Lost City Colombia · Santa Marta

Lost City Trek Colombia — walk to the terraces of Teyuna.

The Lost City tour and Lost City hike from Santa Marta: a multi-day trek through cloud forest to Ciudad Perdida, older than Machu Picchu. Compare 3, 4 and 5-day crossings and book with a local Santa Marta operator running this trail since 2004.From COP 1,860,000 · 4-day classic

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The trail

One trail. Three ways to walk it.

Each dot is a night at camp. The further apart they sit, the longer your days on the trail.

  1. El Mamey
  2. Adán Camp
  3. Teyuna
  4. El Mamey
Profile of the trail: a long climb from El Mamey through the cloud forest, the 1,200 stone steps up to Teyuna, then the descent back.
  • 3 days 50.2 km 2 nights Day 1: Adán → Paso Lorenzo — 17.2 km. Day 2: Paso Lorenzo → the terraces → Múmake — 15.8 km. Day 3: Múmake → El Mamey → Santa Marta — 17.2 km
  • 4 days 59.5 km 3 nights Day 1: Santa Marta → El Mamey → Adán — 9.3 km. Day 2: Adán → Múmake → Paso Lorenzo — 17.2 km. Day 3: Paso Lorenzo → the terraces → Múmake — 15.8 km. Day 4: Múmake → El Mamey → Santa Marta — 17.2 km
  • 5 days 61.8 km 4 nights Day 1: Santa Marta → El Mamey → Adán — 9.3 km. Day 2: Adán → Múmake → Paso Lorenzo — 17.2 km. Day 3: Paso Lorenzo → the terraces → Múmake — 15.8 km. Day 4: Múmake → the waterfall route — 11.5 km. Day 5: The waterfall route → El Mamey → Santa Marta — 8 km

Distances come from each trek's own itinerary. The profile is schematic, not surveyed altitude.

Treks

Pick your rhythm on the same trail

Same destination and guide team — only the number of days and nights at camp changes.

4.8 Stone steps through cloud forest on the Lost City trail

3 days — the express

50 km

Three days from Santa Marta, straight to the terraces. For trekkers short on time — covers the highlights, not the slower valleys.

From COP 2,150,000

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4.8 Panoramic view of the Lost City terraces
Most chosen

4 days — the classic

60 km

The classic route most trekkers book. 1,200 steps to Teyuna, two nights in camp, and a half-day at the stone terraces.

From COP 1,860,000

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4.8 Indigenous community on the five-day Lost City trek

5 days — the slow crossing

62 km

Slow travel on the same trail. One more night at camp, a waterfall route on day four, and an 8 km exit instead of 17.2.

From COP 2,150,000

View trek →

Before you book

The route and what's included

Compare the 3, 4 and 5-day routes — full itinerary and pricing on each trek page.

Itinerary

3, 4 or 5 days on the same trail

Stone steps through cloud forest on the Lost City trail

Three days to Teyuna

Short on time, fast pace

50 km COP 2,150,000

  1. Day 1 — Santa Marta to El Mamey, then on to Paso Lorenzo
  2. Day 2 — Paso Lorenzo to the terraces of Teyuna, then down to Múmake
  3. Day 3 — Múmake to El Mamey and back to Santa Marta
See full itinerary
Panoramic view of the Lost City terraces

Four days to Teyuna

Most trekkers

60 km COP 1,860,000

  1. Day 1 — Santa Marta to El Mamey to Adán
  2. Day 2 — Adán to Paso Lorenzo, via Múmake
  3. Day 3 — Ascent to Teyuna, 1,200 stone steps, then down to Múmake
  4. Day 4 — Múmake to El Mamey and back to Santa Marta
See full itinerary
Indigenous community on the five-day Lost City trek

Five days to Teyuna

Slow travel, more time at Teyuna

62 km COP 2,150,000

  1. Day 1 — Santa Marta to El Mamey to Adán
  2. Day 2 — Adán to Paso Lorenzo, via Múmake
  3. Day 3 — Ascent to Teyuna, 1,200 stone steps, then down to Múmake
  4. Day 4 — Múmake and the waterfall route
  5. Day 5 — The waterfall route to El Mamey and back to Santa Marta
See full itinerary

Included

What every fee includes

Included

  • Round-trip transport from Santa Marta
  • Certified local guide and translator
  • Entry to the Teyuna archaeological zone
  • Full board at official camps
  • Hammocks or bunks with mosquito nets
  • Travel insurance for the trek
  • Contribution to indigenous communities

Not included

  • First-day breakfast (4- and 5-day treks)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Pack mules for personal luggage (on request)
  • Services not specified above
Packing guide →

Lost City tour Colombia

Trek to the Lost City — what every traveller should know

Whether you are searching for a Lost City trek, Lost City tour, Ciudad Perdida tour, or Lost City Santa Marta departure — you are on the right trail. This is the official hub to compare durations, read field guides, and reserve with Magic Tour Colombia.

