⚠️ We also offer 3-day plans for the El Congo route which include extra activities.
Message us and we'll help you choose the perfect experience for you.
Immerse yourself in a unique journey to the Ancient City of El Congo, a sacred destination hidden high in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This ancient indigenous settlement (known locally as El Congo), built on stone terraces, preserves the living memory of the region’s ancestral Tayrona peoples.
This unique experience takes place in the municipality of Ciénaga, where you’ll travel by 4×4 through the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The path leads through mountains, rivers, and surprising biodiversity until reaching the Ancient City of “El Congo,” an archaeological and natural site protected by the ProSierra foundation.
Walking through its terraces and ancient paths is a reunion with history, an opportunity to admire the wisdom of the original communities and feel the energy of a territory that remains untouched by time.
At the end of the hike through the ancestral terraces, a cozy mountain refuge awaits where rest and nature go hand in hand. Our eco-hotel, nestled in the vegetation at 1,450 m altitude, features comfortable rooms and cabins built in harmony with the environment. From here, you can enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets, with the sky painted in colors over the peaks and valleys of the Sierra.
Day 1: Santa Marta → Ciénaga / Siberia → “El Congo” Ancient City
The experience begins early morning in Santa Marta, where the group is picked up in a 4x4 vehicle to start the road trip toward Ciénaga, later taking the dirt track toward the village of Siberia in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
During the journey, travelers begin to enjoy the changes in climate and landscape as the vehicle climbs the mountain.
Upon reaching the rural area, the group will head to an eco-hotel or mountain lodge surrounded by coffee plantations, native forests, and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. There, you'll leave your luggage and take a moment to settle in, have lunch, and prepare for the hike to the Ancient City.
After a brief introductory talk with the guide, the hike to the Ancient City of El Congo begins—an archaeological and natural protected area associated with the Tayrona culture.
The local guide shares stories about the Tayrona culture, the original communities, and the spiritual significance of this territory.
Upon arriving at the Ancient City, travelers can:
After the tour and time for photos and contemplation, the group returns to the eco-hotel. Back at the lodge, travelers will enjoy a typical regional dinner prepared with local products.
The night is spent in the absolute tranquility of the mountain, accompanied by the sounds of the forest, offering a restful break in the heart of nature.
Day 2: Trails, Viewpoint, Nature → Return to Santa Marta
After breakfast, the day starts with a hike through the natural trails of the reserve and its surroundings. It is the perfect time to:
Depending on tour operations, weather, and available time, you can enrich your experience with authentic activities such as:
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to:
After the activities, the group returns to the eco-hotel for a typical lunch, a short rest, and to pack.
In the afternoon (around 3:00 PM), we take the transport back to Santa Marta, ending this nature, culture, and mountain experience in the Ancient City of El Congo.
