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Ciudad Perdida

Ciudad Perdida ("Lost City" in Spanish) is an ancient, ruined city located in the Colombian jungle close to Santa Marta.

[edit] Understand

The city was built between the eighth and the fourteenth centuries by the Tayrona Indians. Nowadays only circular stone terraces covered by jungle remain, but the views and the location of the site are extraordinary. Local name for Ciudad Perdida is Teyuna.

[edit] Get in

Treks to Ciudad Perdida are arranged by few different companies and it is not possible to visit the site on your own :

• Turcol, Carrera 1C No 20-15, Santa Marta, ☎ 421 22 56 (turcol_24@hotmail.com), [1].  edit
• Sierra Tours, (sierratours1@hotmail.com), [2]. .Also offers treks to Ciudad Perdida from Santa Marta  edit
• Magic tours, ☎ 5 421 9432 / 5 421 9429 / 316 576 4024 (cellular) (magictour186@yahoo.com). Also offers treks to Ciudad Perdida. Offices in Taganga  edit

The prices are about the same regardless of the company and vary between 470 000 COP and 550 000 COP for a six-day trek and 580 000 COP for a five-day trek. The treks have an official price but it can be the agencies can lower it if you just ask. Some of hostels in Santa Marta or Taganga can book the tour for you or can hook you up with one of the guides. Tours leave when there are enough people for a group, usually around twice a week. A recommended guide is Edwin Rey.

Make sure to bring appropriate gear for trekking, including good walking boots, mosquito repellent, a sleeping bag, appropriate clothing for hiking and for nights, and a water bottle. You will also want to take a pack of cards, a small amount of cash, a torch, toilet roll, snacks and a book.

• LaHeroica, ☎ Cel: (+57) 316-8747656 or (+57) 5-6642992 / 6647941 (info@laheroica.com), [3]. Luxury travel agency that organizes helicopter trips or a 4 days trekking trip combined with mules.  edit

[edit] Typical itinerary

The whole trek is 52 km long. The first day is a three-hour walk to the first camp. The second day is another four hours' hiking, and the third day is six hours to the Ciudad Perdida. The fourth day you spend exploring the site. The fifth day is a eight hour walk back to the first camp and the sixth day is only three hours back to civilization. (An alternative is to spend only the third night at the site and the fourth night in the same camp as the second night, meaning you avoid the eight-hour fifth day.)

[edit][add listing] See

• During the trek you will pass many little streams and waterfalls, some of which you can swim in, and which have great views. There are several steep uphill climbs (the worst one takes about an hour on the first day), but it is worth it. Overall, because of afternoon rains, you only hike for about 3-4 hours per day.
• Although the community atmosphere while walking is great, it is also fun to spend an hour or so away from the group while trekking to see more wildlife, particularly on the 3rd day.

[edit][add listing] Do

Some of the 169 terraces of the city

• You will end up playing cards a lot during rest periods; it gets dark quite quickly and while the thought of walking in the jungle sounds good, you will be knackered. Plus, it's not a great idea to go wandering about at night outside of the camps.
• Take advantage of opportunities to swim when you can!
• As much as you might want to just put your head down and keep walking, take the opportunity to watch for wildlife or take in the amazing scenery.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• There are some places to buy beer, snacks, water and such like on the way. There is even a kiosk on the path just after you enter the paramilitary area.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Meals are included in the price of the tour.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Beer is sold on most of the campsites for 2000-3000 COP per can. Prices go up the further you go and reach 5,000 COP at the last camp.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Sleeping space is in hammocks strung out under a communal shelter. A blanket is provided if you ask; it's worth asking for one even if the evening is warm as it can get very cold at the higher altitudes.