Lost City of Colombia - 8 days

Lost City of Colombia - 8 days

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8 Days From

$2165

Lost City of Colombia - 8 days

8 Days Starting in Santa Marta and ending in Goodbye Colombia

Visiting: Santa Marta, Trek to Adan’s Camp, Mutanyi & Rio Buritaca, The Lost City (Ciudad Perdida), Ciudad Perdida, Tayrona National Park, Goodbye Colombia

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

1842/LCOC

Group Type:

Private

Specialist Group:

Family/Kids

Guide Type:

Partially Guided

Group size:

2 - 4

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

Not recommended for under 5yrs.

Tour operated in:

English
From: $2165

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

TREKKING HOLIDAY: Embark on a 5 day trek through lush jungle and local settlements to uncover Colombia's Lost City, overnighting in rustic camps along the way. Climb the 1,200 stone steps which lead to the Ciudad Perdida, a fascinating site made up of stepped terraces carved into the side of a mountain. Top off your stay with some relaxation by the beach in Tayrona National Park.

Highlights

  • Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) - Explore this ancient archaeological site built by the Tayronas between 500 and 700 AD, making it 800 years older than Peru's Machu Picchu

  • Santa Marta - Enjoy free time at the start of your tour in the first Spanish settlement in South America, nicknamed the ‘Pearl of America’

  • El Machete River - Take a dip and admire the jungle on this stop on your trek en route to Adan's House

  • Mutanyi - Interact with the local Koguis people and learn about their traditions en route to Gabriel's House

  • Buritaca River - Traverse the waters of this river on your trek, spotting areas where treasure hunters were once active

  • Tayrona National Park - Enjoy free time in one of Colombia's most stunning national parks with mangrove swamps, green forest, mountain peaks and a spectacular coastline

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Santa Marta

Location: Santa Marta

Welcome to Santa Marta, the first stop on your Colombian adventure. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Santa Marta where you will be able to relax and freshen up before making the most of your free time for the rest of the day. Founded in 1525, Santa Marta was the first Spanish settlement in South America and has been nicknamed the ‘Pearl of America’ thanks to its stunning location. Take a wander through the city and see what you think of this legendary city.

Day 2: Trek To Adan’S Camp

Location: Trek to Adan’s Camp

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Adan's Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Santa Marta - El Mamey - Adan's Camp. Now the real fun begins as Day 2 marks the start of your hike that will eventually take you all the way to the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City). Our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby this morning and you will drive north in a 4x4 vehicle to the town of El Mamey, the start of the trekking route. Depending on the departure time today, lunch will be taken at a local restaurant on the road to El Mamey or after the first walk at Adan’s camp.



Today you will trek for a total of around three hours, stopping along the way to take a dip in the Gorge of Honduras, a beautiful natural pool. Your final stop for the day is Adan’s camp where dinner will be served and you will spend the night in a hammock.









Day 3: Mutanyi & Rio Buritaca

Location: Mutanyi & Rio Buritaca

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Paraiso Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Adan's Camp - Paraiso Camp. Time for a hearty breakfast as you are about to embark on a hike through some of Colombia’s most beautiful deep forest (approximately 8 hours). Roughly halfway through today’s hike you will pass through Mutanyi, a meeting town of the Koguis people. Here, you will have the chance to interact with the locals in order to learn more about their community, history and traditions. This is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique culture. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to take a dip in the nearby Rio Buritaca before heading to dinner and then to bed in Paraiso Camp.

Day 4: The Lost City (Ciudad Perdida)

Location: The Lost City (Ciudad Perdida)

Accommodation: Camp

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Numake Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Paraiso Camp - The Lost City - Numake Camp. After an early breakfast, you are back on the road and the first challenge of the day presents itself in the form of 1,200 stone steps, which lead to the much anticipated Lost City. Built by the Tayronas between 500 and 700 AD, the Ciudad Perdida is around 800 years older than Peru’s Machu Picchu and was probably the capital of the region at the time. The site comprises 169 stepped terraces, which have been carved into the side of the mountain, a series of tiled roads and some small circular plazas that show the harmony between the Tayrona civilisation and nature.



In 1972 the city was discovered by treasure hunters and is now a major archaeological site. Once you have finished exploring everything the ancient city has to offer, it’s time to head back to Paraiso camp to freshen up and have some lunch. After lunch, you continue trekking back to Numake Camp where you spend the night.

Day 5: Ciudad Perdida

Location: Ciudad Perdida

Accommodation: Camp

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Adan's Camp or Alfredo Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Numake Camp - Adan's Camp / Alfredo Camp. Today is spent trekking back through the jungle to the Adan's Camp or Alfredo Camp. Upon arrival you will have the opportunity to take a dip in the nearby Gorge of Honduras before heading to dinner.

Day 6: Tayrona National Park

Location: Tayrona National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Adan's Camp - Tayrona. After breakfast you will walk back to the Mamey region, where your trek comes to an end. Enjoy lunch and some time at leisure before you travel on to Tayrona, staying at a hotel just outside the national park.

Day 7: Tayrona National Park

Location: Tayrona National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning you will be met at the hotel where you will start a walking tour to Arrecifes within Tayrona National Park. Sitting on the Caribbean coast, this park is a national treasure and encompasses pristine beaches, picturesque forests and a huge variety of flora and fauna. Howler monkeys and iguanas are just two of the numerous animals that can be spotted here.





You can enjoy a swim in the Caribbean Sea at the many beaches you may stop at today. Soak up some sunshine and enjoy the beach, the choice is yours.

Day 8: Goodbye Colombia

Location: Goodbye Colombia

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today marks the end of your Colombian adventure. After breakfast and hotel check-out you will be transferred to Santa Marta airport for your onward travel.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Standard (superior and deluxe available on request)

  • 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners

  • 3 nights 4 star hotels and 4 nights basic camps while trekking - sleeping in hammocks or beds with mosquito nets

  • All meals, snacks and purified water during the trek

  • Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 8

  • Services of local English-speaking specialist guides and trekking guide for trek to the Lost City

  • Entrance fee to the Ciudad Perdida archaeological park

  • All relevant transfers and transportation

  • Trek to the Lost City on a shared excursion

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visas

  • Tipping – an entirely personal gesture

Age Policy

Not recommended for under 5yrs.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    4 and 3 star hotels

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

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10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

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05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

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16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Paul Kelly (Google Reviewer)  

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9...

26-Feb-2023

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9 day tour of Morocco visiting many main cities and places of interest. The coach was very comfortable and we felt safe with the driver Suliman. The guide was Hicham Touraouine and he was fantastic. He spoke perfect English as well as French, Arabic and Berber. He was so kind and considerate and made a good tour great. We particularly enjoyed ‘glamming in the Sahara Desert. So much to see and do and great food and company. We would definitely use On The Go Tours again, especially if Hicham was the guide. Paul & Penny

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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