Lost City of the Tayronas

Trekking to the Lost City

When we heard of a lost city in the jungle only rediscovered in the 70's our "Indiana Jones" sense was tingling. Stories of treasure seekers and jungle still over growing the ruins we couldn't wait to see it ourselves. With a bit more research we learned that the area surrounding the lost city (ciudad perdida) was contolled by 3 different militant rebel groups up until 2004. One of the rebel groups the ELN took 8 gringo hostages in 2003 only to release them 3 months later. Unswayed by this knowledge we boarded the jeep and headed for the jungle! Our group merely consisted of 4 tourists, 2 guides and a donkey. With us was a local girl from Bogota (the sweetest Colombian you will ever meet) and a tyrant norse lady whom we had encountered by chance in Antarctica as well. No time like the present for second chances. Our guides were raised in the area of ciudad perdida and their father was a former treasure hunter and one of the men to stumble upon the city and loot the ruins. 

Hearing stories of the beautiful waterfalls and butterflies we were prepared for 5 days of heat and sunshine. What did we get? 5 days of Vancouver style winter rain and mud!! 

"Got mud?"

Arriving at our first camp just before dark looking like drown rats we readied ourselves for a hearty home cooked camp dinner.

Listening to the rain pour down on the tin roof was hardly motivation to get out of our hammocks and put on our muddy boots.

Our hammocks

Day 2 - The rain would periodically switch from heavy to down pour

Grave stone of the Tayronas that has been looted

Day 3

Munching on sugar cane

Homes of the Koguis people - living traditionally these people are self governed and enjoy the simple lifestyle

Wendy and a local Shaman - he came down from his village to meet us and tell us about his profession - Does he look 70 to you?

This shit is bananas

Day 4 - Today was the day we arrived at the lost city. The only obstacle was crossing the river that had risen 1 meter due to the rain. Harnessing in we grabbed the rope and went for it. 

The chest deep river was cold and powerful.

Climbing the 1200 steps up to the lost city we were warm and sweaty again. Our first glimpses of the over grown ruins in the jungle made us feel like we had discovered it ourselves.

Perched upon a mountain between 2 rivers the terraces were where they had their houses.

The mist and rain gave the city an eery feeling

Map carved into the stone

Basin for grinding corn into flour

169 terraces

The ruins and surrounding jungle are now under protection by the Colombian army. Colombia has mandatory military service for young men- this soldier was 18 and had been in the jungle for 3 months with 3 more to go.

Hiking out

The rain had caused numerous landslides and fallen trees on the trail

The Koguis coca plantation

mud mud and more mud

Koguis footprint

Great trek !!