Hiking the Majestic Lost City in Colombia

Day 1

We started in Santa Marta, a coastal town on Colombia's northern coast along the Caribbean Sea.  This is where trekkers start, as the tourism companies have offices here.  I decided to trek with Expotur. They picked me up around 7a from my hotel and brought me to their offices downtown. Here I checked in and met the rest of my group.  Each guided group can host up to 16 people; ours had 11. They can store the rest of your luggage in a locked storage room while you trek.

Here we were introduced to our team made up of our expert guide – Elizabeth, our translator – José, ancillary help – Jhon, and chef – Ernesto.  After that, it was time to depart.  A 2 ½ hour car ride in an outback vehicle takes you to the quaint village of Mamey. This is the starting and ending point of the trek.  We enjoyed our first of many fantastic meals prepared by Chef Ernesto. It was then time to hit the trail!

The First Stretch

The first stretch was a 4-hour, 6.5-mile trek through open terrain, marked by uphill stretches and occasional descents.  This set the tone for the hike as there were some very steep pushes within the first couple of hours. What’s fantastic is that there are rest points along the way with fresh fruit, beverages, and sometimes toilets.  These stops give you life and rejuvenate you.

Adan Camp

We arrived at Adan Camp just before sunset.  Nestled in nature, this hideaway boasts a natural swimming pool, which I fell in love with. It was incredibly refreshing, with a modest cliff jump for any takers. Next, we enjoyed showers and dinner. All the meals were delicious, and they accommodated dietary restrictions. You can expect a variety of rice, beans, fish, meat, tofu, plantains, simple salads, pasta, and sandwiches while on the trail.

Accomodation

Let’s set the expectation for accommodation during the trek. These camps are built into the jungle. They are rugged, simple, clean, and equipped with the essentials (toilets, showers, beds, a kitchen, and communal eating areas). They are not glamorous by any means, but they are comforting after a long day.

All the beds are bunk beds with mosquito nets. The mosquito nets are much needed, they are not for decoration! Each bed has fresh sheets and a pillow. I was grateful we did not have to hike with our bedding. Each camp had something unique that made it special. At Adan Camp, it was the natural swimming pool.

Day 2

On day 2 and every day thereafter, we awoke at 5a to start hiking by 6a. This hour is plenty for brushing your teeth, putting on sunscreen, and eating breakfast. It also offers amazing sunrises! I am not a breakfast person, but I always ate breakfast during this trek. It was necessary, given the rate at which you are burning calories. Nobody likes a hangry hiker 😮‍💨.

The first push of the day covered 5.5 miles over 4 hours through the Buritica River Valley, with a stop at the indigenous settlement of Mutanyi for cultural insights. We then progressed to Mumake camp for lunch and an optional dip in the river.

Paso Lorenza Camp

Post-lunch, the journey continued for another 5.5 miles, taking 4 hours. We trekked over river crossings, hanging bridges, ancestral trails, and visited a Kogi village. The day concludes at Paso Lorenza Camp, where dinner is served along the Buritaca River. This camp is special as it is located just before the base of The Lost City. At this point, there is a buzz of excitement as all the hikers know tomorrow we will see the city!

Exploration of The Lost City

The third day is the much-anticipated exploration of The Lost City. With a lighter backpack (leaving nonessentials at camp), you’ll trek 2.5 miles for 1½ hours around the river. Here you ascend 1,200 steps built by the ancient Tayrona Indians. Marveling at the terraces of The Lost City, we spent 3 hours unraveling its archaeological wonders. Upon entering, my mind was blown as I began to grasp how much time and work it took to build this city without modern machines or tools.

Elizabeth shared enlightening history lessons as we explored the city. We were lucky enough to be one of the first groups to enter that morning. This allowed for better pictures and an unforgettable sunrise. The sites and grounds were majestic. As I walked the grounds, I pictured the indigenous people who had lived there many years ago. I felt honored to take a peek into their history.

Back to Mukame

The second push of the day retraces the route (yep, down all those steps). Returning to Paso Lorenzo Camp, it was time for lunch. Post-lunch, a 3-hour push brought us back to Mukame, where we savored the river, rest, and dinner.

*Pro Tip ~ My feet were SO tired after each day. Each night, I cold-plunged my feet in the river for 30-45 minutes. This completely relieved my pain and gave my whole body a rebirth.

The Final Day

On the final day, you will recall familiar sites. There is one way in and one way out of The Lost City. The scenery is so wonderfully lush and beautiful that you will not mind the rerun. We stopped for a snack at Adam Camp. If you hustle, you can dip in the natural pool again!

The uphill journey concludes as you reach Mamey, where it all began. I was ready for this lunch, and for the sweet victory of completing the adventure. I love hiking, but I must be honest. After pushing through that heat and the rugged jungle for 4 days, I was excited for a city and a hot shower!

Goodbye to The Majestic Lost City

Hiking this 46-mile route reveals not only incredible archaeological wonders but also the rich culture of the indigenous communities.

Every so often, I love doing something that pushes me to my limit. It makes me feel alive and reminds me of what I am made of. This hike checked that box! This experience became a reminder of the delicate balance between preserving the past and embracing the present.

Happy Trekking,

Bekah