Discover Teyuna

Lost City Teyuna

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Teyuna is Past. We are Family and Community: Explore the Origin!

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Teyuna is Present. Passion for Service: Explore the Origin!

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Teyuna is Future. Be part of the Change: Explore the Origin!

We are Teyuna

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People travelled with Teyuna Tours!

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Families benefit from Teyuna Tours!

TripAdvisor – Lost City Trek reviews

  • star rating  Loved every minute of it!! Thanks to Yeison and Niko, our guides and translators, I had the best trip ever. They were always kind and funny and could answer every... read more

    charlotte g
    September 14, 2024

    star rating  I had this wonderful experience with my friends. I thought it would have been beautiful, but didn’t believe so magical.
    I’ve found a new family for those 4 days.
    It... read more

    Caterina T
    September 13, 2024

    star rating  Above the fact that La Cuidad Perdida is an absolute must while visiting Colombia, choosing Teyuna Tours has been a great decision.
    Everything happend extremely smoothly, swiftly and professionally... read more

    Antoine_x74zhk
    September 12, 2024
  • star rating  Lost City Teyuna Tours was an unforgettable adventure! Byron and Tato were exceptional guides - knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to help. Their passion for the region and its history... read more

    christinamC2121PI
    September 4, 2024

    star rating  Me and my friends visited the ciudad perdida with Tejuna tours. At first it looked quite expensive, but the price is fixed (so every other organisation gives you the same... read more

    captainari
    September 3, 2024

    star rating  Great experience hiking the lost city. Guides were friendly, very informative, great at motivating everyone during the hike and keeping spirits high. The food was great - lots of it.... read more

    Harriet M
    September 1, 2024
  • star rating  100% recommend Teyuna if you want to do the Lost City trek! We chose this company because they are the only one owned by local guides and this intimate knowledge... read more

    katieirwin42
    August 27, 2024

    star rating  One of the best experiences I have had in Colombia after 5 years of living in the country!

    The planning, local/indigenous/historical knowledge, travel logistics, and guidance of Teyuna... read more

    slater_aidan1
    August 22, 2024

    star rating  Four days with Teyuna Tours is four days well spent. The trek is well organised, the food is plentiful and delicious, the accommodation is comfortable and clean. Thanks to Ruth,... read more

    thisisimpossible1
    August 21, 2024
  • star rating  The tour takes you around beautiful places. You do need stamina to complete and don’t take too much luggage.

    The teyuna organisation was incredible. The guides were super friendly,... read more

    Ruben P
    August 13, 2024

    star rating  Went on the Lost City trek with my teenage son. Very well organised. Great guide, translator and cook. Group seemed to be a little more mature than... read more

    Burnham S
    August 11, 2024

    star rating  This was a very special adventure and surpassed my expectations in every way! Teyuna were a terrific tour company. Everything was taken care of, from food to lodging along the... read more

    Jill S
    August 5, 2024
  • star rating  Fantastic four days for the Ciudad Perdida. Our guide, Pedro, and translator Victor were excellent. They were very knowledge and met all of the needs in our group. The food... read more

    321shelbyt
    August 3, 2024

    star rating  The crew was amazing, they go out of their way to please everyone in every way. The food definitely outstanding, very delicious typical Colombian food. The scenery just gorgeous and... read more

    LatinTraveler1963
    August 3, 2024

    star rating  Amazing! highly recommended experience. Memorable. Well organized. The guide and the translator are quite knowledgable, friendly, and supportive.

    carlosaugustoToby
    August 2, 2024
  • star rating  This was my first multi-day hike with my 13 and 11 year-old sons. I was concerned about the hike being too difficult for them, but both did great. In total,... read more

    gattozeg
    August 2, 2024

    star rating  Excelente food, fresh fruit at every stop, excellent service and lodging, beds were comfortable, easy to work with, I greatly recommend them.

