In the “new normal” of travel, travel agent certifications carry more weight than ever before. We are seeing weekly shifts in COVID-19 sanitary protocols, along with local vaccination rate developments. So, you want to make sure your travel agency not only keeps you informed but anticipates these changes, so you can book your private tour with as much confidence as possible.

Safe Travel certifications concerning COVID-19 are the newest addition in travel accreditations and only the tip of Kuoda’s credential iceberg. This article covers what type of certifications Kuoda Travel maintains as a top travel agency for curated journeys in South America and how these certifications provide crucial support before, during, and even after your trip!

What are certifications for?

When we say “travel agent certifications,” we refer to an umbrella term that includes certificates and/or “stamps” for having accomplished or earned something, like carbon neutrality or becoming an accredited institution. And this also includes the relationships an agency maintains with distinct travel associations who back what they do, such as the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).

Travel agencies who maintain their memberships with associations like the ASTA (see below) are generally far more trustworthy than those who don’t. Essentially, the more a travel agency cares about connecting with associations and earning certifications, the more they demonstrate a passion for growing, learning, and continuing to provide the best possible service imaginable.

This is precisely why at Kuoda Travel, we pride ourselves on staying up-to-date with our accreditations. Furthermore, we continuously analyze where we can become even more sustainable and equally promote luxury and custom-designed travel experiences that are simultaneously eco-conscious and responsible in every sense of the word.

Which certifications & accreditations do we have?

We’ve had some of the following certifications almost since the inception of Kuoda Travel and have added others more recently to adapt to the shifting needs and pressing issues within the travel industry. Needless to say, all of these accreditations have only further bolstered our ability to build meaningful experiences in our beloved Peru and other South American countries.

Safe Travels Stamp – World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)

It goes without saying that human beings will not let something like a pesky pandemic hinder our intrinsic call to travel. We are in the process of adapting and will adapt, so we can continue to safely connect across the globe. This is why the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has risen to the challenging occasion and created something called a Safe Travels Stamp.

Destinations and travel businesses (agencies, hotels, restaurants, airports, shopping centers, etc.) can register and incorporate this Safe Travels Stamp into their individual protocols. Once they do, they are protected by a living document updated regularly according to CDC and WHO COVID-19 sanitary guidelines.

 

Carbon Neutral Seal – Green Initiative

The Green Initiative is an organization and sustainability specialist recognized and recommended by United Nations-Climate, that awards one of the most internationally renowned carbon-neutral seals. In October 2020, Kuoda Travel was awarded this seal for reducing our carbon footprint to zero.

We achieved this essential milestone through both in-house efficiency efforts and partnering with external emission reduction initiatives. Ultimately, considering our home base in Cusco, Peru, we place an incredible amount of value in our conservation efforts and sustainable travel practices.

 

IGLTA Member

We are a proud member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). IGLTA has been an empowering organization working to advance the safety and equality of LGBTQ+ travelers and businesses worldwide since 1983.

We want to make sure our clients feel safe and seen, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity. So, becoming a member of IGLTA has allowed us to stay on top of LGTBQ+ friendly destinations, service providers, and accommodation throughout South America.

 

TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice and Certificate of Excellence

When it comes to a travel agency’s rating and clout, few organizations know better than TripAdvisor. This is why we feel honored once again to have been awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence five years in a row starting in 2015, and also the TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice award in 2020.

The TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice award only recognizes the very best in the travel industry, sifting through millions of reviews and opinions. These reviews touch upon a business’s customer satisfaction, quality, terms of service, and many more categories to determine who can claim to be a top travel agency.

 

American Society of Travel Advisors Member

To travel with integrity, you should seek out a travel agency like Kuoda Travel that allies with travel organizations epitomizing integrity and professionalism. The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is one such organization. ASTA advocates for travel experts and the traveling public alike. As a result, their logo is recognized around the world as an endorsement for reliable travel companies.

 

Latin American Travel Association Member

The Latin American Travel Association is all about bringing sustainable and regenerative tourism to Latin America. As one of the most critical membership associations for travel to Latin America, LATA holds the following three objectives at the heart of its mission:

“1) Promote and grow travel to Latin America, 2) Be the authoritative voice in the UK for Latin America Travel and Tourism, 3) Encourage best practice and increase standards across all aspects of travel in Latin America.”

