Lost City Trek: Reviews & Hiking Tips

In this section, you’ll find all the information you need to know what to expect and how to optimize your preparations for your adventure to the Ciudad Perdida.

Is the Lost City trek hard?

The answer will depend on your physical condition.

Personally, I found the Ciudad Perdida trek to be of moderate difficulty. I don’t consider myself a great hiker, but I’d already done treks lasting several days.

I imagine the most difficult part for travelers not used to trekking in the jungle will be the humidity and slippery paths.

• Be ready to get wet all the time (sweat or rain).
• Travelers with weak ankles and knees might find this trek difficult. The path is made of dirt and pebbles. It turns into a slippery trail when it rains.

The trek profile: distance and elevation gain

The total distance of the Ciudad Perdida trek is 60 km, or 15 km per day, which I find reasonable, especially because you’ll only carry a small bag with your personal items (about 6kg).

Unfortunately, it’s not a loop—you’ll go hike back once you’ve reached the lost city.

The days are divided as follows:

• Day 1: Distance: 9 km | Duration: 4 hours | Difficulty: 6/10 | Campsite: Casa Alfredo
• Day 2: Distance: 18 km | Duration: 6 hours | Difficulty: 5/10 | Campsite Casa Paraiso
• Day 3: Distance: 13 km | Duration: 5 hours | Difficulty: 5/10 | Campsite: Casa Mumake
• Day 4: Distance: 19 km | Duration: 6 hours | Difficulty: 6.5/10

As far as elevation is concerned, this is not a major concern. You’ll be close to the sea, and the Ciudad Perdida isn’t at a very high altitude—1200m.

The elevation gain is around 600 m/day.

River crossing

There’s now just one river to cross on foot (just before climbing the 1200 steps to the Lost City). I was knee-deep in water when I passed through in October (which is supposed to be the rainy season). The crossing was pretty easy to manage.

However, I’ve seen videos online where the river flow is impressive, and you must wait for it to calm down.

Weather and humidity

I guess you don’t like hiking in the rain. Neither do I, although it can happen.

• The main dry season is from December to March. It rarely rains.
• In July and August, there’s another short dry season.

Nevertheless, every morning, you’ll start hiking with your shirt still wet from the previous day and the sound of your shoes doing Squitch Squitch because of the rain and the humidity.

I recommend taking evening clothes and clothes for the day to keep your bag light. You soon get used to everything being sweaty and sticky between you and me.

On the other hand, humidity can be a challenge when you’re not used to it. You always feel heavy and tired.

When to do the Ciudad Perdida trek: crowds and seasons

Crowd control

This is the most popular hike in Colombia, and many travelers add it to their itinerary.

The local agencies are well organized. Groups of no more than 15 or 20 people, depending on the agency, leave at regular intervals so that hikers do not concentrate in the same places.

High and low season

You must also consider the high season:

• From Christmas to January 15, and for Holy Week, it will be packed with people. I advise you to book well in advance. The best thing to do is avoid going at this time of year.

As requested by the indigenous communities and to allow nature and the energies of these sacred sites to regain peace and quiet, the trek generally closes in September.

Where will you sleep?

The campsites during the trek of Ciudad Perdida are correct, with beds, water, electricity, and toilets! Everything comes by mule.

But don’t expect a 5-star hotel.

• There are 4-6 flush toilets and showers.
• You share them with the other travelers of the camp.
• Cold showers.
• There are beds and hammocks with mosquito nets. If no beds are available when you arrive, you’ll have no choice but to take a hammock.
• The bed sheets are clean.

It’s a good idea to bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

What to pack in your bag

When hiking over several days, every kilo counts. You must only carry what’s necessary for a minimum of comfort.

A 25-30 L bag is ideal for this trek. You can take it smaller, but playing Tetris to close it is annoying.

