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Both tours take you through the majestic Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to reach the Lost City, one of the most impressive archaeological destinations in Colombia. The main difference between the 4-day and 5-day tour lies in the pace of the journey and the experience of the last section.
In the 4-day Trek, the itinerary is more intense: the last day you walk approximately 7 hours, making it an ideal option for travelers with good physical condition and less time available.
In the 5-day Trek, an additional day is included to explore the Waterfall Trail, an alternative, little-traveled route that goes through beautiful natural landscapes. This variant allows you to discover a different area of the territory, where the visit to the waterfalls represents a special moment of the journey, ideal for connecting with nature and enjoying a refreshing and less crowded environment.
Both experiences are unforgettable, and the choice depends on the pace you wish to take. Keep in mind that the itinerary may be adjusted according to the guide's decisions or weather conditions, always prioritizing the safety of the group.
Yes! At Teyuna Tours we offer personalized experiences, including the Lost City Trek in 3 and 6 days, although both itineraries have special conditions.
✅ 3-day Trek: only for people with excellent physical condition
This option is designed for travelers with high physical endurance who wish to live the experience in less time. The tour is more demanding than the traditional 4 or 5-day versions, as the hiking days are longer and more intense. For safety reasons, it is mandatory to sign a liability waiver, confirming that there are no medical or personal conditions that prevent completing the trip.
✅ 6-day Trek: a more relaxed and profound experience
The 6-day tour allows you to enjoy a more relaxed journey through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, ideal for those seeking connection with nature and wishing to explore the landscapes and communities along the way more calmly. This service is offered upon special request and is subject to availability, weather conditions and prior planning. Contact us for more information and personalized rates.
At Teyuna Tours, we take care of every detail to ensure a safe, personalized and high-quality experience. Therefore, the maximum number of passengers per group is usually 14 to 16 people.
If the group is larger, two or more professional guides are assigned, accompanied by logistical support assistants. This ensures constant accompaniment throughout the tour, always maintaining close attention and safety on each section of the trail.
Our goal is for every traveler to enjoy the Lost City Trek authentically, feeling accompanied and safe every step of the way through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Yes, during the Lost City Trek each participant must carry their own backpack, so it is very important to pack only the essentials and bring light luggage. Remember that you will be walking between 4 and 7 hours a day, in tropical jungle and mountain terrain, so comfort and lightness make the difference.
Do you need help with your luggage?
If you prefer not to carry your backpack, there is the option of renting a community pack mule from the trek's starting point, in Machete Pelao. This service is provided directly by local muleteers from the community and allows transporting up to 8 backpacks, depending on their size and weight.
Estimated cost from: $800,000 COP for the entire journey
Important: This value is independent of Teyuna Tours, and is paid directly to the muleteer. Our guide will be happy to help you coordinate this logistics before or during the trail.
Packing well is key to fully enjoying the Lost City Trek experience. Here we share a recommended list of essential items, designed for you to travel comfortably, safely and prepared for the climate of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta:
👟 Clothing and footwear
🧴 Hygiene and health
🔦 Other essentials
💧 Do I have to carry water for the entire trail?
No, it's not necessary. At each trek camp you will have access to purified water, where you can refill your bottle or canteen. Still, we recommend starting each day with at least 1 liter of water, especially due to the heat and humidity of the environment.
At Teyuna Tours we care about your safety and well-being throughout the tour, but each traveler is responsible for their personal objects. Neither our agency nor the Lost City Trek camps are responsible for loss, damage or misplacement of belongings, including photographic equipment, cell phones, documents or money.
🧠 Important recommendations:
Travel light, with just the essentials, and fully enjoy this adventure in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Of course! At Teyuna Tours we think of every detail so that your experience is comfortable and worry-free.
🧳 Free luggage storage service
You can leave your main suitcase at our office in Santa Marta or in Machete Pelao, the point where the Lost City Trek begins and ends, at no additional cost. This way you walk only with what you need and your luggage will be safe until your return.
🚿 Shower, Wi-Fi and rest before your flight
Are you returning from the tour and your flight leaves at night? No problem. At our office in Santa Marta you will have access to:
You can enjoy the sunset at the Bay, eat something delicious in the historic center and then return for your suitcase before office closing time, to take a taxi or bus to the Simón Bolívar international airport.
During the Lost City Trek you will encounter the typical tropical jungle climate: hot, humid and changing depending on the area and time of day.
🌙 Is it cold at night?
The highest camp, known as Paraíso Teyuna, is located about 900 meters above sea level, so nights can be cooler, with temperatures around 16–17 °C.
Don't worry: all camps provide a clean and sufficient blanket, so you don't need to bring a sleeping bag. Just make sure to pack a light sweatshirt or warm clothes to sleep comfortably.
Don't worry! You don't need to bring a tent or worry about sleeping outdoors. During the Lost City Trek, each night you will rest in community lodges located along the trail. These are simple, open structures with a roof, perfectly adapted to the jungle environment and the needs of travelers.
🛏️ Where do I sleep?
🚿 And showers?
At each lodge you will find basic bathrooms and showers, with natural river water. It's not a five-star hotel, but given the remote conditions of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, many say it's a four-star experience. The infrastructure is designed to offer you the essentials: comfort, safety and real contact with nature.
Safety on the Lost City Trek is a priority for authorities, local communities and agencies like Teyuna Tours. Since 2003, the Colombian Government has strengthened institutional presence in the area, including the construction of a camp of the National Army's High Mountain Battalion, located near the archaeological site.
