Lost city

David in Idaho says on Aug 17, 2006, 17:36:

I think you would want to go with a guide and I know a guy who would help you, if you're interested.

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el flaco says on Aug 18, 2006, 02:44:

Safeish The area is full of coca growers, laboratories and guerilas so is classed as dangerous by the Foreign Office - so I guess any health insurance etc is invalid.

My Colombian friends all express horror at the trip for safety reasons.

However if you go on the organised trip, book through the hotels, the guide keeps you to an approved path away from the undesirables and everyone is happy. Lots of people have done the trip, which sounds wonderful and easy - I have met one of them, however one group was captured by the rebels a few years ago and held for about two months before being released.

I intend to do the trip next November or February but I wouldn't be happy taking anyone else. You can go there by helicopter but the fun bit is the treck not the "ruins".

I understand that you need lots of mosquito repelant and malaria protection.

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pedro says on Aug 18, 2006, 03:30:

Is it safe to visit Lost Is it safe to visit Lost city at this moment or is it closed for tourists because of security reasons? Thanx, Gabby

Neither.

It's open, therefore possible to visit. This place is on the backpacker circuit.

However, it would be a big stretch to call it safe. You should make up your own mind about that. Check out the latest on the paras demobilisation in that region, government travel advices etc. You will hear different opinions, it's up to you to figure out which ones are well informed.

There is more to Colombia than just "safe" and "unsafe", there are varying degrees of risk and each person has their own tolerance.

que nota!

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Juanes says on Aug 18, 2006, 03:45:

seems safe to me.......so far well i been setting up my travelblog and have been reading numerous posts and seen pictures of people who have been there this year and survived and enjoyed the whole experience.

when i tour latin america for 7 months, i plan to go there this november so if you dont read a post by me after this time assume the worst. personally, i am travelling alone but will try and go on some kind of group tour - can this be booked on via santa marta ? i dont see the point of going to latin america and not visiting colombia and and places like this. the foreign office in england is absolutely useless both on the telephone and on the internet and just produce some standard no go areas and place this country in the same list s places like - afghanistan, iraq , korea and iran. well im would mutch rather go to the lost city and other parts of colombia than take my british passport to one of those damn places.

so gaby try reading some peoples visits there on travelblog.org if you need some more reassurance.

cuidate y bien viaje

juanes en londres

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

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Juanes says on Aug 18, 2006, 04:41:

check out this update from UK too Still Current at: 18 August 2006
Updated: 8 August 2006


Colombia


This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Safety & Security section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.


SUMMARY


We advise against all travel to Putumayo, Arauca, NariñoCaqueta, Guaviare and Norte de Santander departments, and to rural areas of Sucre, Bolivar, Choco, Antioquia, Valle de Cauca, Cauca and Huila departments. We also advise against all travel to southern parts of Meta department and to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (including the ‘Lost City’). There is a high risk to your personal safety in these areas.


We believe terrorists may be in the final stages of planning attacks in Bogota. There has been an increase in terrorist attacks in the lead up to the Presidential inauguration, which took place on 7 August 2006. We believe attacks may continue. Between 31 July and 4 August 2006 over 20 people have been killed and many injured in attacks, primarily against the police and military, in Bogota, Cali and in the departments of Narino and Norte de Santander. You should be particularly vigilant in the vicinity of government buildings and other public places such as shopping centres and places of entertainment.


On 6 April 2006, two bombs exploded on Transmillenium Transport System buses, which run throughout Bogota. Two children died and approximately 20 people were injured. You should be extremely vigilant throughout Colombia, particularly when you are visiting or staying in public places used by foreigners, such as hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping-malls, malls, and in the vicinity of government buildings.


There is a serious risk of kidnapping and crime throughout most parts of the country.


The Galeras Volcano, in Narino Department, began to erupt on 12 July 2006. The surrounding area is being evacuated. You should avoid restricted areas, pay careful attention to all warnings issued and follow the advice of the local Colombian authorities. (also see Natural Disasters Section below).


We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see Travel Insurance.

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

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juanalejo says on Aug 18, 2006, 06:53:

Lost City Open, yes. Lots of foreigners do it every day. You are in the wrong thread though. People in this thread hardly leave the cities, much less would they hike around. Go to the LP Forum, lots of backpackers there who will give you real advice. If you follow the UK foreign office or the US state department advice, you might as well stay at home and avoid catching planes.

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Juanes says on Aug 18, 2006, 06:57:

hahaha, very funny post about taking the british/US government advice juanalejo.......

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Aug 18, 2006, 09:05:

the lost city is not lost anymore.

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gselecka says on Aug 18, 2006, 14:45:

I'm neither British nor American citizen. :-) I heard it might play a role when you run into guerillas. Some claim that "non-westeners" are usually left in peace. Any experience with this? Gabby

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Gator says on Aug 18, 2006, 15:05:

This Trip... is NOT for the faint hearted. About a three-day hike up and three days back through some rough terrain. What you need you will carry. It is HOT and HUMID beyond belief and you will cross eight or ten rivers. Except for the bus and jeep ride to get started it is all on foot..

Now I will say this- it is an experience you will remember. In general it should be safe enough in as much as the guide services usually have a party of four to eight.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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pedro says on Aug 18, 2006, 19:00:

Go to the LP Forum, lots of Go to the LP Forum, lots of backpackers there who will give you real advice. If you follow the UK foreign office or the US state department advice, you might as well stay at home and avoid catching planes.

