From World travel guide

Ciudad Perdida is precolumbian city located in the Colombian jungle close to Santa Marta. Build between the eight and the fourteenth century by the Tayrona Indians. Nowadays only stone circular shaped terraces covered by jungle remain.

Tours

It's not possible to visit the site on you own. Treks to Ciudad Perdida are arranged by Turcol (Carrera 1C No 20-15 Santa Marta, tel. 4333737, email: turcol_24@hotmail.com). The price is fixed, C$ 400.000 for a 6 day trek or C$ 350.000 for a 5 day trek. Altough small discounts can be arranged if you book directly at the guide. Some of hostels in Santa Marta or Taganga can book the tour for you or can hook you up with one of the guides. Tours leave when there are enough people for a group, usually around twice a week.

Program

The first day is a three hour walk to the first camp. The second day it's another four hours. And the third day it's six hours to the Ciudad Perdida. The fourth day you spend exploring the site. The fifth day is a eight hour walk back to the first camp and the sixth day is only three hours back to civilization.

There is a side trip to a small cocaine factory the first or the last day close to the first camp. It shouldn't cost more than C$20.000 per person.

Things To Bring

• Shorts - During the day it's hot. One pair is enough for the six day, they will be stinking and sweaty after two hours anyway.
• Long pants and long sleeved shirts - Some dry clothes for the night which provide some warmth and protection against the mosquitos.
• Good walking boots
• Sandels or a extra pair of shoes - There are some rivercrossing on the way so you might want to bring some extra footwear.
• Waterbottle - Can be refilled at some of the streams.
• Good Mosquito repellent - Mosquitoes a numerous and aggressive.
• Sleeping bag - The nights are cold at the ciudad perdida.
• Money - The sidetrip to the cocaine factory cost about C$ 20.000 and you might want to buy some drinks on the way to or back or tip the porters.