Thanks to this, the region remains in conditions of total tranquility. Since then, there have been no security incidents affecting tourists. Thousands of travelers, both national and foreign, do this route every year safely and guided.
Furthermore:
So you can live this adventure in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with confidence and peace of mind.
At Teyuna Tours S.A.S. we are committed to providing authentic, safe and memorable experiences. However, it is important that each traveler is aware of their own conditions and abilities before embarking on a demanding tour like the Lost City Trek.
The company is not responsible for conditions arising from pre-existing conditions of participants, such as:
We recommend a prior medical evaluation, especially if you have a health history or doubts about your ability to complete multi-day hikes in tropical climate and mountainous terrain.
Have questions? We are here to help!
If you are unsure about the trek's difficulty level, climate, necessary preparation or any other logistical detail, contact us before booking. We will gladly advise you so you can live this experience safely and well-informed.
The Lost City Trek in shared mode has daily departures throughout the year, from Santa Marta, subject to availability and weather conditions.
🕖 What time does the tour start?
📅 Are there trail closure dates?
Yes, some natural areas such as Tayrona National Park and Lost City – Teyuna close temporarily each year, in agreements between environmental authorities and the indigenous communities that protect these territories.
For 2025, it has been confirmed that the Lost City will be closed during the entire month of October, as part of the spiritual cleansing processes of the ancestral territory. In other years, the closure is usually in September, with variable duration. We recommend consulting with us before planning your trip to know the most recent closure dates.
Yes! At Teyuna Tours we offer vegetarian and vegan options throughout the Lost City Trek. We only ask that you inform us of your preferences at the time of booking, so we can arrange food logistics in advance with our local cooks.
It is also very important that you notify us if you have any food allergies or health conditions related to food, such as gluten or lactose intolerance, or any other special requirement.
We will ensure you enjoy safe, nutritious meals prepared with lots of love at each trek camp.
Good observation! Indeed, Lost City Trek prices are standard for all authorized agencies, and this is due to very important reasons:
✅ Official regulation and community work
To legally operate the Lost City Trek, agencies must comply with rigorous requirements established by the Colombian Government, the ICANH (Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History), and the indigenous and peasant communities that inhabit and care for this sacred territory.
🤝 Collective agreements between operators
The unions that group service providers (transporters, cooks, guides, porters) work hand in hand with agencies to establish fair rates and decent working conditions. This ensures fair competition, avoids worker exploitation and allows offering a high-quality service for all travelers.
🎒 And if I'm looking for something different?
Minimum rates are the same for all operators, but some agencies – like Teyuna Tours – may offer personalized services, such as private groups, special itineraries or complementary experiences. These may have an additional cost, but never below official rates.
Imagine you're going on a trip through the Amazon and, instead of hiring just any agency, the person guiding you is the son of the river and the jungle, someone who grew up among the mountains, who learned to read the paths by the birdsong, and who welcomes you not as a tourist, but as a guest in their home.
That is Teyuna Tours: the only Lost City Trek operating agency created and led by the local guides themselves, men and women who were born in these mountains, who have walked these trails since childhood and today share with you not only a destination, but their history, their culture and their territory.
Here, the person guiding you is also part of the company. There are no intermediaries, no corporate chains: only real people who love their land and want to show you its magic with pride and commitment.
By choosing us, you are betting on a fair, authentic and purposeful tourism model, where every step you take leaves a positive footprint on the communities that care for the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Yes, it is advisable to bring some cash in Colombian pesos (COP) during the Lost City Trek. Although most services are included in the tour, having about $100,000 COP - $200,000 COP per person can be very useful for additional expenses or spontaneous purchases along the way.
💰 What can I use it for?
Don't forget that there are no ATMs or card payments at the camps, so what you bring must be in cash.
🌟 The best tip
Of course, the most valuable tip for us is your satisfaction. If you enjoyed your experience with Teyuna Tours, recommend us on Google Business or Tripadvisor. Your opinion helps other travelers and directly supports our local work!
We always recommend that travelers arrive in Santa Marta the day before the start of the Lost City Trek, to avoid setbacks with flights, land transportation or weather changes that could cause delays.
However, if you have a tight itinerary and arrive in Santa Marta early in the morning of the same day as the tour (before 8:00 a.m.), don't worry: at Teyuna Tours we offer free transportation from your arrival point to our office, whether it's the airport, bus terminal or accommodation within the city.
Just make sure to inform us in advance of your arrival time and place, so we can coordinate everything with our logistics team and you can start your adventure without setbacks.
At Teyuna Tours we think of everything so you can travel light and prepared! If you don't have your own equipment, we offer trekking pole and support backpack rentals directly at our office, as an additional service.
💰 Rental cost:
Only $100,000 COP for the entire journey (backpack + poles). This service is subject to availability, so we recommend booking in advance or asking when confirming your tour. Travel comfortably, safely and well-equipped to fully enjoy your adventure in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Don't worry if you forgot something! At the Teyuna Tours office we have several essential items so you are well prepared before starting the Lost City Trek.
🦟 Recommended repellents:
We have two excellent options, ideal for protecting yourself in the tropical jungle:
🧳 Other items available for the adventure:
Everything can be purchased directly at our office, on the same day of your departure or during the prior visit we recommend to resolve any details.
No! If you make your reservation directly with Teyuna Tours, whether through our website, WhatsApp or at the office, you can pay the balance in cash or by card (debit or credit) with no additional surcharge.
The card terminal fee is covered by us. This is how we reward your preference for booking directly and securely with us.
Yes! At the end of the trek, we can help you organize your trip continuation:
In both cases, our logistics team will adapt so that your experience flows smoothly.