Bunkuany: the alternative trek to the Lost City (2026)

Did you know that there’s an archaeological site in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, nicknamed Bunkuany, which now offers an alternative to the Lost City trek?

Bunkuany is a 3-day trek that offers a great way to immerse yourself in the nature and culture of the Sierra Nevada, and has nothing to envy the trek to Ciudad Perdida!

Less crowded, easier and more economical than the Lost City, the 3-day trek around Bunkuany presented in this post is sure to interest many of you!

Contents

1. Bunkuany, the other Ciudad Perdida
2. The alternative to the Lost City
3. Bunkuany trek price in 2026
4. Bunkuany or the Lost City: the comparison
5. Ciudad Perdida alternative trek program
6. How to book the Bunkuany trek
7. FAQ – Frequently asked questions about the Bunkuany trek
8. Read this to prepare your trip to Santa Marta
9. Contact our trusted guide for Bunkuany

Must-read to prepare your stay around Santa Marta

• The Lost City Trek
• Best things to do around Santa Marta

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Bunkuany, the other Ciudad Perdida

Alternative Trek to the Lost City

Bunkuany is an archaeological site located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Mart, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. These are ancient stone terraces, in the same spirit as those found on the Ciudad Perdida trek.

According to our friend Adrian (a native Arhuaco), who offers this experience with his local agency, Bunkuany is a name recently given by the Mamo (spiritual leader) of the Kogui community in the area near the archaeological site.

In the Kogui language, Bunkuany means “the place where the stones speak”.

But historically, this archaeological site is part of the construction network of ancient civilizations dating from the same period as the remains of the Lost City, around 600 CE.

The Bunkuany site is linked to the Pueblito Chairama site further down in Tayrona Park, and to other sites further up the mountain, all also connected by stone paths to the Lost City.

We know from the work of researchers around the Lost City that the entire Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is dotted with stone communication networks and various archaeological remains, now totally hidden under vegetation and forest.

The Bunkuany site consists of a series of large terraces that served as foundations for the earth and palm houses that were (and still are) the original habitat of the peoples who inhabited the Sierra Nevada mountains.

In fact, there are dozens of Bunkuany, but few if any are currently accessible. Bunkuany is the exception, which is why it was quickly dubbed the “second Lost City”.

The alternative to the Lost City

3-day trek to Bunkuany

Let’s be clear: there’s no question here of comparing the two archaeological sites or their symbolic significance.

The trek to Ciudad Perdida, for all its faults and the crowds it attracts, is a truly physical experience (mystical for some) that brings a whole new aspect to the final discovery of the sacred site of Teyuna. The Lost City is an archaeological site of a size and importance that has no comparison with Bunkuany.

But if we present Bunkuany today as an alternative to the Lost City, it’s because it offers an immersive, multi-day experience in the Sierra Nevada that will be of real interest to anyone put off by the conditions of the Ciudad Perdida trek.

An easier trek

The trek to Ciudad Perdida is physically demanding. To reach the Lost City, you have to walk for 4 days through jungle and mountains. We’re talking about a mountain trek of 45 to 55 km over 4 days, in intense heat and humidity, with big climbs.

The Bunkuany trek is a more physically accessible alternative. The 3-day trek requires a minimum of physical fitness, but is easier and shorter. The topography of the 36 km hike over 3 days is less demanding than that of the Ciudad Perdida trek.

A more authentic experience

The success of the Ciudad Perdida trek has its downside. It’s an experience enjoyed by large groups (12 people per guide, up to 20 people with two guides), with several groups departing daily from Santa Marta. Although access is limited in terms of the number of people who can hike each day (around 90 people per day at most), there is only one trail and the bivouacs are the same for all. So you’ll find yourself with lots of fellow hikers.

The 3-day trek to Bunkuany has the advantage of being (for the moment) much less popular. Groups are much smaller (10 people maximum) and the trail much less crowded. Accommodation is with local people, and the final experience gives a real sense of authenticity and privilege.

Cheaper option

Every year, the price of trekking to the Lost City increases. We’re not going to get into that debate, but the fact is that in 2026, with a price of 1.860.000 COP per person for the 4-day trek, it is a real budget to afford this experience.

