Lost City Trek
Discover the secrets of Colombia
- 8 nights
-
Up to 12 hikers (on average 8)
- Jungle huts and Jungle Lodges
- Colombia
- Possible year round
- Moderate
From £1700
Join us in one of the most exciting and diverse countries in South America. Here you can hike through the Jungle meeting indiginous tribes and swimming in waterfalls on your way up to discover the Lost City of Colombia.
This is a 5 day moderate hike. The Lost City is an ancient Tyrona settlement high up in the Sierra Nevada Jungle. The accommodation is basic but gives you access to this incredible destination. You will meet locals who still live in this area and are excited to share their stories with you. You will have an English/Spanish speaking guide for the duration of the trip who can translate all the stories of this region for you.
Although this hike doesn’t have any altitude to contend with it is incredibly hot and there are lots of steep ups and downs making it a good challenge.
After the trek you will be whisked off to a luxury Jungle lodge where you can relax for a few days after the trek.
You will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Caribbean beaches where you can relax, enjoy a massage and a few cocktails. You will also get to visit an organic chocolate farm and relax in natural pools with jungle waterfalls. There will be delicious home cooked food throughout your stay at the lodge.
If you would like to extend your stay then we can arrange many more activities for you. Just get in touch to find out more.
Lose yourself, find yourself, start a new Journey!
Included
1 Night shared accommodation Santa Marta
3 Nights shared accommodation in the Jungle
5 day Lost City Trek
English Speaking guide on trek
Ground Transport
Day at Caribbean Beach
Tour of nature reserve and museum
Visit to Cocoa Farm and chocolate therapy
AdAstra Guide
Three meals per day (not including dinner in Santa Marta)
Not Included
Flights to Colombia
Dinners Santa Marta
Alcohol
Additional Snack / Drinks
Visa into Colombia
Tips for Staff
Personal travel and medical insurance
Spending money for souvenirs
Any activities not mentioned
Itinerary
What to expect day to day
Private pick up from Santa Marta airport
Relax in Santa Marta and meet the rest of the team
Dinner at one of Santa Marta’s top restaurants
Get ready for the Start of the hike
You will be picked up from the hotel after breakfast. It’s then a 2.5 hour drive to Mamey where we will have lunch. After lunch we begin the 4.5 hour trek to camp one.
Today you will hike through the Buritaca River Valley and you will pass through a village of Kogui people (the indigenous people), who inhabit the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. Arrive at camp 3 in the afternoon.
Today you will wake up early and begin to climb 1200 steps to the lost city. After enjoying time at the lost city begin to hike back to camp3 for lunch. After lunch you will hike down to camp 2 where you will spend the night.
After breakfast start the hike back to camp 1.
We’ll arrive at camp for lunch. You can spend the afternoon enjoying the jungle, and swimming in the river.
After breakfast we will hike back down to Mamey in time for lunch
After lunch we will get private transfers to our Luxury Jungle Lodge. Enjoy hot showers and relax poolside before a sunset cocktail and welcome dinner.
After a delicious breakfast you will be driven to the sandy white beach Concha one of the beaches of Tyrona National Park.
Enjoy a massage, cocktails and a swim in the warm sea. At the end of the day come back to the lodge and enjoy a sunset cocktail before dinner.
After breakfast we’ll take 4×4’s into the jungle to discover a nature reserve and organic cocoa farm
In the morning we will learn about the conservation work happening to protect the Sierra Nevada
In the afternoon, explore an organic Cocoa farm, learn how to make chocolate and finish the day with Chocolate face mask.
After breakfast relax poolside and enjoy your last hours before being taken to the airport or back to Santa Marta to continue exploring Colombia.
Get in touch if you would like to extend your stay and would like help putting together an itinerary.
The Trek
The trek accommodation is very basic, consisting on bunk beds with mosquito nets. No development has been allowed on this route to protect it and to sustain it.
Jungle Lodge
After the trek come and relax at this amazing jungle lodge. Tucked away from the tourist you will have your own little bit of paradise. Delicious home cooked food, jungle bar and pool are waiting for you.
