Lost City Trek 2025: An Honest Review of the 4-Day Adventure

So, you’re thinking about the Lost City Trek in Colombia, right? You’ve likely seen pictures of those green, terraced hills that sort of disappear into the clouds. As a matter of fact, it’s a picture that stays with you and really sparks a bit of curiosity. This piece is, more or less, my way of sharing what the four-day version of this walk is actually like, beyond just the pretty photos. I mean, it’s about giving you a feel for the sweat, the river crossings, and that absolutely incredible feeling of seeing the ancient city of Teyuna for the first time. To be honest, I wanted to provide an account that is genuinely helpful for someone planning their own trip in 2025.

Day 1: The Plunge into the Sierra Nevada

Okay, the first day literally starts with a jolt. You get picked up in Santa Marta, and it’s almost always in a rugged 4×4 jeep that seems older than you are. This ride up into the mountains is, like, really bumpy and takes a couple of hours, so you definitely get shaken around a bit. After a final town-cooked lunch, you’re pretty much at the trailhead, a small village named El Mamey. From here, you just start walking. The heat, you know, hits you immediately. It’s this very heavy, wet heat that apparently is just a constant friend for the next few days. The first section is frankly a series of steep ups and downs; your body is kind of screaming “what are you doing?” as you sweat more than you thought possible. After about four hours of walking, you finally reach the first campsite, a place that feels like a very welcome sight with its simple bunks and shared spaces. Honestly, falling asleep that night is not a problem at all.

Day 2: Deeper into the Green, Finding Your Rhythm

Well, you wake up pretty early on day two, usually to the sounds of the jungle and your guide getting breakfast ready. This day is, in some respects, all about pushing deeper into the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The paths are sort of a mix of muddy trails and rocky sections, and you will absolutely get your feet wet. For instance, there are several river crossings, which are actually a very nice way to cool off. Sometimes the water is knee-deep, and you just have to wade right through it, which is kind of fun. Our guide, by the way, started telling us more stories on this day. We passed by a Wiwa indigenous community, and he explained a lot about their beliefs and how they see the land as sacred. It’s a day where you almost feel your legs getting used to the work. Anyway, you cover a good amount of ground before reaching the next camp, which is typically right next to a river perfect for a pre-dinner swim.

Day 3: The Ascent to Teyuna – The Lost City Awaits

Frankly, this is the day everyone is waiting for, and it begins before the sun is even up. The whole reason for the sore muscles and the mosquito bites is just a few hours away. First, you have to cross a pretty wide river one last time. And then, there it is: the beginning of the steps. So, you start to climb what amounts to roughly 1,200 narrow, moss-covered stone steps that the Tayrona people built centuries ago. Seriously, it’s a very humbling climb, and you can just imagine people doing this for hundreds of years. Reaching the top is, like, a really special moment. You step out of the dense jungle and onto the first stone terrace of Teyuna, the Lost City. Obviously, the place is much bigger than you expect. It’s a huge complex of stone circles and pathways spread over the mountainside. The guide usually spends a few hours with the group, explaining the history of this city that was apparently a major center for the Tayrona civilization long before Machu Picchu was built. You get a lot of free time to just sit and absorb the incredibly peaceful feeling of the place, you know?

Day 4: The Long Walk Home and Sweet Victory

At the end of the day, what goes up must come down, and then go all the way back. The final day is, in a way, the most mentally tough part of the whole thing. You basically have to retrace your steps over a pretty long distance to get back to El Mamey where you started. You know, you’re tired, your muscles are a bit sore, and you’re walking over ground you’ve already seen. Yet, there’s a new feeling in the group, a kind of shared pride in what you’ve all just done together. That final stretch of trail feels almost endless, but when you finally see the village, there’s a huge sense of relief. Arriving back at that first little shop for an ice-cold drink is just an incredibly good feeling. It’s basically a celebration with people who were strangers just four days earlier. The bumpy jeep ride back to Santa Marta feels almost welcome, a sign that a hot shower is really not too far away.

Essential Tips & What I’d Known

Okay, looking back, there are definitely a few things that are good to know. It’s not a simple hike, so a moderate level of fitness is pretty much a must. You will be walking for several hours each day over terrain that is often uneven and steep. Frankly, preparing your body a little beforehand makes a huge difference. As for gear, just pack light. You really don’t need much. Here’s a quick list of what I found to be absolutely necessary:

• Good Shoes: This is literally the most important item. You need broken-in hiking boots or trail runners that can handle mud and rocks.
• Insect Repellent: As a matter of fact, the mosquitoes are no joke, especially in the evenings. A strong DEET-based repellent is your friend.
• Blister Care: Even with good shoes, blisters can happen. I mean, bringing moleskin or Compeed patches is a very smart idea.
• A Small Towel: One of those quick-dry travel towels is perfect. The camps usually have showers, but you sort of have to bring your own towel.
• Cash: There are small spots along the way where you can buy a cold drink or a snack. So, bringing some Colombian pesos is a good call.
• A Positive Attitude: To be honest, this is half the battle. You will get hot, tired, and dirty. Just embracing that is part of the whole experience, you know?

I mean, you go into the jungle looking for a lost city, but you actually end up finding a little bit of yourself, a strength you didn’t quite know you had. It’s pretty much more than just a hike; it’s a full-on experience that sticks with you.

So, the trip is really a deep dive into nature and history. You’ll be dealing with some pretty basic conditions and pushing your body physically. Yet, the reward of seeing those ancient terraces appear through the mist is honestly something you just won’t forget. It’s an adventure in the truest sense.

• Key Takeaway 1: Physical preparation is very important; don’t underestimate the heat and hills.
• Key Takeaway 2: Pack as lightly as possible, focusing only on real needs like good footwear and bug spray.
• Key Takeaway 3: The experience is just as much about the cultural insights from the local guides as it is about the final destination.
• Key Takeaway 4: Embrace the basic conditions—the reward is more than worth the temporary discomfort, you know?

Read our full review: [Lost City Trek 4 days Review and Details]

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