Explore the ancient ruins of the Sierra Nevada mountains with these multi-day Ciudad Perdida expeditions. While most options cover the classic four-day route, these guided tours perfectly accommodate visitors looking for a Lost City 5 days trek experience with immersive jungle hikes, indigenous history, and camp accommodations.
A four-day jungle trek through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to reach the ancient ruins of the Lost City.
Free Cancellation A four-day trek through the Colombian jungle to the 9th-century archaeological ruins of Ciudad Perdida.
Free Cancellation A five-day trek through the Sierra Nevada jungle to reach the ancient ruins of the Lost City.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Ciudad Perdida — from practical tips to personal highlights.
The 5-day trek to Ciudad Perdida is a challenging but incredibly rewarding expedition deep into the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. You will hike through dense tropical rainforests, cross rivers, and immerse yourself in indigenous culture before climbing ancient stone steps to reach a mystical city older than Machu Picchu.
The final approach to the ruins requires a grueling climb up 1,200 ancient, moss-covered stone steps carved directly into the steep mountainside.
At the top, you will be rewarded with sweeping, misty views from the massive circular stone platforms of the main archaeological site.
The trek involves crossing the Buritaca River multiple times. You will either wade through the cool waters or navigate narrow suspension bridges.
Pass through the indigenous village of Mutanyi to observe traditional thatched-roof huts and learn about the spiritual connection the locals have with nature.
Spend your evenings relaxing in rustic open-air jungle camps, swimming in natural rock pools, and sleeping in hammocks or bunk beds under mosquito nets.
Hike past towering wax palms and giant ferns while listening to the sounds of exotic birds and spotting unique jungle wildlife along the trail.
Hiking to the Lost City is a serious physical undertaking that requires preparation. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot on a 5-day trek.
Independent trekking to Ciudad Perdida is strictly prohibited. You must book an all-inclusive tour through an authorized agency, which secures your permits and funds local indigenous communities.
Most 5-day packages include round-trip 4WD transport from Santa Marta, a bilingual guide, national park fees, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and accommodation in jungle camps.
Travelers need at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You will hike 6 to 9 hours a day over steep, muddy clay terrain in extreme heat and humidity.
Single-use plastic water bottles and bags are completely banned in the national park. You must bring a reusable water bottle or a hydration bladder.
The trail and archaeological site are completely closed to tourists for the entire month of October. This allows indigenous communities to perform sacred cleansing ceremonies.
Policies vary widely by operator. Some tours offer a full refund if canceled 24 hours in advance, while others state all sales are final. Check your specific ticket before booking.
Since you must carry your own gear, pack only the absolute essentials in a 20-liter daypack. Heavy camping gear and food are provided at the camps.
The standard minimum age for shared group tours is typically 8 years old. While younger children can complete the trek, it requires booking a private, slower-paced 6-day itinerary.
| 4-Day Group Trek | 5-Day Standard Trek | Private Custom Trek | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Days / 3 Nights | 5 Days / 4 Nights | 3 or 6 Days |
| Best for | Fit hikers short on time | Hikers wanting a more manageable daily mileage | Families with kids or extreme athletes |
| Pace | Fast and strenuous | Moderate | Customized to group |
| Price from | $580 USD | $600 USD | Varies by group size |
The archaeological site is officially open daily from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM, but access to the ruins is strictly managed by your tour guides during daylight hours, usually starting around 7:00 AM.
Important Closure: The trail and site are completely closed to tourists every October to allow local indigenous communities to perform sacred ceremonies.
Your journey begins with a 4WD vehicle transport from Santa Marta to the trailhead town of El Mamey (also known as Machete Pelao).
From El Mamey, you will embark on a multi-day trek on foot, hiking approximately 7.1 miles (11.5 km) per day through dense jungle. The route involves crossing the Buritaca River and climbing 1,200 stone steps to reach the ruins.
The best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from December through early March.