    Pablo L
    July 31, 2024

    star rating  My husband and I joined the 4 day, 3 night trek to Ciudad Perdida out of Santa Marta in July. Our group was about 12-16 people, from all over the... read more

    LisaQ585
    June 27, 2024
  • star rating  Our experience with teyuna tours was amazing. Guides are very responsible and professionals, misael, nico and Jenny (our cooker) we’re very friendly and polities. 100% recommended

    Jose G
    June 17, 2024

    star rating  We had the most incredible time ever trekking to the lost city with Teyuna tours. Our guide and translator Pipe and George were amazing and were so generous in sharing... read more

    Aggie D
    June 17, 2024

    star rating  The trip to the lost city was amazing! Is a hard trekking but worth the effort. We had two amazing guides (Pedro and Ender) and one incredible translator (Nico). The... read more

    danieladE2102UE
    May 6, 2024
  • star rating  This tour was amazing! I’d highly recommend anyone to do the Lost City Trek, the food was amazing, the company was great and the guides (Carlos and Nico) were incredible.... read more

    Thomas P
    April 19, 2024

    star rating  These guys simply saved our last day in S. Marta! After we lost approx. one hour to wait for and finally have contact with a competitor, who did not show... read more

    Sekok
    March 31, 2024

    star rating  Ciudad Perdida is a unique adventure! I highly encourage to do it at least once in a lifetime. The tour itself can be strenuous but so rewarding once you get... read more

    Stephanie C
    March 12, 2024
  • star rating  Teyuna tours and the Lost city trail in general are certainly worth it. The 5 day hike in combination with the waterfalls is a nice addition to the trail. Very... read more

    jessehaan33
    March 12, 2024

    star rating  We had the most magical experience with Ruth our guide. She grew up in the area, knows everything and really made everything perfect for us!

    Explore29622610844
    March 11, 2024

    star rating  Yason and his team did a great job. I always felt comfortable and safe. The food was delicious, the hike challenging but definitely worth it. Thank you!

    moniquestoll
    March 5, 2024
  • star rating  The leader and co leader are caring, knowledgeable, dependable.
    Before the trekking, they explain the details about the trail, porter, weather....And their suggestion about hiring porter for our own... read more

    quyn2019
    March 5, 2024

    star rating  If you find yourself in Santa Marta and decide to do the Lost City Trek, you don't need to look for another office. This is the one! While all offices... read more

    onefootforwardt
    February 25, 2024

    star rating  Very well run operation. 4 guides/cooks looking after 15 hikers and they were all amazingly attentive and efficient. They really made us a family over the 4 days. Amazing meals... read more

