Colombia's Lost City Trek
Colombia's Lost City Trek
$2341
Colombia's Lost City Trek
10 Days Starting in Bogota and ending in
Visiting: Colombia
Tour Overview
Immerse yourself in the highlights of Colombia and discover a destination teeming with historical insights and natural wonders. Our adventure begins in the capital city of Bogota where we take in the colonial and baroque architecture found in La Candelaria and visit Bolivar Square. Climb the 1,200 steps to reach the Lost City of Teyuna, enjoying spectacular jungle scenery on a four day trek. Colombia’s Lost City, ancient ruins high in the Sierra Nevada mountains, is a breath-taking treasure that was once home to a thriving civilisation. Still considered hallowed ground by the indigenous tribes nearby. Our journey ends in the Caribbean beach resort city, Cartagena of the West Indies, with its colourful districts and wonderful beaches. Discover historically rich Cartagena and walk its meandering cobblestone streets of the walled city and take in the sights of centuries-old fortresses and churches, a fitting end to our time in Colombia.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Join Bogota
You will be met on arrival in Bogotá and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Casa de la Vega or similar.
Day 2 : Bogota Walking Tour
Today's city tour starts with a visit to Paloquemao, the largest market in the heart of the city. Experience the traditional market with passionate merchants selling fruits, vegetables, and delicacies for tasting. The market is also supplied by florists from all over the country, turning the open-air area into a colourful sea of smells.
Next, a cable car ride will take you to Cerro Monserrate, where you can visit one of the highest pilgrimage churches in the world at 3152 meters and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Bogotá and its surroundings. Then, take a leisurely stroll through the historical quarter of "La Candelaria," which includes the Plaza de Bolivar, home to the National Capitol of Colombia and an impressive cathedral. For lunch, we highly recommend trying the typical Bogotan soup dish called "Ajiaco Bogotano".
In the afternoon the tour will include a visit to the renowned Gold Museum (closed on Mondays), featuring an impressive exhibition of the goldsmith's art of the indigenous people and the largest collection of pre-Columbian artifacts in the world. Another highlight is a visit to the Botero Foundation, showcasing 85 original pieces by the famous Colombian artist of the same name.
City-Tour with a local English-speaking guide (appr. 8 hours)
Overnight: Hotel Casa de la Vega or similar.
Day 3 : Fly To Santa Marta
After breakfast you will be met at the hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Santa Marta. Our team will be available to assist you with check-in at the airport.
Upon arrival in Santa Marta, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax and explore at your leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Tamaca Beach or similar.
Day 4 : Let’S Start The Trek! (Trek 7Km , 4-5 Hours)
We'll depart Santa Marta, Colombia's oldest city, at 8:30am this morning and head towards La Aguacatera's sector. Once we arrive, we'll switch to a 4WD vehicle, which will take approximately 3 hours to reach El Mamey, where we'll have lunch. After lunch, we'll begin our trek to the first campsite. Along the way, you can relax and cool off in the rivers, natural pools, and waterfalls that surround us. In the evening, we'll enjoy dinner and spend the night in bunks. Overnight basic camp, equipped with bunk beds with mosquito nets.
Note: You'll be carrying everything you need for the trek in your small back pack and leaving your main luggage in Santa Marta. Your backpack should be fully adjustable to your body type, where in addition to water, you can carry your clothing and personal items. Horses will be used to transport some luggage. On the 3rd day on the way to the lost city you leave your belongings in the camp and go for one night with the basics (one long cotton pants, one long sleeved shirt, your camera and your insect repellent).
Walking approx 4-5 hours
Day 5 : Trek To Mamo Romualdos´S Camp (Trek 17Km , 6-7 Hours)
The day starts with an early breakfast, followed by a 2 hour trek to the Mutanzi indigenous community. Our local guide will accompany us, and we will have the opportunity to interact with the locals and discover their way of life. Following a 40-minute to 1-hour trek, we will reach the second camp, where we can enjoy lunch and relax by a crystalline river. We will then continue our trek for approximately 4 hours to reach Mamo Romulado, our basecamp for the night. In the evening, our guide will share stories and traditions from their community.
Overnight basic camp, equipped with bunk beds with mosquito nets.
Walking approx 6-7 hours.
Day 6 : To The Lost City (Trek 11 Km, 6 Hours)
After breakfast in the early morning, we'll begin our climb up 1,200 steps on a trail built by the Tayrona people to reach the stunning Lost City. Upon arrival, our guide will provide us with a detailed tour of this enchanting place, complete with relics and ancestral stories. We'll have plenty of time to soak in the scenery and relax during the morning. After this incredible experience, we'll trek back to the third camp for lunch before returning to the second camp for dinner and overnight stay. Overnight basic camp, equipped with bunk beds with mosquito nets.
Walking approx 6 hours.
Day 7 : Trek And Journey By Road To Santa Marta (Trek 16Km, 7 Hours)
On the last day of our adventure, we'll start with breakfast at the camp before beginning our return journey to where it all began. Along the way, we'll take refreshing breaks at rivers and waterfalls. After a 7-hour hike, we'll finally reach El Mamey, where we'll enjoy lunch. Following lunch, we will begin our return journey to Santa Marta, which takes approximately 3 hours. Initially, a 4WD car will pick us up to transport us back to the Aguacatera sector. Subsequently, we will transfer to a van for the remainder of the journey to Santa Marta. We'll depart completely delighted with a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the magical Sierra Nevada. Overnight: Hotel Tamaca Beach or similar.
