We begin our five day trek on a rather colourful truck heading to a town called Machete Pelao. On the way, we stop and get down from the truck because the driver needs to syphon some of the petrol from our truck and give it to the 4x4 pulled up at the side of the road which is also bringing people to the trek. Later, we stop at a "petrol station" and once again jump out and watch as this time they syphon petrol back into the truck from two large fuel canisters. We then continue our drive and eventually reach the town whereupon we have lunch and share a three litre bottle of coke.

After lunch, we begin our walk in the blistering midday sun. Soon we come to a river but are able to hop from stone to stone in order to reach the other side without removing our shoes. We continue on our way and the surroundings soon become more jungley. We pass a beautifully clear stream before beginning our ascent which seems to be never ending as whenever we turn a corner we are just confronted with more upwards terrain. Half way up we have a break and are given each an orange which is juicy and sweet! We then continue on, enjoying the beautiful scenery while we walk. When we eventually reach the top of the hill we have a watermelon break which again is juicy and sweet. By this point the sun is quite low and the air is cooler. However, it means we have a race against time to arrive at our camp before dusk. We pick up the pace and continue along the trail which begins to get quite sandy making it harder to walk. We reach a rest area with a grass section, where we relax for a bit and enjoy the views of the mountains. We have fun bantering with an Irish couple and an English guy from Devon. The next section of the trail is mainly downhill and we manage to reach camp just before dusk. Someone tells us there is a "piscina natural" nearby but we have to hurry as it is getting dark. We quickly get our swimming things and cross a bridge before walking along the rocks to reach the water. By this point it is not completely dark but we are unable to see the bottom of the water which is below a four metre jump. Phant makes the jump after first helping Suhanya scramble down the, slightly safer, rocks and ladder route. The water is cold but refreshing and we swim a bit then head back to our clothes and quickly dry ourselves before going by torchlight back to our camp. That evening we have dinner and then chat with the English speakers before getting comfortable in our hammocks for the night.

After a cold night in the hammocks we have breakfast and then set off. We start with a long hike up hill but get treated with oranges when we reach the top. We then walk downhill before crossing a few rivers, meeting a mamo (village chief) along the way. We finally reach camp two and are glad to see there are beds! We eat lunch, then go for a swim in the river and chill on the rocks. Our guide tells us there is a waterfall behind some rocks so we decide to explore. However, it is tricky to cross the fast flowing stream, so Phant goes to have a look first. He finds the best way there and we then head over together. First we go behind some big boulders to avoid the strongest currents and then clamber over rocks to eventually reach the hidden waterfall. We have a shower and then head back. However, Suhanya gets caught in the current and starts to drift downstream heading straight for a large rock in the river. Phant tries to help but the current is very strong and we both bash ourselves a few times on submerged rocks before making it to a safe, shallow section. We then head up to camp and get ready for dinner!

The next morning we wake up after a nice, warm night's sleep, have breakfast, and then start hiking. We climb steeply for an hour but fortunately are in the shade. We have a river crossing which is too deep to wear boots so we take them off and wade our way across the ice cold water. On the other side we get pineapple and have a rest before ascending further. We scramble up rocks and cross two wooden bridges with missing planks! We arrive at our camp around noon and have the afternoon to relax. After lunch we head for the river where we climb along the huge boulders to get a view of another waterfall. In the evening we have dinner by candlelight then turn in early as we have a 5am start tomorrow!

The following morning we wake in the dark so get ready by torchlight and head to breakfast. Just as we finish it starts to get light and we prepare to depart. We have a short walk before reaching another river crossing where we have to take our boots off. This is where the 1216 steps up to the lost city begin. On the way up we come a across a fallen down tree which we have to duck under in order to continue up the steps. We reach the lost city and take a short break before walking up yet more steps to the principal area. At the summit there is a mamo gazing out over the valley below; the spanish speakers in our group talk to him while we just listen. Then we head to the military post and have a great view of the principal area. We then view replica houses of a mamo and his wife before our guide and another member of our group jump into a nearby stream and shower beneath a powerful and ice cold waterfall. We then head back to our camp for lunch after which we descend down to the camp which had beds. Phant goes for a swim before dinner then we head to bed early again as we have another 5am wake up call.

On the fifth day we pack our bags for the last time and begin our descent just after dawn. Along the way we come across two pigs mating and then a cow and a bull. We visit an organic coffee and chocolate farm where we sample and buy cocoa and coffee beans. We have a short watermelon and juice break before continuing on to the town. Just before town there is a "piscina natural". Phant jumps into the water with a big splash! The water is crystal clear! After, we have a short walk and a river crossing before reaching the town. We have a delicious lunch and finally board the colouful truck back to santa marta!