Lost City Trek 3 Days: the Express Ciudad Perdida Hike
The 3-day Lost City trek is the fastest version of the hike: it leaves Santa Marta at 4:30 a.m., adds a motorcycle ride on day 1 and reaches Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna) on day 2. You sleep two nights in camps and hike 7 to 9 hours a day. It costs COP 2,200,000 per person, for 2 or more travelers.
- Duration
- 3 days and 2 nights
- Departure
- 4:30 a.m., Santa Marta
- Return
- Day 3, after lunch
- Guide
- In Spanish
- Age
- 13+Ages 13 and up
- Effort
- Demanding (3 of 3)Good physical fitness needed.
Tour code: TCP3. Itinerary from https://puntagallinastours.com/en/tour/lost-city-trek-3-days. Printed on October 8, 2026. Check prices and dates on the tour page before booking.
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What you will see
- Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna) on day 2, with a guided visit of about 3 hours
- The whole trek in 3 days and 2 nights
- A motorcycle ride of about 1 hour to the trailhead
- A night at Zhulezhi Camp, the closest camp to Ciudad Perdida, with power from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Entry to the Teyuna Archaeological Park included
The route, day by day
Elevation profile
Expotur's route profile: ≈ 22 km from El Mamey to Ciudad Perdida. You return the same way.
- 1El Mamey≈ 160 m
- 2Adán Camp≈ 6.8 km≈ 470 m
- 3Mutanzhi≈ 11.7 km≈ 630 m
- 4Mumake Camp≈ 720 m
- 5Zhulezhi Camp≈ 1,100 m
- 6River crossing≈ 910 m
- 7Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna)≈ 22 kmbetween 900 and 1,200 m
Santa Marta, El Mamey, and Zhulezhi Camp
- Hiking time
- ≈ 3 h + ≈ 4 h
- Altitude
- from ≈ 160 m to ≈ 1,100 m
- Night at
- Zhulezhi Camp
- Santa Marta – El MameyPickup at 4:30 a.m. at your lodging in Santa Marta. Breakfast in El Mamey.
- El Mamey – TrailheadOn a dirt road.
- Trailhead – Mumake CampLunch at Mumake Camp.
- Mumake Camp – Zhulezhi Camp
- Night 1 at Zhulezhi CampBeds, bathrooms and showers; electricity from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Zhulezhi Camp, Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna), and Mumake Camp
- Altitude
- from ≈ 1,100 m to ≈ 720 m
- Night at
- Mumake Camp
- Zhulezhi Camp – Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna)Early breakfast. ≈ 1,200 stone steps up to Ciudad Perdida.
- Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna)
- Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna) – Zhulezhi CampLunch at Zhulezhi Camp.
- Zhulezhi Camp – Mumake Camp
- Night 2 at Mumake CampIn a bed or a hammock.
Mumake Camp, El Mamey, and Santa Marta
- Hiking time
- 6 to 8 h
- Altitude
- from ≈ 720 m to ≈ 160 m
- Mumake Camp – El MameyLunch in El Mamey.
- El Mamey – Santa MartaBack to Santa Marta by 4×4.
- By 4×4
- By motorcycle
- On foot
- Visit
- Night
Map and route profile: Expotur. Itinerary published by Expotur Eco, checked on October 7, 2026. Altitudes and distances are approximate. 7 to 9 hours of hiking a day.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Santa Marta to El Mamey, a motorcycle ride and the hike to Zhulezhi Camp
- 4:30 a.m.Pickup at your lodging in Santa Marta a.m.
- 4×4 to El Mamey (about 3 hours) and breakfast
- Motorcycle ride on a dirt road to the trailhead (about 1 hour)
- 7.6 km hike (about 3 hours) to Mumake Camp, lunch
- Afternoon hike (about 4 hours) to Zhulezhi Camp
You are picked up at your lodging in Santa Marta at 4:30 a.m. The 4×4 takes about 3 hours to El Mamey, where you have breakfast, and from there a motorcycle takes you about 1 hour along a dirt road to the point where the hike begins.
