- Duration4 days with six products (three nights in camps) · 5 days with Impulse Travel (return split over two days)
- List pricesUSD 580 (Baquianos) to USD 760 (Expotur) for four days; USD 1,312 for five days
- Group4 people with To'Buru, 8 with Impulse, 12 with Baquianos, 15–16 with the rest
- Entrance feeOnly Baquianos, Econnection, To'Buru and Impulse list it; Expotur, Magic Tour and Turcol do not
- CancellationSix products free up to 24 hours before; Magic Tour non-refundable
- ConfirmationInstant with Expotur, Baquianos, Magic Tour, Turcol; manual with Econnection and To'Buru; Impulse instant, then manual
Who the Lost City trek suits
This is not an altitude trek but a heat trek: it starts at 150 m in El Mamey and ends at 1,200 m on the terraces, with rainforest, mud, river crossings and a humidity you cannot train away in between. If you can walk six to eight hours a day and cope with a hammock, a mosquito net and cold water from a hose, you are in the right place. Most operators take children from 13, Baquianos from 8, Turcol without a stated minimum.
It is also the trek where the comparison has the least to do with the route. The route is prescribed, the camps are shared by all operators, the entrance fee goes to the same authority. The difference lies in group size, in what the inclusions list actually names, in the cancellation terms – and in whether the product comes from the operator itself or from an agency.
First things first: who actually guides?
Only a handful of licensed operators may lead groups to the Lost City – Expotur, Magic Tour, Turcol and Baquianos have been among them for years. The platform also lists products from agencies that resell these treks: Econnection Colombia, To'Buru and Impulse Travel. That is neither forbidden nor necessarily worse (better inclusions lists, pickup, English on the phone), but it means the guide ultimately comes from one of the licensed operators and your group may be merged with their guests on the trail.
The product data does not say who guides. So we show both kinds side by side and mark what comes from the inclusions list and what appears only in the description. If you want to be sure you are booking directly with the operator, choose Expotur, Baquianos, Magic Tour or Turcol; if you want the most complete list, look at Econnection.
Three recommendations for three travel situations
Seven products, seven suppliers, one route. Prices are the same whether you travel solo or as a pair – there is no group-size tiering as in Nepal – but cancellation terms, group size and the completeness of the list differ.
Expotur – 4 days from its own office
Over 3,600 reviews, guides from the region, 9:30 am start at the office in Santa Marta, all meals and snacks, suitcases stored for free or forwarded to El Mamey. Drop-off also near Minca, Palomino or the Tayrona park. Entrance fee and transport appear only in the itinerary, not in the list.
Main limitation: Entrance fee, insurance and transport are not in the inclusions (the itinerary says 4×4 and “admission included” per day). Help carrying luggage excluded. Yellow fever vaccination recommended.
Check on Viator →Econnection – 4 days with entrance fee and insurance
The only product that explicitly lists the entrance fee (ICANH), accident insurance, community contribution and luggage storage, plus kilometres and hours per day. Pickup across the urban area, start or end in Minca free of charge. Manual confirmation, booking cut-off 6:30 pm the day before.
Main limitation: Manual confirmation, booking cut-off 6:30 pm the day before. English interpreter “upon request”. Mule up to 10 kg on quote. Start or end in Minca free, both COP 80,000.
Check on Viator →Baquianos – 4 days, twelve at most
Lowest list price, national park fee and private vehicle listed, children from eight. English “or a translator with the guide” – ask if that matters to you. Pickup in Santa Marta, Rodadero and Taganga; Minca and Palomino cost extra.
Main limitation: The list names four dinners for three nights. English “or a translator with the guide”. Pickup only in Santa Marta, Taganga and Rodadero; Minca and Palomino cost extra.
Check on Viator →Affiliate links to Viator: if you book, we earn a commission and the price stays the same. Converted at Viator's rate on 23 September 2026; Viator converts at the day's rate at checkout.
