Viva Colombia - La Ciudad Perdida

Time to explore continent number six on this trip and it starts with Colombia. First off, I wanted to explore La Ciudad Perdida, or the Lost City. The Lost City was built in 700 by the Tayrona people and was abandoned in 1650.

I joined a tour and we were off to find the Lost City. It is not an easy feat to reach as it requires a 4-Day return trek roughly 55km through the Colombian jungle in 36 degrees heat, 70-80% humidity and total elevation gain of 2400m. The only way to reach it is to walk through that jungle - a true adventure.

It was definitely a tough hike with sometimes very bad paths and hungry mosquitos. However, it was worth it. Our guides were amazing as they brought the very interesting, bloody and drug-fuelled history of this region and its inhabitants to life (farmers, guerrilla groups, drug traffickers, pirates, indigenous peoples). In addition, we jumped into natural pools or rivers whenever we had the chance.

For the first 1.5 days, we walked 26km to reach Camp 3 located at the base of the Lost City. It was a strenuous walk, but had some fun elements, as we crossed rivers on stones, enjoyed amazing viewpoints of the jungle and craved the delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners that our chef prepared. Everyday, we woke up at 5am in order to take advantage of the cooler mornings.

On Day 3, it was time to reach the Lost City. To get there required a 30 minute flat walk and then a total of 1200 (!) ancient steps up to reach the city. In other words, just before 7am on Day 3, we reached the Lost City.

Over the following 4h, we explored the ins and outs of it, listened to the fascinating story of its abandonment and re-discovery in 1973, took countless pictures and simply sat down at the highest point and soaked in the atmosphere.

It truly is a magical place. It might not be as spectacular as Machu Picchu, but imagining the history and everyday life in the city unfolding in front of your inner eye and getting a sense of the soul of the place was truly awe-inspring.

Sitting there at the top of the city gave me some inner peace paired with a sense of adventure. Experiences like these are the reason I travel the world. To get to know different cultures, different places and different lives.

After exploring the place in depth, we had to walk back the entire trek! I did not have the energy (but no choice) to walk another 26km through the Colombian jungle. So, I was very happy, when I was back, but my legs were fucked.

Anyway, I am incredibly happy that I did it. After all, the Lost City had been on my list for several years now and after having done it I would recommend it to everyone that longs for a different type of adventure.Read more