Lost City Colombia vs. Machu Picchu, Peru

We are aware that the world has countless landscapes and tourist destinations to know. We also know that adventurous souls always want more and more places. Therefore, in Expotur we bring you this section of the Blog: Colombia vs the World, so that you know the wealth of our country and, in turn, similar destinations around the planet. In this blog we will start with Lost City and Machu Picchu, – Peru, two significant archaeological finds in history.

Lost City of the Tayronas vs. Lost City of the Incas

More than a deep cultural analysis, an archaeological evaluation or a comparison to know which the “best destination” is, we want to show you the wonderful constructions made by indigenous communities that inhabited Lost City and Machu Picchu; and offer you a series of curious facts and relevant information about these two places. Come to know them!

Construction Time

It is said that The Lost City was built 650 years before Machu Picchu. Approximately in the year 800 D.C. Although recent studies indicate that by the 6th century there were already settlements near this territory in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia. On the other hand, in studies on Machu Picchu Peru, it is said that it was built specifically shortly before the fifteenth century.

Rediscovery of Lost City and Machu Picchu

The ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru were rediscovered in 1911 by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. While the Lost City in Colombia was discovered in 1976 by an expedition consisting of 3 Archaeologists, an Architect and 2 Guaqueros (grave robbers) who served as guides.

Names of Lost City and Machu Picchu

These two wonderful places are known in different ways. Teyuna Archaeological Park Lost City is known as Teyuna (Origin of the peoples of the Earth), Buritaca 200 or simply Lost City.

In turn, the Historical Sanctuary – National Archaeological Park of Machupicchu is known simply as Machu Picchu, which traditionally means “Old Mountain“; however, recent linguistic studies indicate that the real meaning of Machu Picchu is “The eminence of the hills”.

On the other hand, specialists in history claim that when Hiram Bingham rediscovers the Inca city on the mountain, he thought he would arrive in Vilcabamba, known since that time as “the Lost City of the Incas” in Peru; for that reason Machu Picchu is wrongly called the Lost City of the Incas.

The historian Juan de Betanzos wrote a chronicle in 1551, stating that the real name of this archaeological beauty is Patallaqta. This name comes from the Quechua words “pata” which means step, and “llaqta” which means town or city. Now the term “pata” is used by the Andean people also with the meaning of “above”, so “Patallaqta” would mean “the city above”.

Entrance to Lost City vs Entrance to Machu Picchu

There is something in which these two destinations coincide and is that you must confirm the availability for the tour or book in advance.

In the case of Lost City Colombia only 5 legal tourism agencies have authorization to enter the Archaeological Park; that is why, you must ensure that the agency you choose to make the Lost City Tour provides you the necessary for your experience.

In the case of Machu Picchu, you can travel on your own or through an organized tour. The above depends on the free time you have, the budget, if you travel accompanied or alone, etc. It is important that in any of the cases you buy the ticket with a minimum of 3 days in advance to guarantee your place, since there is a maximum daily limit of entries.

How many days are the tours to The Lost City and Machu Picchu?

Lost City has 3 options. The Lost City trek of 4 days, the 5 days and the 6 days. The one you choose will depend on the availability and pace you want to take, as far as physical effort is concerned.

To know more about the tours to Ciudad Perdida, choose the options that you like the most:

Tour to Ciudad Perdida 4 days || Lost City Tour 5 days || Lost City Trek 6 days tour

To make the tour to Machu Picchu, according to some travelers who already know the destination, you will need approximately 5 hours to make the journey, since 3 hours of this are guided and the other two free. The recommendation is that you arrive early so that you can enjoy more and can have enough time to know well Machu Picchu, the most recognized archaeological beauty of Peru.

Now, there are other tourists who suggest that you spend more time, depending on the budget you have, between 2 and 4 days. If you decide to choose this option you can stay in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town); but…

What can I do in Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu?

This small city is totally dedicated to tourism. Here you will find hotels and restaurants and places where you can buy crafts. Also, you can do the following activities in Aguas Calientes:

– Thermal baths of Aguas Calientes

– Walk to Mándor Falls

– Climbing to the mountain of Putucusi

– Manuel Chávez Ballón Museum (lasts 1 hour)

– Model Museum (lasts 40 minutes)

– Garden of Orchids of the Hotel Inka Terra (lasts 40 minutes and it is necessary previous authorization of the administration).

Price of the tours

In the case of the Lost City trek Colombia, the current value of the tour is $ 1,100,000 COP * per person, either for the lost city tour of 4 days, 5 days or 6 days. Yes, they have the same cost!

