Although this company was established back in 1984 and claims to be the pioneers of the Ciudad Perdida trek, they have only recently recommenced the tour in mid 2008 having stopped for several years due to safety concerns.
This is a husband and wife operation and is part of Hotel Miramar in Santa Marta although it can be booked through various other hostels in Santa Marta and Taganga.
As of October 2008, all companies offering the trek to Cuidad Perdida agreed to set the price at 480,000 pesos and this doesn't appear to be negotiable.
Ciudad Perdida Trek 2008 - Day by Day
Day 1
Santa Marta - Mamey - Adan
6kms, 4 hrs
6kms, 4 hrs
The tour leaves Santa Marta between 7am and 9am on the first day and how far you walk is dependant on the state of the road, which is often unpassable in a Jeep due to landslides. If the road is passable, there will be a 2 hour Jeep ride from Santa Marta to Mamey, the official start of the trek and then a difficult 4 hour climb to the first night's camp.
If the road is not passable, then there could be up to an additional 3 hours walking to get into Mamey. Be prepared to potentially walk in the dark for the final decent into the camp. This camp is located in a beautiful spot next to a flowing stream. Warm beers are available for 3,000 pesos (jungle prices!) and there's even cable TV.
If the road is not passable, then there could be up to an additional 3 hours walking to get into Mamey. Be prepared to potentially walk in the dark for the final decent into the camp. This camp is located in a beautiful spot next to a flowing stream. Warm beers are available for 3,000 pesos (jungle prices!) and there's even cable TV.
Day 2
Adan - Gabriel
6km, 4-5 hrs
6km, 4-5 hrs
This day has one major climb and decent, but passes through some of the most spectacular scenery on the trip. This will be your first view of an Indigenous village and local people. The camp on the second night is smaller but again it's located on a river which is great for a swim after the day's walk. Beer here has increased in price to 3,500 pesos, so bring a bit of cash.
Day 3
Gabriel - Ciudad Perdida
8km, 5-6 hrs
8km, 5-6 hrs
Get ready for lots of river crossings! There are a few on Day 1 and 2 but today take's the biscuit. There's a lot more uphill on this day but this is where the real jungle trekking begins. The final 1,200 steps up to Ciudad Perdida is a 'nice' way to end the day. The camp here consists of a 2 storey cabin where you will be sleeping on mattresses instead of hammocks.
Day 4
Ciudad Perdida
Presuming you are on the 6 day trek, you will have this day to relax and explore the lost city. Typically your guide will take you on a tour of the ruins after breakfast, but largely the day is yours to do with as you please. Most people simply like to soak in the beauty of the ruins and revel in how remote you a location they are in. Note: there's no beer at Ciudad Perdida and from reading the comments in the guest book, this seems to be the only let down of this stunning place.
Day 5
Ciudad Perdida - Anden
7 hrs approx.
7 hrs approx.
This is a fairly big day so it's best to get an early start. You are trekking the same amount as days 2 and 3 combined, but as there's more downhill, it doesn't take as long.
Day 6
Adan - Mamey - Santa Marta
6km, 4+ hrs
6km, 4+ hrs
Again, the state of the road will impact on how much you walk on this day, but if you are lucky, the trek will end in Mamey, where your Jeep will meet you, or you may have the option of taking a motorbike a bit further.
Lunch is included before returning to Santa Marta by Jeep, arriving late afternoon.
What to take...
- thin sleeping bag or liner- hiking shoes or gum boots or at very least, trainers
- shoes/sandals for resting
- long socks to protect against mosquitoes
- a waterproof jacket
- towel
- torch
- water bottle with a decent capacity
- strong insect repellent
- sun screen and a hat
- any personal medication and your wash kit
- 2 sets of clothes, 1 wet set for walking and 1 dry set for the night time (remember it can get cold so long trousers and a jumper is best for the evenings and also limit skin exposure to the mosquitoes)
The food is surprisingly good. There's plenty of food provided to keep you going, but it also may be worthwhile taking some snacks for during the day. There is beer available on nights 2, 3 and 5 however it is more expensive given everything has to be brought in. Taking some rum for the night at the city may be a good idea.
photos
Report & Photos by: Kate Dombkins and James Marsden
Contact Info...
Calle 10 C No. 1C-59
Santa Marta
Santa Marta
WWW
www.hosteltrail.com/guiasybaquianos
5 431 9667
316 745 8947
316 745 8947
Send a Short Email
Writer's experience...
The trek if often referred to as being a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it certainly lives up to it's reputation. To hike through the Colombian jungle and see these ruins (without hordes of other tourists) is a truly unforgettable experience and the fact that it is physically demanding only seems to add to the adventure - minus the mosquitoes and mud!The writer's experience of the actual tour company was somewhat negative. Despite the food and camps appearing to be of equal standard to the other companies, unfortunately, there was a clear lack of communication between the guide and trekkers. Simple things like a morning briefing were not given and this would certainly have enhanced the experience a great deal. In addition to this, some key decisions on the first day that only an experienced guide should make were left to the trekkers which greatly affected the confidence of the group towards the guide. For the majority of the trip we were left walking with the assistant, which meant that we didn't have much of a 'guided experience' that trekkers from other companies enjoy. We must note however that there were other groups (from different agencies) in the same position, trekking well into the night on the first day.
For further information about Ciudad Perdida along with more photos of the site, click here to visit the Ciudad Perdida information section.
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