Lost City Trek
Panoramic view from Lost City Trek

Lost City Trek

6 days

Cozy town streets on the beginning of the Lost City Trek in ColombiaLost City Trek in Colombia is often considered to be the highlight of Colombia and can be only reached by footBeautiful local village along the trail of Lost City Trek in ColombiaLost City Trek in Colombia is a wonderful trail and a must seeThe path to the Lost City is well maintainedLost City Trek in Colombia is a must do for all the hiking lovers in South AmericaLost City Trek in Colombia is a great introductional walk to the Sierra Nevada del Santa MartaFriendly local met on Lost City Trek in ColombiaExpansive valleys of the Sierra Nevada del Santa Marta on Lost City Trek in ColombiaSwimming under the waterfall on Lost City Trek in Colombia

Trek to the Lost City of the Tayronas in Colombia

There are only two ways to reach the Lost City of the Tayronas in Colombia: by helicopter or by foot. The Lost City trek is an incredible trekking adventure through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in Colombia, leading to a fascinating archaeological site: The Lost City of the Tayronas.

Travel back in time through the untouched landscape of the world’s highest coastal mountain range, experiencing the rain forest much the same way as the indigenous people of this region have for centuries. Learn more about their way of life as you journey to explore what remains of a lost civilization. The Lost City is a wonder to behold, and your journey there prepares you to experience it fully. Don’t miss this guided trekking tour full of adventure and discovery. Book your Lost City trekking tour today!

Highlights of The Lost City Trek

Hike through the incredible Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, the world’s highest coastal range.
Experience the untouched, protected wilderness governed by the indigenous Kogi tribe.
Explore the Lost City of the Tayronas archaeological site and learn more about its fascinating history.
Learn more about local indigenous cultures in Colombia, including the Kogi and Wiwa tribes.

Prices

From $965USD
6 days
Difficulty
Guided
Hotels / Camping
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Lost City Trek

Lost City Trek Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Santa Marta

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.
Overnight Location: Hotel Casa Carolina, Santa Marta
Distance: N/A
Meals: None

Day 2 Trek to Donde Adan Lodge

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.
Overnight Location: Donde Adan Lodge (480 m/1,574’)
Distance: 4 hours, 8.9 km, 490 m of ascent, 160 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Trek to El Paraiso Lodge, Crossing Mumake Pass

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.
Overnight Location: El Paraiso Lodge (870 m/2,854’)
Distance: 7-8 hours, 13.6 km, 721 m of ascent, 327 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Trek to the Lost City

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.
Overnight Location: Mumake Lodge (389 m/1,276’)
Distance: 6 hours, 9.4 km, 382 m of ascent, 786 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Trek to El Mamey Town, Drive to Santa Marta

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.
Overnight Location: Hotel Casa Carolina, Santa Marta
Distance: 4-5 hours, 14.2 km, 451 m of ascent, 690 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Transfer to Santa Marta Airport, Departure Day

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!
Overnight Location: N/A
Distance: N/A
Meals: Breakfast

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Lost City Trekking Tour Price and Dates

Pricing for this guided Lost City Trekking Tour is usually run as a private tour for your group only.

The prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room.

  • Guided Groups of 2-3: from $1,425 USD per person*
  • Guided Groups of 4-5: from $1,195 USD per person*
  • Guided Groups of 6+: from $965 USD per person*

* Pricing for this tour depends on the size of your group, as well as your travelling dates. Please click the Book Now button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.

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Accommodation on the Lost City Trekking Tour

Accommodations on this trekking tour are in mountain lodges where you will sleep in hammocks, or mattresses when available. Before and after your trek, stay in a 4-star hotel in the city of Santa Marta.

In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Hotel Casa Carolina in Santa Marta ★★★★

Enjoy relaxing luxury in Santa Marta’s quiet historic district. The beach is nearby, but the hotel has so many amenities you may not want to leave it.

Night 2-4

Hammocks at lodges along the trail

Trek in the beautiful rainforest of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and sleep in hammocks in lodges along the trail of the Lost City.

Hotel Casa Carolina in Santa Marta ★★★★

Enjoy relaxing luxury in Santa Marta’s quiet historic district. The beach is nearby, but the hotel has so many amenities you may not want to leave it.

What’s included in the Lost City Trekking Tour?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners are included on your tour.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 5 nights along the tour are included as described. You will stay in mountain lodges along the trek and in a 4-star hotel in Santa Marta before and after your trek.

Transportation during the Tour

  • Airport transfers
  • Transportation to and from the trailhead in shared transportation

Also Included

  • Local English-speaking trekking guide
  • Lost City entrance fee
  • Hammocks or mattresses for the trek (mattress availability not guaranteed)
  • Cook for campsite
  • Pack animals for carrying personal luggage

Not included

  • Transportation from Bogota to/from Santa Marta. Expect to pay $250 to $300 USD for these flights.
  • Separate airport transfers in case of multiple arrivals/departures
  • Tips
  • Personal equipment and expenses
  • Insurance
  • Anything else not listed as included

Frequently Asked Questions about Lost City Trek

Andes World Travel is a boutique adventure tour operator, founded by mountaineers, grown out of a love for adventure and first-hand knowledge of the Andes region. They offer a wide range of tours throughout South America, including both adventure tours and cultural tours.

Andes World Travel offers climbing, trekking, and hiking tours with an emphasis on safety and professionalism. They also offer “light trekking” trips for less experienced adventurers.

The company runs tours in Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Peru. They focus on sustainable practices and are more than willing to customize their tours to client’s wishes.

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Lost City Trek Map

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Is this tour for me?

We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. You should be able to hike for up to 8 hours but most of the trails are not strenuous and most of the hiking is under 1,000 m of elevation.

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