Only with an authorised operator

Lost City (Teyuna) trek

Four days of jungle, rivers and mud to climb some 1,200 stone steps. Worth every drop of sweat.

Mountains
Adventure
Several days
Strenuous
Active adults
Organised excursion

From the house: About 3 h in the operator’s 4x4 to El Mamey (Machete Pelao), then several days on foot

Photo: REPÚBLICA DE COLOMBIA · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · licence

The Teyuna – Ciudad Perdida National Archaeological Park, run by ICANH, is a pre-Hispanic city at 900–1,200 metres in the upper Buritaca basin of the Sierra Nevada. It is sacred to the four peoples of the Sierra, who always knew it was there. The only way in is a multi-day hike, with a guide and an authorised operator.

Don’t miss

1Some 1,200 stone steps up to the terraces
2Kogui and Wiwa villages along the way, such as Mutanzhi
3The repeated crossings of the Buritaca river
4The site visit passes two dwellings used by the Kogui mamo of the basin

What to expect

It’s a trek of 3 to 6 days; four is the classic. The operator picks you up in Santa Marta and drives you by 4x4 to El Mamey, and from there you walk through jungle, cross rivers — sometimes with ropes or a cable crossing when they’re high — and sleep in camps. The climate is mild, humid and very rainy, with nights of 18–22 °C, and there’s no mobile signal on the trail.

There are no permits to go on your own: it’s always guided. The house doesn’t run the trek, but we’ll help you think the trip through and look after your big bag while you’re in the Sierra.

Getting there from the house

Authorised operator only

Book with an operator authorised for the Teyuna trail and check its National Tourism Registry (RNT) number at rnt.confecamaras.co. The 4x4 transfer to El Mamey is usually included.

Secondary source · lostcitytours.com · rnt.confecamaras.co · sula.com.co · colombia.travel

Reference costs

Archaeological park entry (ICANH): COP 75,000, single rate.

Official source checked 28 Oct 2026 icanh.gov.co
According to the operators, the package costs the same at every agency: COP 1,860,000 for 4 days and COP 2,150,000 for 5 days, including transport, guide, food, camps, entry and insurance. It’s a price published by the operators, not a promise — confirm with the operator.

Secondary source checked 28 Oct 2026 lostcitytours.com sula.com.co

Entry requirements

Only ICANH may sell entry passes; entering without one is an offence under the Police Code.

Official source normograma.mincultura.gov.co
Guided only: there is no permit for independent visits.

Secondary source lostcitytours.com
Yellow-fever (and tetanus) vaccines at least 10 days beforehand.

Secondary source sula.com.co
On 9 October 2026 ICANH warned about websites impersonating it. Only buy entry through official channels or via your operator.

Official source checked 9 Oct 2026 icanh.gov.co

Closures, hours and weather

On open days, the park is open 7:00–15:00.

Official source icanh.gov.co
In 2026 it closed 1–15 October, following the indigenous authorities’ rest period, and reopened on 16 October (Resolución 1610 of 7 October 2026).

Official source checked 28 Oct 2026 icanh.gov.co
Closure dates are set each year by the indigenous authorities and ICANH: up to 2024 it usually closed in September, and from 2025 mainly in October. Confirm before booking.

Secondary source expotur-eco.com icanh.gov.co
The dry season runs December to March, and afternoon rain is common.

Secondary source expotur-eco.com

Safety

When the rivers are high they’re crossed with ropes or a cable crossing. Always follow your guide’s instructions.

Secondary source sula.com.co
There’s no mobile signal. Pack a first-aid kit with anti-itch cream or antihistamines.

Official source icanh.gov.co
In indigenous territory: don’t enter homes or photograph people or their belongings without permission, and carry all your rubbish back to Santa Marta.

Official source icanh.gov.co parquesnacionales.gov.co
Stay on the trail with your guide, don’t give sweets, money or gifts to children, keep quiet on the terraces and don’t fly drones without permission.

Secondary source lostcitytours.com

The Tía says

Before you pay, look up the operator’s RNT; if it doesn’t show, there’s no deal. And leave the big suitcase with me — you go up the Sierra travelling light.

What to bring

Your list: tick what you’ve packed.

Plastic bags to keep clothes dry
A rain poncho
Light, non-leather shoes
Non-cotton clothing
Sunscreen and a hat
A first-aid kit with antihistamines
Vaccination card
Not much else — pack light

Who it suits

For fit adventurers with 4–5 days to spare. Leave a rest day after the trek, and check your dates don’t fall in the annual closure.

With children: Not for young children: it takes good fitness and tolerance of heat, humidity and several days of walking.

Official sources

Tía Chela doesn’t run tours: the house recommends, advises and helps arrange transport. Third-party services are contracted by you directly.

All sources for this page

Reviewed on 28 October 2026. Prices, hours and closures change — confirm before you go.