The Lost City Trek Colombia (Ciudad Perdida)
When I decided I wanted to visit Santa Marta in Colombia I was told that one of the best hikes in Colombia was located close by and as I love hiking, I decided I had to find time to fit this hike in, the Lost City Trek Colombia. Instead of staying in Santa Marta I stayed in a little fishing village nearby called Taganga and stayed in La Tortuga Hostel. As soon as I got there I explained that I wanted to do La Ciudad Perdida trek and got booked in for the tour leaving the next day.
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When to do La Ciudad Perdida Colombia trek
The lost city colombia trek can be done at any time of the year, though the most popular time is during the dry season which runs from December until early March. The wet season is the rest of the year. I personally did the hike at the end of May and we didn’t have any rain. It was beautiful weather though a little too hot at times and there is not much shade at all during the trek.
Where is the lost city in Colombia
The Lost City is found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia, near the town of Santa Marta on the Caribbean Coast. It is located high in the jungle and it is a 23km trek to get to it.
Getting to Santa Marta
If you are planning on going to Santa Marta from Bogota, then the best option is to fly as it only takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, if you get the bus then it will take 16 hours.
From Medellin to Santa Marta it is 1 hour 10 minutes flying or by bus it is 16 hours.
From Cartagena to Santa Marta it is 4 hours by bus.
About the Lost City – Ciudad Perdida
Known by the local people as Teyuna, ciudad perdida was the central village in a network inhabited by their ancestors the Tairona’s who date back to the 1st century AD.
There are 169 terraces that have been carved into the hillside with small plaza areas, linked by stone paths. It is believed that this was the political and manufacturing area of the Tairona’s and was inhabited until the spanish conquest.
The Lost City Hike Colombia
My tour was with Wiwa Tour which is the only indigenous tour agency with indigenous tour guides showing you the area where they are from. Our guide Celso from Wiwa tours was amazing and answered all the questions that we had for him.
I was picked up from my hostel after I had finished packing for the hike and we were then taken to the starting point of our hike, where we had lunch before setting off to complete our 7.6km hike for the day. Our guide showed us a map of the area and explained where we would be hiking, basically up and down mountains and river crossings to get to the Lost City a total round trip of 46.6km in days.
They do offer 5-6 day tours, but you are still covering the same distance, meaning that normally by lunch time your hike is finished for the day.
The first day it was very hot and we had the steepest climb of the trek, it was hard going, all up hill for a few hours but eventually we made it to the top and the views were amazing.
After a little rest it was then downhill all the way to the river, where we would stay for the evening. There were freezing showers available as the water was coming from the river but it was nice to get clean after hiking in the heat all day. It is also possible to relax in the river in some of the shallower pools as we finished hiking around 4pm.
I do not recommend washing any clothes on this trek, the towel I used never got dry the whole trek despite it being always hung on the washing line at every campsite due to the humidity.
We then sat down and had dinner before getting into our beds for the night. Some of the sites only have hammocks but we had bunk beds that are outside but it is very hot and humid and just a sheet and mosquito net was sufficient.
The next morning it was up early for breakfast before setting off on our next day of hiking.
Today would be our longest day of hiking and yet again it was another uphill climb, to the top of another mountain. The days were so warm and in parts very little shelter from the sun, but the views of the surrounding valleys were just amazing. We went past local villages and saw a few children playing around, who were especially fascinated with our cameras and seeing pictures of themselves!!
It was then back down hill to the river, where we would again camp for the night. Again there was the option of showers, I think this one was the coldest, piped straight from the river as the water was nearer the source it was colder, I couldn’t help but scream every time I had to get under it to rinse the shampoo out of my hair!! Once again we had a great dinner before another early night as we were up early again in the morning.
On our 3rd day we were up in the morning before a short walk, then a river crossing and finally arriving at the foot of Ciudad Perdida (the Lost City Colombia).
We are now at Parque Arqueologico Tayrona and to get to Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) we had a climb of 1,200 steps, very hard going in the heat but worth it once we got to the top.
