Lost City school expedition: Colombia

Overview

Take your students back to pre-Hispanic times on this school expedition through the Caribbean jungle, alongside ancient civilizations, and to a Lost City shrouded in mist and mystery.

Students will learn the fascinating customs and traditions of the four indigenous communities still living in La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta while trekking across rivers and up mountains.

The four-day adventure ends with a visit to the epic Ciudad Perdida and includes a unique bag-weaving workshop, kayaking activity, and a stunning sunset on a Caribbean beach.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Impacted

Your experiences

Hike to the Lost City

Wade through rivers

Walk through thick jungle

Kayak alongside monkeys

Sunset on Caribbean beach

Explore thick jungle

Learn about epic vegetation

Sleep in jungle camps

Example Itinerary

Day 1: Arrivals

Our team will meet you at Santa Marta’s international airport and take you directly to your hotel in the beautiful old town. We’ll take a walking tour of Santa Marta before an evening meal and introduction to the program.

Day 2: Set off into the jungle!

Our local partners will collect your group from the hotel and transport you to the starting point of the four-day trek. Before beginning this memorable journey, you will discover why Indigenous locals believe this mountain range to be sacred and key to maintaining the planet’s equilibrium. You’ll stay in jungle camps either in bunk beds or hammocks.

Hiking time: 6 hours

Day 3: Encounter customs & traditions from the past

Today you’ll get closer to the mystical ancient city, learning the traditions of the Kogi and Wiwa communities. You’ll be wading through waist-high rivers, along mountain peaks, and next to towering waterfalls. ​After hearing mythical stories of the land over dinner, you’ll stay in jungle camps either in bunk beds or hammocks.

Hiking time: 10 hours

Day 4: Discover the spellbinding Lost City

Today you’ll reach the Ciudad Perdida, an ancient site shrouded in mist, glory, and magic. Bask in the success of your trekking achievement above the clouds and gaze into the thick jungle from one of the viewing platforms. Again, you’ll stay in jungle camps either in bunk beds or hammocks.

Hiking time: 6 hours

Day 5: Finish the trek & relax on Caribbean beach

Your epic journey will come to an end with another adventurous day of hiking and, depending on the pace of the group, spend some free time on a pristine Caribbean beach.

​Hiking time: 6 hours

Day 6: Kayaking to a Caribbean beach

After a well-earned lie-in, you will enjoy a unique weaving class with our partners in the Arhuaco community. After lunch, you’ll jump in a tube or a kayak and head down a winding river to a secluded beach. We’ll stay overnight in a lovely, jungle-embedded eco-lodge.

Day 7: Departure day

We’ll take the group on private transport to Santa Marta’s international airport in plenty of time for your flight home.

Essential information

  • Locations visited: Santa Marta, La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
  • Cost: From $899 p/p (price depends on group size)
  • Teachers: Teachers travel for free
  • Accommodation: Hotel, jungle camping, eco-lodge
  • Other available destinations: Ecuador expedition or discover other adventure options here.

Your students will:

  • Learn essential hiking techniques and safety measures while journeying on a multi-day trek
  • Gain a better understanding of pre-Hispanic cultures and traditions, learning directly from Indigenous communities
  • Learn about the ecology of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – the largest coastal mountain range in the tropics

  • Free teacher places for every 12 students that sign up
  • All meals (we chose varied dishes to give a real taste of Colombia)
  • Accommodation (rooms are shared but privates are available on request and at an extra cost)
  • Transport – private buses
  • All scheduled excursions, activities, visits
  • All hiking equipment – tents, sleeping bags, walking poles
  • Local guides and translators
  • Safety documents – risk assessment, safety protocols
  • Health Insurance
  • Two Kagumu guides for every 10 students

Book this itinerary or tailor one to suit your curriculum by contacting us.

Fully Customizable

Remember we customize every itinerary to your curriculum. If you have a specifc academic focus in mind, allow us to tailor a trip for you.

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