The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a hydrographic star and a monumental tourist destination. Here the majesty of nature and indigenous wisdom are intertwined. This natural territory has lagoons, moors, snow-capped mountains and the four indigenous peoples that inhabit and protect it: Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kakuamo. Each step into its interior is an encounter with one of the most beautiful and unique places on the planet.
It is located in the north of Colombia, between the departments of Magdalena, La Guajira and Cesar. Just 42 km from the beaches are the snow-capped peaks of Colón and Bolívar, with 5,775 and 5,560 meters above sea level, making the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta the highest coastal mountain in the world. This imposing mountain has all the thermal floors, from the warm dry to the perpetual snows, there, from its thawing, lagoons and rivers are born at 3,000 meters above sea level.
Visits to indigenous communities
Horseback riding
Bird watching
Tour to Cerro Kennedy - San Lorenzo
It was declared a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. Thanks to the important presence of indigenous communities, it has a variety of ecosystems and an enchanting beauty, housing historical and cultural richness. It is also one of the most irreplaceable sites in the world for endangered species. According to the study published in the prestigious journal Science.
To go to this cradle of natural and cultural treasures, just visit any of the departments mentioned above. The approach trips for camping and climbing are extensive hikes through wooded areas of difficult access. If you dare to undertake this challenging adventure, remember that you must be accompanied by a guide, have experience, the appropriate equipment and the necessary physical condition.
Within this mountainous massif is the Teyuna Archaeological Park "Ciudad Perdida" (Lost City), which is administered by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History - ICANH. An area of particular scenic beauty, considered the heart and sacred place of the four indigenous peoples. With them you can learn about the great cultural significance that is housed in this place. The traditions, customs and stories of their ancestors will leave you amazed. You may be interested in Tour to Ciudad Perdida.
In the Sierra Nevada are born the waters that supply the aqueducts of all the settlements that surround it. You will fall in love with its dense tropical forests. You will be able to enter them and feel the connection of nature in a mystical way, it is there where the animals are sheltered.
In these tours you do not get food, you must bring cooking equipment and food. We recommend grains, vegetables and fruits, salt, panela, granola and in general foods with high protein and caloric content. Some of the recommendations you should take into account before visiting this wonderful place are: get vaccinated against tetanus and yellow fever and do not forget the first aid kit. You should always have a guide and complete high mountain equipment, hammock, sleeping bag or blankets and preferably use long-sleeved shirts and thick pants.
There are times when the Lost City is closed to visitors, so it is advisable to consult the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and the Ministry of the Environment before making your visit.
Everything that the Sierra Nevada holds makes it a unique place to visit, so come and visit it! This mystical site will envelop you in its majestic landscapes of tropical forests and invaluable historical and cultural content.
If you want to live an adventure in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, contact us for more information reservas@visitsantamarta.com