The morning covers about 7.6 km, roughly 3 hours, to Mumake Camp, where you have lunch and rest. In the afternoon you hike about 4 more hours, now in the jungle, to Zhulezhi Camp, next to the river. The camp has beds, bathrooms, showers and power from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and the trek cooks make dinner.
Day 2
Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna) and back to Mumake Camp
- Early breakfast
- 2 km and about 1,200 stone steps up to Ciudad Perdida
- Guided visit of the terraces, about 3 hours
- Lunch at Zhulezhi Camp
- Hike back to Mumake Camp
After an early breakfast, the stretch to Ciudad Perdida is only 2 km, but it includes the climb up a stone stairway of about 1,200 steps. The guided visit of the circular terraces lasts about 3 hours.
You walk back down to Zhulezhi Camp for lunch and a rest, and in the afternoon you hike back to Mumake Camp, where you have dinner and sleep in a bed or a hammock.
Day 3
Back to El Mamey and Santa Marta
- Early start from Mumake Camp
- Hike back to El Mamey (6 to 8 hours)
- Lunch in El Mamey
- 4×4 back to your lodging in Santa Marta
On the last day you set off early and hike back along the same trail. The stretch to El Mamey takes 6 to 8 hours, depending on the group's pace and the condition of the trail.
In El Mamey you have lunch, and the 4×4 takes you back to your lodging in Santa Marta.
Upcoming departures
- Friday, October 16Back: Sun Oct 18Choose
- Saturday, October 17Back: Mon Oct 19Choose
- Sunday, October 18Back: Tue Oct 20Choose
- Monday, October 19Back: Wed Oct 21Choose
- Tuesday, October 20Back: Thu Oct 22Choose
- Wednesday, October 21Back: Fri Oct 23Choose
On request: you pay nothing until the team confirms the date.
Dates updated on October 8 at 10:30 AM. The calendar confirms availability and the price for each day.
Closures
- No departures until October 15, 2026.
Another date, a larger group or a custom trip?
What the price includes
Included
- Transport: 4×4 between Santa Marta and El Mamey, round trip, with pickup at your lodging, and a motorcycle ride to the trailhead on day 1
- Meals: every meal on the trek, from breakfast on day 1 to lunch on day 3, plus snacks
- Lodging: 2 nights in camps with a bed or hammock, a blanket and a mosquito net
- Guide: local Spanish-speaking guide; English translator subject to availability
- Insurance: medical assistance card for the duration of the tour
- Entry: Teyuna Archaeological Park (ICANH)
- Water: filtered water to refill your bottle at the camps
Not included
- Toiletries (the camps don't provide them)
- Personal medication (guides can't give out medicine)
- Sleeping bag (optional: blankets are provided)
- Extra drinks and snacks bought at the camps (cash only)
- Transport to Santa Marta
Trip details
- Tour code
- TCP3Quote it on WhatsApp or by phone.
- Group
- Group trek with daily departures (not private)From 2 to 20 people per booking.
- Effort
- Demanding (3 of 3)Good physical fitness needed.
- Altitude
- Ciudad Perdida sits between 900 and 1,200 meters above sea level.
- Insurance
- Included in the price
- Park entrance
- Included in the price
Is this tour right for you?
The 3-day trek is for travelers who are short on time, hike regularly and can handle long days: Expotur Eco designed it for people in excellent physical shape with experience on hikes of several hours. Expect 7 to 9 hours of hiking a day, a predawn start on day 1 and the same trail in and out.
It is for travelers aged 13 and up. Expotur Eco does not recommend it for pregnant women, people with heart, respiratory or digestive conditions or adults over 70. The minimum booking is 2 travelers.
The guides are from the region and speak Spanish; Expotur Eco arranges an English translator subject to availability, so ask for one when you book.
