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[tiggerbird]

Is it currently safe to go there. I am going to be in Colombia at the end of June and wanted to book a tour but cannot get a reply from any tour companies.... anyone got any advice?

[starlagurl]

I'm looking at the government of Canada's website for travelers at the moment and it doesn't say NOT to go there, but it says "exercise high degree of caution" for the entire country of Colombia.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/rep...ng.asp?id=60000

It also says to avoid all travel to these areas:

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the departments of Putumayo and Nariño (excluding Pasto), located along the border with Ecuador, and to the departments of Arauca, Choco, Santander (excluding Bucaramanga) and Norte de Santander (excluding Cucuta), located along the border with Venezuela. The presence of armed drug traffickers, guerrilla and paramilitary organizations, including the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and the ELN (National Liberation Army), poses a major risk to travellers. These groups continue to perpetrate attacks, extortion, kidnappings, car bombings, and damages to infrastructure in these areas. Landmines are used by guerrilla groups, especially in rural areas.

You are also advised against all travel to the departments of Cauca, Caqueta, Guaviare, Valle de Cauca (excluding Cali) and Antioquia (excluding Medellin), to the southern parts of Meta department and to the city of Buenaventura, due to the presence of similar armed groups.

Wikipedia says: In 2005, tourist treks became operational again. The Colombian army actively patrols the area, which is now deemed to be safe for visitors and there have not been any more kidnappings.

If you are still concerned, read some travel blogs from the area: http://www.travelpod.com/blogs/0/Colombia/...%20Perdida.html

[mcguinnessdave]

The Sierra Nevada (the mountain range where the Lost City lies) is still on the UK gorvernment's no-go hitlist though for some time the Colombian tourist board have been lobbying them to make an exception for the Lost City trek. There have been no instances of trouble of any sort for tours groups that went escorted to the Lost City at any stage, even back in the bad old days. As long as you go with a qualified tour guide you will have no problems...
Dave