 1,795-
21-12-202527-12-2025AUD $ 1,865-
11-01-202617-01-2026AUD $ 1,960-
08-02-202614-02-2026AUD $ 1,960-
01-03-202607-03-2026AUD $ 1,960-
15-03-202621-03-2026AUD $ 1,960-
12-04-202618-04-2026AUD $ 1,885-
14-06-202620-06-2026AUD $ 1,885-
12-07-202618-07-2026AUD $ 1,885-
09-08-202615-08-2026AUD $ 1,960-
11-10-202617-10-2026AUD $ 1,885-
08-11-202614-11-2026AUD $ 1,885-
06-12-202612-12-2026AUD $ 1,960-
20-12-202626-12-2026AUD $ 1,960-

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights) Hammocks or Bunks (3 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map