UNESCO-listed, Ciudad Perdida in Colombia demands serious effort, as you'll need to trek to reach the Teyuna archaeological site! You're wondering when to trek through the Sierra Nevada? How many days for a trek to the Lost City? Is it a difficult trek? We answer all your questions…

When to trek to Ciudad Perdida in Colombia

Located in the mountain range of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Teyuna's Lost City enjoys pleasant weather year-round. With an average temperature of 29°C, it can be explored in any season. The best periods are between December and April. The least favorable are June through October, due to rainfall.

Note: Ciudad Perdida closes every September, at the request of the Sierra Nevada's indigenous peoples! During this closure, natives perform pagamentos (rituals) and work in favor of their ecosystem.

How long should you plan for a trek to the Lost City?

Most Ciudad Perdida treks are done over 4 days—and require about 7 hours of hiking per day. If you prefer a slower pace, there are also 5-day excursions available. Regardless of duration, you'll cover 47 kilometers (round-trip) through the jungle! Here's an overview of the main stages heading toward the Lost City…

Day 1: Trek departure from Santa Marta

The hike to Ciudad Perdida departs from Santa Marta, in Magdalena department. Then, by 4x4, you'll head to the town of Machete Pelao, considered the "gateway" to the Sierra Nevada (about 2 hours' drive). Once there, you'll complete the first trek stage—5 hours of hiking. Then dinner and an overnight stay at a campsite with your guide.

Day 2: Meeting with indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada

After a very early wake-up (around 5 AM), you'll set off on a hike lasting about ten hours! This second day will bring you face-to-face with the Kogui and Tayrona indigenous peoples and will demand your greatest physical effort, with its steep terrain.

Day 3: Visit to the Lost City

After a good night's sleep, you'll hike about 2 hours, cross the Buritaca River, and climb the 1,200 steps of the Tayrona archaeological site before finally reaching the coveted Ciudad Perdida! Escorted by your guide, you'll discover the history of this exceptional Lost City (about 3 hours of exploration).

Day 4: The return

With memories in hand, you'll already begin your return journey. The "descent" (actually quite hilly) takes about 6 hours. A chance to observe the flora and admire the many butterflies flying over the trail.

What to see during a trek toward the Tayrona archaeological site

Discover the mountains of the Sierra Nevada

        
Before reaching the Lost City, the trek lets you discover the mountains of the Andes range. With tropical forests, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to many endemic plant species—and numerous animals, though they tend to stay hidden. Disturbed by human presence, they keep their distance from trekking zones. If you're fortunate, you may spot monkeys and birds.

During your Colombian journey, you can also relax thanks to the many natural pools dotting the trek, and refresh yourself in the waterfalls of the Buritaca River.

Explore the Lost City site

Once you reach the Ciudad Perdida site, you'll discover unique architecture, with its 169 terraces built at the heart of the city, its staircases and stone walls erected across 35 hectares… You'll also enjoy breathtaking views over the ocean and the Sierra Nevada!

Is the Ciudad Perdida trek difficult?

The trek to reach the Lost City in Colombia is relatively accessible, as it doesn't traverse particularly complicated terrain. However, it requires good physical fitness to handle the long hiking hours.

Furthermore, even though the trekking zone enjoys good weather, it remains quite humid. You may find yourself hiking in wet clothing, which can make the climb more challenging. Due to the humidity, you'll also encounter (very) numerous mosquitoes.

What to pack for visiting the Lost City?

Since the trek to reach the Lost City is organized by an agency, you won't need to worry about provisions. One tip? Pack only the essentials (5-6 kg maximum) and bring:

-       mosquito repellent;

-       sunscreen;

-       extra long-sleeve clothing to cope with humidity (preferably breathable material for faster drying);

-       long pajamas (to avoid mosquito bites);

-       multiple pairs of socks (to keep your feet dry);

-       a swimsuit;

-       sunglasses;

-       good hiking boots (with treaded soles to handle slippery terrain in case of rain);

-       flip-flops or casual shoes for the evening;

-       a toiletry kit with essentials (plus anti-diarrheal medication, paracetamol, a muscle relaxant, disinfectant, and bandages);

-       a headlamp;

-       a charger for your phone at the campsite (your smartphone will mainly be useful for photos since there's obviously no network at the heights of the Sierra Nevada!);

-       plastic protection for your multimedia equipment against humidity.

Note: while yellow fever vaccination is not mandatory for traveling to Colombia, it's strongly recommended for a trek in the Sierra Nevada (where you'll inevitably be bitten by mosquitoes)! The vaccine becomes active 10 days after injection, so get it done well in advance. One more tip? Also check current recommendations regarding Covid-19 vaccination.

Which agency should you use for the Ciudad Perdida trek?

   
It's impossible to trek to the Lost City without a guide, as it's an unmarked wild site! To complete the trek? You'll need to hire a local agency, which will handle logistics (food and lodging).

The Ciudad Perdida trek is regulated by the Colombian government. As a result, prices are identical from one agency to another. Your choice will therefore depend on other criteria (languages spoken by the guide, responsible tourism, trek duration, etc.).