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Trekking El Mamey to Casa Adan

Autism Jersey Trek to the Lost City 10 days Colombia

Trek
Trek
Communal
Communal
Terrain
Terrain
ORANGE 2
Grading


About the Challenge

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1979, run through Colombia and end close to the Caribbean Sea on the north coast. They are cloaked in dense tropical rainforest, which hides the ruins of Teyuna, dating back some 1500 years, and more famously known as the Lost City.

As the world gets smaller it becomes harder to visit places before they become a tourism hotspot, but our Lost City trek gives us the opportunity to do just that. To reach the 1200 ancient stone steps that lead up to the city, we trek on steep, sometimes overgrown and muddy trails, through lush jungle and river valleys, crossing clear streams. En route we pass indigenous Kogui communities, descendants of those early builders; we sleep near these settlements in hammocks.

After time to explore the uncrowded ruins and marvel at what would have been here in years gone by, we return and head to colonial Cartagena, with a stunning Caribbean backdrop, this is a tough trek full of natural beauty and cultural discovery, and is guaranteed to be a trip of a lifetime!

 
Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Autism Jersey Trek to the Lost City


BESPOKE 10 DAYS
  • On arrival in Bogota we connect onto Santa Marta, on the northern coast, where we start our trip with a city tour and some lunch before transferring to our hotel. After freshening up, there should be time to relax and explore the old streets or wander by the bay. Santa Marta was founded by conquistadores, and is Colombia’s oldest surviving city; there is plenty to see. Later we meet for dinner and a trip briefing. Night hotel.

  • Our journey starts with an early morning jeep ride from Santa Marta on roads and then dirt tracks to the small village of El Mamey; here we have lunch while our local support team sorts the kit, and we set off! The route eases us in fairly gently, with an early chance to cool off at a swimming hole; it’s hot with little shade before we enter the jungle proper. Then there’s a steep climb up through rainforest, which in the heat and humidity feels much further than it actually is, before descending into a lush valley. Night camp.

    Drive approx 2 hours; Trek approx 4-5 hours

  • After an early breakfast, we trek steadily uphill through the heart of the jungle – it’s beautiful, but tough terrain and we take it slow. Spotting wildlife in dense jungle can be tricky, but the air around us is thick with birdsong and the hum of insects; the diversity in these forests is impressive. You may see toucans, parakeets and hummingbirds, and some of the many species of tiny frogs. Larger mammals include tapirs, otters and jaguars, though they are very elusive and you would be very lucky to spot them! After regular stops for fresh fruit, we reach the top of our ascent and are rewarded with a long downhill walk though some beautiful landscapes and Kogui villages of round, thatched huts and farmed pockets of land. This is a really tough day but once we reach camp we can enjoy a swim in the crystalline river. Night camp.

    Trek approx 9-11 hours

  • An exciting day ahead, and we rise early to ensure we have plenty of time to explore the Lost City. The jungle path leads us alongside the river for a stretch, and we cross over to reach the ancient flight of stone steps rising through the dense vegetation to the ruins – count them to see if there truly are 1200! This is a sacred city, held in high respect by the local people, and we enjoy a tour to appreciate its history and significance. There is also sometimes an opportunity to hear some of the sacred stories from el Mamo, the local spiritual leader. After soaking up the views and unique atmosphere that surrounds these incredible ruins, it’s time to return back along the trail via last night’s camp, and further on to Wiwa. This is a long, tough day, but a real highlight. Night camp.

    Trek approx 10-12 hours (incl 3 hours at Lost City)

  • Our final day in the jungle sees us returning back to the trailhead at El Mamey, stopping en-route at a waterfall where we can cool off. We meet the 4 x 4 vehicles and drive back to the road, and on to Santa Marta, where a well-earned bed and shower await! There should be some time free to enjoy wandering the sights of Santa Marta. Night hotel.

    Trek approx 5.5-7 hours; drive approx 2 hours

    (Dinner not included)

  • A hike with a difference today, as we explore beautiful Tayrona National Park, where the rainforest meets the Caribbean. It’s stunning, with huge granite boulders and small coves protected by the coral reefs. We explore the old trails at a relaxed pace, before enjoying a swim in the natural swimming-holes. This coastal beauty contrasts hugely with the more arduous rainforest habitat we have been immersed in. We return to Santa Marta. Night hotel.

    Trek approx 4 hours

    (Dinner not included)

  • After breakfast we transfer to the colonial city of Cartagena (lunch stop en-route); it was an important town and port for the Spanish colonies, and the walled city and San Felipe fortress have UNESCO World Heritage Site status. After a city tour of the main historical sites, including the fortress which dominates the city, we have plenty of time to relax, wander and shop the markets to our hearts’ contents. Farewell dinner in local restaurant. Night hotel.

    Drive approx 5 hours (incl stop for lunch)

    (Lunch not included)

  • Free time to enjoy discovering more of the charm of Cartagena, before transferring to the airport for our flight home

    (Lunch and Dinner not included)



Dates & Prices

Prices may vary depending on date.


WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Scheduled return flights from London Heathrow
  • All accommodation in hotels (twin-share) and fixed camps (dorm-style)
  • All in-country transport
  • Most meals (exceptions detailed in itinerary)
  • Celebration meal
  • Discover Adventure Mountain Leader
  • Discover Adventure Doctor
  • Local guides, cooks, drivers etc
  • Fuel Supplement (approx. £280)

WHAT'S EXCLUDED 

  • Meals as detailed in itinerary
  • Personal travel insurance (to cover personal injury, cancellation/curtailment, lost items etc

Fundraising Target

- £1000 (this amount is included in the pricing structure on the payment page)

- Autism jersey receive 100% of the fundraising target.

 

Payment plans

- £500 registration fee on booking

- 30th december 2023 - 80% of fundraising target due (10 weeks prior to departure)

- remainder of fundraising target to be paid within 2 weeks of return

- Isla Baru extension available

 

 

 

 

 



    Detailed Information

    • Your safety, and that of the rest of the group, is our highest priority. Our trips are designed and planned with safety in mind. Your crew will be equipped with communication devices (eg phones, radios and/or emergency satellite phones), medical kit and other safety apparatus appropriate to the destination. Our leaders always have access to our 24-hour emergency UK back-up. They are responsible for safety on the trip, and will make any changes to the itinerary they deem necessary, should local conditions dictate. Pre-trip administration - such as medical questionnaires and travel insurance as appropriate - is all done with your safety in mind.

    • We have a Passenger Portal which will give you more details of the challenge itself. It also enables you to see any outstanding information we need, the countdown to your challenge departure, see your outstanding balance, make payments and update your contact details. You can access this via the following link - Passenger Portal Log in.


    Preparing for the Challenge

    • We plan our trips around the optimal weather conditions, but could still be exposed to bad weather at any time. It is vital you are prepared for all conditions. We provide you with a detailed packing kit-list on registration, as well as details on useful discounts you are entitled to as a Discover Adventure customer. We are always available if you need advice.

      If you are still to buy some kit don’t forget that Cotswold Outdoor, Snow and Rock, Cycle Surgery and Runners Need offer all Discover Adventure participants 10% off any purchases you make with them. Please ask us for the code if you do not have this already.