What to bring
- Small or medium backpack (you carry it the whole way)
- Photocopy of your passport or ID
- Hiking boots or walking shoes with good grip
- Four pairs of socks
- Shorts and T-shirts
- Long-sleeved shirt and long pants, for the evenings and the mosquitoes
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Large water bottle (at least 1.5 liters for the first day)
- Two plastic bags to keep wet and dry clothes apart
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Sleeping bag, if you prefer (blankets are provided)
- Camera
- Cash for drinks or snacks at the camps
Meeting point
Departure
Pickup at your lodging in Santa Marta at 4:30 a.m. Expotur Eco's main office is at Carrera 3 #17-27, Edificio Rex, Local 3, Centro Histórico, Santa Marta; your advisor confirms the pickup point and time when your booking is confirmed.
Where you sleep and eat
- Lodging
- Basic camps with beds or hammocks, blankets and mosquito nets; shared bathrooms and cold-water showers
- Meals included
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
More about the tour
What the Lost City trek in 3 days is like
The Lost City trek in 3 days covers the same trail as the longer versions, with less rest. Ciudad Perdida, or Teyuna, sits on the northern face of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and you can only get there on foot with a certified guide: the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH), Colombia's National Parks and the Indigenous and farming community authorities require it.
Hiking hours and distance by day
Approximate distances and times from Expotur Eco's itinerary for the 3-day trek, checked on October 7, 2026.
Day | Section | Kilometers | Hiking |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Motorcycle to the trailhead, Mumake and Zhulezhi | 7.6 in the morning, plus the afternoon | About 3 hours, then about 4 hours |
2 | Zhulezhi – Ciudad Perdida – Zhulezhi – Mumake | 2 to the terraces, up the stairway | About 3 hours of visit, plus the return |
3 | Mumake – El Mamey | Not published by the operator | 6 to 8 hours |
The trail from El Mamey is about 23.3 km to the archaeological park, according to Colombia's National Parks, and ICANH describes the way in as two or three days of 5 to 10 km each. The 3-day trek gets there in a day and a half because the first stretch, to the trailhead, is done by motorcycle.
Why it calls for hiking experience
Expotur Eco recommends it only for people in excellent physical shape with experience on long hikes: 7 to 9 hours a day on mountain terrain, with climbs, descents, river crossings and mud when it rains, in hot and humid weather, and every traveler carries their own backpack. If this would be your first multi-day trek, the 4-day Lost City trek spreads the effort better.
Ciudad Perdida in 3, 4 or 5 days: which to choose
All three versions reach the same terraces and leave from Santa Marta; what changes is the pace, the camps and the price. Data as of October 7, 2026; prices in COP per person.
3 days | 4 days | 5 days | |
|---|---|---|---|
Nights and camps | 2: Zhulezhi and Mumake | 3: Adán, Zhulezhi and Mumake | 4: Adán, Zhulezhi, Mumake and Cascadas |
Hiking per day | 7 to 9 hours | 6 to 8 hours | 4 to 8 hours |
Arrival at Ciudad Perdida | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 3 |
Places to swim | Rivers along the trail | Natural pool near Adán Camp | Three waterfalls on day 4 |
Minimum booking | 2 travelers | 1 traveler | 1 traveler |
From (COP per person) | 2,200,000 | 1,860,000 | 2,150,000 |
If you are weighing 3 or 4 days, note that the 4-day trek costs less. With two more days, the 5-day Lost City trek with the waterfall route also costs less than the 3-day one and ends with three waterfalls. All three options and the Minca tour are on our Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta tours page.
Getting to the starting point in Santa Marta
Pickup is at your lodging in Santa Marta at 4:30 a.m., so sleep in the city the night before and have your backpack packed. The 4×4 takes about 3 hours to El Mamey, and from there you continue about 1 hour by motorcycle to the trailhead. Luggage you don't take on the trek can be left at the Expotur Eco office in the historic center (Centro Histórico).
Transport to Santa Marta is not included. If you are heading on to La Guajira after the trek, the Santa Marta to La Guajira guide explains the leg to Riohacha.
