Lost City, Ciudad Perdida

Build between the 11th and 14th centuries, rediscovered in 1975 by tomb raiders.

To go you join a tour group, usually small, providing food, drinks and hammocks for the night.

What a cracker trip, five days trekking through the slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, hot, humid, and often raining, four hours per day through the country side, jungle, numerous fresh rivers and Indigenous villages....and the factory.

Our group was made up of five fairly loose Israelis, a couple of stressed out Americans and two guides that lead the small group who spent 101 days with the company of Guerrillas in 2001. Apparently two Australians were released early due to their obesity, shame on them.

As each day passed we progress further into the jungle, encountering an increasing number of locals, normally one man, (no more than four feet high) his wife with baby, bun and pig on a tether.

The third day was a highlight, a trek up the river with around 8 crossings, followed by 2000 odd stares up to the city. It wasn´t necessary to walk in packs, the track was reasonably clear and easy to navigate. Being high in the valley the clouds hung from the City, with the ambiance of the numerous waterfalls and insects, the setting was perfect for kicking back and looking back down the valley from which we came. We stayed in the city that night.

Brilliant trip all round, the guides were excellent and the food was better than I can usually find in cities and towns. It is expensive for walks in these parts but for me it was well worth the cash. If they dont find you first, contact Edward through the only tour company in Santa Marta, Turcol.