The Bunkuany trek is still accessible to all budgets. Obviously, if you want to do it “privately”, the price will be high, but if you agree to join a group already formed (maximum 10 people), the rates are really more affordable than the Lost City.

Bunkuany trek price in 2026

The Bunkuany trek costs 1.120.000 COP per person in 2026, for 3 days and 2 nights, in a group of 10 people at most. That is 740.000 COP less than the 4-day Lost City trek (1.860.000 COP), or 40% less.

The price includes:

• round-trip transport from Santa Marta;
• the local guide;
• all meals;
• both nights, one on a local farm, the other with a Kogui indigenous family;
• the activities in the program;
• the entry permit to the indigenous reserve;
• insurance;
• the community contribution;
• free luggage storage at the agency’s desk in Santa Marta.

A private trek is priced on request, and an English-speaking interpreter is available on request. A 10% deposit confirms the booking.

Bunkuany or the Lost City: the comparison

Angélica & Samuel’s Tip

Is the Bunkuany trek right for you?

In our view, the Bunkuany trek suits travelers who want to walk for several days in the Sierra Nevada and meet a Kogui indigenous family, in easier conditions than on the Lost City trek. It is a particularly good fit for four kinds of travelers: those who only have 3 days and so don’t have time for Ciudad Perdida; those traveling in October, when the Lost City is closed; families, since the minimum age is 8, against 10 for the Lost City; and those who prefer a group of 10 people at most to a trail walked by close to 90 hikers a day. It is worth its price if immersion is what you are looking for. That said, if your goal is to see the Lost City itself, the Bunkuany site doesn’t replace it.

Ciudad Perdida alternative trek program

3-day trek to Bunkuany

As a reminder, it is possible to visit Bunkuany by the day with a local guide, but from our point of view, the site is not interesting enough on its own to reserve a day for it.

On the other hand, we recommend including Bunkuany in a trek of several days in the Sierra, combining walking in the forest, meetings with indigenous Koguis communities and local farmers, discovery of sacred petroglyphs, bathing in rivers and spectacular viewpoints… then we say 3 times yes!

Long story short, here’s what the 3-day trek to Bunkuany is like, a real alternative to the Ciudad Perdida trek.

Day 1 – Distance covered about 13 km (6 to 7 hours of walking)

• Meet in Santa Marta
• 4×4 drive to trailhead
• Discover the Piedras de Donama, a series of petroglyphs
• Swimming in natural pools
• Sunset over the Sierra
• Overnight stay and cultural exchange on a local peasant farm

Day 2 – Distance covered about 18 km (8 to 9 hours of walking)

• Departure at 7:30 a.m.
• Discover the site of Bunkuany, the other lost city
• Swimming in the rivers
• Opportunity to see wild flora and fauna
• Overnight stay and cultural exchange with an indigenous Kogui family

Day 3 – Distance covered about 5 km (3 to 4 hours of walking)

• Discover the indigenous Kogui culture
• Lunch at a communitary restaurant
• Return to Calabazo around 2 pm.
• End of the experience in Santa Marta at 3:30 p.m.

How to book the Bunkuany trek

To book the Bunkuany trek, My Trip to Colombia puts you directly in touch with Adrian, our local partner in Santa Marta: you fill in the form at the bottom of this page, and he replies with availability. You don’t pay more than if you contacted him directly.

Bunkuany departures run every day and are guaranteed from 2 people, so there is no need to wait for a group to form. Adrian replies in Spanish, by email or by WhatsApp, and the guides speak Spanish: an English-speaking interpreter can join you on the Bunkuany hike, on request.

The price per person is fixed, whatever the number of participants. The booking is confirmed with a 10% deposit, and you pay the balance by the method of your choice. To pay the deposit from abroad, you can use an international transfer service such as Remitly, or a standard bank transfer, with your bank’s fees.

Practical info before you go

The Bunkuany trek starts from Santa Marta: the meeting point is in town, and the 4×4 ride to the trail, on the Calabazo side, near Tayrona Park, is included in the price. Your luggage stays free of charge at the agency’s desk in Santa Marta for the 3 days; set off with a small backpack. There is no ATM in Calabazo: withdraw your cash before you leave. The minimum age is 8. There is no maximum age, as long as you are in good physical condition. The Bunkuany trek is open all year round, including October.