08 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,020pp
Escorted tour
Lost City Trek in Colombia: Ciudad Perdida from Cartagena – 7 Days
Three days through the Sierra Nevada rainforest to the ancient Ciudad Perdida, with jungle camps, in a group of up to 16.
7 days
From £1,010
Tour overview
This 7-day adventure takes you deep into the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta on Colombia's Caribbean coast to reach Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City, an ancient stone city built by the Tayrona people centuries before Machu Picchu and hidden in the jungle until the 1970s. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader and local indigenous guides. You stay six nights: three in hotels in Cartagena and Santa Marta and three in simple jungle camps with hammocks or bunks, shared bathrooms and mosquito nets, including one at a Wiwa community camp. Six breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners are included, with all meals cooked by the trekking team in the mountains.
Your trip begins in Cartagena, a colonial port of colourful balconies and city walls, with time to explore its old town. A private transfer takes you along the coast to Santa Marta, one of the oldest cities in South America, gateway to the mountains.
Read more
Climbing into 4WDs, you travel off-road to the small town of Machete Pelao, where the trek begins. Over three days you hike through rainforest, along muddy trails and across rivers, passing indigenous Kogi and Wiwa settlements and swimming in natural pools along the way. On the second day you climb more than 1,200 stone steps through the forest to reach the terraces and plazas of Ciudad Perdida, where your guide explains the history and spiritual significance of the site to the indigenous peoples who still guard it.
Returning along the trail, you spend a night at a Wiwa community camp, learning about the traditions of the people of the Sierra Nevada, before hiking out and returning to Santa Marta for a hot shower and a final night in a hotel.
The physical rating is high, with long, hot and humid days, steep climbs and river crossings. This trek suits fit, adventurous travellers who are happy with basic camps and want one of South America's great jungle treks. Pack light, quick-drying clothes and good boots, as trails can be muddy. Departures run outside the main rainy season, and the trail may close in September for an annual rest period.
Trip highlights
-
Colonial Cartagena (Day 1)
-
Santa Marta on the Caribbean (Day 2)
-
A 4WD ride into the Sierra Nevada (Day 3)
-
Swimming in jungle rivers (Day 3)
-
The terraces of Ciudad Perdida (Day 4)
-
A Wiwa community camp (Day 5)
Your route
5 stops from Cartagena to Santa Marta
- Cartagena Day 1
- Santa Marta Day 2
- Machete Pelao Day 3
- Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) Days 3–5
- Santa Marta Days 6–7
Why choose this tour
One of South America's great treks to an ancient lost city. Local indigenous guides and a night at a Wiwa community camp.
Best suited to
- Fit, adventurous travellers
- Hikers wanting a jungle trek
- History lovers
- Solo travellers looking for a group
Day-by-day itinerary
7 days from Cartagena, Colombia to Santa Marta, Colombia
-
Day 1 · Cartagena Arrive in Cartagena
A welcome meeting in the walled city.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Santa Marta Santa Marta
A scenic transfer along the coast.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Machete Pelao Into the jungle
A 4WD ride and the first day's trek.
- Hotel
- Jungle camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 4 · Ciudad Perdida Ciudad Perdida
Climb the stone steps to the Lost City.
- Hotel
- Jungle camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 5 · Wiwa community Wiwa camp
Hike back to a community camp.
- Hotel
- Wiwa community camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Santa Marta Santa Marta
Hike out and return to the coast.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 7 · Santa Marta Trip ends
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Cartagena (1 night) Hotel
- Santa Marta (1 night) Hotel
- Sierra Nevada (2 nights) Jungle camp
- Sierra Nevada (1 night) Wiwa community camp
- Santa Marta (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 3 nights in hotels and 3 in jungle camps
- Meals 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
- Private transfer and 4WD transport
- Three-day guided trek to Ciudad Perdida
- Entrance to the Lost City
- Local indigenous guides and a leader
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 1 lunch and 3 dinners
- Optional activities in Cartagena
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You dislike heat, humidity and mud
- You want comfort — jungle camps are basic
- You are new to hiking
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–7 · Lunch: Days 3–6 · Dinner: Days 3–5
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Colombia
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,010 per person, twin share, tour only. 24 upcoming departures.
06 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,010pp
10 Jan 2027
Twin share
£1,275pp
07 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
28 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
21 Mar 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
11 Apr 2027
Twin share
£1,150pp
13 Jun 2027
Twin share
£1,150pp
11 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,150pp
08 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,150pp
14 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,150pp
05 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
26 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
09 Jan 2028
Twin share
£1,205pp
06 Feb 2028
Twin share
£1,255pp
27 Feb 2028
Twin share
£1,255pp
19 Mar 2028
Twin share
£1,255pp
09 Apr 2028
Twin share
£1,205pp
11 Jun 2028
Twin share
£1,205pp
09 Jul 2028
Twin share
£1,205pp
06 Aug 2028
Twin share
£1,205pp
12 Nov 2028
Twin share
£1,205pp
03 Dec 2028
Twin share
£1,255pp
24 Dec 2028
Twin share
£1,255pp
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How hard is the trek?
Challenging, with long, hot and humid days, steep climbs, mud and river crossings.
What are the jungle camps like?
Simple camps with hammocks or bunks, mosquito nets and shared bathrooms.
How many steps are there to the Lost City?
More than 1,200 stone steps through the forest.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors do not usually need a visa for a holiday stay in Colombia. Check before you travel.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 15.
How many people travel together?
Up to 16 travellers, with a leader and indigenous guides.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary