The Lost City: Ciudad Perdida

June 30th - July 3rd

I managed to get a great deal for my 4 day trek at $160 USD by riding off the effort of my Israeli dive friend (usually 6 days and $240).

The catch was that my group consisted of 9 Israelis and 2 Brits (guess who I will likely hang out with?). We were picked up from our hostel an piled into the back of a pick-up with a canopy. Facing the opposite way to the driver and able only to see straight out of the canopy, I heard screeching, I saw tire smoke, and prayed that the 18-wheel semi-truck that we were overtaking stopped in time for us to live (he decided to overtake at the same time)............We arrived to 2 old beaten up Jeep 4x4s that packed the 12 trekkers, 2 guides and 2 drivers in for an uncomfortable 2 hours up into the mountains (jungle territory).

The trek was insane! Bumping 6 days into 4 meant that the hiking per day was doubled to 10 KM per day. That doesn't sound too bad but when you factor in that there are torrential down-pours, thunder and lightning, clay trails, multiple high ascents and steep descents, slippery rock slopes, large rivers to cross, and fallen trees, it is quite difficult!

Not to mention the weed fields, cocaine factory, indigenous Indians, coffee trees, banana trees, pineapple trees, and paramilitaries guarding the territory from guerrillas (FARC). The scenery is breathtaking.

I felt as if I was in a movie the whole time (several different movies to be exact ranging from Rambo to The Lord of the Rings). My two British friends Will and Will provided great banter and we lead the pack by hours each day. I can truly say that the Lost City really feels as if it is lost. Out of nowhere, you finally cross the river again (waist high when it is low) and there are these steep steps (1200) that lead up to the ruins.

You really feel like you have accomplished something upon arrival. We slept in the cabana at Ciudad Perdida and woke up the next morning for a 3 hour tour before heading back.

The Will's and I were up and at it well before the rest of the crew (as per usual) so we could negotiate with the paramilitaries for photos (with their guns) and other memorabilia. I managed to trade my $1 fake Swiss Army knife for a neklace and some machine gun photos, pay $20 for a contraguerilla shirt, and swap my 3 month old surely-by-now-bed-bug-infested sleeping bag for another t-shirt. I helped Will trade his real Swiss army knife for much of the similiar.

Our group caught up with us and our tour commenced. Truly some of this lost city is still underneath the forest. I imagine in 15 - 20 years that this will be built up just like Machu Picchu so i am glad to see it while it is in its raw state.

The trek back was rather memorable. With crashing thunder and bright lightning, the daily torrential down pours started harder than ever before. The mostly downward journey turned into a slip and slide extravaganza. The v-shaped trails which coupled as drainage
routes for the rain meant we were ankle high in water the whole last day. When we reached the clay parts, everyone slipped and fell while the Will's and I started to run down jumping from side bank to bank embracing the insanity. Ahead of the group by 30 minutes, the bottom looked much different than it did on the first day. We traveled to where we thought we should go, but turned back uncertain about our trail.

At this time, the rain was coming down even harder and the thunder was even louder. We thought to ourselves, this is when we get kidnapped by the FARC and held for ransom.

The river was 4 time as big a usual and completely orange (from all the mountain wash). We soon met up with the group and found out we were headed in the correct direction. The difference was, this time we were forced to cross the river 3 more times because it had grown so much.

Back at the starting point, we found out the jeeps could not make it across the river. We had to hike for 15 more minutes, cross the river again, and finally cram into a different jeep (all 12 of us with the 2 guides sitting on the roof!). Finally, we arrived back into town and dispersed to our seperate hostels.

I was feeling ill all day and had a fever at one point. Hesitant to keep drinking the dirty river water but hiking hard all day contributed to what I think is dehydration sickness. I have never had it before but it sucks! I am going to have to take the next day or two lightly before I fly into Panama City.

From Panama I will make my way up to Costa Rica for my last 10 days.