In Colombia’s town of Falan, Tolima department, lies a little-known but fascinating destination: the Lost City of Falan, also known as “The Lost City of the English.” This place, shrouded in jungle, history, and mystery, is one of the best-kept secrets of nature and adventure tourism in Colombia.
History of the Lost City of Falan, Tolima, Colombia
The Lost City of Falan is not a pre-Columbian Indigenous city like the famous Lost City in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It refers to the remnants of a mining complex that operated during the 19th century, where English engineers and businessmen extracted gold and other minerals from the Delgaditas River. The site was abandoned after the Thousand Days’ War and the subsequent bankruptcy of the foreign companies, which led to the ruins being forgotten and partially overtaken by vegetation.
Walking along the trails in the area, visitors encounter remains of stone buildings, tunnels, old cobblestone paths, and water channels that once powered mining machinery. What makes this place special is not just its historical richness but also the feeling of discovering a space that has been reclaimed by nature.
@eltikuna 📍Falan, LA CIUDAD PERIDA QUE TODO EL MUNDO HABLA LA CIUDAD QUE ESTUVO PERDIDA POR MAS DE 300 AÑOS y fue la mayor reserva de oro y plata del continente americano, sus ruinas en piedra de mas de tres siglos contienen bodegas, murallas y túneles de donde dicen se extraían la plata de mejor calidad de America, hoy es un santuario ecológico y de ecoturismo. Este lugar esta ubicado a tan solo 20 minutos de la ciudad de Mariquita Tolima, para llegar allí debes coger la ruta que lleva hacia Ibague y en San Felipe vas a encontrar varios avisas que te guiaran hasta la reserva y ya en la entrada podrás escoger varias de sus actividades de deportes extremos, aventura y ecoturismo. Nosotros realizamos Canopy, puente tibetano y la caminata a las ruinas de falan, durante este recorrido de adrenalina podrás conocer cascadas donde también te podrás bañar y aprender de la historia de como esta ciudad fue pionera hace 300 años de la arquitectura e ingeniería minera del oro y la plata, lugar que sirvió de transito a grandes como: Mutis y Simon Bolivar. El recorrido es de aproximadamente 5 horas así que te recomiendo llevar hidratación pero créeme que te sentirás en el pasado y a la vez en la selva así que si estar por visitar Tolima este plan debe estar en tu lista de lugares por conocer. MENCIONA CON QUIEN VIVIRIAS ESTA AVENTURA #falan #ciudadperdida #tolima #mariquitatolima🐞 #turismo #vacaciones #ibague ♬ sonido original – El Tikuna
How to get to the Lost City of Falan?
Falan is located in northern Tolima, approximately 3 hours by car from Ibague and about 5 hours from Bogota. The most common starting point to visit the Lost City is the urban center of the town of Falan. From there, a guided hike of 3 to 4 hours begins, depending on pace and weather conditions.
Although the hike requires moderate physical effort, it is accessible to people in good physical condition. The trail winds through mountainous landscapes, crossing rivers, humid forests, and foggy areas, making the journey a sensory experience in direct contact with the biodiversity of Tolima.
It is recommended to hire a certified local guide, both for safety and to make the most of the historical accounts and anecdotes that enrich the tour.
Tourism in Falan, Tolima
In addition to exploring the ruins of the Lost City of Falan, this town has much to offer both locals and visitors. Some of the activities include:
Mutis Route: A cultural and historical tour that connects towns such as Ambalema, Mariquita, and Falan, following the path of the Botanical Expedition led by Jose Celestino Mutis.
Ecological hikes and waterfalls: Enjoy swimming in natural pools, waterfall rappelling, and even zip-lining among ancient trees.
Enjoy local cuisine: Falan’s cuisine is a delicious reflection of the region’s rural and mining traditions. The most iconic dish is the “chupado” or fiambre, a typical lunch prepared with rice, potatoes, cassava, sweet ripe plantain slices, chicken, pork, and boiled egg, all wrapped in a viado leaf (similar to a banana leaf). This wrapping gives the food a smoky and unique flavor.
@colombianfood Chupado o envuelto típico de #Tena #Cundinamarca 🍲😋 #ColombianFood #Guatila #HojadePlatano #Tradicional #Colombia #Envuelto #Food #Tipico #Artesanal ♬ sonido original – Colombian Food 🍴🇨🇴