After hearing all about the Lost City, or Ciudad Perdida, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, I knew I had to go and check it out for myself. So, I set off from the hippie village of Taganga and joined a 5-day trek to explore this ancient city. Despite not having the proper gear, I was excited to embark on this adventure and make new friends along the way.

As soon as I arrived, I met the 18 other backpackers who would be my companions for the next 5 days. We set out on our journey, exploring the lush green nature, encountering animals and indigenous culture, and taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Even though the trek was tough at times, I couldn’t get enough of it. I was fascinated by the ancient city, which is believed to have been founded 650 years earlier than Machu Picchu. We even got to swim in rivers and sleep in hammocks along the way. And, of course, we had to have a few beers and chew on coca leaves to make the experience complete.

Unfortunately, the trip only lasted 5 days, and I would have loved to stay for a couple more weeks if I could. But the memories and experiences from this trek will stay with me forever.

We started the days pretty early (around 5 am) to hit the trail early to avoid the sun and the mid-day rain.

The highlight of the trip for me was to be able to interact with Kogis (means Jaguar), an indigenous tribe who lives in the highlands of Colombia.

Kogis have a sad story like most of the indigenous tribes in the world and they are exploited still to this day. Some may argue that joining trips like this might contribute to their destruction however, I was told that the money made from these tours also goes to the preservation of their habitat and culture. But I agree that our entry into their lives started a difficult integration period for them. Because being exposed to money means buying booze and junk food from the camps (true story), which also means dealing with the consequent health and cultural problems. I heard there was a special health center in the nearest city just for their use and they needed money to get there, so you can see the irony of being the cause and cure of their modern-day problems.

At the end of the 3rd day, after having climbed the last 1,200 stone steps, we finally arrived in Ciudad Perdida at 7 am. There was a school trip while we were up there who came to learn more about the history of the area and chat with the Kogi Shaman who came down specifically for this reason. We were lucky to be there to meet him and get his blessings as well. The bracelet he gifted me to save me from lions and snakes surely kept me safe for the last 4 years of my life during my journey.

In the end, the Lost City site didn’t have much left to show us but the journey itself was truly worth the challenge. Especially, the interaction with the Kogis, the friendship I built with a bunch of backpackers, the amazing landscape I soaked in, and the overall experience definitely exceeded my expectations.

What to pack for the trek:

Make sure to pack minimally since you don’t want to carry unnecessary stuff on your back for 5 days.

• Mosquito repellent (possibly with deet)
• Refillable water bottle (clean water is offered at the campsites)
• Snacks/nuts – this is up to you.  You won’t go hungry during the trip as you are fed generously by the company + fruits will be offered during the day
• Raincoat ( I had my foldable one from Uniqlo)
• Fleece jacket (after the sun is down and you can wear in the bed)
• Waterproof shoes and backpack or rain cover for your backpack
• 2 t-shirts, 2 trekking pants/shorts
• Quick-dry towel to use after swimming and showers
• Bathing suit
• Headlamp – must have to go to the bathroom (or to your hammock) in the middle of the night
• Earplugs
• Wet wipes
• Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush)
• Sunscreen
• There’s no reception in the mountains, so you don’t need to carry your power bank unless you listen to music or use other apps on your phone.

Parque Tayrona

After the 5 day trek, I traveled along beautiful Parque Tayrona, which had quite a number of awesome beaches. The best-known ones are Bahía Concha, a lovely spot for swimming.

You may find some spectacular fincas (bungalows) or hammocks to rent for days and reach some of the most beautiful beaches of Santa Marta, and take a bath in their crystal waters. The best ones can be reached by boat or by an adventurous ecological hike. For some of these beaches, you will need a whole day to enjoy them as they deserve, and it is not possible to visit them all in one day.

The reason for my trip to Colombia was to join an Ayahuasca retreat on a private beach property in Parque Tayrona for 8 days and I tell you about my experience with plant medicine in another post because it deserves special attention!  But it was one of the best experiences I have ever had and the pictures below reflect that magical time even a little bit.

Check out the rest of Parque Tayrona and my 2 month trip in Colombia here. My relationship with Colombia has been so deep from the beginning like love at first sight. And I’ve been to this beautiful country twice already.
I am planning to go back in 2018 again to join a special retreat including ayahuasca and vision quest practices under the lead of Native American elders.