Lost City Trek 4 Days | Jungle Trek | Ciudad Perdida Teyuna, Santa Marta

About this activity

Venture into the heart of Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta on a captivating 4-day trek to the ancient Lost City - Ciudad Perdida Teyuna. This journey immerses you in nature, history, and indigenous culture as you navigate through lush jungles, cross rivers, and encounter local communities. Enjoy guided tours of an archaeological wonder and experience the traditions of the Tairona civilization. Each day presents both physical challenges and enriching cultural encounters, making this trek a transformative adventure.

Trek through stunning landscapes, including rivers and tropical forests
Stay in rustic camps with basic amenities, ensuring an authentic experience
All meals included from Day 1 lunch to Day 4 lunch, accommodations, guide service, plus contributions to local communities, round-trip transportation, accident insurance
Expert local guides belonging to native and farming communities provide insights into the rich history and culture of the region

Hiking Tours Multi-day Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours 4WD Tours Archaeology Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 4 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Enlaces Colombia SAS - Econnection Colombia

Ages: Youth (12–17 years) · Adults (18–75 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Mention in our official Instagram account @econnectioncolombia
Included: Accommodation in rustic campsites (beds or hammocks depending on availability, with mosquito nets).
Included: Special discounts in partners' lodging and tours other than the Lost City Trek, after completing it
Included: English-speaking interpreter service (upon request).
Included: Lunch
Included: Accident insurance.
Included: Entrance to the Teyuna – Ciudad Perdida Archaeological Park (ICANH).
Included: Dinner
Included: Contributions to local native indigenous and farming communities
Included: Breakfast
Included: Luggage storage service.
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Round-trip transportation (Santa Marta – Mamey – Santa Marta).
Included: Meals: Some snacks and fruits in specific points of the trek
Included: Professional guide service.

Not included

Not included: Activities and services not expressly included.
Not included: Mule service for carrying backpacks up to 10kg-50L each. Ask for a quote
Not included: Interpreter service in languages other than Spanish and English - Quoted depending on language

Itinerary

Day 1 · Lost City Trek - Day 1: The adventure starts

Machete Pelao

one hour

Approximate Itinerary:

Santa Marta to El Mamey: 3-hour jeep ride.

El Mamey to Camp 1: 4-hour hike (7.6 km).

Day Summary:

The adventure begins with pick-up at your accommodation (usually between 7 AM and 8 AM, depending on the location). From there, we head out in a 4×4 jeep to the village of El Mamey, a journey of about 3 hours. At El Mamey, we’ll begin our trek to the first campsite, covering approximately 7.6 km.

Midway, we’ll stop at the “Mirador de las Tres Cruces” viewpoint to enjoy fresh fruit and spectacular scenery. We’ll then continue to Camp 1—either “Adán” or “Alfredo”—where we’ll spend the night. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to relax in natural pools in the Sierra Nevada, perfect for a refreshing dip after the hike.

Camp 1 Facilities:

Electricity

Bathrooms and showers

Accommodation in rustic campsites (beds or hammocks depending on availability, with mosquito nets).

Day 2 · Lost City Trek - Day 2: Into the Jungle

Stop 1

20 min Admission included

Approximate Itinerary:

Camp 1 to Camp 2: 3-hour hike

Camp 2 to Mutanyi: 20-minute hike

Mutanyi to Camp 3 “Paraíso Teyuna”: 5-hour hike

Day Summary:

After breakfast at Camp 1, we set out toward Camp 2, “Cabaña Wiwa.” Here, you’ll enjoy a swim in the Buritaca River while lunch is being prepared.

After a short rest, we continue deeper into the Sierra Nevada. We’ll pass near the indigenous Kogui village of “Mutanyi,” immersed in a unique cultural landscape, and continue on to Camp 3, “Paraíso Teyuna,” where we’ll spend our second night.

Camp 3 Facilities:

Bathrooms and showers

Electricity via generator (6 PM to 9 PM)

Accommodation in rustic campsites (beds or hammocks depending on availability, with mosquito nets).

Day 3 · Lost City Trek - Day 3: The ruins of an ancient civilization

Ciudad Perdida

3 hours Admission included

Approximate Itinerary:

Camp 3 to Ciudad Perdida: 1-hour hike

Guided tour of the archaeological site: 3 hours

Ciudad Perdida to Camp 2: 4-hour hike

Day Summary:

We start the day early with breakfast at Camp 3 before tackling a 2-kilometer hike and ascending 1,200 stone steps to reach Ciudad Perdida—a true archaeological treasure. This sacred site, made up of terraces, stone paths, and ceremonial structures, was once home to the Tayrona people.

Surrounded by lush jungle, Ciudad Perdida offers breathtaking views—from sun-drenched mountains to fog-wrapped forest. During the visit, you may encounter the local spiritual leader, guardian of this ancestral legacy and of Mother Nature.

After the tour, we return to Camp 3 for lunch and then make our way back to Camp 2 (“Cabaña Wiwa”) for our final night.

Camp 2 Facilities:

Electricity

Bathrooms and showers (limited)

Accommodation in rustic campsites (beds or hammocks depending on availability, with mosquito nets).

Day 4 · Lost City Trek - Day 4: Back to the present

Machete Pelao

one hour

Approximate Itinerary:

Camp 2 to Camp 1: 2-hour hike

Camp 1 to El Mamey: 4-hour hike

El Mamey to Santa Marta: 3-hour jeep ride

Day Summary:

Our Sierra Nevada adventure comes to an end. After breakfast, we hike for about 2 hours to Camp “Adán” or “Alfredo” (from Day 1), where we’ll pause to enjoy fruit and water.

We then continue on a 4-hour hike back to El Mamey. There, we’ll have lunch and celebrate the end of this unforgettable journey. Finally, we board a 4×4 jeep for the 3-hour return trip to Santa Marta, closing out this incredible experience.

Day 4 accommodation not included, since the tour ends in Santa Marta between 3 and 5PM, depending on traffic conditions

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

eConnection Colombia office

End point

eConnection Colombia office

Pickup points

Casa Zarah - Alma Hotels
Hotel Casa de la Acequia
Puerta Aqua Hostel
Playa Alta Sol
Suite horizonte
Reserva de Mar
Hotel Turispanish
Casa Rosa Hotel by DOT Boutique
Casa Coral Boutique Hotel
Apartamentos Porto Horizonte by oxoHotel
Reserva del Mar Apartamentos
Aparta Hotel Bacano Historico

and 302 more pickup points

Pickup time depends on the location of your lodging, usually between 7 and 8:30AM; if pickup is close to Tayrona Park, it will be later than this time, since we start from our office in the Historical Center around 8:30AM-9AM.

We coordinate pickup time the day before the trek starts, depending on pickup location of all the participants.

Transportation to and from Simón Bolívar International Airport in Santa Marta is included when aligned with the start and end times of the tour; these services are considered additional if scheduled outside of the tour dates or hours.

Transportation from or to Minca (but not both) is included: as a courtesy, eConnection Colombia offers to start or end the tour in Minca at no extra cost, from or to the church. This service may be operated by eConnection Colombia or the authorized company Cootransminca. Starting and ending the tour in Minca (both directions) carries an additional cost of $80,000 COP for the extra leg (up to 8 passengers).

Transportation is included from and to the urban area of Santa Marta, including Bello Horizonte, Pozos Colorados, Rodadero, Historic Center, Taganga, among others, as well as the Troncal del Caribe up to the sector of La Aguacatera.

If you are staying in Palomino, or wish to end the tour there: you may meet our guides at the Aguacatera sector at the beginning of the tour; or take a bus to Palomino from that same area at the end. Alternatively, we can coordinate a transportation service (not included in the tour price) to or from Aguacatera and Palomino.