Privacy Policy

Colombia

Classic Colombia / Land of Coffee & Tayrona / Archeology & History / By the Sea / Nature Tour
Bogota / Cartagena / Amazon / Coffee Region / Pacific Region / Guajira / Rosario Islands
Tayrona Park / San Agustin / Ciudad Perdida Trek / Los Nevados Trek / Guajira Adventure

Trekking Ciudad Perdida Archeological Park + Caribbean Island Beach

The lost city, discovered in 1975 by treasure hunters after being abandoned during the long war with the Spanish Conquers, is thought to have been the capital of the Tayrona district, built between the 11th or 14th centuries although its roots go back as far as the 7th century (years before Machu Picchu the ancient city in Peru was built). The Tayronas were leaders in gold work and many gold pieces you can find in any gold museum through out Colombia will be from the Tayrona culture.

To reach the Lost City and return is a journey that lasts for up to 6 days, trekking through breathtaking thick lush jungle, crossing flowing creeks and travelling along mountain range with an altitude reaching at most around 1,300 meters above sea level. Once you reach the entrance to the lost city you will embark on a number of stone steps set amidst the jungle floor and upon entering the city you will see the formation of the city overgrown with vegetation, its 169 terraces, cleverly built stone pathways, and forward thinking irrigation systems. Here you can also see the Kogi, Arsario and Arhuaco Indians, descents of the Tayrona which now occupy the area, and who were visiting the area well before it was discovered by the looters in the 70’s. The Lost city is truly breathtaking to visit and experience, although the hike is not for the light hearted. Travel to the Lost City must be with a guided tour.

Day 1 - You will get picked up from the airport in Santa Marta (connection to Santa Marta not included) and taken to your hotel Santorini, in front of the beach.
Hotel: Santorini, Santa Marta
Meals: None

Day 2 - Leave the city of Santa Marta at 9.00 am for a 2.5 hour journey to the beginning of our hike at the town of Machete. Here we will begin the first leg of our hike of 3.5 hours through the spectacular Sierra Mountains, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the World! We will stop for a Light lunch along side the River Mamey where we can also bathe in the refreshing waters and relax before continuing. In the afternoon we will arrive to Camp 1 of our journey where we will install hammocks and spend the night here with a dinner and rest.

Day 3 – At 7.30 am we will have breakfast, and continue hiking the Sierra for approximately 4.5 hours during which we will visit some indigenous villages of the Koguis and Mutanyi. Later we can enjoy bathing in the river before arriving to Camp 2, where we will install hammocks, eat lunch and enjoy the river Buritaca. Here we will chat about the Tayrona Culture before dinner and rest.

Day 4 – Arise at 6.30am for breakfast and continue the journey of approximately 5.5 hours. We will visit along the way the indigenous town of Koskuguena and later continue along the river facing one of the most magical, mysterious and mystical, thousand year old locations where we will ascend up to 1.183 meters until we encounter the Lost City (arriving approximately at 3 pm). Once we arrive we will settle ourselves and eat dinner and rest.

Day 5 – After breakfast, we will take a circuit of the historical city. After lunch we can bathe in the lost city’s creeks and rest for the afternoon to contemplate and enjoy the tropical jungle around us.

Day 6 – After breakfast we will begin our journey at 7.00am to Camp 2. Once we arrive we will lunch and afterwards continue a journey of approximately 7 hours to arrive to Camp 1 (arriving at approximately 4.30 pm) where we will eat and rest.

Day 7 – Breakfast and leave for the town of Machete, bathing in the River Mamey before heading back to Santa Marta where you will be taken back to the Hotel Santorini.

Day 8 - You will get picked up from the hotel in Santa Marta and taken to your hotel in Cartagena by a public van. You can do an optional city tour in Cartagena: a tour by passing through the old town of Cartagena before visiting the old monastery La Popa which overlooks Cartagena Bay and represents much of Cartagena's history. Afterwards explore the mighty Fortress of San Felipe, which once defended attacking pirates. The tour takes 4 hours and has an English speaking guide.
Hotel: Tres Banderas, Cartagena
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - In the morning you will have to go on your own to the port and take your boat to the Rosario Islands. There you will check in the hotel and relax on the beach.
Hotel: Isla del Pirata, Rosario Islands
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 - You will be taken back by boat from the Rosario Islands to Cartagena and take a Taxi to your hotel Tres Banderas.
Hotel: Tres Banderas, Cartagena
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 - Your driver will pick you up from the hotel to take you to the airport in Cartagena (flight to Bogota not included).
Meals: Breakfast

2011 Price per person in US$:

Optional Extras (per person in US$:

High Season: 15th of July - 30th of August, 15th of December - 20th of January 2012
Prices valid until 20th of January 2012.

Included:
Hotels with breakfast and taxes included, Meals as mentioned
Transfers with Spanish speaking drivers
24/7 Support during your trip (Email, Phone, Mobile, Chat)

Not Included:
International Flights , National flights (Bogota - Santa Marta; Cartagena - Bogota)
Meals not mentioned
Guided Tours not mentioned
Tips and Personal Expenses