DAYS | 9
REG FEE | TBC
MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP | TBC
DIFFICULTY | Tough
DATE 21 Aug 2025
THE TREK
Nestled in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada stands Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City. Reach these magical ancient ruins on an extraordinary challenge which will see you making your way through lush jungle, discovering spectacular and unique wildlife and vibrant fauna and flora on an epic journey into the rainforest.
You will explore diverse jungle, swim in beautiful rivers and stand in awe of some of the most breathtaking scenery - what an experience! This is a multi-day trek led by skilled guides. Tough, but truly magical, this challenge will be an adventure you never forget.
Our trips are inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport and more, so all you need to do is focus on the challenge ahead!
Please note: Our Student Colombia Lost City Trek for 2024 does not include international flights.
Please select a trip departure date below to view the full pricing, itinerary and inclusions.
DATES
2024
All our 2024 Colombia Trips are ground-Arrangements only
MANCHESTER, ARTS UNIVERSITY BOURNEMOUTH, THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
| DATE | REG FEE | MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP |
|---|---|---|
| 20 AUG 2024 | £490 | £660 |
View Challenge Information Pack
NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY, READING, OXFORD BROOKES
| DATE | REG FEE | MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP |
|---|---|---|
| 22 AUG 2024 | £490 | £660 |
View Challenge Information Pack
2025
Our 2025 Colombia Trip is flight inclusive package
UNIVERSITIES TBC
| DATE | REG FEE | MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 AUG 2025 | TBC | TBC | REGISTER INTEREST |
THE ITINERARY
DAY 1: DEPARTURE
Arrive Santa Marta and overnight in accommodation.
DAY 2: ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION
Upon arrival, you will be collected by the Choose a Challenge team and transferred to your accommodation in beautiful Santa Marta. You will have free time to explore and also receive a short briefing. Multi-share hotel accommodation. Dinner included.
VIEW FULL ITINERARY
DAY 3: TREK DAY 1
After breakfast we'll transfer from vibrant Santa Marta to the Mamey sector (Machete Pelao), where we will we enjoy lunch, then trek approximately 7.6 km until we reach the first camp 450 meters above sea level. Here we'll spend our first night. Trek time 4-5 Hours. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 4: TREK DAY 2
Today we start early! After breakfast we will trek for around 5km (approximately 3-4 hours) to our second camp, located in a Wiwa Indigenous Community, at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. Here, we'll get the opportunity to speak with members of the Wiwa community and learn more about their customs and traditions. We'll also get the opportunity to learn about the extraordinary fauna and flora that is typical of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. In the afternoon we can relax and swim in the cool waters of the river that has its source high above the Lost City. In the evening before an early bedtime, the Indigenous guide will tell you more about the area and the sacred meaning for the natives. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 5: TREK DAY 3
We'll rise early for breakfast and then hike some steep trails over almost 10km to our third camp. Here we will be very close to the Lost City Teyuna, the sacred city of the Tayronas, one of the most prominent sites in Colombia. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 6: TREK DAY 4
After breakfast we will immediately start the short (just over 1km) but very steep ascent to the first terrace of the Lost City. After having climbed over 1200 steps to reach our destination, we'll rest and then begin an in-depth guided tour of this stunning lost jungle city. The tour will last approximately 2 and a half hours and during the time we are here we can enjoy the sweeping vistas of lush valleys and steep, forested hills and take plenty of photographs! After the tour we'll descend to the third camp, where we will take lunch and rest a little, then continue with the descent to the second camp where we will spend the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 7: TREK DAY 5
On the last day of our trekking adventure start the day early, enjoying breakfast before we continue our hike back to the first camp, where we will rest a little and then continue our journey back to Mamey (Machete Pelao). Here we will have lunch before departing by vehicle to our accomodation in Santa Marta where we will arrive around 4:00 pm. After some time to rest and change we'll enjoy a farewell dinner with our whole team and our guides! Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 8/EXTENSION DAY: DEPENDING ON YOUR TRAVEL OPTION
If you've opted for an immediate return then today you'll have a little free time before transferring to the airport for your return flight home. If you've opted to extend your stay then after breakfast you'll be on Day One of your Extension trip. Breakfast included.
“This was the experience of a lifetime filled with wonderful memories. I made friends for life, challenged myself in ways I never thought possible and have seen some of the most spectacular scenery! It was an adventure I’ll never forget.”
WAYS TO PAY
To get started on your challenge, you’ll need to pay your registration fee and pick your fundraising plan. You can choose to pay an additional instalment toward your trip costs in exchange for a reduction in your fundraising target - we call this a ‘flexi payment’.
REG. FEE (£490): paid upon sign-up, or opt to split this into two instalments of £245. Splitting your reg. fee will incur a small admin fee of £25.
FLEXI PAYMENT: FLEXI PAYMENT: you pick how much - paid 10 weeks before departure. Your flexi payment will automatically customise your fundraising target. We’ve detailed your options below.
Prices excluding flights:
OPTION ONE
Reg fee
TBC
Flexi payment
£0
Fundraise
TBC
OPTION TWO
Reg fee
TBC
Flexi payment
£195
Fundraise
TBC
OPTION THREE
Reg fee
TBC
Flexi payment
£395
Fundraise
TBC
When taking on a challenge with us, you can rest assured that all of the money you fundraise throughout the year will go directly to the charity you are supporting (unless self-funding). Once you hit that all important fundraising target and your place on the challenge is confirmed, the charity will use this money to cover the remaining costs of your challenge as well as to further the vital services that they provide. All of our challenges operate on a minimum 50:50 cost to donation ratio and 100% of any Gift Aid or funds that you raise above your target will stay with your charity.
CHALLENGE EXTENSION: travels to tayrona
Days: 4 Registration Fee: £125 Cost: £395
Included: transfers, national park entry, accommodation, all meals included in itinerary.
Once you’ve completed your unforgettable Colombia Trek, you can extend your stay, heading to the stunning Tayrona National Park, unwinding on beautiful beaches or throwing yourself into the incredible activities this destination has to offer, from scuba diving to cookery classes - a well deserved break bursting with wonderful experiences and plenty of relaxation!
ITINERARY
DAY 1: TRANSFER TO TAYRONA
Transfer by private vehicle to Tayrona National Park, one of the most stunningly beautiful national parks in South America. This is the perfect place to sling up a hammock and recuperate from your challenging trek to the Lost City. Breakfast included.
VIEW FULL ITINERARY
DAY 2: BEACH ACTIVITIES
Today you will have the chance to relax and unwind by the beach, either choose to enjoy the sun and read your book or take advantage of the wide range of activities which are available locally, including snorkelling, scuba classes, Colombian cookery classes, birdwatching hikes and boat trips. Breakfast included.
DAY 3: BEACH DAY
This extension trip is all about relaxation and enjoying your amazing surroundings. So today is another chance to spend time on the wonderful beach with your friends and participate in the unforgettable activities on offer. Breakfast included.
DAY 4: RETURN TO UK
After breakfast you'll be picked-up by private vehicle and transferred to the airport for your flight home. Farewell Colombia!
Take a look at our Colombia Trek Challenge Info Pack for further details or get in touch to add our trip extension to your challenge!
