Well, we have officially booked ourselves on the Lost City trip. Tomorrow we catch a shuttle van from Cartagena to Santa Marta, where the trip starts. On the way, we'll stop in Barranquilla and pick up Dave's passport from the US Consular Services Office.

We overnight in Santa Marta, and then on Tuesday morning, we set out in a jeep to the base of the mountain.

Here's the rough itinerary for the next 6 days:

Day 1: Drive to end of road. Hike uphill 4 hours. Camp at a ranch and sleep in hammocks.

Day 2: Hike 4-5 hours, with a stop at an indigenous village and see coca processing demonstration. Camp at a makeshift camp and sleep in hammocks.

Day 3: Hike a little, cross a river 8 times, walk up a huge number of steep stairs to get to plateau where the ruins are. Camp in wooden building left by archaeologists and sleep in hammocks.

Day 4: Enjoy a guided tour (in Spanish) of the ruins

Day 5: Hike back down 2-days worth to first night's camp

Day 6: Hike the rest of the way down and take jeep back to civilization, beds, and hot showers.

Day 7: (Monday, July 28) Take the shuttle van back to the boat

We are getting a 'rainy season special' from Turcol, the tour company that arranges everything. With this special deal, the trip costs 430,000 pesos ($250) each, and we get one free night's hotel stay in Santa Marta. The trip cost includes everything (jeep transportation, food, lodging, guides, porters/burros (for the food)). We have to carry our own backpacks with our own clothes and bedding.

It will start out hot in Santa Marta (about sea level) and end up at about 4,000 feet, where it will get quite cool at night.

More Info:
One Hiker's Account of the Trip
Lost City Info from HostelTrail.com
Turcol's Page about the Trip

Labels: Colombia Inland