Sierra Tours, Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) Trek, Santa Marta, Colombia

Sierra Tours is a Colombian/German-run organization, specializing in ecological tours around Taganga and Santa Marta. Set-up in July 2007, it is relatively new to the business, however they are rapidly gaining their share of the market due to their good service, professional approach and punctuality.

The founder, Ricardo Olarte Padilla, has worked as an independent tour guide in the Sierra Nevada for many years and is continuously improving and expanding his organization.

Ciudad Perdida

The main trek offered by Sierra Tours is the Ciudad Perdida or "Lost City" trek in the Sierra Nevada. It is either a 6 days/5 nights or a 5 days/4 nights tour.

The first 3 days involve trekking through a landscape of rivers, jungle and mountains to reach the Lost City, with spectacular views along the way. There are several opportunities to bathe in streams and waterfalls and pass through some indigenous villages. It is a tough trek, with steep inclines and declines and several river crossings, but it is well worth it!

The return journey takes 2 days, via the same route. The longer tour includes an extra day at the Lost City itself. The tour package includes all transportation, meals, overnight accommodation in hammocks and mattresses in simple cabins, guides, porters (you only carry your personal items) and entrance fees. There is no electricity at the camps, but simple toilets, showers and running water are available.

Sierra Tours has an office in both Taganga and Santa Marta. By going directly to their office, you will get the best information and avoid having to pay commission. Six guides are permanently working for Sierra tours. Great attention is paid to costumer friendliness and professionalism. All guides are certified. They all complete a 6-month first aid course and carry a first aid kit. A mule can be arranged for your personal transport (costing 30.000 pesos) in the case that you encounter problems and helicopter transportation is available (at your own cost) in case of severe medical emergencies. The tour company also uses a safety belt and carabina during river crossings for your safety.

The Ciudad Perdida tour usually leaves several times per week, depending on demand.

2009 Price: 550,000 Pesos

What to take ...

- Trainers or hiking shoes plus sandals
- Thin sleeping bag or blanket
- Light clothing for hiking
- Long, warmer clothes for the evening
- 6 pairs of socks
- Swimming gear
- Waterproof jacket
- Towel and wash bag and any personal medication
- Flash light
- Water bottle & water purification tablets
- Plenty of insect repellent!
- Sun screen
- Toilet paper
- Plastic bags to protect personal items from moisture

Other tours ...

Don Diego - a 3 days/2 nights U-shaped tour along the rivers Don Diego and Don Dieguito. Walking through indigenous countryside with the snow-covered Sierra Nevada in the South and the Caribbean to the North. Accommodation is in indigenous houses. - $ 340,000

Nabusímake - a 5 days/4 nights tour to the Capital of the Arhuaco Indians in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. The tour involves 4 days walking up, spending one night in Nabusímake, followed by a 5 hour hike down, all guided by an expert indigenous guide.
$ 800,000

Beach Hiking - a 3 days/2 nights tour including transport, accommodation in hammocks, all meals, guiding and entrance fees. The tour requires a minimum of four people and discounts are offered for larger groups. The tour can also be organise for four days.

This is an excellent way to see the true highlights of Tayrona National park. Combining private transport with hiking trails along beautiful beaches, this tour offers you the chance to visit some of the country's most impressive beaches including Playa Cristal, Playa Cinto, Playa Guachaquita, Playa Palmarito, Playa Brava, Playa Cabo San Juan del Guia, Playa Piscina, Playa La Arenilla, Arrecifes and Cañaveral. The tour also makes a Cultural, archeological visit to the village of Pueblito where tours will be taken by the native descendents of the Tayronas, the Kogi indians.
$ 390,000

El Congo "Ciudad Antigua" - a 3 days/2 nights hike through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains with stunning views of its mountain peaks, as well as its unique flora and fauna.

Sierra Tours also offer the more standard tours to Parque Nacional Tayrona (beautiful beaches!), Cabo de la Vela, Quebrada Valencia and the beaches around Taganga and Santa Marta. Finally they are always happy to help out with any kind of travel arrangements, e.g. national and international flight tickets, bus tickets, hotels etc.