Start planning your Lost City hiking trip

High-intent guides that answer price, difficulty, timing, and packing questions before you book.

All travel guides →

Teyuna · Lost City

Where the Sierra meets a city the world forgot

Stone terraces at 1,209 m — built centuries before Machu Picchu, still walked and guarded by the peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

  • 1,209 m At the terraces
  • ~650 yrs Older than Machu Picchu
  • 1,200 Steps to the summit
Choose your trek

Why trek with us

Built for international trekkers, run locally

Magic Tour Colombia handles logistics; the same Santa Marta team walks the forest.

Lead guide on the Lost City trail
Sierra Nevada Authorised Santa Marta and Sierra team — not outsourced city guides. We have run this trail since 2004.
  • Lead guide at the Lost City terraces

    Local guides from the Sierra

    Authorised Santa Marta and Sierra team — not outsourced city guides. We have run this trail since 2004.

  • International trekkers on the Lost City trail

    EN · ES

    Guided treks in English or Spanish — translators when your group needs them.

  • Magic Tour Colombia departure from Santa Marta

    Daily departures

    Leave Santa Marta at 07:00 — no minimum group on the 4-day, up to 12 trekkers.

  • Indigenous community on the Lost City trek

    A share to communities

    Part of every fee returns to the four indigenous nations of the Sierra.

From the trail

What the trek actually looks like

Eight frames from the four-day route — the steps, the camps, the people you'll meet on the way to Teyuna. Click any image to view it larger.

Lost City terraces in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
This is Teyuna when you reach the summit
Panoramic view of the stone terraces of Teyuna, the Lost City
Stone terraces of Teyuna in the cloud forest

Questions

Before you book

The five questions we hear most — full answers in the FAQ guide.

How hard is the trek, really?

It is moderate, with one demanding day. The third day — the climb to Teyuna — is 1,200 stone steps in roughly an hour. The rest of the route is on uneven but walkable terrain. You do not need to be a mountaineer. You do need to be able to walk 4 to 7 hours a day, four days in a row, on a humid mountain trail.

Why is October closed?

For one month every year, the four indigenous communities that own the territory close the archaeological site to allow for environmental restoration and spiritual practice. The decision is theirs, not the operator's, and it is not negotiable. Plan your trip for any other month.

When is the best time to go?

December to March: dry season, firmer trails, busier camps. April to November: wetter and quieter — June has the fewest trekkers. October is closed. If you do not mind rain, June is the most generous month on the trail.

Is the guide actually local?

Yes. Lead guides are authorised locals based in Santa Marta and the Sierra — not outsourced city guides. We have run this trail since 2004. They work in Spanish; an English translator joins international groups.

Can I cancel or reschedule?

Reschedule for free up to seven days before departure. After that, the deposit is non-refundable. The operator strongly recommends buying travel insurance that covers trekking cancellations.

Read the full FAQ →

Reviews

What trekkers say

Pulled from verified TripAdvisor reviews of Magic Tour Colombia.

TripAdvisor

4.8

2,321 verified reviews

  • Guide Jose Garcia at Teyuna
    5.0

    Our guide Jose Garcia was fantastic, very informative and made the trek very fun.

    Jack S. June 2026 · TripAdvisor
  • Teyuna terraces on the Lost City trek
    5.0

    One of the hardest hikes I've done, but having the Lost City almost entirely to ourselves made it unforgettable.

    Kim S. June 2026 · TripAdvisor
  • Trekkers with guides on the trail
    5.0

    José, Sebastian and Fernando made it feel like a family. They truly care about respectful tourism.

    Agnes H. Munich · June 2026 · TripAdvisor

Read all 2,321 reviews on TripAdvisor → (opens in new tab)

Magic Tour Colombia office in central Santa Marta

Meeting point

Santa Marta office

Pay the balance and meet your guide the night before — departure at 07:00.

Calle 17 # 3-69 Local 1, Centro Histórico, Santa Marta

10% deposit online — pay the balance at our Santa Marta office the night before departure.

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Panoramic view of the Lost City terraces from the upper platform
Teyuna The terraces await at the end of the trail

Book your spot

Ready to book your Lost City trek?

Reserve with 10% online — balance at the operator office in Santa Marta the night before.

  • 10% online Secure deposit — balance in Santa Marta
  • 07:00 Daily departure from Santa Marta
  • 1–12 It runs with one trekker or with twelve
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All durations

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