March 2025 – actual dates TBA
This challenge involves a total trekking distance of 105km (65 miles) during the week. The Lost City four-day Trek makes up 85km (53 miles) of the total distance. This is not a high altitude trek with the highest point being 1,150m/3,772ft. You will have to carry all personal equipment you will need for the four-day trek although water and food are provided separately.
Santa Marta is generally around 35 degrees celcius/95 degrees fahrenheit during the day, dropping to high 20’s celcius/80’s fahrenheit during the night. During the Lost City Trek day temperatures are around 30 degrees celcius/86 degrees fahrenheit dropping to 18 degrees celcius/65 degrees fahrenheit at night. As it is jungle there is always a chance of rain!
We will plant trees to help cover your carbon footprint for the challenge, including inbound and outbound flights.
If you are interested in joining us or need more information please do email us on info@thephoenixprojects.org
Saturday
Fly into Santa Marta and a welcome dinner
Sunday
Explore Santa Marta including a boat trip around the bay and a short 3km (2 miles) hike around Taganga.
Monday
A 16km (10 miles) hike to and from Cabo San Juan through Tayrona National park then head back to Santa Marta.
Tuesday
The 85km (53 miles) Lost City Trek starts with an early 2 hour drive into the Sierra Nevada to El Mamey where we start a 14km (9 mile) hike to the first campsite.
Wednesday
A morning 3 hour hike brings us to Mutanyi, a Kogui indigenous village. A further 5 hour hike brings us to the campsite after 24km (15 miles) in total, with dips into the river Buritaca along the way.
Thursday
A short hike brings us to the start of the 1,200 steps which bring us to our goal: Teyuna: La Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City) where we will spend 3 hours exploring before heading off to the campsite with another 24km (15 miles) under our belts.
Friday
Up early to start the final 22km (14 miles) hike back to El Mamey and catch the transport back to Santa Marta for a farewell dinner.
Saturday
Last day in Santa Marta and head to the airport
From Saturday evening through to Saturday morning all hotels (single rooms) are included where needed. All meals are included though alcoholic drinks are on your tab! All trips, entrance fees, internal transport and airport pick-up and drop-off are included. Tips are not included and we will let you know how much we recommend.
Preliminary costs for all explained above are $1,069 (£891) or $947 (£789) with a shared hotel room. Please do remember this is a fundraiser for Phoenix and not just a trip so we do ask you to fundraise as well and we will provide you with fundraising pages. Prices may change (up or down) between now (February 2024) and March 2025 due to exchange rates in Colombia so please do ask.
