Trek to the Lost City – Santa Marta

DAY 3 Camp 2 – Ciudad Perdida – Camp 2 – Camp 3

Up 4:45 a.m. Fatigue is felt. The body accuses the efforts of the day before. I am still so motivated. I devour my breakfast, incredible the calories I swallow. During the day, I eat homemade cereal bars that are on sale in the various camps because there is always a small shop nearby. It is that we also appreciate our evening beer. Soon the departure for this day which promises to be also muscular. We put on our soaked sneakers from the day before which could not dry in this ambient humidity. The nights being cool, these are cold. Not easy to start the day like this but we are motivated because very close to the Lost City; this is the most spectacular route.
Departure 5:45 a.m. We walk a little, cross the river in groups of 2 in cages provided for this purpose. Exhilarating ! Here we are at the foot of the famous 1200 steps stone, built by the Tayronas Indians. The climb is tough because the stones are narrow, uneven and sometimes askew. I do not have any particular difficulties. Sporty, my breath follows. But others are suffering a lot, more so our young Colombian couple. The day before, they arrived at the camp a good 3 hours after us, completely exhausted. She was crying, he was comforting her. The poor seriously drool over it, they pain us all. We arrive at the first terrace immersed in the middle of the vegetation. Here appears this coveted city. I am moved, full of humility, as I take my first steps in this sacred place. Full of respect and curious, we listen carefully to the story told by our guide. The moment is strong, unique, unspeakable as the emotions are heightened. I feel blessed by the gods. I thank heaven for what I am going through right now. For nothing in the world, I would want to be somewhere else. At an altitude of 1200 m, we spend a good 3 hours climbing the different terraces which follow one another over a kilometer, learning from each of them its past history. We multiply the photos, I have no words as it is prodigiously beautiful. These are unique and sacred stones, monuments, panoramic landscapes and many other secrets that this indigenous city keeps.
We meet the shaman's son who spends some time with us. We leave, fullfilled by this timeless morning. Satisfied, we begin the descent of the 1200 steps which, from above, appear to be a real challenge. They are incredibly narrow, steep and undeniably slippery. There I am in trouble. Slower you die because at a glance, you quickly understand that if you miss, the accident will be dramatic. My 2 feet are still not stable after my 2 feet surgeries, so it is unstable and scared to death that I descend at the speed of a turtle. The guide seeing me in trouble, takes me by the hand and helps me all the way to stabilize myself. A huge thank to him ! Without his help, I would definitely still be going downhill 😂 . We cross the river again, this time on logs. Oh the adventure !
Back at Camp Paso Lorenzo, it is with joy that we find our things that have dried all morning in the sun.
Departure 2:15 p.m., satiated, we begin the back path of 9,6 kms (about 4-5 hours) until the Wiwa Cabin, another native camp where we will spend the night. I arrive in pretty good shape after 4 hours of walking. I am happy with myself, I admit. The rest of the troupe will arrive within the next hour. There remains a young Spaniard and our Colombian couple still outside despite the night. They arrive super late like 9pm. They give up and will return in mules the next day.
Dinner takes place in a calmer atmosphere, but also more boozy on the French side. We are entitled to a new explanatory vigil. I also learn that the name Uma is the name of the tree whose essence is used to paint in the tribes. This is funny, it is my grandmother's name for my granddaughters, which means “grandmother” in South African. A long story that I will tell in my adventures in Mauritius. But back on topic, I listen to the stories of our native guide, but I am tuckered out, I am going to bed. Grandma is exhausted, she needs to recharge her batteries. Especially tomorrow, the day will be cotton.