 

APTAE (Asociación Peruana de Aventura, Ecoturismo y Turismo Especializado) Member

When it comes to minimizing impact for travel and tourism to Peru, the Asociación Peruana de Aventura, Ecoturismo, y Turismo Especializado (APTAE for short) reigns supreme. This Peruvian organization has been striving to improve adventure and specialty tourism in Peru since 1981. In recent years APTAE has also become a leader in promoting eco-friendly travel in the country.

 

Adventure Travel Trade Association Member

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) remains the most extensive global network for adventure travel specialists. Unlike some of the other associations above, the ATTA is a private, for-profit trade group that relies on its members to advance sustainable adventure tourism practices.

 

PromPeru Member

PromPeru is a unique collision of the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism and Trade and Ministry of Culture and stands for “Promocionar Perú” (Promote Peru). As the leading tourism commission in Peru, they create campaigns (such as Marca Perú) and hold members events to promote Peru’s unique ecology, destinations, cultural biodiversity, and gastronomy.

 

World Travel Awards Nominee

The World Travel Awards is as much of a household name in the travel industry as the Oscars are in Hollywood. Since their birth in 1993, they have curated a cross-section of awards categories for the travel and hospitality industries. We have now been nominated for four years in a row as the Best Peruvian Agency, and we honestly couldn’t be happier about this.

 

What guarantee do you have with these certifications?

To drive the point further home, a genuine travel specialist will seek out and sustain the endorsement of internationally-recognized travel organizations and associations such as ASTA, WTTC, LATA, among others. This endorsement comes in the form of certificates, stamps, and seals that should be easily advertised and recognized on an agency’s website.

When you see these stamps and logos, you are guaranteed 1) safety, 2) excellence, 3) integrity, 4) top customer service, and ultimately 5) an authentic experience. At the end of the day, we all want these guarantees, especially when booking the trip of a lifetime to a part of the world we aren’t personally familiar with.

 

Why choose Kuoda Travel?

In addition to all of the above travel agent certifications, we have also honed our ability to be as detail-oriented as possible in our travel planning. This means we prioritize your interests and preferences above all else. Our travel designers construct each itinerary to not only match your expectations, but also exceed them.

All the while, you can rest assured that booking a trip with Kuoda means you are also prioritizing purposeful and sustainable travel to South America. So, if you are considering a private journey to Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, or Colombia, contact us today to get the planning started!

Much of the magic uncovered in a private journey to South America lies in its windows into the past. Some of the most awe-inspiring human civilizations reigned in South America from as early as Caral in the 26th – 20th century BC on the northern coast of Peru to the Incas, who forged their sweeping empire starting in the early 1400s until the Spanish conquest in 1532.

And although the Incas only made it as far as Ecuador, and just barely, other societies were flourishing on their own and much earlier. La Ciudad Perdida in Northern Colombia, or the Lost City in English, is one of these windows into a civilization built 650 years before the Incas created Machu Picchu.

Join us on our unfolding of the incredible history, mystery, and fascination tucked within the Lost City Colombia, and learn about how you can visit on your custom-designed trip.

The most frequently asked questions about Colombia’s Lost City 

When it comes to a “lost city” nestled into an imposing mountain range surrounded by dense jungle vegetation, it’s only natural for potential and intrigued visitors to have a couple of questions. If and when you do visit this unique corner of Colombia, you are in for an authentic experience, to be sure. And we want to answer all of your potential questions to get you there.

1. What is it?

Colombia’s Lost City’s other name is Teyuna, which is also its original name before its rediscovery in the 1970s. Archaeologists have concluded that the Tairona civilization built this impressive settlement around 800 CE and think that anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 people lived here. Exploring these terraces naturally ignites the imagination, especially with the right private guide.

Teyuna is comprised of around 250 terraces fashioned from mud and stone, which once served as the foundation for houses across a swath of 300,000 square meters. And the most incredible part? These terraces are tucked away and just barely visible, peaking through a thick web of jungle vegetation worthy of an Indiana Jones reboot.

2. Where in Colombia is La Ciudad Perdida?

The Lost City, Colombia, is located in the northeast corner of the country in the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountain range, a fascinating part of Colombia in its own right. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park covers 383,000 hectares and claims an extreme altitude range starting at 0 feet above sea level and soaring to over 18,900 feet above sea level.

3. Who lived there?

Against the backdrop of more renowned Central and South American civilizations like the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas, you may be surprised to learn that the Tairona civilization was one of the fiercest and accomplished around. Local culture and communities still proudly refer to their ancestry tied to the Tairona and uphold a deep connection to their land and the natural world.

The Tairona staved off the Spanish conquest for an impressive 75 years, a longer period of time than any of the empires mentioned above could manage. And in addition to their superior war tactics, they were also known for their advanced agricultural techniques, metallurgy, pottery, and canal building and construction.