Best time to go, weather and closures
The Lost City trek is temporarily closed from September 28 to October 15, 2026, according to Expotur Eco, the operator. The park can also close because of natural hazards, access problems, maintenance or public order, according to ICANH's schedule and closures page: check with your advisor that the trail is open on your date.
The climate along the trail is mild, humid and very rainy, with cool nights of 18 °C to 22 °C (64 °F to 72 °F), according to ICANH. This part of the Sierra Nevada has two dry seasons, from January to late March and in July and August, and two rainy ones: April to late June and, the heaviest, mid-September to late December, according to the ICANH guide to Teyuna. On such a short trek, rain matters more: mud slows the pace, and the guide decides on river crossings. High season, according to Expotur Eco, runs from late December to mid-January, Holy Week (Semana Santa), July and August.
Where you sleep and what you eat
The first night is at Zhulezhi Camp, a cabin by the river with beds, bathrooms, showers and power from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The second is at Mumake Camp, in a bed or a hammock. Both give you a blanket and a mosquito net; bring your own toiletries, because the camps don't provide them.
All meals are included, from breakfast on day 1 in El Mamey to lunch on day 3, with fruit and snacks along the way. Drinks and snacks are sold at the camps, cash only.
Safety, health and permits
- Guide required. Ciudad Perdida can only be visited with a certified guide and an authorized agency (ICANH). Walk with your group and stay on the trail.
- Insurance. A medical assistance card is included: if you get sick or injured, tell the guide and the office before the tour ends so it is covered.
- No cell service. There is no cell signal on the trail.
- Yellow fever. Because of Colombia's yellow fever health emergency, Ministry of Health Resolution 691 of 2025 requires proof of a yellow fever vaccine given at least 10 days earlier to enter natural parks in high-risk municipalities (it is the new requirement from Colombia's National Parks), and Santa Marta is listed as high risk (Ministry of Health, March 31, 2026). The last kilometers of the trail lie inside Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park. Get vaccinated well ahead of time (the vaccine is free in Colombia) and carry your vaccination card.
- Public order. On September 25, 2026, Colombia's National Parks suspended field activities in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park as a precaution, because of the public order situation along the Troncal del Caribe highway (National Parks statement). Before you travel, check route conditions with your advisor.
- Documents. A photocopy of your passport or ID is enough on the trek.
- Respect. Ask permission before photographing anyone from the Kogui and Wiwa communities, don't go into their homes and carry your trash back to Santa Marta.
Combine it with
The Minca tour from Santa Marta fits into the rest day after the trek: waterfalls, lunch and a coffee farm. For background on the site, read our Ciudad Perdida guide.
If you are continuing to La Guajira, the Punta Gallinas tour 3 days leaves Riohacha at 8:30 a.m. and reaches the northernmost point of mainland South America.
Places on the route
Region: Santa Marta
Policies
Booking and deposit
Book with 7% of the total.
You book with 7% of the total; the balance is paid on the day of the tour, and Expotur Eco recommends paying it at least one day before so departure is quicker.
Cancellations and changes
No penalty if you cancel or change until 5:00 p.m. (Colombia time) on the business day before departure; after that, a 20% penalty on the total. No refund once the tour has started.
Confirmation
After the deposit is paid the booking is 'pending confirmation' and an advisor confirms it within 12 hours at most.
Children
From age 13
Not quite what you need?
More people than the tour allows, a closed date, a custom itinerary or a company or school group: write to us and we will reply by email.
Write to us by emailShare it with the people you travel with
Traveler reviews
Reviews from travelers who booked on this site. We publish them as written, low ratings included.
The Tripadvisor ones are reviews of Expotur Eco, the operator of this tour, posted on its profile.
4 out of 5
Lost city which has not been flooded by tourism yet! Great and well organised tour. Awesome guide and translator, Adriana and May are very kind. We had a sick girl in the team and Adriana did everything to make her journey lighter. Take a sleep sheet or sleeping bag liner because the sheets that are provided in the caps are not always clean.