During this period, the Buritaca River is lower and easier to cross, the clay trails are significantly less muddy, and you can avoid the worst of the torrential jungle downpours.
The peak rainy season (March to November) makes the trails extremely slippery and river crossings hazardous.
Ciudad Perdida is completely inaccessible to wheelchair users due to its remote jungle location.
Accommodation consists of rustic, open-air jungle camps run by local families and indigenous communities.
The Sierra Nevada mountains are sacred ancestral lands, and visitors must behave with respect:
As of 2026, standard shared tours cost between 1,860,000 COP and 2,150,000 COP (approximately $521 to $602 USD) per person. This all-inclusive price covers your guide, transport from Santa Marta, meals, and park entry fees.
No, independent trekking is strictly prohibited by the government and indigenous authorities. You must book an organized tour through an authorized agency to ensure safety and fund local communities.
The trek is highly challenging and physically demanding. You will hike 6 to 9 hours a day over steep, muddy clay terrain in extreme heat and humidity, culminating in a climb up 1,200 steep stone steps.
You will sleep in rustic, open-air jungle camps. Depending on availability, you will be assigned either a bunk bed or a hammock, both of which are equipped with mosquito nets to keep out insects.
Yes, potable water is provided at the cabins and camps. The water is sourced from the river and chemically treated in large containers, so you can safely refill your reusable bottles or bladders.
Pack as lightly as possible in a 20-liter daypack. Bring quick-drying hiking clothes, well-broken-in shoes, a reusable water bottle, dry bags for electronics, and long pants and sleeves for the evenings to protect against mosquitoes.
Ciudad Perdida was founded by the Tairona civilization around 800 AD. This makes the ancient city approximately 650 years older than Peru's famous Machu Picchu.
Tours operate most of the year, but the trail and archaeological site are completely closed to tourists during the month of October. This closure allows indigenous communities to perform sacred cleansing ceremonies.
Jungle insects, especially mosquitoes, are highly active. Scorpions occasionally seek warmth inside hiking boots left out overnight, so always shake out your shoes in the morning before putting them on.
The standard minimum age for group tours is 8 years old. While children as young as 4 or 6 have completed the trek, it requires booking a private, slower-paced 6-day itinerary to accommodate their speed.
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This four-day expedition takes you deep into the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to reach the archaeological ruins of the Lost City. The route passes through dense tropical forests and diverse landscapes where you can spot local wildlife and visit active indigenous communities living in the mountains. The tour is fully supported, with transport, all meals, and medical insurance included. You will spend your nights in a mix of hammocks, beds, or tents, each provided with mosquito nets and blankets. A qualified guide and a translator lead the group to provide historical context and navigate the terrain safely. Your trek also supports the local region through mandatory contributions to both indigenous and peasant communities. All entrance fees to the archaeological site are covered in the price, allowing you to focus entirely on the physical challenge and the scenery of the Sierra Nevada.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
English, Spanish
This four-day expedition leads you through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains to reach Ciudad Perdida, an indigenous archaeological site dating back to the 9th century. The trek involves several days of hiking through dense jungle and crossing rivers before climbing 1,200 stone steps to reach the ancient ruins. You will follow trails through the Colombian wilderness while learning about the history of the Tairona civilization from your guide. To maintain a manageable pace, groups are limited to a maximum of 12 participants. The tour includes round-trip transport from hotels in Santa Marta, all entrance fees, and meals as specified in the itinerary. Accommodations are provided at camps along the trail for the duration of the hike.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This five-day trek leads you through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains to the ruins of Ciudad Perdida. Built by the Tayrona people around 800 AD, the site is only accessible on foot. The route involves several days of hiking through dense tropical forests, crossing rivers, and climbing steep stone steps to reach the archaeological site. Along the way, you will pass through indigenous villages and learn about the local communities that still inhabit the region. The itinerary includes stops at natural swimming holes and waterfalls to cool off. Each night is spent at basic jungle campsites equipped with hammocks or beds, where you are surrounded by the local wildlife and vegetation.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish