>This national park on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia protects 10,000 km2 of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, which is the highest coastal mountain range in the world and home to two of Colombia’s 6 glacier fields.
It is best known for “La Ciudad Perdida”, known as the Lost City Trek and renowned as Colombia’s answer to Peru’s Machu Picchu. While this ancient city may not be nearly as spectacular as Machu Pichu, the challenging 4-5 day traverse through the thick Colombian jungle offers a much wilder experience with much higher biodiversity at the lower elevations.
Another 20,000 square kilometres makes up a UNESCO reserved biosphere of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, which is protected as indigenous territory and the upper reaches of the mountains are not accessible for tourism as they are considered sacred to local indigenous peoples.
Known as the “Heart of the World” by local indigenous tribes, this mountain range has some of the highest biodiversity in the world and over 420 species of birds making it a world-renowned birdwatching destination.
It is home to some of the best-preserved indigenous cultures in America, isolated and unseen until the second half of the 20th century. The Kogui, Wiwa, Arhuaco and Kankuamo communities are descendants of the Tayrona (Tairona) people of la Ciudad Perdida (Lost City), and have been living here for centuries, largely uncolonized by the Spanish.
Best Hikes In Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta National Park
The best hike in Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta National Park is La Ciudad Perdida, which you need to hire a local guide to complete the trek.
If you want to explore some of the hiking trail to the La Ciudad Perdida without doing the full 4 or 5 day trek, you can stay at the Blue Dot Eco Hostel and access parts of the trail on shorter day hikes.
La Ciudad Perdida is the main hike in the national park but there’s a series of excellent hikes surrounding the national park that offer extraordinary views of the glacier-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta.
If you want to watch the sunset over the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta, I’d recommend Cerro Kennedy, which is a daytrip from the town of Minca or alternatively, you can stay at the El Dorado Birding Reserve and access the hike from there.
If you’re looking for a hike and swim then I’d highly recommend Quebrada Valencia, which offers a spectacular series of pools and waterfalls for swimming along with a 45 minute hike through a beautiful valley full of birds, monkeys and old-growth trees.
Video
Location
Add Review
Read More ReviewsAdd Review
Leave a Reply
Claim listing
Added By Kyle Pearce
I'm a serial entrepreneur, autodidact and a passionate advocate for community-driven experiential learning outdoors.
I have been running unplugged nature retreats for the last 7 years that integrate embodied mindfulness, experiential learning and community building practices for improving mental health and developing ecological awareness.
I started the Nature Retreats website to spotlight ecolodges, retreat centers and ecotourism projects following sustainable tourism practices that benefit local communities and protect biodiversity.
When I’m not unplugged in nature, you’ll find me plugged into the matrix running Social Creators, an AI-powered marketing automation platform that helps experience creators sell their group coaching, workshops and retreats.
V A
5 years agoBeautifull place beware at the entrance of the park theres 2 policeman and they will search your bags. Inside the park is not dangerous. Be carefull with the ocean, cause people drown constantly...
Lina Torres
5 years agoAmazing ! Births, nature, mountains, rivers, ocean, perfect weather. What else can you ask for ?
Elprofedanii Personal Trainer
3 years agoNice
Yeferson Polanco
2 years agoSuper
Emmanuel Jaramillo Corrales
3 years agoWow