Hidden Gem: Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

Older than Machu Picchu, and substantially less crowded, Ciudad Perdida or ‘Lost City’ is the site of an ancient settlement in Northern Colombia. And there is no train to Ciudad Perdida – you have to use your legs.

The five day round trip, departing from the nearby towns of Santa Marta and Taganga, sees you traversing rivers, sleeping in hammocks, meeting the sack-clothed indigenous tribes and being bitten to pieces by mozzies. In fact, the mosquitoes are only outnumbered by the exhausted, menacing-looking government troops patrolling the area.

These days, only guided groups are allowed into the National Park, and numbers are capped at low levels to ensure both the conservation of the jungle and, inadvertently, the feeling of exclusivity for the backpacker.

The trek is physically challenging, particularly as the frequent tropical rains leave the hilly paths like mudslides. And if you can’t live without Twitter, this isn’t for you, as there is no electricity along the route. But for those looking for an off-the-beaten-trail adventure, Ciudad Perdida doesn’t disappoint.