Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park

Welcome to one of the most geologically and ecologically fascinating locations on planet Earth. We are standing in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, pronounced See-eh-rrah Neh-vah-dah deh Sahn-tah Mahr-tah. …

Our ascent begins in the lower elevations, departing from the small, vibrant town of Minca. Here, the environment is surprisingly dry and rugged. …

We have now entered the realm of the cloud forest, and the transformation of the landscape is absolute. The dry heat has vanished, replaced by a cool, heavy moisture that clings to everything. …

As we walk deeper into the protected reserves of the Sierra Nevada, we are treading on paths that have been maintained for millennia by the indigenous peoples of this mountain. We are entering the territory of the Wiwa,…

The rumble of water has been growing steadily louder for the past mile, and we have now arrived at the edge of one of the major river crossings. There are no bridges here; the path simply disappears into the rushing,…

We stand now at the base of a staggering architectural achievement, swallowed by the jungle. Before us, rising steeply up the side of the mountain, is a stone staircase consisting of more than one thousand individual steps. …

You have arrived. Welcome to Teyuna, the Ciudad Perdida, or Lost City. …

Before we leave the high terraces of Teyuna, we stop to pay our respects to the local Mamo, the spiritual leader or shaman of the indigenous community that oversees the site. Sitting quietly in his traditional white garb, he…