Expedition Kit list
Our comprehensive kit list has been created to ensure you have the right kit for the hike. This will make your trip more enjoyable and comfortable. For specific advice please get in touch, or speak to a specialist outdoor retailer.
General
- Passport plus travel documents and photocopies: These can be stored securely at the hotel during the trek
- Rucksack: 30l – 40l
- Bag to leave in hotel
- Sleeping Bag Liner: It will be too hot for a sleeping bag but a liner will give extra protection from the mosquitos
- LED Headtorch: For use in the evening. Bring spare batteries.
- Trekking Poles: Highly recommended *
- Camera: Plus memory & spare batteries
- Personal Entertainment: Music, books, cards, diary, notepad and pen.
Head & hands
- Sunglasses: Cat 3 or 4, 100% UVA/UVB
- Sun Hat: Essential
- Buff – Essential against the dust and sun
- Scarf to dip in water to cool you off
Upper Body
- Waterproof Jacket: Lightweight and breathable. e.g. GoreTex
- Baselayers – T-shirts or lightweight long sleeve shirts (not cotton); Lighter colours are better.
Legs & feet
- Hiking Boots/Hiking Trainers: Comfortable and waterproof with good ankle support. Quick drying.
- Sandals: For crossing the rivers
- Socks: 2 – 3 pairs of lightweight trekking socks.
- Walking Trousers: Comfortable lightweight and quick drying
- Walking Shorts: Ideal if you like walking in shorts.
- Swimming Costume: For enjoying the fresh water pools.
Hygiene Food and Toiletries
- Water Bottles: 1 litre water bottle or Camelbak.
- Suncream & Lip Protection: Essential: High SPF (30+)
- Anti-bacterial Hand Gel
- Wash Kit: Wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste and travel towel.
- Toilet Paper
- Snacks: To supplement the food provided. 1 – 2 per day is enough. High energy lightweight and tasty.
- First Aid Kit: Your mountain Guide will carry a comprehensive group first aid kit. A small blister/first aid kit of your own is advised. Compeed / Second skin plasters, painkillers (Paracetamol and Ibuprofen), zinc oxide tape, powdered rehydration sachet, antibacterial foot powder plus any personal medication you need.
- Small repair kit: Gaffer tape, needle and thread, zip ties and para-cord are useful for little repairs.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
This is a challenging hike due to the heat of the Caribbean and the many ups and downs. The hike doesn’t have any altitude to contend with and with a good base level of fitness should be achievable by most people.
You will be provided with safe drinking water on the trail. Do not drink the water from the rivers or swimming holes.
This hike is accessible throughout the year except in September when they tend to close the trail to allow it to recover.
The trail is very well controlled with limited numbers of hikers allowed access each day. This makes this one of the quietest hikes we do.
The more water you can drink the better. You will need to drink a lot more than usual as it is so hot throughout the day. We recommend 4 -5 liters per day
No you can enjoy a few day disconnected from wifi. In an emergency your guide will have access to a local phone.
There are no plugs so solar chargers and battery packs are the only way to recharge your cameras and phones.
The bathrooms are basic but useable. There are no showers but lots of opportunities to go jump into rivers or pools of water.
FIT TO SUMMIT
We have been asked many times over the years how do I get fit for my adventure?
We have answered your calls and teamed up with Anthony Richardson to deliver you a 12 week pre challenge fitness programme aimed at getting you ready for your adventure.
Find out more about the programme and if it will be right for you.
Similar Trips
Why AdAstra
Colombia was the first destination AdAstra took guests to after founder Kat fell in love with the country. It’s a country she knows incredibly well and loves to take guests. It’s a destination that people fall in love with and want to return to as there is so much to explore.
- Small groups of adventurers
- Team of passionate local guides
- Your AdAstra guide there to look after all your needs.
Is the Lost City for you?
This is a low level hike but it’s challenge comes from the heat of Caribbean. It is also undulating meaning there are many ups and downs. However as it is less well known and has heavy restrictions there are far fewer people on the trail meaning you can really feel like you are hiking in the Wilderness.
- Sierra Nevada Jungle Hike
- It takes 5 days to complete the hike.
- Relax at a luxury jungle lodge post trek