The name Ciudad Perdida really is fitting as Colombia’s “lost city” went centuries without being discovered by the outside world. Treks to La Ciudad Perdida combine the opportunity to see some of Colombia’s natural beauty with a fascinating insight into the ancient indigenous Tayrona culture. Usually a six-day hike, treks here pass though Colombia’s incredible rainforest, taking you across various streams and rivers, through various Kogi Indian communities, alongside a beautiful waterfall and finally up a set of 1,200 or so ancient steps to the hidden delights of this immense ancient site.

La Ciudad Perdida was built over 1,000 years ago by the Tayrona Indians and is the oldest pre-Columbian city ever discovered in the Americas. Later inhabited by Kogi Indians, it is believed that, at its height, the city had somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000 inhabitants. The city was abandoned for centuries and it is thought that the indigenous communities who hid in the northern Colombian jungle were among very few tribes that avoided the impacts of Spanish colonization. La Ciudad Perdida was rediscovered by grave diggers in 1975 and soon afterward archeologists began excavation at the site.

The site is over 400 hectares in size and stands at an elevation of between 900 – 1,200 meters. The route is situated in a national park and, waking up to the symphony of birds, the trek gives one the opportunity to see some of the Colombian jungle’s incredible wildlife, natural beauty and indigenous life.

Tours are generally organized from Santa Marta and cost upwards of $150 per person, including transport, a guide and food. Although it is possible that some tours can be organized for cheaper, these usually mean that you take and carry a lot of your own equipment. If uncertain, it is essential to inquire about the legitimacy of tour guides with the local tourist office. Local authorization is essential as your guide will be required to provide legitimate documentation and a visiting permit during the tour. Most tours are organized by the company Turcol. Always check beforehand what equipment is necessary as some organizers require you take your own tent and mosquito net. It is worth taking extra footwear and a waterproof jacket. The jungle can experience some heavy rains and you should pack with this in mind.

Tours generally last six days, which are usually broken into three days to arrive, one day (two nights) at the site, and two days to return. Tours usually run every few days and groups average in size between 4-12 people. Vaccination against yellow fever is necessary. For those with a lot more money and less time, helicopter trips to La Ciudad Perdida are also available.

COST: $252 six days / five nights, all inclusive.

TO GET THERE: Only two tour operators, Turcol in Santa Marta and Sierra Tours in Taganga, are licensed to take groups up to Ciudad Perdida. Independent guides ask for cupos, or spaces, from these agencies.

WHAT TO TAKE / NOT TO TAKE: Take along good walking shoes, water purifying drops, warm sweater or jacket (evenings are cool). Plastic bags are essential for keeping your clothes dry. Do not bring unnecessary belongings; you will be carrying your own pack on the trek. To lessen weight, stow unnecessary items at your hostel in Santa Marta or Taganga. Also, don’t carry valuables.

NEED TO KNOW: The national park service restricts the number of visitors admitted to the archaeological site to 50 per day. In 2003 a group of foreigners were kidnapped by an armed group; there were no such incidents known before or that have occurred since that event. The area is now heavily patrolled by Colombian military and, it is widely rumored, by paramilitary forces.

OTHER THINGS TO SEE: The Museo de Oro Tairona in Santa Marta, a must-see before the trek; other destinations in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, including Minca; Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, with its ruins at El Pueblito and Playa Brava; the many fine beaches all along the coast; water sports, including fishing.