La Ciudad Perdida is an ancient city of the Tairona people. It pre-dates even Machu Picchu. Its a 5 day trek to the city and back. Along the way you stay in small camps equipped with hammocks or beds (with bug nets), a kitchen, restrooms, and usually a swimming hole. There are our companies that run tours to La Ciudad Perdida and they all have agreed on a set price of $600,000 COP (Approx. $320US). The price includes the guide and cook, the park entrance fee, all meals, lodging and transportation.
Below is a link with more info about La Ciudad Perdida
Info!
Here is a link with info about the tours. Just in case you wanna try it out. I went with Magic tours and it was great. Though all the companies seem to work together.
La Ciudad Perdida Tours
Day 1 - Santa Marta City to Mamey Village to Cabana Adan
I arrived at the tour office in Santa Marta around 9:15am, filled out some paperwork and paid the fee. Then I waited. Once everyone was gathered up and the 4x4s loaded with our food and gear we headed towards Mamey Village. It was about a 2 hour drive on paved road then another 1 hour on a gravel/dirt/bumpy road. However, when we turned off the paved road more people joined us in the truck. MANY more people. Have you see that YouTube video where a workman has to push people into the subway cars to get the doors to shut? Well, here is a link.
Video of similar experience
Fitting everyone into the truck felt a bit like that. And I was the one by the door. I couldnt help but laugh.
Once we finally arrived at Mamey we had lunch and then set off on our journey. The first days hike was approx 3 hours and 7.6kms. We crossed over our first mountain pass and down into a valley were Cabana Adan was located. And it was HOT!
In the village you can get beef (or some kind of meat) and billiards all together!
Once we arrived to camp we all opted to visit the swimming hole. Im a bit sad I didnt get any pictures because this place was totally picturesque. We swam in the river. Right where you had to jump into the swimming hole was a waterfall. So once you get up enough nerve to jump the 10 feet down into the water you come up, turn around and there is an amazing little waterfall, secluded in the jungle for just you (and your hiking buddies). Beautiful!
We rested up, supped, and hit the hammocks early.
Day 2 - Cabana Adan to Cabana Gabriel
I woke around 7:30 and had a big breakfast and coffee waiting for me.
They even have satellite TV!
This day was a bit longer. We tackled another mountain pass and climbed about a 3rd of the way up the next. The trail was a bit deeper in the jungle and was more shaded. After about 4 hours and 8.1kms we arrived at Cabana Gabriel were we lunched. I showered and took a long nap. I only woke for dinner and read my book for a bit.
Side Note: My lovely spanish class buddy from Cartagena (Jennie from England) gave me a book she had finished. Its called "The Psychopath Test". Its a fascinating non-fiction read about psychopaths in our world. I recommend giving it a try!
I have now suffered some rather unique bug bites. There are crazy flies in this jungle. You dont feel them bite you but when you catch them at it they actually bite enough to make you BLEED! Yes, bugs that make you BLEEEEED. Monsters! They dont seem to care that Ive covered myself in toxic 99% DEET. Luckily, thus far, the biting has been minimal.
We got to sleep in beds this night!
Day 3 -Cabana Gabriel to Cabana Rumauldo
Arepas for breakfast! Then an early start on the trail. Today was more climbing! Mostly climbing actually. At the top of the first peak we took a break and snacked on oranges. Geeeez it was hot and HUMID. Thats what really made the hike tough, the humidity.
4hours and 6.6 kms after starting this morning we arrived at Cabana Rumauldo. This was the last camp before La Ciudad Perdida! Its getting exciting now!
We again went for a swim in the river. This time though the water was super cold. I chilled (hah, literally) for about 20 minutes then layed out of the rocks to sun myself and dry. A wonderful way to end the day.
It now seems that the further into the jungle we go the more vicious the bugs are.
Below is a link with more info about La Ciudad Perdida
Info!
Here is a link with info about the tours. Just in case you wanna try it out. I went with Magic tours and it was great. Though all the companies seem to work together.
La Ciudad Perdida Tours
Day 1 - Santa Marta City to Mamey Village to Cabana Adan
I arrived at the tour office in Santa Marta around 9:15am, filled out some paperwork and paid the fee. Then I waited. Once everyone was gathered up and the 4x4s loaded with our food and gear we headed towards Mamey Village. It was about a 2 hour drive on paved road then another 1 hour on a gravel/dirt/bumpy road. However, when we turned off the paved road more people joined us in the truck. MANY more people. Have you see that YouTube video where a workman has to push people into the subway cars to get the doors to shut? Well, here is a link.
Video of similar experience
Fitting everyone into the truck felt a bit like that. And I was the one by the door. I couldnt help but laugh.
Once we finally arrived at Mamey we had lunch and then set off on our journey. The first days hike was approx 3 hours and 7.6kms. We crossed over our first mountain pass and down into a valley were Cabana Adan was located. And it was HOT!
In the village you can get beef (or some kind of meat) and billiards all together!
Once we arrived to camp we all opted to visit the swimming hole. Im a bit sad I didnt get any pictures because this place was totally picturesque. We swam in the river. Right where you had to jump into the swimming hole was a waterfall. So once you get up enough nerve to jump the 10 feet down into the water you come up, turn around and there is an amazing little waterfall, secluded in the jungle for just you (and your hiking buddies). Beautiful!
We rested up, supped, and hit the hammocks early.
Day 2 - Cabana Adan to Cabana Gabriel
I woke around 7:30 and had a big breakfast and coffee waiting for me.
This day was a bit longer. We tackled another mountain pass and climbed about a 3rd of the way up the next. The trail was a bit deeper in the jungle and was more shaded. After about 4 hours and 8.1kms we arrived at Cabana Gabriel were we lunched. I showered and took a long nap. I only woke for dinner and read my book for a bit.
Side Note: My lovely spanish class buddy from Cartagena (Jennie from England) gave me a book she had finished. Its called "The Psychopath Test". Its a fascinating non-fiction read about psychopaths in our world. I recommend giving it a try!
I have now suffered some rather unique bug bites. There are crazy flies in this jungle. You dont feel them bite you but when you catch them at it they actually bite enough to make you BLEED! Yes, bugs that make you BLEEEEED. Monsters! They dont seem to care that Ive covered myself in toxic 99% DEET. Luckily, thus far, the biting has been minimal.
Day 3 -Cabana Gabriel to Cabana Rumauldo
Arepas for breakfast! Then an early start on the trail. Today was more climbing! Mostly climbing actually. At the top of the first peak we took a break and snacked on oranges. Geeeez it was hot and HUMID. Thats what really made the hike tough, the humidity.
4hours and 6.6 kms after starting this morning we arrived at Cabana Rumauldo. This was the last camp before La Ciudad Perdida! Its getting exciting now!
We again went for a swim in the river. This time though the water was super cold. I chilled (hah, literally) for about 20 minutes then layed out of the rocks to sun myself and dry. A wonderful way to end the day.
It now seems that the further into the jungle we go the more vicious the bugs are.
Book with Turcol the best trek to lost city with more than 25 years of experience, with native guides of the region and indigenous guides of the area, contact us at https://turcoltravel.com/ and https://turcoltravel.com/en/
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