3 Days - 2 Nights
Daily Tour
12 people
Trekking
The Lost City of Bunkuany is a sacred archaeological site that was recently discovered by farmers from the Calabazo area. This discovery is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta; These ruins belong to an ancient Tayrona indigenous civilization. They were built by this community more than 1,000 years ago and are now a major tourist attraction.
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If you are a lover of hiking and nature, don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and discover the Lost City of Bunkuany.
This 3-day, 2-night tour to Bunkuany Tayrona consists of a Exciting and challenging trekking along ecological trails where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, as well as the exotic flora and fauna of the region.
During the journey, you will observe crystal-clear rivers, tropical forests, endemic animals, and exotic birds as you discover the trails that lead to Bunkuany Tayrona.
The excursion is led by expert local guides dedicated to preserving and protecting this sacred archaeological site. They will tell you the story behind each stone and take you to the highlights of the Lost City of Bunkuany Tayrona.
At approximately 7:30 AM, tourists meet at the Calabazo health post, where the tour guide meets and the Bunkuany experience begins. Other tourists are picked up by the vehicle on the main road leading to Calabazo.
The hike is of medium difficulty. All travelers receive instructions from the tour guide and begin the trek to the Danam Hostel. The journey to the lodge is approximately two hours. During this tour, you will be able to observe the majestic Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the birthplace of vast ecosystems and indigenous civilizations declared intangible cultural heritage.
During the journey, you will reach a hydration point where you will eat fruit and snacks. This resting place is on the farm of Mr. Ciro, a local farmer who warmly welcomes hiking and nature tourism enthusiasts.
We will walk to the Danam Hostel, a Colombian farmer’s home where we will spend the night. We will be close to the river with natural waterfalls for a delicious mountain shower. Beautiful scenery, a beautiful sunset, and a delicious dinner prepared by locals. At night, the sky is beautiful in the middle of the jungle, and comfortable beds are perfect for resting.
We’ll wake up at 6:30 a.m. and have breakfast to prepare for the day. We’ll hike 13 kilometers with a maximum altitude of 1,200 meters, followed by a 500-meter elevation gain.
Follow the trail until you reach the archaeological ruins of Bunkuany, where you’ll take a tour steeped in culture and ancestry. With your guide, you’ll explore the paths and stone terraces. You’ll learn the fascinating history of the ancient Tayrona, where you’ll feel transported back in time to a bygone era. You’ll also learn how the Bunkuany terraces were discovered and the special energy felt in this sacred place.
Afterward, we return to the Bunkuany restaurant in the mountains for lunch. We then return to the lodge to take a 4×4 vehicle to a point near the Kogui village. Here, we will spend the night, sleeping in the indigenous home. Dinner will be served in the village, all very authentic.
A new dawn in the Sierra invites us to recharge our batteries. Enjoy the breeze and the first rays of sunlight before gathering for a traditional breakfast, seated around a wooden table with the Kogui indigenous people. A perfect opportunity to chat with our older siblings.
Guided tour of the village: A member of the Kogui tribe will guide you through the inner trails of their community. You will learn about:
We leave the village with our hearts full of learning and return to the trail: 8 km of gentle descent through cloud forests, crystal-clear streams, and occasional viewpoints.
We celebrated the end of the experience with a quick farewell, exchanged impressions, and returned to Calabazo, confident of having had an authentic experience with the Kogui community.
From this point, some tourists choose to visit the beaches of Tayrona Park (9 km away). No guide is needed for this section; the trail is well marked, with signs, and frequented by other hikers.
If you decide to continue the return journey with us (4 km), we will all return together to the starting point in Calabazo to enjoy a delicious meal.
A high percentage of those who participate in the trek prefer to end the experience normally in Danam, stay again at our eco-hostel or another nearby hostel, have a beer, spend a night in a comfortable bed, and then return to Tayrona the next day. It all depends on your physical condition.
In any case, if you need to book accommodation anywhere within Tayrona, we can certainly help you.
From Santa Marta: Take the bus at the intersection of Carrera 9 and Calle 11 in the Santa Marta Public Market. Buses run until 5:30 PM. Then, ask to be dropped off in Calabazo at the Calabazo Health Post. From Palomino: You can take the Palomino-Santa Marta shuttle bus to Santa Marta. Then, ask to be dropped off in Calabazo at the Calabazo Health Post. Or, if you prefer, you can also take a taxi with one of our trusted partners, who will take you to Calabazo or any other destination you'd like to visit at an attractive price, given that you're one of our hikers. Let me know if you need a taxi; it's important to note that regular taxis don't go all the way to the hostel, as it's 600 meters of unpaved road. The transportation we recommend is adapted for the terrain, or you can also walk from the main road where your taxi will drop you off without any problems.
We recommend not overloading your bag. That's why we offer this short list of things you'll need during the hike: - Hiking shoes - Tropical mosquito repellent spray (there aren't many, but bring one just in case) - Sunscreen - Warmer clothing for the evening. Mountain nights are cooler, around 18 degrees. - Raincoat in case of rain - Socks - Water filter if you have one. If you don't have one, don't worry, we have drinking water. You'll only need to bring your water bottle or a 1L or larger bottle. - Swimsuit and towel - Hat - 1 pair of long pants - Shorts - 2 or 3 T-shirts You won't need anything else during the hike; we'll take care of everything else! We can store your suitcase or large bag during the trek so you only carry what you need. NOTE: Each traveler is responsible for carrying their own backpack. DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS Are you vegetarian or vegan? Do you have a special diet? Don't eat fish? Do you have any allergies? Let us know before the start of the hike so we can arrange meals.
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