Walking approx 7 hours.
Day 8 : Santa Marta To Cartagena (4-5 Hours By Road)
We'll depart from Santa Marta this morning and travel to Cartagena by road. Cartagena is a city that combines the charm of Spanish colonial architecture, Caribbean lifestyle, cultural festivals, exotic scenery, and wonderful food. As you walk through the streets, you'll discover Spanish colonial buildings such as the Palace of the Inquisition, the Clock-Tower, and the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas. Cartagena also offers countless options for dining out and exploring new and exotic flavors in both local and international cuisines.
Overnight: Hotel 3 Banderas or similar.
Day 9 : Cartagena Sightseeing
The city tour starts with a visit to the hill of La Popa, where the monastery of the same name is located. Founded by Augustinian monks in the 17th century, the monastery now houses many interesting exhibits about Cartagena's history. From the hilltop, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city, including the suburbs, which is truly breathtaking.
Next, we will visit one of the most iconic historical buildings of Cartagena, the Castillo de San Felipe. This is the largest military fortification ever built by the Spanish on the continent, and it offers a glimpse into the city's colonial past.
Finally, we will take a walking tour of the historic city center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour typically ends around lunchtime, giving you the opportunity to indulge in some of the delicious Caribbean cuisine that Cartagena is famous for, at one of the many excellent local restaurants.
City Tour (appr. 4 hours)
Overnight: Hotel 3 Banderas or similar.
Day 10 : In Cartagena, Trip Concludes
The journey concludes with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
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Accommodation
6 nights hotel -
9 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
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Airport transfers
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Experienced local guides, English speaking tour leader for groups of 8 or more people
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Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed
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Comfortable hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
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Porterage on trek
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International flights & airport taxes
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Flight Bogota to Santa Marta
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Travel Insurance (compulsory)
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Visas
What You Carry
You'll be carrying everything you need for the trek in your small back pack and leaving your main luggage in Santa Marta. Your backpack should be fully adjustable to your body type, where in addition to water, you can carry your clothing and personal items. Horses will be used to transport some luggage. On the 3rd day on the way to the lost city you leave your belongings in the camp and go for one night with the basics (one long cotton pants, one long sleeved shirt, your camera and your insect repellent).
Grading
This trip is graded ‘Introductory to Moderate’ under our fitness grading system. This adventure involves trekking for up to 6 hours a day at a steady pace in varied undulating jungle terrain. There will be long days in a hot/humid climate with some sections involving river crossings as well as trekking up and down some steep hills on a sometimes slippery and uneven trail. Also be prepared for the 1,200 steps to the highlight of the trek as you reach the 'Lost City'. We recommend people begin their fitness preparation immediately upon booking. Solid work-outs that are aerobic (ie. hill walking, jogging, swimming, bike riding or gym work) of 45 mins to 1 hour four times a week is a guide to a routine training program. This should be combined with hill walking in rugged terrain, in variable weather conditions. The amount of training and preparation you do beforehand can determine the amount of enjoyment you have on the track.
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have offices on three continents which means your travelling companions will be just that – international and wonderfully eclectic. Part of small group travel means that although travellers come from various locations and backgrounds, you will be travelling with like-minded companions who, like you, are keen to share the experience and forge lifelong friendships.
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What about environmental impact?
We believe that adventure travel revolves around establishing a strong relationship with the people and environments in which we operate. Our responsible travel policies have been carefully developed to ensure that we minimise the impact of our presence and help to protect the regions we visit while contributing positively to the local community.
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What should I pack?
Your pre-departure documents include a detailed packing list with items that you need to bring. While most of the equipment for daily activities is included in your tour cost, some items like helmets and hiking boots are best brought from home. The pre-departure documents also include information on layering and recommended brands for various items to ensure you are fully prepared for your trip.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes. World Expeditions does not require single travellers to pay a surcharge for travelling alone on the vast majority of our trips. Our holidays are primarily on a twin share basis, so if you are joining the group as a solo traveller, we will match you with someone of your own gender. The choice is yours however; if you prefer not to share, we do offer single supplements for private occupancy.
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Are tips included in my trip price?
Tips are not included in the tour cost. Tipping is a personal thing, do not worry about how much, or when, to tip. Tipping guidelines are provided for certain destinations in our pre departure information upon booking, however the best advice will be provided by your tour leader.
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Am I suited to small-group travel?
We recognise that many of our travellers have not been on a ‘group trip’ before. Yet what our departures provide is both structure and flexibility, allowing you plenty of freedom within the framework of the itinerary. You’ll find that with our maximum group size at 16, you’ll travel in a minimal impact style with a great group of like-minded travellers.
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Can you advise which vaccinations are recommended?
While our pre-departure kit provides information on vaccinations, we suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
World Expeditions allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform world expeditions, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
World Expeditions requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of world expeditions charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.