Finding the Lost City of Tayronas (Ciudad Perdida)

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Features Birding · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Trek to the Lost City of the Tayronas! It was missing for 100s of years before being rediscovered in 1972, only to endure decades of guerrilla warfare afterward.

Today, most anyone can attempt the hike. You should be prepared to tackle one of the most physically-difficult treks in the world, according to the local guides. The hike takes you through indigenous lands and rivers that can get dangerous during the wet season. The view from the top is more than worthwhile.

Avoid the wet season and flooding October-November
There are at least 5 local Guide companies that can escort you safely up and back.

Start in the tiny town of El Mamey. Secure a guide or risk it and go for it on your own. The Camino a Cludad Perdida trail heads South out of town along the main road for about a 1/2 mile before branching off to the right before the road heads up out of the valley. At about two miles you'll start a vigorous climb up onto a ridge.

At about 2.5 miles a trail drops off for a side trip to Cuchilla Buritaca. Maintain the ridgeline as it climbs and dips from point to point. You'll see various mud huts and private dwellings along the way. At 5.5 miles the trail forks and heads down to more local farms, stay right and traverse the mountain another mile before starting to decend down to the Rio Buritaca River.

At 8.5 miles you come to the largest of the villages, Kogui sur le chemin de Ciudad Perdida. 10 miles in you get to cross the Rio Buritaca River on a sketchy cablecar! At 12.25 miles the Camino de Wimake trail joins from the far up the canyon side to the West. Stick to the River until about mile 14 where you'll climb the mountain to find the Lost City and do some exploration!

All manner of local jungle plants and animals.

The Lost City of the Tayronas was missing for 100s of years before being rediscovered in 1972, only to endure decades of guerrilla warfare afterward.