Hike the Antioquia Andes and the Lost City

New Trip
Colombia
Hike the Antioquia Andes and the Lost City
Hike the Antioquia Andes and the Lost City

Hike pre-Hispanic trails, swim under waterfalls & discover the lost city of Perdida.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Medellin

You'll be collected from the airport and then transferred to your hotel in Medellin. Surrounded by parklands, it's a great place to go for a stroll, or simply relax after a long flight. For those who want to, there's an option to go on a tour around Medellin, which ends with a cable car ride to a fantastic viewpoint of the city.

In the evening, you can join your fellow adventurers for dinner at a local restaurant.

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After an early start, and traditional Colombian breakfast, you'll start your hike towards El Tigre Ridge. You'll hike along ancient trails, crossing the Melcocho river before reaching a great swimming spot. In the evening, you'll stay with a local Colombian family who will teach you how to cook local cuisine.

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Waving goodbye to the local family, you'll hike through majestic forests and alongside the Rio Verde (Green River). If the weather permits, you'll be able to bathe in the rivers and swim underneath waterfalls along the way. In the evening, you'll be welcomed by your next local family, as you spend the evening in their home.

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After a morning swim in the crystal-clear river, you'll begin your hike up to a viewpoint which overlooks the whole valley and allows you to look back on the previous day's hikes. You'll then enjoy a local lunch, before heading to Sonsón. Here you'll catch your first glimpse of a unique high-altitude ecosystem called a paramo, that only exists in the Andes Mountains. In the afternoon, you'll be transferred back to Medellin.

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After breakfast in your hotel, you'll take a 1-hour flight to Santa Marta on the Caribbean Coast. It is here that you explore the coastal mountain region, known locally as the heart of the world. You'll also pay a visit to the Arhuaco indigenous culture, who are a community of people still living in the mountains. Spend the evening wandering through the palm-shaded Parque de los Novios, enjoying the wide variety of street art and live music.

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Our local partners pick up the group from your hotel and transport you to the beginning of the 4-day trek. Before beginning this memorable journey, you will discover why indigenous locals claim this mountain range to be sacred and key to maintain the equilibrium of the planet. You'll stay in jungle camps either in bunk beds or hammocks.

Hiking time: 6 hours

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Hike closer to the mystical ancient city, learning the traditions of the native Kogi and Wiwa communities. Expect to wade through waist heigh rivers, along mountain peaks and alongside towering waterfalls. ​After hearing mystical stories of the land over dinner, you'll stay in jungle camps either in bunk beds or hammocks.

Hiking time: 10 hours.

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Today you'll reach Ciudad Perdida, an ancient site shrouded with mist, glory and magic. Bask in your trekking achievement above the clouds and looking into the think jungle atop one of the top platforms. Again, you'll stay in jungle camps either in bunk beds or hammocks.

Hiking time: 6 hours.

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Your epic journey will come to an end with another adventurous day hiking and, depending on the pace of the group, some free time on the pristine Caribbean beach.

​Hiking time: 6 hours.

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We offer one departure time for guests to travel from their eco hotel and to the airport for their connecting flight home.

Have a question?

If you have any questions about this trip or want to speak with an expert, get in touch.

We're ready to help.

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FAQs

Included

  • Guides
  • Airport transfers
  • Accommodation
  • Food as described
  • Private transfers
  • Internal flight from Medellin to Santa Marta
  • Carbon offsetting from your international flights
  • Water

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for guides (optional)
  • Visa (if applicable)

During the Antioquia trek, you'll stay in basic farms with local families. While doing the Lost City Trek you'll stay in camps in beds or hammocks. During non-trekking days you'll stay in comfortable hotels in shared rooms of two or three. Single rooms are available upon request and at an extra cost. See a breakdown below:

Day 1: Hotel with twin sharing rooms, private bathroom and warm water. Wifi is available.

Day 2: Country house in a 5 person room. Shared bathroom, no hot water and no wifi. 

Day 3: Country house in a 5 person room. Shared bathroom, no hot water and no wifi.  

Day 4: Hotel with twin sharing rooms, private bathroom and warm water. Wifi is available. 

Day 5: Hotel with twin sharing rooms, private bathroom and warm water. Wifi is available. 

Day 6: Hotel with twin or triple sharing rooms, private bathroom and warm water. Wifi is not available. 

Day 7: Cabin with dormitory-style rooms. Shared bathroom with no hot water. No wifi is available.

Day 8: Cabin with dormitory-style rooms. Shared bathroom with no hot water. No wifi is available. 

Day 9: Cabin with dormitory-style rooms. Shared bathroom with no hot water. No wifi is available. 

Day 10: Hotel with twin or triple sharing rooms, private bathroom and warm water. Wifi is not available.  

Day 11: Accommodation not included.

This trip is for people who are interested in group travel and have a keen desire for trekking and adventure. 

Start: There are two private transfer times on day 1 of the itinerary. One at midday and one late afternoon. This can change depending on arrival times.

End: Your guides will transfer you back to the airport at 9 am on day 11 of your itinerary.

Day 1: Welcome snacks, drink and dinner.

Day 2: (Trek) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: (Trek) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: (Trek) Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: (Flight from Medellin to Santa Marta) Breakfast

Day 6: (Trek) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: (Trek) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: (Trek) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 9: (Trek) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 10: (Departures) Breakfast

You'll get a real taste of local Colombian cuisine - from community-cooked soups called sancocho, to mountain lunches wrapped in banana leaves and from the finest coffee in the world to a huge variety of fresh fruit juices.

All our guides are bilingual and any Spanish segments will be translated into English.

The trip starts in Medellin and the closest airport to Medellin is José María Córdova International Airport.

During the Los Nevados trek we hire well-looked-after mules that will carry your luggage, leaving you to enjoy the journey without this concern. For the Lost City Trek you can leave your big suitcases in the hotel before the trek and collect them afterwards. You will need to take your own small backpack on the Lost City Trek so pack well! You will be revisiting a couple of camps on the way so you can leave any dirty clothes and pick them up on the return journey. Note: we can offer extra assistance with transporting small bags for those needing special assistance due to health reasons.

You'll encounter a variety of climates. In Medellin the temperature is a steady 27 degrees °C and its dry seasons are September to February and May to July. Santa Marta’s climate is much more tropical and can hit 31 degrees °C during the day. The dry season is usually January to April.

The maximum group sizes are 15.

Large backpack or suitcase (20kg max)

Small backpack (20-30 litres)

Sunglasses

Sun-protection hat

A light poncho-type of waterproof

Quick-dry walking boots

Quick-dry light trekking trousers

Thin walking socks

Swimwear

T-shirts or vests

Shorts

Sturdy waterproof sandals for river swimming

Reusable water bottle

Headtorch

Sun cream

Lip balm

Hand sanitizer

Quick-drying towel

Personal wash kit including toothpaste, toothbrush and toilet paper

Personal medical kit including painkillers, blister treatment etc (optional)

Biodegradable bags for toilet paper waste

Biodegradable soap for washing in the jungle

Hand sanitiser

Waterproof backpack cover

Mosquito spray

Camera (optional)

Walking sticks (optional)

Binoculars (optional)

Of course, your guides offer a variety of food options and they will ensure that any allergies or food requirements are met throughout the trip.

The minimum age for this trip is 21

As of September, 2021, you do not need to show a negative Covid test or vaccine certificate to enter Colombia. Please check for the few exceptions. You will need to complete an online entry form.

Your head guide is Simon

All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip you'll be led by Simon and the guiding team based in Edificio Entre Palmas De San Diego.

By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!

Simon

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