    567melissaf
    February 22, 2024
Sara Villegas
Sara Villegas
2024-07-27
Hice el tour de 4 días con Teyuna Tours y quedé feliz. Quede gratamente sorprendida con el orden, amabilidad y profesionalismo de los guías que nos acompañaron. Íbamos en un grupo muy diverso y siempre estuvimos acompañados por un guía, todos estaban dispuestos a responder nuestras preguntas, a solucionar cualquier dificultad y a ayudarnos en todo. Me gustó mucho que los tiempos estimados para las caminatas tienen en cuenta los descansos y que puede haber algunas personas con ritmos más lentos, gracias a esto siempre tuvimos tiempo de andar con cuidado y disfrutar el camino. También nos fue muy bien con la comida y los lugares donde dormidos. En general nos fue muy bien en el viaje, nuestros guías fueron Pedro, Daniel, Ramon y John, y los cocineros Santiago y Samuel. Muchas gracias 💚 Recomendaciones para los que van a ir: 1. Leer las recomendaciones que envía la agencia antes de ir. 2. Entender que están en la mitad de la selva y hay zonas que ni siquiera llega una mula. 3. Dejar un cambio de ropa limpio en el restaurante donde almuerzan el primer día para tener ropa limpia y seca cuando terminen todo el recorrido. 4. Llevar zapatos adecuados para caminar en terrenos resbalosos, empantanados y difíciles. 5. Llevar zapatos adicionales ( como chanclas) para descansar en el campamento
Annemarie Smits
Annemarie Smits
2024-07-26
Afgelopen week hebben wij, gezin met 2 dochters van 18 en 15, de tour gedaan onder begeleiding van Gabo, Javier en Enrique. Patricia was onze kok. De hike was pittig, maar door de deskundige begeleiding hebben we de dagen goed doorstaan. Op moeilijk begaanbare stukken was er altijd een helpende hand van Gabo of Javier, heel fijn. De maaltijden van Patricia waren eenvoudig, kan ook niet anders, maar gevarieerd, voedzaam en lekker. De extra informatie die we ‘s avonds kregen van Gabo (over de indianenstam) en Javier (over de lost city) was interessant, maar wel wat veel na de vermoeiende dag. Al met al een mooie ervaring om op terug te kijken. Dank voor de goede zorgen!
María Paula Cardoso Núñez
María Paula Cardoso Núñez
2024-07-20
Hice el tour a ciudad perdida en 4 días. La logística fue increíble, comida muy rica y los guías siempre estuvieron muy atentos a todas nuestras necesidades. Todos podemos ir al ritmo que necesitemos y llegar a la ciudad perdida fue una maravilla! Gracias Luis, Hernan, Bayron, Yeison y todo el equipo de cocina!
Jenna Phillips
Jenna Phillips
2024-07-18
We did the 4 day trek to Ciudad Perdida and it was nothing short of magical. It was an unforgettable experience. All of the guides were extremely knowledgeable, helpful and kind. The trek was tough, but they helped ease the pain with their preparedness, good talks and laughter. The guides split up to hike at/with the different places of the people, so you're never left alone or need to stay at others' paces. The food and snacks were ample and so delicious! The camps were organized, with drinks to purchase and clean filtered water to fill your bottle, and beds were comfortable. There's a bag carrying service if needed. The group of people we trekked with quickly became like family. Would definitely suggest hiking boots over runners, and electrolytes, extra snacks and a poncho (hike rain or shine - they do give you a plastic bag for your backpack). I am so grateful for my experience and would recommend it in a heartbeat. Muchas gracias to Byron, Luis, Yeison, Hernán, José and the team! You're all absolutely amazing <3
Janet Bowman
Janet Bowman
2024-07-18
Where do I begin!?? Teyuna Tours absolutely Nailed this Trek! They have been in the business for some years and it shows! The groups were small and personal, There were many guides for each group which helped a lot. If you weren't as fast as some people, you could hang back and still have a guide. Don't be fooled. This trek isn't for the faint of heart. We did the 4 day Trek and I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. You Trek rain or shine, hot or hotter! You will get wet, sweat your butt off and potentially fall down a few mudslides along the way! The best thing we did, was give our bags to someone to take them to the next stop. This alleviated so much unnecessary struggles and made our journey more enjoyable. For a small fee, this made all the difference in the world! The guides and translators were absolutely wonderful! They were fun, outgoing, helpful and super knowledgeable. The lost city was something I will never forget and I am so happy I did it with Teyuna! ( Even though I wanted to die and quit a few times over..lol) This is definitely a trip of lifetime and I would 100% recommend Teyuna Tours!
Sharon Schierling
Sharon Schierling
2024-06-24
This incredible adventure is so worth the money and (strenuous) effort! Not only is it the most memorable thing we did during our 2+ week stay in Colombia but I'd rank it among the top tours I've done anywhere in the 23 Latin American countries I've visited! No kidding, way better than overcrowded Machu Picchu, which the Lost City predates by 650 years. We were a group of 4 women with 2 Colombian guides, one lead & one sweep so each of us could hike at our own pace. We were fortunate to have exceptionally experienced guides--one even worked as a teenager with the archeological team that reconstructed the site in the 1970s! After long days trekking through dense jungle and challenging terrain, staying in camps was comfortable and allowed us to keep our packs light. The camps are large open air pavilions with beds w/mosquito nets, electricity, bathrooms, showers, and a cook who serves hearty meals. Finally, the archeological site itself is magnificent with its remarkable terraces nestled in the lush rainforest.
James Merritt
James Merritt
2024-06-22
Amazing experience. Our guides Pedro, Enrique and Carlos were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and patient. We learned much more than we expected, and the hike itself is beautiful and challenging. The chef Julia also provided incredible meals every day, and the camps were all a good standard with comfortable beds, showers and swimming spots. Highly recommend Teyuna!
Aggie Davies
Aggie Davies
2024-06-17
We had the most incredible time ever trekking to the lost city with Teyuna tours. Our guide and translator Pipe and George were amazing and were so generous in sharing their wisdom, good energy and knowledge with us. The trek was tough but we were always made to feel super comfortable going at our own pace - and the experience of reaching the lost city was like no other! The mountains are very magical - and made even more special by our guides who shared stories along the way and were so encouraging to us. The whole trek was very well run and we were so suprised to be given so many snacks and fab food prepared by Jonathan our chef! We can’t thank this team enough and hope to return some day for another adventure. We have left the trek with full hearts!
Esperanza Pablos Herrezuelo
Esperanza Pablos Herrezuelo
2024-06-08
Hicimos el tour de 4 días a Ciudad Perdía con Teyuna Tours. La experiencia ha sido increíble! Isidro, nuestro guía era muy experimentado y con mucho conocimiento. Siempre atento a que todo estuviera bien. La organización es sorprendente y la comida, Patricia era nuestra cocinera, muy rica! La ruta es dura, pero merece muchísimo la pena!

