April 19-21
Hello everyone!
I wasn’t supposed to be writing this blog. This edition was supposed to chart our epic four-day trek through the Colombian jungle to find Ciudad Perdida: The Lost City. Plans change!
 |
| Toucans. Beautiful. |
 |
| The Hidden Waterfall |
We were registered to sign up for the trek, however a knee injury made us realise that a strenuous, undulating march through the jungle wasn’t going to be worth it. Being able to cancel that, but having the place after the trek booked, meant that we now had some free days in northern Colombia.
 |
| We saw an advert for it in Santa Marta |
 |
| Northern Colombia: home to many butterflies |
One place I had been told about was the small town of Minca, 20 kilometres to the east of the coastal city of Santa Marta. It was about a 30 minute drive up from the big city. Over 600 metres up.
 |
| You'll also see Barranquilla, birthplace of Shakira, to the west |
 |
| You can see Santa Marta from the Minca hills |
Minca is a popular backpacking spot. Its ‘town’ is two intersecting streets, one of which sits above a river.
 |
| The river and the reward for a long walk |
Minca’s popularity owes to its proximity to three of northern Colombia’s main attractions: the aforementioned Lost City; Tayrona National Park; and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range.
 |
| As you can see at the bottom, other things are also available... |
The mountain range seems fascinating. They are one of the highest coastal mountain ranges in the world, reaching 5700 metres tall whilst being only 40 kilometres from the sea. Minca and its surrounds are probably on the very edge of this.
 |
| The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range |
 |
| It is the source of 36 rivers |
Apparently we couldn’t have come here a few years ago. This region was guerrilla territory during Colombia’s civil war, which was pretty active until a ceasefire agreement in 2016. The surrounding hills would have been great defensive positions.
 |
| Bamboo: high and dense |
 |
| The civil war hasn't technically finished... |
I know this - not because of my extensive knowledge and experience of guerrilla warfare - because we went for a hike on one of our days in Minca. Not one with the potential strenuousness of a Lost City trek, but one that probably showed we had made the right decision to not go to Ciudad Perdida.
 |
| Some sections had steps, others had paths |
 |
| Walking through the jungle |
This hike took us to some incredible places. Our guest house was next to a river, which we had to cross to start off our adventure. Luckily it hadn’t rained - the video is from the following day…
 |
| This was the level when we walked across |
Rivers and waterfalls are one of Minca’s main draws. The famous water drop is called Pozo Azul. It was underwhelming when compared to the one we found on our hike: Cascada Escondida, or the ‘Hidden Waterfall’.
 |
| Pozo Azul is very popular: not at 7am, though! |
 |
| The Hidden Waterfall is taller than Pozo Azul |
As the elevation and heat began to rise, we started to see a bit more diversity in the flora. We also found an incredible army of leafcutter ants marching up and down a tree.
 |
| The Odontonema plant |
 |
| Leaf Cutter ants |
Our first stop was a coffee farm called La Finca Candelaria. Conditions here are perfect for growing one of Colombia’s biggest exports. Quite a bitter taste, but can’t complain about the view.
 |
| Finca translates as estate |
 |
| As of 2023, Colombia is the third-biggest coffee exporter in the world |
 |
| Homemade with a view |
The main target of the hike was a viewpoint called Mirador 360. If you count having trees in the way blocking the view of Tayrona National Park, it is a 360° view.
 |
| Views of Santa Marta |
 |
| Views of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta |
Our hike, including a stop for lunch in Minca, took 6 hours. We saw some lovely things and it was wonderful to be out in nature.
 |
Weather was interchangeable: this was a sunny spot in
between the clouds and occasional boom of distant thunder |
 |
| Green Kingfisher |
The hike didn’t include the best thing we saw, however. That was on the way back from popping down to nearby Pozo Azul. On the way back, something moved in the trees, then zipped across to a different, more exposed branch…
 |
| Keel-billed toucan |
 |
| Aracari |
Minca wasn’t part of our original plan. Plans change. I’m sure the Lost City trek is an amazing, unforgettable experience…but we didn’t do it. What we did do was lovely.
 |
| Cute bugs abound in the hills |
 |
| Beautiful countryside |
 |
| View from Mirador 360 |
Love you all,
Matt
No comments:
Post a Comment