Inside your day bag:

• 4 pairs of socks and 4 pairs of underwear. It is important to put on dry socks to keep your spirits up and avoid blisters.
• 1 spare T-shirt.
• 1 long-sleeved t-shirt for the evening (protects against mosquitoes).
• 1 pair of light pants for the evening (protects against mosquitoes).
• 1 pair of flip-flops. Yes, you’ll have to assume the flip-flop+sock style. You’ll befriend with Germans.
• 1 Bathing suit.
• 1 Towel. Take one that dries quickly.
• 1 toilet bag with the minimum.
• 1 roll of toilet paper.
• 1 waterproof plastic pouch to protect delicate equipment.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Anti-diarrhoea medication (you never know).
• Dressings and bandages for possible blisters.
• Headlamp.
• 1 rain cover for your bag.
• 2 thick plastic bags (1 to put your dirty laundry, the other to protect your clean things).
• 1.5 L gourd for water.
• Money to buy beers/snacks.
• 1 portable battery charger for recharging electronics at camp.

Your outfit for the Lost City Trek:

• A comfortable pair of hiking boots, not new ones to avoid blisters, but with crampons to avoid slipping in the mud.
• Lightweight hiking long pants that dry quickly. If you don’t care about mosquito bites, you can wear shorts.
• A merino wool T-shirt. This textile dries quickly and does not retain the smell of perspiration.
• Trekking poles if you have any.
• Hat
• The raincoat is not useful. It’s too hot to wear it when it rains.
• A 25-30 L hiking bag. Limit weight to 5-6 kg.

Malaria pills and yellow fever vaccination

None of them is obligatory.

I don’t think malaria pills are necessary for a 4-day trek in the Sierra Nevada, especially as the side effects are often quite serious. After that, it’s up to you.

However, I’d advise you to vaccinate against yellow fever before you come, as it may be useful in other parts of the country. It’s a lifelong vaccination 😉.

The Lost City trek with kids?

Children must be 7 years old to do the Ciudad Perdida trek. If your kids are used to walking, why not bring them along? However, remember that they must carry their backpack like the adults unless you care for them.

Think carefully before making this decision because once the trek starts, the whole group has to go all the way!

Choosing your agency

There are only 5 agencies authorized to operate the Lost City trek in Colombia, and they are all based in Santa Marta.

The 5 operators must respect the official (and only) price for this experience: 2,150,000 COP/pers for the 4-day option in 2024. The others are resellers and there’s a good chance you’ll pay more than the official price.

The expert we recommend is in charge of one of these agencies and we were fully satisfied with his services and professionalism with :

A great organization

• The agency staff and guides speak perfect English.
• You pay a deposit online, and the balance is on your departure day.
• You will be asked if you have any dietary restrictions.
• Depending on location, a car can pick you up at your hotel.
• During the trek, there are regular stops to wait for everyone.
• Once at the camp, you sit at the table and wait for dinner. You take care of nothing.

A Good food management

• The food is simple but good, provided in sufficient quantity, and rich enough to give you the energy you need—there is no need to bring extra food.
• There are plenty of snacks along the way.
• Each camp has a little shop where you can buy a cold drink. I guarantee you’ll enjoy it at the end of the day.
• The agency provides purified water with tablets.

Nota : Travelers who are sensitive to stomach aches can take a water filter and an antidiarrhoeal. Personally, I had no problem at all.

Certifications that prove quality and involvement with local communities

• Quality certification NTS standards AV01, NTS AV02, and NTS TS 003. These are standards imposed by the Colombian government to ensure that the agency does a good job.
• Respect for the environment and sustainable tourism.
• Member of the association CorpoTeyuna to help the natives of the Sierra Nevada.

This is not strictly speaking a cultural tour

The indigenous communities living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta have managed to preserve their cultures and traditions by staying away from the conquistadors and then modern Man.

They venerate Aluna, our Mother Nature, whose heart is represented by the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada: Pico Cristobal Colón.

They see themselves as our big brothers and want to educate us to stop destroying the planet. You can’t go wrong with them.

However, this experience does not focus on discovering indigenous cultures. But you will have the opportunity to talk to a Mamo (chief) and learn more about the history of the Lost City. During the trek, you will pass close to indigenous villages.

What’s more, your local guide grew up in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Don’t hesitate to ask him any questions you might have.

ADRIEN’S ADVICE

Not sure you want to do the Lost City trek yet? Find more inspiration on our page of the best things to do in Santa Marta.