Explore the Origin

Lost City Trek

3 days

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Best option for visitors who prefer to have an exclusive experience, and have an excellent physical condition.

Lost City Trek

4 days

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Favourite choice of many travelers, recommended for trekking and adventure lovers.

Lost City Trek

5 days

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This adventure is designed for people who prefer to go at a slower pace, even without having much time.

Why are we different?

We are Teyuna Tours, the only Lost City trek operator to be directly owned by local guides with more than 15 years of experience, we have traveled and lived the magic of archaeological and sacred places in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range for a long time, developing a broad knowledge and reliability in Lost City treks operation.

We are a group of local Lost City trek guides who have been training to be professionals, in order to provide authentic ethno-tourism and eco-tourism experiences to our visitors; we are strongly driven by the desire to create and promote a culture of conservation and care for environment, habits and traditions of our communities.

With this strong will, we could make our dream a solid reality when getting together and creating Teyuna Tours, get to know more about our project:

Santa Marta Tour Guides created their own tour operator company: Teyuna Tours

The Lost City is providing a solid nature tourism alternative 

Teyuna, Buritaca-200 or Ciudad Perdida (the Lost City) is one of the more than 250 ancient villages...

... belonging to the four indigenous groups’ ancestral heritage and found in the northern and southwestern face of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, Magdalena department, northern Colombia.

Teyuna or Ciudad Perdida was discovered in 1976 by a team of archaeologists from the Colombian Institute of Anthropology headed by Gilberto Cadavid and Luisa Fernada Herrera; it was almost entirely restored between 1976 and 1982.

Members of the local indigenous tribes, descendants of the Tairona culture – the Arhuaco, the Koguis, the Wiwas and the Kankuamos – have stated that they visited the site on a regular basis before its rediscovery was made public and way before Lost City treks started, but that they had kept a secret about it.

They call Ciudad Perdida “Teyuna” and believe it was the most important spiritual center at the time, heart of a network of villages inhabited by their ancestors, the Taironas. Ciudad Perdida, which can be visited nowadays thanks to Lost City treks, was probably the political and manufacturing center of the region, being located in the valley of Buritaca river and probably inhabited by 2,000 to 8,000 people. It was apparently abandoned during the Spanish conquest.
The Lost City

The site that can be reached only by taking the so-called Ciudad Perdida trek, extends between 900 and 1,300 meters above sea level, on the foothills of Cerro Corea, in the northern face of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, on the right side of Buritaca river.

The main attraction of the Lost City trek, Ciudad Perdida, is known as Teyuna by the indigenous people of the area and therefore the name of the archaeological site: Ciudad Perdida-Teyuna Archaeological Park, even though within the nomenclature of archaeological sites located in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, it is also known as Buritaca-200.

The area within Ciudad Perdida-Teyuna Archaeological Park includes a complex system of constructions, flagstone trails (trails paved with flat-cut stones), stairs and containing walls, path connecting a series of circular terraces and platforms on which the ceremonial centers, houses and food storages (silos) were built.