See, this is what I was talking about when I said it's important to decide who you want to listen to.

The average backpacker in Colombia speaks poor Spanish or none at all. They usually don't read the press and have no idea of the political situation. I should know, I backpacked around Colombia for a while and chewed the fat with a lot of my colleagues.

Oh and good point, you are not British or American. So just ignore that travel advice altogether!

que nota!

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gselecka says on Aug 18, 2006, 19:44:

Can you give me with the guy's contact? Thanx

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jmvbxx says on Aug 19, 2006, 20:45:

Sift through the drama! So, we've established that the lost city isn't lost. It is not safe nor unsafe either. And yes, it is open.

As for this three day trip... I've been there twice and it was one day and certainly worth it!

From either Santa Marta or Rodadero (which I strongly recommend), you can arrange for tours into Tayrona and the lost city.

Lastly, most urban Colombians, and city dwelling foreigners, are automatically terrified by the thought of stepping out of the city and into the country. There isn't always a legitimate or logical reason for this but rather "that's the way it's always been". You'll find the same answer when you ask why many still boil their milk ;)

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Rubiazo says on Aug 19, 2006, 22:22:

From my gf there were paras up in the mountains but supposedly all or most of them have since come down. That safety warning is old and has been updated to take the Lost City out of it. This has all been covered here before you sleepy people! We went through this several months ago.

But regardless, listen to Uncle Gator. I might add what my gf told me as well, the Lost City itself is at some 13800 ft above sea level. That's a whole new level of altitude sickness, so those with respiratory problems should be extra careful!

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pedro says on Aug 20, 2006, 01:40:

So there were paras up in the mountains but supposedly all or most of them have since come down. That safety warning is old and has been updated to take the Lost City out of it.

So the question is, was it safer when it was stable and under para control? What happens now that there may be a void? How does that change the risk of kidnap or armed conflict?

Australian and UK travel advices still include the warning against Ciudad Perdida.

que nota!

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Rubiazo says on Aug 20, 2006, 04:26:

Maybe my number is off I'll have to double check that, that sounds unrealistically high doesn't it? It's into the 5 digits though in feet, appreciably higher up than Bogota.

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Juanes says on Aug 20, 2006, 04:30:

thanks jmvxx thanks for your confidence vote about la cuidad perdida & i have also posted a thread on the thorntree forum for help too. i take confidence from what you have said and feel that it is worth going and the security aspect is less than maybe what it was 5 or 10 years ago.

so i can go on some kind of group tour and book this in rodadero or santa marta ? do you have to stay camping for any nites or are you generally back the same night ?

i suppose it is going to be as high as the macchu picchu trail or the andes in patagonia where i plan to be later on in my trip anyway and i play english football & cycle everywhere here in london so i shoudnt be too bad on the fitness thanks.

any other smaller towns along the carribean coast worth a visit after ive been to santa marta, rodadero & cartagena before i go and take in medellin and neiva and cali.

cheers

juanes en londres

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

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juanalejo says on Aug 20, 2006, 08:32:

Rubiazo It is actually between 900-1200 mts which comes around to be between 3000-4000 ft above sea level.

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Gator says on Aug 20, 2006, 10:13:

I Think Rubiazo Just added an extra 0 at the end, 1200/1300 mtrs is about right.

If you go DO NOT expect ruins like Tikal or Machu Picchu They are NOT magnificent They consist of about 80 terraces uncovered so far and the original huts are long gone.. Unfortunately the grave robbers got there first.

Again, it warn you the heat is so over powering that you shed clothes and get down to boots tee shirts and shorts. Brings lots9Then a LOT more) of mosquito repellent with the highest deet content you can find The only respite will be crossing the rivers in each valley and they are icy cold and some swift and INHO dangerous trying to cross.

Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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David in Idaho says on Aug 20, 2006, 10:45:

contact info for a good guide in Santa Marta Hello again ... here is the contact info for a guy I like and trust in SM. He would be happy to arrange travel to the lost city, and many other local destinations. Just tell him you heard about him from David.

Jairo Estrada G.
Cell Phone: 300 469 69 07 - 310 721 88 00 - 316 270 11 70
Santa Marta Colombia

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Rubiazo says on Aug 20, 2006, 11:23:

I think my gf was talking about the summit of the Sierra Nevada in that case. I thought the Lost City was near the summit but I guess I was mistaken! :p

She was telling me that the best defense against mosquitoes in that climate is to take these B complex vitamins they make down there for ONE MONTH prior to making the trip. I dunno why that would work, but she says thats what she had to do for her forestry thesis in northern Boyaca.

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Gator says on Aug 20, 2006, 13:30:

Interestng Pico Cristóbal Colón is the highest coastal mountain in South America and the sixth highest in South America. If measured by relative height from sea level it is the fifth greatest in the world. Don't forget, if you look at some of the Rockies and they stand at say 15.000 ft you are standing at about say 6/7.000 feet above sea level looking at it.

This is one Tetra Hijueputa and comes almost straight up from the jungle. On a clear day you can see it from Santa Marta

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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robi666 says on Aug 20, 2006, 16:39:

If it happens that you get to Colombia by boat, as I did, set your anchor at night in Bahia Cinto and sail away early in the morning of a clear day, then you'll be able to see the snowy peaks from the sea!

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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