Raphaël VRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 25, 2026
5 out of 5
Great experience. I did the tour in september. It offers an amazing but exhausting hike with beautiful views. Everything is well organized, the food was great and the camps simple but comfortable. A big compliment to Daniel our amazing and sympathic guide and our awesome, funny translator Inti, who both did a great job and both had a big knowledge of the terrain, the plants, animals and indigenous people in that…
The MRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 20, 2026
5 out of 5
Happy hour. It's an adventure! It's sweaty, it's the jungle and it's beautiful. Our guides Nelson and David were able to tell and teach us so much about the jungle and the lost city and it's history. Every day we were able to swim in the river. We slept really good and Jesus made sure we got some good food and something different everyday!
Rosa BRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 16, 2026
5 out of 5
A very relaxing but sporty kids' camp like trek. I booked with Teyuna and we were only two travellers so we joined with Magic Tour who also had only two travellers and Expotur and were a group of 12 travellers which was much more fun, there was a great atmosphere. We were all so well taken care of during those four days. No responsibility, food is very generously served to your at every meal, you will never feel hungry ! There are even a fruit…
Marine BRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 11, 2026
5 out of 5
Beautiful experience! Great experience! Beatiful trip trough the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with our guide Omar, translator Inti and cook Camilla.
JelleRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 1, 2026
5 out of 5
The trekkings and Lost City. Fantastic. Lanscape, Lost City. Everything was really nice. Also the translator (Inti) the guide (Omar) and the chef (Claudia) were amazing
Germán MRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 1, 2026
5 out of 5
Brilliant! I enjoyed this tour immensely! Omar was such a fantastic guide - knowledgable, extremely helpful and very funny. It was a beautiful trek. The hearty food was delicious and reaching the lost city was incredible. Swimming in the rivers was perfect for cooling down. Thanks to all the group! Definitely recommend if you like a challenge.
Sightsee646296Route: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 21, 2026
5 out of 5
Great experience with skilled guide and translator. Very nice experience. Our guide Adriana was very skilled and helpfull. After the trip she even joined us to the hospital because one of the group members was ill. The translator May did an excellent job. He is very nice and was always available to help us and inform us. He was always smiling :)
Curious23639991293Route: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 18, 2026
5 out of 5
Great challenging tour. We did a great trip to the Lost City in September 2026. The Expotur comms was good pre trip and our team on the hike were great (Gabriel, Brian and Luz). The hiking was hot and hilly but worth it! Food on the trip was good and surprisingly varied given it was all prepared in camp kitchens! There was lots of nice fruit and fresh juices. Our group size of ten worked really well and going in…
James MackayRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 14, 2026
5 out of 5
Fantastic. Fantastic. The guide Jhoan and translator Pilar were fantastic, fun and informative. The food was plentiful and tasty. The hike was incredible, a highlight from my world trip. The scenery, the lost city and meeting the indigenous tribes Couldn’t recommend it enough.
martijn tRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 8, 2026
5 out of 5
10/10 Lost City Experience. Incredible experience from start to finish. Very well organised. Lost City itself completely exceeded my expectations. Huge highlight was also our guide Tatjana with all the fascinating insight. Cool accommodations and good food.
Zorana ŽRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Sep 1, 2026
5 out of 5
Found the lost city. The experience in itself is amazing ! The sportive challenge is there but at the same time you get to experience so much more with local communities and also with the guides in itself. You get to learn, to laugh, to eat traditional Colombian meals and you get to meet new people too ☺️ I would 100% recommend to do this once in your life! And expotours really takes care of everything ! The…
Manuela GRoute: Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) · Aug 30, 2026
4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor6,458 reviews
Rating of Expotur Eco, the operator, on Tripadvisor. Figures as of October 7, 2026.
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Questions about the 3-day tour
How much does the 3-day Lost City trek cost?
