Lost City Trek and Caribbean Coast

Privately guided

Travel with expert local guides who will lead you through the vibrant streets of Cartagena, the historic city of Santa Marta and the dense jungle trails to the Lost City. Their insights bring Colombia’s culture, history and natural wonders to life.

Accommodation

Stay in a mix of charming boutique hotels, rustic lodges and eco-friendly retreats. From the colonial charm of Cartagena to the remote jungle lodges and tranquil Tayrona beach escapes, each stay offers a unique connection to the region. Get ready for some pretty basic jungle accommodation though!

Challenge level

This trip includes multiple days of trekking through hot, humid jungle terrain with river crossings and steep ascents, making it ideal for adventurous travellers with good fitness levels. It’s a rewarding challenge with plenty of opportunities to unwind at the end.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Rafael Núñez International Airport
Calle 66 - Cartagena
Bolívar
130002
Colombia

Begin your journey in Cartagena, accessible via Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG).

From Cartagena, you’ll travel along the northern coast to Santa Marta, the gateway to the Lost City Trek. After exploring Tayrona National Park and Minca’s mountains, the trip concludes back in Cartagena. Airport transfers are included for a seamless travel experience.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrival in Cartagena

  Welcome to Colombia! On arrival at Rafael Núñez International Airport, you’ll be met by our team and transferred to your charming hotel in the heart of Cartagena’s historic district. Spend the evening exploring the cobblestone streets, colourful colonial architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Unwind and prepare for the adventure ahead.

• Day 2 | Explore Cartagena

  Start your day with a guided tour of Cartagena, diving into its rich history and culture. Visit San Felipe de Barajas Castle, perched on a hill with commanding views of the city, and the peaceful La Popa Monastery. Wander through the lively Bocagrande district before an afternoon cooking class, where you’ll prepare and savour traditional Colombian dishes. It’s the perfect way to connect with the local culture.

• Day 3 | Free Day in Cartagena

  Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Take a stroll through Cartagena’s colourful streets, browse local artisan shops, or relax at a rooftop café with a view of the Caribbean. Alternatively, head to a nearby beach to soak up the sun and unwind.

• Day 4 | Transfer to Santa Marta

  Travel along Colombia’s scenic northern coastline to Santa Marta, the country’s oldest city. After checking in, join a guided walking tour of the city, exploring landmarks like the Cathedral, vibrant plazas and the lively Malecón waterfront. Learn about Santa Marta’s historical significance and its role in Colombia’s rich past.

• Day 5 | Start the Lost City Trek

  Adventure begins! Drive to El Mamey, the starting point of the Lost City trek. From here, hike through dense rainforest, crossing rivers and passing waterfalls to reach Donde Adan Lodge. Along the way, enjoy a refreshing swim in the river and take in the serene jungle surroundings. Covering 9km in around 4 hours, this first day eases you into the trek.

• Day 6 | Trek to Paso Lorenzo Lodge

  Today’s hike takes you deeper into the jungle, covering 13km in about 6 hours. Pass through indigenous Kogi settlements, lush valleys and dense forest trails. The challenging terrain is rewarded with breathtaking views and the peaceful setting of Paso Lorenzo Lodge by the river.

• Day 7 | Visit the Lost City

  The highlight of the trek awaits as you hike to Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City). Explore its ancient terraces and learn about the Tayrona civilization with your guide. After a few hours at the site, trek back to Mumake Lodge, covering around 9 hours of walking. It’s a long day but deeply rewarding, both physically and culturally.

• Day 8 | Complete the Lost City Trek

  On the final day of the trek, descend back to El Mamey, passing familiar landscapes with a new perspective. Covering around 4-5 hours, the route takes you through lush greenery and across rivers before arriving at the trailhead. Enjoy lunch and transfer to your eco-friendly hotel near Tayrona National Park for some well-deserved relaxation.

