32 Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences to Add to Your Bucket List

13. Trek to the Lost City of Teyuna, Colombia

Deep within the dense jungles of the Sierra Nevada mountains, hidden for centuries beneath thick vegetation, lies Teyuna—Colombia’s legendary Lost City. Built by the ancient Tayrona civilization around 800 CE, this breathtaking archaeological site predates Machu Picchu by over 600 years, yet remains far less crowded and more mysterious. Reaching the Lost City is an epic four-to-six-day jungle trek, where travelers traverse river crossings, hanging bridges, and steep mountain trails, encountering stunning waterfalls, exotic wildlife, and indigenous Kogi villages along the way. The journey is not for the faint of heart—the final challenge is a 1,200-step stone staircase, carved into the mountainside, leading up to the mist-shrouded ruins of Teyuna. Once at the summit, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of lush, untamed jungle and the opportunity to walk among ancient stone terraces that have stood for over a millennium. Best Time to Go: December to March (dry season) for the best trekking conditions, though the jungle remains lush year-round.