The 3-day Lost City trek costs COP 2,200,000 per person, taxes included, and the minimum booking is 2 travelers. The price covers 4×4 and motorcycle transport, every meal, two nights in camps, the guide, a medical assistance card and entry to the Teyuna Archaeological Park. It costs more than the 4-day trek, which is COP 1,860,000 per person.
Is the 3-day Lost City trek harder than the 4- or 5-day trek?
Yes. According to Expotur Eco, the 3-day Lost City trek has longer days, less rest and a faster pace than the 4- and 5-day versions. That is why it is only recommended for people who are used to hiking and to several hours of effort in a row. If this would be your first multi-day trek, the 4-day version spreads the effort better.
How many hours a day do you hike on the 3-day Lost City trek?
Between 7 and 9 hours a day, depending on the group's pace, the stops and the weather. On the 3-day Lost City trek, day 1 adds up to about 3 hours in the morning and 4 in the afternoon; day 2 includes the climb to the terraces, the visit and the hike back to Mumake Camp; and day 3 means 6 to 8 hours to El Mamey.
What time does the 3-day Lost City trek start?
The 3-day Lost City trek starts at 4:30 a.m., when you are picked up at your lodging in Santa Marta. Because the start is so early, pack your backpack the night before and sleep in Santa Marta. You return on day 3, after lunch in El Mamey, by 4×4 to your lodging.
How do you get to the trailhead on the 3-day Lost City trek?
On the 3-day Lost City trek you ride from Santa Marta to El Mamey by 4×4, about 3 hours, and from there about 1 hour by motorcycle on a dirt road to the point where the hike begins. Both the 4×4 transport and the motorcycle ride are included in the price, so you don't arrange anything on your own.
How do I get to the Lost City in Colombia?
By 4×4 and then on foot. From Santa Marta you take the Troncal del Caribe highway to Puerto Nuevo and ride 1 to 2 hours by 4×4 on a dirt road to Machete Pelao, also called El Mamey, where the trail begins, according to ICANH. From there you hike through the jungle, cross rivers, pass the Kogui village of Mutanzhi and climb the stone stairway to the terraces. You return the same way.
How long does it take to get from Santa Marta to the Lost City?
About a day and a half on the 3-day trek, the fastest option: you reach Ciudad Perdida on the morning of day 2. Day 1 means about 3 hours by 4×4 to El Mamey, about 1 hour by motorcycle and about 7 hours of hiking. On the 4- and 5-day treks, you reach the terraces on day 3.
What meals are included on the 3-day Lost City trek?
All of them: the 3-day Lost City trek includes breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks for the three days, from breakfast on day 1 in El Mamey to lunch on day 3. The cooks prepare home-style Colombian food at the camps. If you have a dietary preference, mention it when you book.
Can I do the 3-day Lost City trek as a solo traveler?
The 3-day Lost City trek is booked for 2 or more travelers, because that is how Expotur Eco sells it. If you are traveling solo, message us on WhatsApp to see whether there is a group on your date, or choose the 4-day trek, which you can book as 1 traveler for COP 1,860,000 per person.
Is there cell service on the Lost City trek?
No. There is no cell signal on the Lost City trek, so let your family and friends know you will be out of contact for the days of the trek. Some camps have limited power in the evening for charging your phone: at Zhulezhi Camp, it is on from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
How much is the deposit for the 3-day Lost City trek?
It is 7% of the total. That deposit books the 3-day Lost City trek for your group, and the balance is paid on the day of the tour; Expotur Eco recommends paying it at least one day before, because departure is at 4:30 a.m. Your booking is confirmed once an advisor reviews it.
What is the cancellation policy for the 3-day Lost City trek?
No penalty if you cancel or change the 3-day trek until 5:00 p.m. (Colombia time) on the business day before departure. After that, the penalty is 20% of the total, and once the tour has started there is no refund, including for services you don't use. If you are booking from another time zone, work out that deadline in Colombia time.
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