We found the Lost City

We found the Lost City.
Just completed the Lost City trek on the Los Nevados National Park on Caribbean Coast of Colombia.
What an incredible journey. Apart from trekking to an ancient city built in the mountainous jungle of the Santa Marta region 1000 years before the Inca, this trek has so much more to offer.

The four Indian tribes: Kogui, Aruhaco, Wiwa, Kankuamo who all own the land and allow us access to the city and learn about there lives and culture add such a huge part to this trek. The leader of the Kogui tribe still lives within the Lost City, which just blew me away.

This area was once controlled by FARC, the Colombian paramilitary group who forced the locals to grow Coca plants and controlled all the labs in the jungle for the production of cocaine. Everyone living the area had only two choices, join the paramilitary group and fight or work in the production of cocaine. They had no choice, and in my view it was basically a form of slavery. At its height this area was the largest producer and exporter of cocaine in the world.
There was so much money in the villages which arrived on the backs of mules, they never bothered to count it. All this money may sound great, but living in such harsh conditions, not allowed to leave & visit family in other regions and being controlled by the Narcos and FARC made life a living hell.
Moving on all this has now ended, all the coca plantations have gone, so have FARC the labs, and the NARCOs.
Now the area see’s upto 100 people per day doing a 4 day trek to the Lost City. All of which brings on income to the area and everyone lives in peace.

Jorge our guide: “We may have less money now but we are happier live in peace and can see our families when we wish”.

So the Lost City Trek is not just about an accident City in the jungle, it supports local communities and allows them to live as they wish, Indian tribes to exist in peace and continue living in there traditional ways, and we can go on an amazing journey and learn along the way.

More people visit Machu Picchu in a day then the Lost City in 6 months. This is one journey and encounter with local tribes that I will remember for a long time.

The Three Peaks Challenge – Top Tips

Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Snowdon. In 24 hours. Sound easy to you?

The Three Peaks Challenge is definitely far from easy – but the venture is a perfect one for anyone wishing to test their fitness and endurance, or to feel the great sense of achievement that comes with the completion, or even to build stronger bonds of trust and friendship within groups. 

To ensure that you stay safe and well in order to complete each peak - here are some handy Three Peaks tips that you may find useful.

Plan ahead - Get the right postcodes for your starting point to avoid extra stress. Getting lost before you start would be a nightmare! By choosing timings and routes you can plan which mountain to climb in the evening/night – which is sometimes inevitable – to do so safely and in a prepared manner. Importantly - use the most up-to-date maps and ensure everyone is able to read maps and navigate, in case the group is separated. 

Chauffeur, anyone? Driving in-between walks is a huge no. You won’t be your most alert after a long day climbing – and you will need this time to rest up for the next mountain. Ensure you plan driving routes and parking to avoid stress. Take travel sickness tablets for the drive – just in case you feel car sick. Feeling sick will make it difficult to eat; something you must do to keep your energy up.

Be prepared for any weather – A common tip is to start off cold as you will get warmer. However this doesn’t mean to say you won’t get cold again throughout the journey! Carry extra layers as it can get cold at the summit – as there is always a chance the weather will make a dramatic change. 

Bring plenty of fuel - lots of high calorie snacks such as cereal bars and dried fruit/nuts are perfect for the cause. Eat little and often even if you don’t feel hungry – you will need the energy. It’s a great idea to bring sandwiches and pasta as they are high in carbohydrates, and slowly release energy.

Stay hydrated – This is incrementally important! You’ll need lots of water; at least 2 litres of water per mountain is recommended. Hydration packs are perfect as you won’t have to carry your water bottle by hand. Ensure your back pack is fitted with a water pack function.

Don’t overdo it – don’t ‘push on’ if the situation is unsafe. Admitting defeat can be really tough, but you need to be sensible. If you are hurt, the likelihood is it’s going to get harder the more you troop on. Remember that mountains are unpredictable and situations can change fast – especially where weather is concerned.

Let the slowest in the group set the pace – this ensures everyone will keep up and stay as a group. For faster walkers, this could be seen as a tactic to preserve energy!

Buy decent walking boots – Boots are arguably the most important part of your kit. You need proper support on rocky terrain. Breathable and waterproof materials are ideal, so look out for those functions when purchasing. Break your boots in some months before you embark on the challenge to ensure they will not rub or cause pain. Blisters are one of the largest reasons why challengers fail The Three Peaks – don’t let that be you!

Practice is key – ensure you reach a good level of fitness before attempting the challenge. Familiarise yourself with the types of terrain you will face by going on long walks or by attempting one of the mountains beforehand to build stamina.

 Photo credit: Henry & Jane

Laugavegur Trail Iceland

The Iceland Laugavegur Trek is a wild and wonderful trek set amongst the wonderful and impressive landscapes of Iceland.

From the modern city of Reykjavik to the volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and steaming lava fields of the interior, Iceland is a country of great contrast. Iceland homes truly unique environments, like nothing you would come across in mainland Europe, which attracts visitors that want to experience magical surroundings and a phenomenal trekking arena.

An excellent choice for those that want to experience this is the undertaking of Laugavegur Trail. A famed trail for its stunning views and range of terrain, those lucky enough to experience this will not be disappointed.

Spanning 49 miles, this is the longest hiking trail in the country. Well travelled, with past hikers and rangers adding special wooden signposts in important positions, the trail can trekked alone or with a special group.

As suggested by the name, Iceland will (depending on climate and season) have icy sections and generally cold temperatures. This means you'll not only have the battle of the long walk up and down trails and mountains, but also have to do so whilst bracing yourself from the cold conditions.

The 6 day Iceland Laugavegur Trek offered by Adventurous Ewe can guide you as a part of the group through some of the most spectacular wilderness that will see you enjoy camping along the way. Discreet vehicle support is also on hand that enables the supply of well-equipped camps and means you can travel lightweight, ensuring maximum satisfaction while working through the environment.

This specific trip allows you to travel through lakes and magnificent lava field, gurgling hot springs and steaming vents, as well as deep canyons, small valleys and the opportunity to whale watch or enjoy the Blue Lagoon.

When you opt to go with a tour group, you is much less risk, more convenience and you get to meet like minded people that will make the experience just that little bit better!

The following video will give you a taste of the Laugavegur Trek in Iceland!