We arrived at the Expotur offices in Santa Marta at 9am on the Friday morning and slowly the group we would be trekking with for 4 days came together. 3 Brits, 3 Danish, 4 Americans, 4 Swiss, 1 Dutch and 1 Argentinian.
The initial 2 hour jeep journey to the start of the trek was a great way to introduce ourselves and soon Dan and I realised that we were amongst the oldest in the group!
After a delicious lunch the trek began. In 32 degree heat, up a hill. The next 4 hours were a mixture of fun, hard work and lots of sweating. A good introduction to what awaited us over the next few days!
The camps were basic with dormitory style beds covered in mosquito nets, basic toilet facilities and a small communal area. The meals the cook produced for us however were outstanding and we never went hungry as the portions were large and there were always welcoming slices of watermelon or pineapple at each break!
Day 1 ended with a 5 m jump into a natural pool! Cold but refreshing and much needed after a hot afternoon. A group game of Heads Up followed dinner after which it was bedtime. At 8pm. Ready for a 5am start! The beds were surprisingly comfortable and luckily no one in our group snored! So it was the sound of the river and rainforest that I eventually fell asleep to.
Day 2 was the tough day. Day 1 had been 8km but Day 2 was 17km with a very steep hour uphill in the afternoon. The morning went smoothly, everyone managed to get up on time and we set off in the cool of the early morning. The trekking terrain takes in everything from mud, rocks, tree roots, steps and more and weaves in and out of the jungle. The views when you came out of the jungle sections were absolutely breathtaking.
After lunch a another dip in a natural pool the afternoon trek came around and I have to admit I found it very very tough. Luckily my dodgy knees survived but sore shins and the 35 degree heat did get to me on a couple of particularly steep parts. I have never been so glad to have a break in my life!
The introduction of group card games like Shithead kicked in on the second night much to the amusement of everyone! Conversations were free flowing at this point as everyone was getting on so well.
Day 3 saw another 5am start and unfortunately one of the group Romina, slipped and took a nasty tumble. Luckily the guides were able to locate her camera and water bottle from down a ravine! She was amazing and cracked on as if nothing had happened despite having 2 huge, deep grazes on her legs. We were lucky that as a group she was the only one who took a proper tumble.
Then it was the climb up 1200 stone steps to the Ciudad Perdidad. The reward of seeing this ancient structure was highlighted by the history given to us by Wilson (our main guide and translator) and Santiago (our indigenous guide) and being able to watch the sun rise over the Lost City from the highest point. The history was fascinating and Santiago being a member of one of the local indigenous tribes meant we were able to get the very best out of the visit.
And then it was time to head back. Day 3 was another long day but the terrain was not to steep. We stopped at a ‘Fountain of youth’ natural pool which Dan and a couple of others jumped into – perhaps not getting the results they wanted!! 😉
As I was taking a photo of a beautiful butterfly near the river I fell and knocked the camera lens. It cracked and appeared completely broken until one of the group, Sam took a look and managed to fix it!
Day 4 started with everyone tired but now keen to make it home quickly. The pace was quick and I found the final hour of steep uphill in the mud extremely difficult. I was at the back of the group taking it at my own pace when the heat got to me and I felt like crying! Luckily the nephew of our guide Wilson (on school holidays) who had been helping out on the trek (and doing it in his Crocs!!!!) saw I was struggling and despite speaking no English and me speaking little Spanish, stayed with me and encouraged me to breath and take bigger steps whilst jabbering away to me knowing I didn’t fully understanding. This got me through and I was able to pick up my pace and catch the others up. Thank you Master Crocs!
The final 2 hours downhill was fun and everyone was chattering away excited at the thought of lunch and finishing. We were so lucky to have such a great group of people to trek with and will definitely be keeping in touch with some. A lovely bbqd fish lunch awaited us at the end and we had made it!!
Shattered and exhausted but utterly elated by the achievement of completing it!
Tiredbuthappytravels 