How We Found The 'Lost City'

Before we arrived in South America I had never heard of The Lost City, for us it was all about Machu Pichu for the ultimate, must-see sight trek! But as we moved closer to Colombia, we heard more and more about this exciting adventure and the 'hardest trek you will ever do' called Cuidad Perdida...

Cuidad Perdida -´The Lost City´

After reading the words 'it was the best thing I have ever done' several times on TripAdvisor we decided we had to do it and began planning with the help of Pau at our Hostel La Guaca in Santa Marta. He had the contacts at Turcol Travel, the original Lost City trek providers, and he was able to tell us everything we needed to know.

Before the trek we asked:

Can you buy water during the trek? Yes
Can we pay by card? Yes
There are 5 of us, can we get a group discount? Yes, we paid 580,000 pesos per person.

There have been mixed reviews of the water supplied during the treks, personally I think this is down to the individual, some people appeared to be fine drinking the purified water provided during the trek and others not so much, so I just stuck with bottle water.

We had also heard that the Lost City trek, as beautiful as it was, was also extremely tough, so with a little fear instilled we decided the only thing we could do in preparation was to pack as appropriately and efficiently as possible:

What to pack?

A small backpack 
I cannot emphasise enough the importance of this, you will be carrying your pack throughout your walk, approximately 30 miles, so do be sure that you take a comfortable and compact backpack.

Walking shoes or boots 
Walking boots or training shoes is a must, you will be doing a lot of walking, up and down, with some very steep paths and uneven ground so having a boot with support is best. Additionally, it rained very heavily on two of the afternoons which meant that there was no time to worry about wet feet, this was inevitable. The small streams turned into rivers and the river turned into raging rapids, so our boots had puddles in, but having the support to cross the rivers was vital. So be prepared to get wet, no flip flop would have survived.

Sandals or flip flops (for crossing rivers)
Having alternative footwear is advised for when walking around camp, the last thing you want to do after a day in your walking boots is to have to keep them on, especially if they are wet, so bring some small flip flops for comfort in the evenings/morning time.

Tops
I know I said take a small backpack, but try to take as many T-shirts as possible, otherwise you will be living and walking in the same stinky shirt. This is fine whilst walking but when you are relaxing in the evening you really do want to feel as comfortable and clean as possible. Which leads me to...

Comfortable clothes (Long sleeved shirt and long trousers for evenings in camp)
Not essential for the trek but essential if you want to be able to relax and be as comfortable as possible in the evenings and in bed, the last thing you want is to have to sleep in the damp tshirt and shorts you wore all day.

Lost City trek river crossings

Bikini/swim shorts
At every camp there is the chance to jump into a cool natural pool and relax so bring your bathers and save yourself, and everyone else, the embarrassment of having to wear your underwear!

Other essentials: 
Extra socks
Insect repellent (Nopikex brand available in Colombia is excellent)
Personal toiletries
Torch or flashlight - essential as only one of the camps has electricity.
Bottle for water
Personal medication - including antihistamines if the mosquitoes decide you are the dinner.
Camera
Drysac or ziplock bags - ESSENTIAL for the camera and other belongings, especially during those sketchy river crossings!

Towel - Compact and light-weight travel towels are best.

Optional items:
A deck of playing cards or a book
Sleeping bag or sleep sheet

The Turcol Tour Includes:

• Experienced local guide
• Entrance fees to the Lost City
• Accommodation - hammocks and bunk-beds with mosquito nets and blankets.
• Showers and flush toilets
• All meals, snacks and purified water
• Transport from Santa Marta to trailhead and return
• Insurance against any type of accidents

So?? How was it?! 

Breathtaking...quite literally and in its utter beauty! Perhaps one of my hardest but favourite treks during our travels. The Lost City had a peacefulness and mystical air, something that I fear has been worn away from Machu Picchu over the years. 

It is the lack of easy access to the Lost City that preserves its tranquility and uniqueness, and although I believe Machu Picchu to be a more stunning landscape, the Lost City trek itself is the most beautiful. 

The Colombian mountainside is something to behold and to have been able to enjoy its untouched natural beauty for several days before 'finding' the City, made it all the more special when we did. With moss still covering its steps, and only the sounds of the jungle to talk over we enjoyed learning and exploring the city with our guide Jose before making a start on the long 15 mile return. 

So if you are going to do any sort of trek whilst in South America, I recommend the Lost City trek, despite the difficulties (and blisters), it is one never to forget, plus unlike the now extremely commercial Machu Picchu, there is no bus-loads of tourists, passport control or wifi!