Lost City Trek from Santa Marta: 4-Day Hike & Indigenous Camps

Summary

Santa Marta to Ciudad Perdida hike with rivers villages ancient steps

You’ll hike deep into Colombia’s Sierra Nevada with local guides who know every bend in the trail. Expect riverside swims, meals cooked by campfire light, nights in hammocks or beds under mosquito nets, plus real moments with indigenous communities along the way. If you’re looking for something that stays with you long after you leave — this trek does it.

What’s the experience like?

It started with a smile from Rosa at the Expotur office — she handed me a cup of strong coffee and asked if I’d slept. (I hadn’t, nerves.) The truck ride out of Santa Marta was louder than I expected, all bouncing over red dirt and everyone half-laughing, half-bracing. Our guide, Jhon, grew up near Mamey and pointed out mango trees along the way — said his uncle used to trade fruit for stories from hikers. We stopped for lunch in El Mamey; rice, fried plantain, chicken that tasted smoky somehow. There was this smell of earth after rain, even though it wasn’t raining yet.

The first climb hit me harder than I want to admit. Sweat everywhere, shirt sticking to my back. At one point we passed a group of Kogui kids walking barefoot — one flashed us a shy peace sign. Jhon explained how they call the Lost City “Teyuna” and believe it’s still alive somehow. That stuck with me. By the time we reached Camp 1, my legs were jelly but there was cold river water waiting — I dunked my head in and just floated for a bit while someone nearby tried (and failed) to catch tiny fish with their hands.

Next day was jungle all around: thick green walls, bird calls I didn’t recognize (one sounded like laughter?), and these sudden bursts of color from flowers or someone’s shirt drying on a branch. We walked past Mutanshi village — smoke rising from cooking fires, women weaving by the doorway. It felt like time slowed down there. The hike to Camp 3 took hours but honestly I lost track; sometimes you just walk because stopping feels stranger than going on.

The morning we climbed those 1,200 Tayrona steps to Ciudad Perdida is still sharp in my mind. Mist everywhere, stones slick underfoot. Jhon told us about the old rituals as we rested at the top — he got quiet for a minute before pointing out where the sun hits first in the morning (“that’s where they believed spirits gathered,” he said). I wandered off for a while just listening to nothing but wind and thinking about how far we’d come. Lunch tasted better than any meal should after that much effort — maybe it was just hunger or maybe something else.

The walk back felt different — lighter somehow? Maybe because you know what your body can do now. We stopped at waterfalls to cool off again before piling into the truck back to Santa Marta. My shoes were caked in mud and my mind was full of odd details: river sounds at night, Jhon’s stories about jaguars (never saw one), that moment when silence felt heavier than any backpack.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to El Mamey and Camp 1

• Meet at Expotur office at 9:30 am
• Drive 2.5 hours to El Mamey
• Have lunch in El Mamey
• Begin search for Tayrona sacred place
• Arrive at Camp 1 in late afternoon
• Relax at rivers, pools, and waterfalls
• Have dinner and rest in hammocks

Day 2 — Hike from Camp 1 to Camp 3

• Have early breakfast at Camp 1
• Walk through Buritaca river valley
• Visit indigenous Kogui village Mutanshi
• Hike 7 hours through Sierra Nevada jungle
• Arrive at Camp 3 for lunch and rest
• Have dinner and sleep in camp

Day 3 — Ascend to Lost City and Camp 2

• Have early breakfast at Camp 3
• Climb 1,200 Tayrona steps to Lost City
• Tour Lost City with guide
• Rest and take photos at Lost City
• Have lunch at Lost City
• Return hike to Camp 2
• Have dinner and rest at Camp 2

Day 4 — Return from Camp 2 to Santa Marta

• Have breakfast at Camp 2
• Hike back passing rivers and waterfalls
• Arrive at El Mamey for lunch
• Take truck back to Santa Marta
• Arrive in Santa Marta around 5:00 pm

Top questions

How long is the Lost City trek from Santa Marta?

The trek lasts 4 days and includes transport from Santa Marta to El Mamey and back.

Is pickup included for the Lost City tour?

Yes, pickup is offered from Santa Marta as part of your booking.

Where do you sleep during the Ciudad Perdida hike?

You sleep in camps along the route; accommodations include hammocks or beds with mosquito nets.

Are meals provided during the trek?

Yes, all meals are included throughout the four days of hiking.

Do local guides lead this Lost City trek?

Yes, experienced guides from the region lead each group and share cultural insights along the way.

Can I swim during the Lost City hike?

You’ll have chances to swim in rivers and natural pools near several campsites.

Is luggage storage available in Santa Marta?

You can leave suitcases at Expotur’s main office free of charge during your trek.

What fitness level is needed for this tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is required; there are steep climbs and long walking days.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup from Santa Marta by 4x4 vehicle to El Mamey where lunch starts things off; all meals during four days trekking; snacks along the way; overnight stays in camps run by local families or communities with beds or hammocks provided; guidance from regional experts trained by SENA; plus safe storage for extra luggage at base if needed before returning by truck late afternoon on day four.