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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 31 MAY 2015 44 TRAVEL Trekking and adventure through Colombia's hidden jewels Colombia's hidden jewels Santa Marta, Colombia MARC CASOLANI COLOMBIA – a land of conflict and cartels, a place tourists were advised to tread carefully. THAT'S pretty much what I had heard before I went there for the first time. However, after my first visit, I fell in love with the country, have been back twice and would gladly go back again and again. I was there long enough to learn that Co- lombia's reputation is mostly blown up, outdated and out of context. One location in Colombia that grasped my attention is the city of Santa Marta. The region is fa- mous for its national park, Tayrona. Whilst Tayrona is what attracts both locals and foreigners to this re- gion, the city of Santa Marta itself is quite an exciting spot for nightlife, markets, shopping, travel agencies and much more. In general it is a vi- brant city with a lot to offer and the expenses for accommodation, din- ing and shopping suitable to every budget. Transport to Santa Marta is easy and frequent. Planes fly in daily from most big cities and buses run every couple of hours from termi- nals across the country. If you have a little bit of money to spend, go crazy with a Cadillac taxi, with suspen- sion that makes the car dance to the Latino beats, that is driven by look-a-likes of Richard "Cheech" and Tommy Chong from Cheech and Chong. Nothing beats the entertainment factor of this ride, which will allow you to forget how much money you had to part with to get into the car! Stay at the little fishing village of Taganga, which is just outside the city in the next big bay due east. Even though this area is becoming hugely popular with backpackers, mainly from Israel, it is a quaint vil- lage with unique characteristics and a good vibe that will keep you enter- tained well enough so you never feel the urge to head into the city. You will find a number of small bars and restaurants around the beach and the town also has two outdoor dis- cotheques. Around Taganga there are a number of hiking trails to take you to the inland hills and others to the coastal areas. Access to this area is easy, taxis are well aware of the location and a mini bus runs to and from all major stops around the city every half an hour. Fruit smoothies in this country are amazing and in this little village I personally found them to be phe- nomenal. Some of the highlights that are on the top of the list would be the challenging trek to La Cuidad Per- dida, The Lost City, and a four-day camping adventure in the amazing Tay- rona Park. Start off with the Lost City trek, which you can arrange with two main companies in Bastidas Street close to the Ma- rina. I recommend Tulcan, though there are small- er agencies for people on lower budgets. What made me choose Tulcan were the ex- perienced and knowledgeable guides as they had once been excavators of the Lost City. The six-day trek is no easy feat, and requires a good level of fitness, however the stops to eat, sleep and swim are definitely worth the jour- ney. Highlights of the trek to the city include meeting local tribes and the rich bio-diversity of the area. The 169 terraces carved into the mountain are believed to be 650 years older than Machu Pic- chu, founded around 800AD. Only found in 1972 by treasure looters, t h e city has gained reputa- tion among travellers. Though the trails were closed to tour- ists in 2003 follow- ing the kidnapping of eight tourists, the Colombian army now patrols the ar- ea, making the city safe again. After the physi- cally challenging Cuidad Perdida, take some well- deserved time off and book yourself in for a camp- ing trip at the beaches of Tay- rona Park. Stock up on provisions and hop on a bus to the entrance of the park, hike through the costal jungle and arrive at the first beach, Arrecifes. Stay put or head to the remote paradise of Cabo San Juan. This beach is suitable for camping and is as lush as they get. If you are up for a bit of walking and exploring, you can venture further west to a couple of even more re- mote beaches where you are guar- anteed complete privacy without another single person in sight. From experience I would recom- mend travelling between February and April, but whenever you decide to take the trip I do hope you find some time out of your busy schedule to visit this magical spot. How to get there Air France fly from Malta to Bogo- ta, in Colombia, with a stopover in Paris. Flights departing from Malta on 10 June and returning on 24 June were priced at €763.10, includ- ing airport tax, at the time of going to print. Domestic flights to Santa Marta depart daily. camping adventure in the amazing Tay- rona Park. Start off with the Lost City trek, which you can arrange with two main companies in Bastidas Street close to the Ma- I recommend Tulcan, though there are small- er agencies had once been excavators of the Lost City. The six-day trek is no easy feat, and requires a good level of fitness, the first beach, Arrecifes. Stay put or head to the remote paradise of Cabo to take the trip I do hope sion that makes the car dance to the Latino beats, that tion among travellers. Though the trails were closed to tour- ists in 2003 follow- ing the kidnapping of eight tourists, the Colombian army now patrols the ar- ea, making the city safe again. After the physi- cally challenging Cuidad Perdida, take some well- deserved time off and book yourself in for a camp- ing trip at the beaches of Tay- rona Park. Stock up on provisions and hop on a bus to the entrance of the park, hike through the costal jungle and arrive at