Lost City of Colombia

Welcome to Santa Marta, the first stop on your Colombian adventure. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Santa Marta where you will be able to relax and freshen up before making the most of your free time for the rest of the day. Founded in 1525, Santa Marta was the first Spanish settlement in South America and has been nicknamed the ‘Pearl of America’ thanks to its stunning location. Take a wander through the city and see what you think of this legendary city.

Santa Marta - El Mamey - Adan's Camp. Now the real fun begins as Day 2 marks the start of your hike that will eventually take you all the way to the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City). Our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby this morning and you will drive north in a 4x4 vehicle to the town of El Mamey, the start of the trekking route. Depending on the departure time today, lunch will be taken at a local restaurant on the road to El Mamey or after the first walk at Adan’s camp.Today you will trek for a total of around three hours, stopping along the way to take a dip in the Gorge of Honduras, a beautiful natural pool. Your final stop for the day is Adan’s camp where dinner will be served and you will spend the night in a hammock.

Adan's Camp - Paraiso Camp. Time for a hearty breakfast as you are about to embark on a hike through some of Colombia’s most beautiful deep forest (approximately 8 hours). Roughly halfway through today’s hike you will pass through Mutanyi, a meeting town of the Koguis people. Here, you will have the chance to interact with the locals in order to learn more about their community, history and traditions. This is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique culture. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to take a dip in the nearby Rio Buritaca before heading to dinner and then to bed in Paraiso Camp.

Paraiso Camp - The Lost City - Numake Camp. After an early breakfast, you are back on the road and the first challenge of the day presents itself in the form of 1,200 stone steps, which lead to the much anticipated Lost City. Built by the Tayronas between 500 and 700 AD, the Ciudad Perdida is around 800 years older than Peru’s Machu Picchu and was probably the capital of the region at the time. The site comprises 169 stepped terraces, which have been carved into the side of the mountain, a series of tiled roads and some small circular plazas that show the harmony between the Tayrona civilisation and nature.

In 1972 the city was discovered by treasure hunters and is now a major archaeological site. Once you have finished exploring everything the ancient city has to offer, it’s time to head back to Paraiso camp to freshen up and have some lunch. After lunch, you continue trekking back to Numake Camp where you spend the night.

Numake Camp - Adan's Camp / Alfredo Camp. Today is spent trekking back through the jungle to the Adan's Camp or Alfredo Camp. Upon arrival you will have the opportunity to take a dip in the nearby Gorge of Honduras before heading to dinner.

Adan's Camp - Tayrona. After breakfast you will walk back to the Mamey region, where your trek comes to an end. Enjoy lunch and some time at leisure before you travel on to Tayrona, staying at a hotel just outside the national park.

This morning you will be met at the hotel where you will start a walking tour to Arrecifes within Tayrona National Park. Sitting on the Caribbean coast, this park is a national treasure and encompasses pristine beaches, picturesque forests and a huge variety of flora and fauna. Howler monkeys and iguanas are just two of the numerous animals that can be spotted here.

You can enjoy a swim in the Caribbean Sea at the many beaches you may stop at today. Soak up some sunshine and enjoy the beach, the choice is yours.

Today marks the end of your Colombian adventure. After breakfast and hotel check-out you will be transferred to Santa Marta airport for your onward travel.