On the other hand, the price of the tour to Machu Picchu will depend on:

Type of ticket

There are the entrance Machu Picchu Solo, the entrance Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu and the entrance Machu Picchu + Mountain.

Discounts

There are discounts on the entrance to Machu Picchu for university students, minors and citizens of the CAN (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia). The best thing is that if you apply in more than one modality, your discount is even higher.

In the official website of the government of Peru, they show that the price of the Ticket to Machu Picchu (being the one that includes the mountain and Huayna Pichu, and without receiving any discount) is of 86 dollars *.

The total cost of the tour to Machu Picchu will also depend on the cost of the train trip to Aguas Calientes, the bus ride from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu, the money you spend on food, lodging and guidance.

* To the date of publication of this blog.

What do the tours to Lost City and Machu Picchu include?

The Ciudad Perdida tour in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, if you do it with Expotur includes:

– Transportation of your lodging to our office in Santa Marta.

– Transportation from office in Santa Marta to the Mamey, where we start the walk.

– Food. Breakfast from the second day, lunches every day, dinner not including the last day. We also offer snacks and fruits during the walks.

– Lodging in bunks or hammocks, in the camps on the way to Ciudad Perdida.

– Guidance. The only legal tourism agency with the entire generation of professional guides on the trail to Ciudad Perdida.

– Translator. Whenever the group requires it.

– Travel insurance. Valid during the trek.

– Park entrance.

– Contribution to the communities.

What it includes the tour to Machu Picchu in Peru

will depend if you do it with an agency or not, and obviously of the package that you choose. Normally those packages only include:

– Tickets. Depending on the route you want to make.

What the agencies agree on is that they DO NOT include:

– Accommodation.

– Food.

– Travel by train to Aguas Calientes.

– Travel by bus to the entrance gate of the Inca City.

Recommendations to go to the Lost City and Machu Picchu

To the Lost City

In Expotur we have created a complete guide to go to Ciudad Perdida Colombia that tells you everything you need to know to make this experience. The main recommendations to go to Ciudad Perdida are:

– Book in advance.

– Take a light backpack. The extra weight will exhaust you faster.

– Wear comfortable clothes. Fast drying, preferably.

– You can take your swimsuit to swim in the Buritaca River.

– Use suitable shoes, such as trekking or tennis boots (with appropriate soles).

– Always apply sunscreen.

– Use a lot of insect repellent, there will be insects throughout the trek.

– Take your personal toiletry kit.

– The camera, cannot miss to record the best moments of your experience.

– You can also take some extra money to buy handicrafts.

– Books or small table games, for the hours of rest in the camps.

– Maybe a flashlight. In case you need to go to the bathroom at night.

– Before taking photos to the natives you must ask for their authorization.

– Save the Trash in your backpack. Certainly, It is necessary to preserve the environment and respect the environment that others inhabit.

– Always respect the wildlife and sacred places, remember that it is your habitat and you are being invited to enjoy it.

To see more recommendations to go to The Lost City Colombia, click here.

To the Machu Picchu tour

As for Machu Picchu it is also important that:

After defining the date you will go, you must buy the entrance ticket to guarantee your place.
Buy the train tickets to get to Aguas Calientes. If you do not want to arrive by train, you can go walking. The route on foot is by a steep mountain, that’s why it demands a great physical effort. Remember that the height is higher so you should be in good health. The first sections are on one side of the road. Then, climb up several stairs that cut the slopes of the mountains. The last part continues on the road until you reach the entrance gate to Machu Picchu Peru.
If you go by train to Aguas Calientes, you must buy a bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu.
Regardless of the route you choose, it is important that you wear comfortable clothes, appropriate shoes (preferably trekking boots), small backpack (since large backpacks are not allowed).
Take a lot of water to stay hydrated, since inside Machu Picchu there is no type of vendor.
Have a good breakfast and take snakcs for the tour.
Keep the trash in your backpack until you return to a place with bins to deposit it.
Take your camera this adventure in Peru will need many photos.
Unlike Ciudad Perdida, Machu Picchu you must bring your original passport and your printed reservation to enter.

In conclusion, It is a fact that both destinations are wonderful. It really is worth getting to know Lost City and Machu Picchu. We hope this blog will be of help in your next adventure to any of these archaeological beauties.

If you already know them, leave us your comments about your experience and impressions about these tourist destinations.

The Lost City: 7 things you didn’t know about it.