• Day 9 | Free Day in Tayrona National Park

  Take the day to unwind in the stunning surroundings of Tayrona National Park. Relax on golden beaches, explore nearby trails or simply enjoy the serenity of your eco-friendly retreat. After the challenges of the trek, this is your time to recharge.

• Day 10 | Explore Tayrona’s Beaches

  Spend the day exploring Tayrona’s iconic beaches with your guide. Visit spots like Arrecife, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan, enjoying easy trails that connect these breathtaking coastal gems. Discover hidden corners and learn about the unique flora and fauna of the park.

• Day 11 | Transfer to Minca

  Leave the coast behind as you journey into the lush mountains of Minca. Visit La Candelaria farm to learn about coffee and cacao production, then cool off with a swim at the Marinka Waterfall. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, this mountain retreat offers a peaceful change of pace.

• Day 12 | Return to Cartagena

  Enjoy a leisurely morning in Minca, taking in the tranquil surroundings or exploring on your own. In the afternoon, transfer back to Cartagena for your final night. Revisit your favourite spots in the city or enjoy a farewell meal to celebrate your journey.

• Day 13 | Departure from Cartagena

  Bid farewell to Colombia as you are transferred to Rafael Núñez International Airport for your flight home. Reflect on the vibrant cities, lush jungles and serene beaches you’ve experienced, and take home unforgettable memories of this incredible adventure.

Included

• Airport transfers and local transport
• Expert local guides
• Joining a group for the Trek to the Lost City
• 9 nights in hotels
• 3 nights in jungle lodges
• 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 3 dinners
• Park fees, entrance fees and permits

Not Included

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Soft drinks, alcohol or drinking water
• Tips for guides
• Personal equipment and clothing
• Souvenirs

This trip is designed with sustainability in mind, ensuring that your presence positively contributes to the people, communities and environments you encounter.

• Carbon Footprint

  This trip emits approximately 618 kg of carbon per person, including transport, accommodation, food and activities. This is roughly equivalent to driving a petrol car 1,950 miles or heating an average UK home with a gas boiler for 26 days. This trip measures the footprint so you can make informed decisions about how travel fits into your overall footprint and what steps, if any, you'd like to take to offset it.

• Responsible Travel Practices

  This trip recognises the impact of international travel but believes in creating meaningful connections that benefit local communities and ecosystems. By working with local guides, staying in locally-owned accommodations and visiting community projects along the way, it aims to minimise its footprint while focusing on the positive impact that tourism can have on developing economies.

• Supporting Local Communities

  From employing local staff to sourcing food and supplies from community-based businesses, this trip directly supports the economies of Nepal and Bhutan. Your journey helps preserve local traditions and fosters sustainable tourism growth.

• Caring for the Environment

  This trip follows the Leave No Trace principle and is a proud supporter of initiatives like Travellers Against Plastic, encouraging minimal waste on all trips. It's an area constantly being looking to make further improvements to.

• The Commitment

  This trip handpicks partners who share its strong values for sustainability and responsible tourism. Together, all partners strive to leave destinations better than when found, creating unforgettable experiences while preserving the natural beauty of the Himalayas.

Costs

Very knowledgeable and trustworthy! 

Really good to chat to Rob and Jules. Very knowledgeable, seemed genuinely interested in what we wanted from our trip and didn’t pressure us into anything. Really looking forward to our trip! Andy

The guys at Earth Dog have gone above and beyond when guiding us with plans for our honeymoon, coming up with things we'd never had considered before. We are even more excited now, and can't thank them enough for their help! definitely recommend! Sian

Would Recommend. Super happy with the service we got, very easy process, Rob was so helpful! Thanks guys. Daniel Fender

Really pleased to see a company with a genuine passion for travel sharing the experience of trustworthy local guides. 100% would recommend. Steve

The service was top notch! Jules was always available to answer our questions and kept us informed throughout. Highly recommended! Ollie Jarman

Excellent service and fantastic knowledge. As a family of 5 its not always easy to find great travel options but this company's personal experience made the difference. Highly recommend. Katie Farmar

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