The structures that were discovered so far occupy an area of approximately 35 hectares, in which up to 169 stone terraces and more 240 stone rings can be found. Since its discovery, Ciudad Perdida and Ciudad Perdida treks have been managed and regulated by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH), which is the public entity in charge of Ciudad Perdida-Teyuna Archaeological Park.

Being an archaeological park conserved by a national authority, located inside of the National Natural Park of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta -which overlaps with a native reservation inhabited by local indigenous groups too-, in order to reach the Lost City through a Lost City trek it is necessary to make a series of contributions to both communities living in the region in which the trek takes place: farming and indigenous communities, in fact, are in charge of performing maintenance on the trails, and to keep peace and harmony on the way to this ancestral site.

How long does it take to get to Ciudad Perdida?

Ciudad Perdida-Teyuna Archaeological Park can only be visited through several days of walking in the heart of the amazing tropical forest of Sierra Nevada, in a guided tour that takes between 3 and 6 days – the so-called Lost City or Ciudad Perdida trek – operated by TEYUNA TOURS, travel agency based in Santa Marta, Colombia.

How long is the hike to the Lost City?

The hike to the Lost City is 4 to 6 days long; it’s a walk of more than 50 km in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, involving river crossings, uphills, downhills, outstanding views, native communities and archaeological ruins.

How much is the Lost City Trek Colombia?

The 4 and 5-day Lost City Trek costs$1.750.000 COP and $2.050.000 per person in 2023; these prices includes transportation, guide service, lodging, food, entrance fees, contribution to local communities, travel insurance.

How difficult is the Lost City Trek?

This trekking involves long walks (more than 50 km in total) and takes place in a tropical forest, with high temperatures (up to about 32°C). It is usually hot and very humid, even if during the night temperatures may get as low as 17-18°C. There are a lot of mosquitoes, bugs and other insects, so that we recommend to bring insect repellent; chances of rain are usually pretty high, especially during the afternoon, so the trail can be muddy, and it is necessary to cross rivers and streams.

More information

Teyuna or Ciudad Perdida, also known as the Lost City trek in Colombia, was discovered in 1976 by archaeologists from the Colombian Institute of Anthropology. It was almost entirely restored between 1976 and 1982. The site, which is considered the most important spiritual center of the indigenous tribes in the area, can be visited nowadays through the Lost City trek.

The Lost City trek, also known as the Ciudad Perdida trek, is a guided tour operated by TEYUNA TOURS, a travel agency based in Santa Marta, Colombia. The trek takes between 3 and 6 days to complete and involves walking through the tropical forest of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, crossing rivers, navigating uphills and downhills, and exploring archaeological ruins.

The Lost City trek is managed and regulated by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH), as it is located within the Ciudad Perdida-Teyuna Archaeological Park, a national natural park that overlaps with a native reservation inhabited by local indigenous groups. To reach Ciudad Perdida, visitors are required to make contributions to both the farming and indigenous communities in the region as part of the trek.

The Lost City trek costs $1.750.000 COP for the 4-day trek and $2.050.000 COP for the 5-day trek per person in 2023. The cost includes transportation, guide service, lodging, food, entrance fees, contribution to local communities, and travel insurance.

The Lost City trek is a challenging adventure, involving long walks in a tropical forest with high temperatures, humidity, and mosquitoes. However, the trek offers outstanding views, unique cultural experiences with local indigenous communities, and a chance to explore the ancient ruins of Ciudad Perdida.

In conclusion, if you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Colombia, the Lost City trek, also known as Ciudad Perdida trek, is a must-visit destination. Managed by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, this guided tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the ancient ruins of Teyuna, also known as the Lost City, while supporting local communities and experiencing the natural beauty of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Book your trek with TEYUNA TOURS and embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Colombian jungle.

Disclaimer - Teyuna Tours S.A.S.

The company is exempt from any kind of responsibility coming from the pre-existing conditions of the visitors, including medical or physical conditions, or even of a different nature, such as pregnancy and others that may affect the health of the visitor him/herself.

If you have questions regarding our services, level of difficulty of the walks, the Lost City treks or other details, feel free to contact us and we will be really glad to advise you.

Closer to Teyuna: 4-day Lost City trek starting from $1.800.000 COP per person