We arrived at La Ciudad Perdida (the lost city site) and our guide showed us around and explained that the Tayrona people built it over 1,000 years ago, making it older than some of the other ruins I have been to, Machu Picchu and Choquequirao, and named it Teyuna. It is certainly one of the Best Hikes in South America that I have done. After the Spanish invaded South America, the indigenous people were forced high into the Sierra Nevada until their cities were abandoned. It was a ceremonial centre and was only “discovered” again when grave robbers found gold in the 1970’s. It is a beautiful place and the views are amazing.
It was then time to start the hike back along the same route, and just one more night staying in the bunk beds with mosquito nets.
I really enjoyed this 4 day hike and I agree that it is one of the best hikes in south america, the views were amazing but it was quite tough on the legs with the uphill and downhill parts but so worth it when you get there. If you are in the area it is must do hike.
After this hike the next day I decided to visit Tayrona National Park, it is a beautiful area with amazing beaches and some good hiking.
The Lost City Trek Colombia Packing List
For the Lost City trek Colombia 4 days, you don’t want to take many things. It is 3 nights/4 days and you will need to carry all your own belongings on this trip.
This packing list is based on what I took and what I wished I had taken with me:
- 15 Litre Backpack – The bigger the rucksack the more you will pack!!
- Microfiber towel
- Sunscreen
- Sunhat
- Mosquito spray or Mosquito Repellent Bracelets
- External charger – Some of the places have electricity but best to make sure you can charge your things
- Camera
- Water filtration bottle – They do provide boiled water every evening but to be sure the water is safe to drink I would recommend using a filtered water bottle.
- Torch – You will need this to go to the toilet during the night.
- Hiking Poles – These will certainly help you go up and down the steep hills.
- Hiking Boots
- Bikini – If you want to go cool down in the river
- 3 pairs of Underwear
- Bra or Sportsbra
- 2 pairs of socks
- 1 pair of Shorts – It is hot during the day so it’s nice to keep cool
- 4 tshirts
Where to stay before doing this hike
The main starting point for this hike is in Santa Marta on the caribbean coast of Colombia. I stayed in Taganga which is closer to the start of the hike, so it’s possible to get picked up from there on the way.
Santa Marta
La Guaca Hostel – This hostel is located just outside the centre of Santa Marta and around a 10 minute walk from the beach but the detail to the decoration in the rooms and the outdoor pool and hammocks area makes up for it. Breakfast is included and there is a fully fitted kitchen for guest use. Click here for more details and pricing.
La Brisa Loca Hostel – This hostel is located in the historic centre of Santa Marta and has an indoor and outdoor pool, a bar and restaurant located on the amazing rooftop terrace. Click here for more details and pricing.
Taganga
Cielo Hostel – Is located just a few minutes away from the beach and has an amazing view of the Taganga bay from the terrace. The hostel has a fully equipped kitchen and there is the option of dorm beds or private rooms. Click here for more details and pricing.
Hostel Nirvana Taganga – This hostel is just a couple of blocks from the beach and boasts a swimming pool, bar and restaurant. There are amazing views from the rooftop terrace of the bay and great areas to hangout and relax. Click here for more details and pricing.
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Colombia is quite a hotspot these days. This looks like a challenging but doable hike. What fitness level would you need to make it comfortably?
You don’t have to be superfit, there were people in my group who don’t hike often but we still had plently of time to go slow for them and get to camp before dark 🙂
This hike sounds amazing! I’d love to do a less-busy big trek like this. I bet the views were mind-blowing in person – and a great company to go with. Thanks for postin!
That looks like a strenuous hike, but totally worth it for the views! I probably would have had the biggest problem with the mosquitos as I always end up getting bit the most. Must be something about my blood. I would love to try this someday though!
That hike looks quite demanding. The views look really nice. I had never heard about La Ciudad Perdida till now. Thanks for that. However I definitely did not want to be near those mosquitoes .
