Colombia’s Lost City Trek

One of the best kept hiking secrets in South America, Colombia’s Lost City Trek may not be the longest hike on the continent but it is one of the more challenging. If you’ve heard about it at all, you’ll have heard that the 46km hike to the city and back is wonderful, amazing, hard, hot, wet, muddy, full of mosquitos but worth every moment. And it is all of those things.

Set in tropical jungle on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, the Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida) is believed to have been built by the Tayrona civilisation in 800 A.D. before being abandoned at the time of the Spanish conquest in the 1600s. From that point until the early 1970s it was only visited by local tribesmen, who also managed to keep its existence secret from the world.

Fast forward to current day and the Lost City is open to the wider public, but only accessible on foot. There are no roads, no cars and the dirt hiking paths wind through lush green jungle, crossing streams and rivers before arriving at the Lost City itself.

The standard Lost City trek takes 4 days and starts after a two hour transfer from Santa Marta and a hearty lunch in Mamay. The trail is split into 3 hour hiking blocks, each set containing at least one steep uphill climb and one downhill, with a few additional ups and downs along the way. Always hot and humid, when it rains a basic downhill can turn into a mudslide for added challenge (or entertainment!). At times like this a walking pole comes in handy and a good level of fitness is essential. Fortunately the 5am starts mean that most of the day’s hiking is finished before the rain begins. 

And the scenery? It is spectacular. This hike is as much about the journey as the destination. You will feel like an intrepid explorer as you wind your way through fabulous tropical jungle surroundings, walking through the hills, with the sea in the distance and the river running by. At times it could be the set of the Hunger Games, with it’s lush greenery and the eerie whistle of some unknown bird. There are raging rivers to be crossed by clinging to the guide rope to prevent being swept away. Or you may find yourself swimming in clear waters, passing indigenous villages and, if you’re very lucky, getting to meet the local shaman. And all of that’s before hitting the 1,000 steps to reach your final goal, the Lost City itself. 

The Lost City comprises a series of stone terraces set into the hillside. The site has several sections before you reach the most famous section, where the terraces rise up and give magnificent views across the jungle. Each building in the city is brought to life by the stories and explanations from your local guide until there’s a real sense of what life would have been like. The morning visit gives time to see it all, rest and take photos before starting the journey back to the next night’s camp.

Off peak there can be just a handful of people at the Lost City, contributing to the feeling that you’re part of something special. Even at its peak visitor numbers are in the hundreds not the thousands, limited by accommodation and group sizes. There are signs that more accommodation is being built for further visitors and it’s only a matter of time before this hike increases its popularity.

So, if you’re looking for a challenge and getting off the beaten track, head to Colombia’s Lost City. This trek is an undiscovered gem, one of the best in South America and a must see for every adventurous traveller.,

A few practicalities:

• The Lost City can only be reached as part of an authorised guided group. It is not allowed to hike independently. All tours use local guides to ensure that money spent goes back into the community. 
• Lost City trekking is cancelled for the month of September when the indigenous tribes take the time to cleanse the site.
• Sleep is in designated camps. There are rows of bunk beds in an open bunkhouse and cold showers. If it’s busy, and the group you’re with arrives late, there are sleeping hammocks in the communal areas. 
• It is hot and humid all the time – it is a tropical jungle you’re hiking through. Stay hydrated throughout the hikes; water can be topped up at every camp and additional drinks can normally be bought along the way. The humidity also means that nothing dries and that clothing will rub more than normal.
• Bring plenty of good insect repellent – repellent bought locally is the most effective – and a long sleeve top for the day you reach the Lost City. There are lots of mosquitoes and good protection will make life much more comfortable.