Colombia's Lost City to the Caribbean — Self-Launched Edition
15 days · Colombia
G Adventures charges £1,650
No-markup version: ~£740 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 15-day solo-launchable version of G Adventures' Santa Marta loop: trek the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City of Teyuna) with a locally licensed indigenous guide outfit, sleep in hammocks and river camps, then head down the Caribbean coast to Cartagena for colonial streets and the Rosario Islands, finishing with Taganga villages and Tayrona National Park. Everything is bookable directly or through GetYourGuide/Klook — no group tour needed. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive Santa Marta
Santa Marta
Land at Simón Bolívar International (SMR) or arrive by public bus from Barranquilla/Cartagena. Santa Marta's Centro Histórico is compact and easy to walk — grab a bed in the old town or the beachside El Rodadero area, then sort out your Ciudad Perdida trek booking for the next few days (most licensed operators need 24-48hrs notice; bring your passport). Evening: sunset at the Malecón and a cheap arepa or fish dinner.
🚌Arrival transfer or public bus; walking in town
🛏Hostel in Santa Marta Centro (dorm ~£10-14/night)
- →Walk the Malecón
- →Book Lost City trek with a licensed operator
- →Explore Centro Histórico
Santa Marta → Machete Pelao → Ricardito Camp (Lost City Trek Day 1)
Ricardito Camp, Sierra Nevada
Get picked up by your Ciudad Perdida operator and driven to Machete Pelao (El Mamey trailhead, ~2.5hrs), where the trek begins. Day 1 is the easiest section — roughly 4-5 hrs along the Buritaca River through farmland and Kogi communities. Your guide cooks meals and hammocks/camps are set up at Ricardito. Note: the trek must be done with a licensed operator (Wiwa Tours, Magic Tour, Expotur or similar) — this is regulated by the indigenous communities and cannot be self-guided.
🚌Operator 4x4 to Machete Pelao, then walking
🛏Hammock/camp at Ricardito (~included in trek package)
- →Trek Machete Pelao to Ricardito
- →Swim in the Buritaca River
- →Meet Kogi and Wiwa communities
Ricardito → Wiwa Camp (Lost City Trek Day 2)
Wiwa Camp, Sierra Nevada
Longer trekking day following the Buritaca River deeper into the green jungle past small villages. Expect steep ups and downs and river crossings. Reward yourself with a dip in one of the natural swimming pools before dinner at camp.
🚌Walking
🛏Hammock/camp at Wiwa Camp (included in trek package)
- →Jungle trekking
- →River swims
- →Village viewpoints
Wiwa Camp → Teyuna Paraiso Camp (Lost City Trek Day 3)
Teyuna Paraiso Camp, Sierra Nevada
The toughest day of the trek — a lot of steep incline as you climb toward Ciudad Perdida. Pace yourself, hydrate, and take in the Sierra Nevada views. Camp at Teyuna Paraiso, right below the Lost City, so you're ready to climb early tomorrow.
🚌Walking
🛏Hammock/camp at Teyuna Paraiso (included in trek package)
- →Steep jungle climbing
- →Sierra Nevada viewpoints
- →Camp at Paraiso
Ciudad Perpida (Teyuna) — Lost City + Wiwa Camp
Ciudad Perdida & Wiwa Camp
Start before dawn to climb the famous 1,200 stone steps up to Teyuna. Spend a couple of hours exploring the terraces and plazas with your indigenous guide, learning what's known of the city that predates Machu Picchu, then descend back to Wiwa Camp for the night.
🚌Walking
🛏Hammock/camp at Wiwa Camp (included in trek package)
- →Climb the 1,200 steps
- →Guided tour of Ciudad Perdida
- →Descend to Wiwa Camp
Wiwa Camp → Machete Pelao → Santa Marta (Lost City Trek Day 5)
Santa Marta
Trek back out to Machete Pelao through the jungle, then get transferred back to Santa Marta. Afternoon and evening free to shower, rest, and eat something that isn't trail rice. Many travellers celebrate with a cold beer at a hostel rooftop in the Centro.
🚌Operator 4x4 back to Santa Marta
🛏Hostel in Santa Marta Centro (dorm ~£10-14/night)
- →Trek back to Machete Pelao
- →Return transfer to Santa Marta
- →Rest and recover
Santa Marta → Cartagena
Cartagena
Travel down the Caribbean coast to Cartagena (about 4-5 hrs). Buses leave regularly from Santa Marta's terminal (Berlinas del Fonce or Expreso Brasilia, ~£12-16 one way). Alternative: hop the coastal Marsol/Berlina minibus from your hotel. Settle into Getsemaní or the walled city and ease into Cartagena's colonial charm at sunset on the walls.