That looked like a challenging yet fun hike. Did you come with the group, or found it there? I love that the tour company is indigenous owned, not just staffed. Your photos are awesome.
It was the company recommended by my hostel when I got there. I wasn’t able to book the hike in advance so did it the day before when I arrived at the hostel 🙂
Nice lenght hike for four days! But 1200 steps?? I admire you. I think I would be just rolling back – dum, dum, dum 😀
Those views are gorgeous! I can only imagine they look even better in person and the hike seems well worth it. After the rest of my travel this year, I might be ready for a hike of this level by spring.
Wow this looks incredible! A 7km hike isn’t too bad and it looks like it was a good hike. I don’t know if I would be able to handle the full 46km hike to the Lost City though! I have heard great things about Colombia – looks like it’s a must visit.
Yeah it’s a great hike to do. You have the option of doing it in 4, 5 or 6 days. The longer ones you just do less hiking each day 🙂
Wow, I love hiking so this will definitely be added to my bucket list! Your photos look great, thank you for sharing your experience! <3
I’m not sure how cold the water would be but if you’re screaming then I guess it would be ice cold. Lol. This hike looks like a great adventure. 🙂
What a unique opportunity! It’s really nice to see info about Colombia that doesn’t just cover Bogota and Cartagena.
So awesome that you chose an indigenous tour company that directly helped the locals!! Your photos of your hike are amazing, looks like it was a blast!
I hadn’t thought about visiting Columbia but it looks spectacular. A 46km hike is quite an accomplishment. It’s with articles like this that you realize the world is such a beautiful place.
It looks amazing! Would you recommend training in advance or would someone reasonably fit manage?
If you were reasonably fit you would manage, I didn’t train for it 🙂
wow! That sounds like quite the trip. I have never been big into hiking – but I need to change my ways. I am clearly missing a big part of the world.
It is my dream to do this hike someday! What an amazing experience. Right now, we travel with a toddler in tow, so it will be awhile before we will get to do this. But it looks fabulous!
When I went to Machu Picchu I read a book about the men who discovered it. It must have been so amazing to be the adventurer who stumbled upon these fabulous cities left in ruins. I have to one day have the chance to explore more of them.
This sounds like an amazing hike! I’ve never done any longer than a day but the overnight experiences sound like a fun adventure and it also seems like a great way to meet people! Not to mention the views look spectacular!
That sounds like such an incredible hike, and so exhausting too! I don’t know how you managed it, but those views look like it was totally worth it!
What a great experience! I love hiking in the jungle but I’ve never done more than a day hike. The views are so amazing (if you can survive the heat)! Your pictures are beautiful.
This hike sounds challenging, but amazing and so worth the view at the end. I really enjoy being in the outdoors hiking. It always feels that the obstacles don’t seem so bad after you get to the top.
What an amazing trek! I didn’t know there were lost cities like that in Colombia. While I am not a fan of heat, I do love hiking and adventures, and this sounds like it might be right up my alley. I love that you had indigenous guide to explain what you were looking at. The more I hear about Colombia, the more I want to go.
This looks so fun! I have done some hiking in South America, but not yet in Colombia, and I really want to. I also love that this Lost City is less touristy than the other Lost City that tourists tend to flock to!
I commend you for doing such a challenging hike. I find anything more than 1-2 km challenging! The meals look really good, especially the fish fry. I have wanted to head to Colombia for awhile now. Your photos look incredible.
What an adventure! This looks incredible, although very hard work. Columbia is so beautiful and to get to see areas like this that are off the beaten track is s special. I love to hike, although I imagine I’d have to be quite a bit fitter to complete this hike!
I have to say I love reading your adventures and this hike looked very challenging but looked worth it all having looked at your pictures. I have really hiked in a jungle before but you really do deliver a great argument to add it on to the list of things I need to do.
I loved the landscape view of the lush green mountains. I dont think I will go for this hike as I have major knee issues…and hence, may thanks for the pictures. At least I have been able to get a glimpse of this awesome place through your post…thanks for sharing.