The not so Lost City

Ciudad Perdida is the archaeological site of an ancient city in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. There's a wild story to how it was rediscovered in the 20th century, which I'm piecing the information together and will share in a subsequent post.

This trek has been one I've wanted to do for many years, and it didn't disappoint. It was beautiful, especially starting the second day once we got off the road, then the dirt road, and finally started on the trail. Always in the jungle, great plants all around, birds always singing and the Rio Buritaca often by our side. It's very challenging not in a technical sense but in the punishing up and down hills, topped off by a brutal 1200 step climb up the actual ruins of the Ciudad Perdida on the third day. The heat and humidity at lower levels also up the level of difficulty.

If all of that wasn't challenging enough, nine in our group of 12 were hit with a virus, some so bad they couldn't make the final climb, staying instead in camp, shivering, throwing up and/or pooping. Some even had to use a mule at some point as they were too sick and weak for the arduous walking. I was one of those nine, but as some of you know, these ain't my donkey days yet, so no way was I using a mule! Well, maybe on a technicality, I could have used the mule since it's not a donkey, but I didn't, and those 1200 steps were excruciatingly difficult. I cried a bit when I got to the top from exhaustion and relief as I was greeted with cheers from my fellow hikers. Only later did they tell me how gray I looked, not good pallor for the living 😕.

Each night, we camped in simple accommodations by the river. The beds were decent, and sheets clean. There were showers and our meals were very good. Most of us were asleep by 9 pm, and each morning, we'd get up at 5, eat at 5:30, and be on the trail by 6 or 6:15. Best to hike as much as possible before the heat got too bad. Days 1 and 4 were about 5 or 6 hours of hiking, and days 2 and 3, about 8 or 9 hours.

It was a pretty good group all in all. I had my favourites and my least favourites, of course. In addition to me there was an older Irish couple in their 60s, three young Brits travelling together, a British guy and his Swiss partner, a Swiss woman, German guy, Argentinean guy and an Australian woman.

Part 2 soon.

Peace ✌️Read more