Arrival in Santa Marta
Santa Marta is a coastal city in northern Colombia, located on the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in South America, founded in 1525, and serves as a gateway to stunning natural and cultural attractions. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains and tropical beaches, Santa Marta offers access to Tayrona National Natural Park, indigenous communities, and historical sites such as the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, where Simón Bolívar spent his last days. The city blends colonial heritage with Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous cultures, creating a rich and authentic travel experience.

Upon arrival in Santa Marta, transfer (30-45 min.) to a centrally located hotel. On the evening, briefing and preparations for the coming trek.
Included meals: None

Lost City – Trekking: “Donde Adan” lodge (480 m)
The Lost City Trek is one of Colombia’s most iconic and unforgettable adventures. Nestled deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, this multi-day hike takes travelers through lush rainforests, pristine rivers, and remote Indigenous villages to reach Ciudad Perdida—an ancient archaeological site older than Machu Picchu. Built by the Tayrona civilization around the 9th century, the Lost City features stone terraces, ceremonial plazas, and breathtaking views.

Morning pick-up at the hotel and transfer in 4WD vehicles, driving northeast along the Caribbean coast. After 1 to 1.5 hours, we leave the paved road—and this is where the adventure begins! After approximately a 1-hour drive on a dirt road through a beautiful landscape, we reach the village of El Mamey (150 m), also known as Machete Pelado. Lunch will be served upon arrival, and then the hike to Ciudad Perdida begins.

This day’s hike is exposed to the sun or rain, so it is important to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Tropical fruits will be offered along the trek. The group will follow the river trail, which is a more pleasant walk than the main road. This path follows the Quebrada del Alto Mamey river valley for about one hour and then ascends steeply (1.5 hours) to El Mirador pass (640 m), which offers a fantastic view over the town of Mamey and the Buritaca River.

From this point, the trail descends steadily (1.5 hours) to the Quebrada Honduras river, where Donde Adán lodge is located. It is possible to take a refreshing swim in a beautiful natural river pool near the lodge. Dinner will be served in this rustic accommodation.

Overnight in hammocks or bunk beds.

Ascent: 490 m / Descend: 160 m / Highest altitude: 640 m / Distance: 8,9 Km / Activity duration: 4 h

Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE LOST CITY TREK:

Yearly closures:

– The Lost City trek closes once a year for Indigenous religious ceremonies. This usually occurs in September and typically lasts for the entire month.

If you are planning your trip around this time of year, please contact us to confirm the exact restricted dates, as they may vary slightly from one year to the next.

– This itinerary reflects the standard program but may be subject to change due to weather conditions and/or force majeure events.

Trekking: “Paso Lorenzo” lodge (806 m)
This is the longest day of the Lost City trek. After an early breakfast, the ascent begins immediately, following a well-marked trail that gently gains elevation up to the Mumake Pass (680 m). Before reaching the pass, hikers will cross an invisible border between the lands of the Colonos (peasants not originally from the area) and the territory of the Kogi (an Indigenous people). From this point onward, the trek continues through an area protected and governed by this tribe.

The region is also home to Wiwa communities—Indigenous people originally from another part of the Sierra—who have since settled in these valleys and now operate some of the local lodges. A noticeable shift occurs here: expansive farmland gives way to a more pristine and less exploited environment.

From the pass, the trail descends quickly into the Buritaca River valley (430 m), where the trek’s only Kogi settlement, Montangi, is located. This is a great opportunity to observe and appreciate local traditions and ways of life.

After about an hour, a hanging bridge crosses the river, leading to a second ascent (approx. 2 hours) up to Koskunguena Pass (824 m), before descending again to the Buritaca River (743 m), and finally reaching the rustic lodge Paso Lorenzo (806 m), where you’ll spend the night. This lodge, located beside the river, is an ideal spot to relax and enjoy a refreshing swim.

Overnight in hammocks or bunk beds.

To Mumake pass: Ascent: 200 m / Descend: 250 m / Highest altitude: 680 m
To Koskunguena pass: Ascent: 394 m / Descend to Buritaca River: 77 m / Highest altitude: 824 m / Distance in all: 12.94 Km / Activity duration: 6 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Trekking: Lost City (1175 m)
We depart very early, continuing along the same trail, crossing and following the banks of the Buritaca River for about 40 minutes until we reach a second crossing. Once on the other side, the ascent begins along a steep stone path, leading to the first terraces of the Lost City (1,175 m).

From this point, a journey through time begins, taking us to one of the most fascinating archaeological sites from Colombia’s pre-Hispanic era. The Lost City of the Tayronas—originally known as Teyuna—is internationally renowned and is one of the three great citadels of the vanished Tayrona civilization. Teyuna is the only one discovered so far, and thus the only one partially restored.

The Tayrona cities were connected through an intricate network of roads, linking the Caribbean coast with the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The Tayrona had a highly developed social structure and an efficient system for exchanging products and goods among settlements.

Although there is no definitive information about the specific role of Teyuna in Tayrona society, it is believed to have been both a religious sanctuary and a political center. During the 3-hour visit to the archaeological complex, you will explore different types of terraces and how their placement reflected social hierarchy and designated functions.

During the visit, it is also possible to see the house of a Mamo Kogi (shaman), who continues to preserve his people’s traditions and cosmology.

After the visit, the hike continues to the “El Paraíso” lodge for lunch, and then resumes (4 hours), following the same trail as the previous day but continuing further. You’ll cross a suspension bridge and descend through the Buritaca River valley, passing once again through the Kogui settlement of “Montangi” before reaching the “Mumake” lodge (389 m), located at the foot of the Mumake Pass. Overnight in hammocks.

Overnight in hammocks or bunk beds.

To Lost City: Ascent: 369 m / Descend back to lodge: 369 m / Highest altitude: 1175 m / Distance one-way: 2,4 Km / Activity duration: 5 hours including a 2 hours visit.
Ascent to Koskunguena pass: 77 m / Descend to “Mumake” lodge: 481 m / Highest altitude: 870 m / Distance one-way: 7,64 Km / Activity duration: 4 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner

Trekking: El Mamey (150 m) – Santa Marta
Last trekking day! From “Mumake” lodge (389 m), the ascent being right from the front step, leading up to “Mumake” pass (680 M) and after descending to “Quebrada Honduras” river to ascent (1,5 h) to the last pass: “EL Mirador” (640 m) and then to the final destination “El Mamey” town (150 m). Upon arrival there will be lunch and then a transfer to hotel in Santa Marta (2-2,5 h).
Night in hotel.
Ascent to Mumake pass: 291 m / Descend to “Donde Adan” lodge: 200 m / Ascent to El Mirador pass: 160 m / Descend: 490 m / Highest altitude: 680 m / Distance: 14,2 Km / Activity duration: 4-5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic

Departure from Santa Marta
Pick-up at hotel and transfer to Santa Marta’s airport (30-45 min).
End of services.
Included meals: Breakfast