Five Things You Need to Know About Trekking to Colombia’s Lost City
Picture the scene. It’s 1972. You’re wading through Colombia’s jungle. Machete in hand. Maybe wearing some wide-lapelled explorer’s gear. May be not. And you’re looking for treasure. And you know what? You actually find it. Gold figurines. Ancient ceramics. And you make an absolute killing on the black market until some savvy Indiana Jones types clock you and it’s game over. But the thing is, you haven’t just uncovered lost treasure. You’ve found a whole, entire lost city, dating all the way back to 800 CE. And that is Ciudad Perdida.
And that’s where we’ll take you on our trek to Colombia’s Lost City.
Five Things You Need to Know About Trekking to Colombia’s Lost City
Where is the Lost City?
Situated in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range, Ciudad Perdida is 26 miles (42km) from Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range is the world’s highest coastal mountain range, with summits of 18,700ft (5,700m). And it is impossible to access by road. Which also makes it an ideal trekking destination.
How long is the Lost City trek?
The trek to Ciudad Perdida covers 44km and takes five days. Plus, three days for travel and orientation. Each day’s trek will vary in length, taking you between 1km and 10km, sometimes over very steep terrain.
Is the trek to Ciudad Perdida hard?
Due to its location, the Lost City trek is much more than a gentle stroll. You will literally be traversing through jungle. As well as at altitude. In high heat and humidity. The terrain is very steep in places, including the 1,200 stone steps that take you into the Lost City (where you’ll have the chance to explore). If you are looking for a thigh workout, then this is it! The trek will also take you across several rivers. And through some of the most magical, mind-blowing, awe-inspiring scenery you could ever imagine. So, is the trek hard? Yes. You’ll need a good level of physical fitness to complete this challenge. But you won’t need any climbing experience or equipment. And it is worth every step, every blister, every drop of sweat.
What do you need to take on the trek to Columbia’s Lost City?
If you travel with Choose a Challenge, all of your meals and accommodation will be provided. So, you can travel pretty light. But there are a few essentials you’ll need to bring. This would be our rough packing guide:
· A comfortable worn-in backpack
· Strong hiking boots with ankle support – also worn in
· Lots of socks – a pair for each day, as well as several spares (walking in wet socks is never fun)
· Sunscreen
· Sandals, Crocs, or similar for the river crossings
· Swimsuit
· Lightweight towel
· Mosquito spray
· Water bottle and water cleansing tablets
· Personal hygiene products
· Comfortable hiking clothes for each day – shorts, long trousers, t-shirts, vests, something long-sleeved for the evenings – remembering that in the humidity, wet clothes won’t dry overnight
· Camera
· Portable charger if you can’t bear to leave your phone behind
What is the history of Ciudad Perdida?
Once home to around 8,000 people, like so many other parts of South America. It is believed that that Ciudad Perdida was abandoned during the Spanish Conquest. Its people fled into the mountains towards the end of the 15th century, and the once thriving trade centre was lost to time. Only to be fully explored by archaeologists in 1976. Surviving indigenous communities say that they always knew the site was there, but had preferred to keep the knowledge to themselves. And who can blame them. Now, the site is under the care of the Global Heritage Fund (GHF), who are working to preserve and protect the Lost City for generations to come. Due to its inaccessibility, visitor numbers remain low. Your visit can help to contribute to the preservation of this magnificent place.
So, do you want to find out more about joining our next trek to Columbia’s Lost City? Get in touch.
