Basic travel information
Listed among the world’s most spectacular hikes in Colombia, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta’s secluded mountains offer stunning scenery and traditional Native American culture. A four-day jungle trek in the tropics is challenging, but the reward is access to the lost city in the middle of the jungle, Ciudad Perdida, which was built in the 8th century and abandoned at the time of the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The 44-kilometer hiking trail leads to the mystical lost city, which was only rediscovered in the 1970s.
Hiking is a great way to get to know the diverse nature of the area as well as the traditions of the four Indian peoples living in the mountains. During the trip, we will also explore the Colombian capital, Bogotá, as well as the country’s tropical Caribbean coast.
Itinerary
DAY 1 – FLIGHTS TO HELSINKI –
Flights from Finland to South America and the Colombian capital Bogotá.
DAY 2 – BOGOTA
Arrival in the metropolitan Bogotá in the Andes Mountain Valley. Transfer from the airport to the hotel, overnight in Bogota.
ACCOMMODATION AT
CASA DECO HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 3 – BOGOTA
After breakfast, take a walking city tour of Bogotá. We explore the historic center of the city of more than 7 million inhabitants, La Candelaria and its interesting sights. In the afternoon we will visit the Gold Museum of Bogotá as well as the museum of the artist Fernando Botero. (A)
ACTIVITIES
CITY TOUR
ACCOMMODATION AT
CASA DECO HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 4 – SANTA MARTA
We move to the airport and fly from the Andes to the Caribbean coast, the city of Santa Marta. Transportation to the hotel and free time. (A)
ACCOMMODATION AT
CATEDRAL PLAZA HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 5 – LOST CITY TREK
After breakfast, we leave the city behind and drive along the magnificent mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The isolated mountain, which rises directly from the coast, is a national park area. Colombia’s highest peak is Pico Simón Bolivar (5700m), and is inhabited by the traditionally living Indian peoples of Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa and Kankuamo. After lunch, we begin a jungle trek and ascend towards the ruins of the lost city, Ciudad Perdida. Walking approx. 4h. We stay at a campsite in the context of a local Indian village and learn about the history and life of the area’s natives. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN A
HOSTEL
DAY 6 – LOST CITY TREK
Today is about 8 hours of hiking, during which we stop in an Indian village and get to know the nature of the area with the help of a local guide. We stay at an altitude of 830 meters, in a camp site connected to an Indian village. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN A
HOSTEL
DAY 7 – LOST CITY TREK
After an early breakfast, the culmination of the hike follows, or ascends, about 1,200 stone steps to the mystical ruins of Ciudad Perdida, which we explore under the guidance of a local Indian guide. Return to the camp for lunch, after which about 5-6 hours descending along a familiar route to the third camp site, which is also connected to the Native American community. Walking total n. 8h. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN A
HOSTEL
DAY 8 – LOST CITY TREK – TAYRONA
The program for the last day of the hike includes about 8 hours of hiking down to the starting point of the hike, El Mamey, where we enjoyed lunch. In the afternoon, a transfer back to the Caribbean coast, where we stay near Tayrona National Park and the beach. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
MALOKA BARLOVENTO OR SIMILAR
DAY 9 – ARRECIFES & CABO SAN JUAN
Today we explore the Tayrona Marine Reserve with its beaches. We hiked in the jungle, and enjoyed the area’s beautiful beaches with swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Walking approx. 4h. We will return to our hotel at the end of the afternoon. (OH)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
MALOKA BARLOVENTO OR SIMILAR
DAY 10 – TAYRONA
A day off on the beach for relaxation or your own activities. (OH)
ACCOMMODATION IN
MALOKA BARLOVENTO OR SIMILAR
DAY 11 – SANTA MARTA – BOGOTA
We leave the tropical Caribbean coast behind. Transfer to Santa Marta Airport, from where the flight back to Bogota. In Bogotá we are staying in a familiar hotel. Last afternoon and evening free time in Bogotá.
ACCOMMODATION AT
CASA DECO HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 12 – BOGOTA
Free time in Bogotá before transport to the airport and return flights to Finland. (A)
DAY 13 – ARRIVAL IN HELSINKI
The return flight arrives in the home country.
MEALS: [A] BREAKFAST [L] LUNCH [I] DINNER
Country information:
Finnish citizens do not need a visa to travel to Colombia for less than 90 days.
To book flights within Colombia, we need a photo or a copy of your passport personal information page .
Check that your basic vaccinations are valid during the trip. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers to Colombia. Yellow fever vaccination and malaria prevention medication are also needed in parts of the country. Yellow fever vaccinated people should carry a vaccination certificate.
The official language of Colombia is Spanish. English is spoken little, and Spanish language skills are useful along the way. The tour guide and local guide will be happy to help with interpretation.
The Colombian currency is the Colombian peso (COP). Currency exchange is easiest upon arrival in the country. There are plenty of ATMs in big cities, and you can withdraw local currency from them with the most common credit cards.
Colombia’s climate is tropical, and temperatures vary according to altitude differences from the uniformly warm climate of the lowlands to the cool climate of the Andes Mountains. Rainfall also varies widely from region to region: Colombia’s Pacific coast, Andean mountains, and Amazon rainforests receive heavy rainfall from time to time, while the Caribbean coast in the northeastern part of the country is very dry.
The top culture is typical in Colombia. However, it should be remembered that it is always voluntary. If the service has been good in the restaurant, you can leave 5-15% of the total amount of the invoice to the waiters. It is also polite for local guides and drivers to leave a tip. The tour guide collects common tips from the group for local staff.
