THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A two-day cultural hike from Santa Marta into the Sierra Nevada, the Bunkuany tour combines moderate jungle trekking, ancestral terraces and river swims with local Tayrona cultural insights.
A two-day cultural hike from Santa Marta into the Sierra Nevada, the Bunkuany tour combines moderate jungle trekking, ancestral terraces and river swims with local Tayrona cultural insights.
Dense forest opens like a gate as the van rolls away from Santa Marta and the air cools into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. On day one you cross farmland and riparian scrub, then set off on a steady 2‑hour jungle walk toward a rustic hammock camp in Calabazo. Bees hum in the understory; streams cut the path and invite quick swims. By midafternoon you’re at Arcoiris waterfall, where the river dares you to strip down and jump.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by RUTA TAYRONA TOURS · Santa Marta, Magdalena
Dense forest opens like a gate as the van rolls away from Santa Marta and the air cools into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. On day one you cross farmland and riparian scrub, then set off on a steady 2‑hour jungle walk toward a rustic hammock camp in Calabazo. Bees hum in the understory; streams cut the path and invite quick swims. By midafternoon you’re at Arcoiris waterfall, where the river dares you to strip down and jump.
Bunkuany — “place of the stones that speak” — carries the thinner but tangible traces of an ancient Tayrona presence: broad stone terraces, interconnecting paved paths, and scattered petroglyphs. Geologically the area is young mountain country rising abruptly from the Caribbean plain; soils are steep and quickly drained after rains, which is why terraces were engineered here. Today four descendant Tayrona communities still manage plots and maintain cultural ties to these ruins.
Practical terrain and timing: expect jungle trails with roots and rock, short river crossings, and modest but repeated elevation changes. The itinerary includes roughly 2 hours (≈4–6 km) of hiking day one, and a second day with a 1‑hour approach (~2–3 km), time exploring terraces, then a 3‑hour return (~6–9 km). Cumulative gain is moderate; allow waterproof footwear and a light rain layer.
Pack water (2–3 L per day), insect repellent, a headlamp, and a small first‑aid kit. Guides provide accommodation in hammocks or simple camping — bring a sleeping liner or accept the rustic night under the Sierra Nevada canopy. With basic fitness and sensible gear, the Bunkuany tour delivers hands‑on cultural encounters, swimming in rivers, and quiet hours among stone terraces that still seem to speak.
moderate.
2 days.
Suitable for travelers with moderate aerobic fitness who can handle uneven jungle trails and several hours of walking per day
The trek is moderate: several hours of walking each day over uneven jungle trails with repeated short climbs; basic stamina and comfortable hiking shoes are required.
Yes—one night’s hammock or camping accommodation and meals (1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner) are included as listed by the operator.
Yes—the route includes rivers and the Arcoiris waterfall where swimmers often cool off; follow guide instructions about safe entry points and currents.
The tour requires walking on uneven terrain and includes river crossings; it’s not recommended for travelers with serious mobility limitations or certain medical conditions.
The terraces and stone paths are linked to the Tayrona culture; while less extensive than Ciudad Perdida, Bunkuany preserves engineered agricultural spaces and petroglyphs used by ancestral communities.
The area is managed in cooperation with local indigenous communities—stay on trails, avoid disturbing sites, and limit plastic waste to support conservation and cultural preservation.
RUTA TAYRONA TOURS operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Dense forest opens like a gate as the van rolls away from Santa Marta and the air cools into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. On day one you cross farmland and riparian scrub, then set off on a steady 2‑hour jungle walk toward a rustic hammock camp in Calabazo. Bees hum in the understory; streams cut the path and invite quick swims. By midafternoon you’re at Arcoiris waterfall, where the river dares you to strip down and jump.
Dense forest opens like a gate as the van rolls away from Santa Marta and the air cools into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. On day one you cross farmland and riparian scrub, then set off on a steady 2‑hour jungle walk toward a rustic hammock camp in Calabazo. Bees hum in the understory; streams cut the path and invite quick swims. By midafternoon you’re at Arcoiris waterfall, where the river dares you to strip down and jump.
Bunkuany — “place of the stones that speak” — carries the thinner but tangible traces of an ancient Tayrona presence: broad stone terraces, interconnecting paved paths, and scattered petroglyphs. Geologically the area is young mountain country rising abruptly from the Caribbean plain; soils are steep and quickly drained after rains, which is why terraces were engineered here. Today four descendant Tayrona communities still manage plots and maintain cultural ties to these ruins.
Practical terrain and timing: expect jungle trails with roots and rock, short river crossings, and modest but repeated elevation changes. The itinerary includes roughly 2 hours (≈4–6 km) of hiking day one, and a second day with a 1‑hour approach (~2–3 km), time exploring terraces, then a 3‑hour return (~6–9 km). Cumulative gain is moderate; allow waterproof footwear and a light rain layer.
Pack water (2–3 L per day), insect repellent, a headlamp, and a small first‑aid kit. Guides provide accommodation in hammocks or simple camping — bring a sleeping liner or accept the rustic night under the Sierra Nevada canopy. With basic fitness and sensible gear, the Bunkuany tour delivers hands‑on cultural encounters, swimming in rivers, and quiet hours among stone terraces that still seem to speak.