🚌Public intercity bus Santa Marta → Cartagena (~£14)
🛏Hostel in Getsemaní (dorm ~£12-16/night)
- →Coastal bus to Cartagena
- →Settle into Getsemaní
- →Sunset on the city walls
Cartagena — free day / Rosario Islands option
Cartagena & Islas del Rosario
Free day. Option to take a speedboat to the Rosario Islands (Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park) for snorkelling and beach time — these day trips are bookable at the dock or via GetYourGuide/Klook from ~£25-40 including boat and entry. Otherwise stay in town: explore the colourful streets, street food, and the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas.
🚌Walking / boat for islands day
🛏Hostel in Getsemaní (dorm ~£12-16/night)
- →Optional: Islas del Rosario boat day
- →Optional: snorkelling
- →Street food and markets
Cartagena city tour
Cartagena
Take a small-group or self-booked walking tour of the old town — the clock tower (Torre del Reloj), Plaza Bolívar, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas and the walls. Guided walking tours in English run ~£10-15 (GetYourGuide/Free Walking Tour Cartagena); you can also do it independently with an audio guide. Afternoon free for a coffee in the shade of the cathedral.
🚌Walking / local taxi
🛏Hostel in Getsemaní (dorm ~£12-16/night)
- →Old town walking tour
- →Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
- →Plaza Bolívar & clock tower
Cartagena → Taganga
Taganga
Bus or shared minibus roughly 4-5 hrs back up the coast to Santa Marta, then a short taxi (~10 mins, ~£2) to the fishing village of Taganga. Taganga is a laid-back backpacker base with cheap diving schools, fresh fish, and a bay set against the hills. Afternoon to swim or hike the ridge for sunset views over the bay.
🚌Public bus + short taxi (~£16 total)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Taganga (dorm ~£10-14/night)
- →Coastal bus to Santa Marta
- →Taxi to Taganga
- →Sunset hike over the bay
Taganga — villages and diving
Taganga
Explore the rural villages around Taganga and the coast — this is the same stretch that other travellers visit by van. Options: a try-dive or Open Water course (Taganga is one of the cheapest places in the Americas to learn, ~£55-180 depending on course), snorkel in the bay, or take a short boat to Playa Grande. Late afternoon walk up to the Mirador for the view.
🚌Walking / local boat
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Taganga (dorm ~£10-14/night)
- →Village walk around Taganga
- →Optional: scuba diving or snorkelling
- →Mirador sunset viewpoint
Taganga → Tayrona National Park (El Zaino)
Tayrona National Park area
Travel to Tayrona National Park (entrance El Zaino or Calabazo, ~45-60 mins by bus from Santa Marta, ~£3-5). Note the park is closed for restoration on certain dates (typically early Feb and part of Oct) — check the Parques Nacionales schedule before planning. Pay entry (~£15-18 for foreigners) and hike in to the beach camps (Cañaveral, Arrecifes, La Piscina, Cabo San Juan). Beds in ecohabs/hammocks book up fast in high season.
🚌Public bus + park shuttle
🛏Ecohabs/hammocks in Tayrona (Cabo San Juan or Arrecifes, ~£15-25/night)
- →Enter Tayrona National Park
- →Hike to beach camps
- →Swim at La Piscina
Tayrona National Park — guided hike
Tayrona National Park
Spend a full day exploring Tayrona's rich natural heritage with a local guide — the park has exceptional biodiversity, ancient Tayrona settlement ruins (Pueblito/Chairama), and gorgeous coastline. Local guides and small-group hikes can be booked on arrival or via GetYourGuide (~£15-25). Alternatively, self-walk the trails between beaches. Swim, rest, and catch the sunset at Cabo San Juan.
🚌Walking
🛏Ecohabs/hammocks in Tayrona (~£15-25/night)
- →Guided Tayrona hike
- →Pueblito ruins
- →Beach time
Tayrona → Santa Marta
Santa Marta
Hike back out of the park to El Zaino and catch the bus back to Santa Marta. Afternoon free to explore the Museo del Oro Tairona in the Casa de la Aduana, wander the Plaza de los Novios, and enjoy a final Caribbean seafood dinner. Buy any last souvenirs (mochilas, coffee) in the Centro.
🚌Public bus (~£4)
🛏Hostel in Santa Marta Centro (dorm ~£10-14/night)
- →Return to Santa Marta
- →Museo del Oro Tairona
- →Final Caribbean dinner
Depart Santa Marta
Santa Marta
Trip ends. Fly out from Simón Bolívar International (SMR) or continue overland — Cartagena and Barranquilla are both reachable by direct bus. Airport taxis from the Centro run ~£4-6.
🚌Taxi to airport or bus onward (~£5)
🛏—
- →Departure / onward travel
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£740 | £1,650 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £910 per person (55%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£740
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Colombia's Lost City to the Caribbean — Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £740 per person for 15 days in Colombia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,650 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £740 — a saving of roughly £910 (55%) per person.
How long is the Colombia trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Colombia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Colombia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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