4. How to get to Colombia’s Lost City?

One of the reasons La Ciudad Perdida offers an immersive experience like no other is that you will need to take the “road less traveled,” so to speak. In other words, the only mode of transportation you have available to you is your own two feet.

You will follow a winding tropical and then mountain jungle path and finally climb just about 1,200 stone steps to reach Teyuna. The starting point for this worthwhile and wonderful experience can be found in the small town of Mamey on the northern stretch of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.

What activities or tours can you do in the Lost City, Colombia?

You can still thoroughly enjoy a visit to the Lost City even if archaeology isn’t your passion. From the reconnection with nature on the 4–6-day trek to two breathtaking national parks in this area and visits with local communities along the way, this destination offers something for almost everyone, and especially for wildlife lovers!

The trek to the Lost City 

The trek to the Lost City is the main event for many travelers. It spans a total of 28 miles round trip through the unparalleled scenery of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. And our travel experts can cater this trek to your travel party depending on your timeframe; however, you will need at least 4 days.

For those who want to savor this journey as much as possible, we can tack on a couple days of hiking and camping, which also allows you to go at a slower pace, and take in the spectacular scenery. The trail bobs and weaves through mountainous terrain and follows the Rio Buritaca (the Buritaca River). We honestly recommend five days minimum, so you can enjoy every step without feeling rushed.

Connect with the descendants of The Tairona civilization 

You have your choice of a private or small group guide before embarking on this adventure. However, either way, you will most likely have the privilege of being guided by a member of one of the local Wiwa communities and direct descendants from the great Tairona Civilization. You will also have the opportunity to meet a few local Wiwa communities on the road to Teyuna.

 Discover the magic of the Sierra Nevada Mountain

The Sierra Nevada Mountain just so happens to be the world’s highest coastal mountain, and the beauty and diversity of its unique ecosystem will blow you away! This is the perfect destination for eco-conscious travelers looking to minimize their impact and re-connect with nature.

The ethereal Howler monkey’s call and countless bird songs provide the soundtrack as you trek through the Sierra Nevada, as well as the bubbling serenity of the 29 main rivers flowing through this mountainous jungle terrain. For all of these reasons and more, UNESCO declared this area a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve in 1979.

Bird watching

This incredible swath of Colombia between the Caribbean coast and the Sierra Nevada Mountain range also happens to be a bird watcher’s paradise! Some of the more notable species are the mountain parrot, the paujil, the condor, and the chicken hawk. In fact, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta claims a whopping 635 bird species total, with 36 of those species endemic to this area.

List of everything you have to know before going to the Lost City in Colombia

Before embarking on this once-in-a-lifetime travel experience, we have a few final considerations to make sure you know what to expect and how best to prepare. When planning the journey to the Lost City, it’s essential you manage your expectations about the difficulty, know when to go, what to pack, and what vaccines you need.

The road to the Lost City is not for the faint of heart 

Almost everything you read about visiting the Lost City in Colombia will most certainly highlight the ultimate difficulty of the trek. But this caveat is usually followed by a version of: “it’s entirely worth it!”

Much of this struggle can be attributed to the intense uphill climbs in the hot humidity of the jungle. Therefore, we advise taking as many local hikes as you can where you live in the months leading up to your trip so that your ankles and tendons especially become stronger.

The best seasons to do this route and what to pack

Although you could technically embark on the road to the Lost City year-round, we highly recommend aiming for the dry season from December to March. Considering the already challenging nature of the trek itself, you won’t want to tack on added hardship with muddy loose trails and heavy rainfall.

Packing light is a must. You will have a mule carrying the weight of all camping supplies; however, you will be responsible for your daypack and all of your essentials. Make sure you bring a dependable bug spray, sunscreen, a lightweight brimmed hat, sturdy hiking boots, electrolyte or rehydration tablets, and a headlamp.

The Sierra Nevada jungle is the home of indigenous groups

Remember that the route to the Lost City of Colombia winds through ancestral lands of the local Wiwa communities. So, you will most likely have the chance to eat some of your meals in these communities and connect with some of the people there who know more about this place than anyone else. In this way, you take part in regenerative tourism and help communities reclaim autonomy over their heritage.

What vaccines do you need?

The only vaccine you will need to get before hiking to the Lost City is the Yellow Fever Vaccine, and make sure you get it at least ten days before your arrival. However, there is no malaria in this area, so you don’t need to worry about taking any preventative malaria medication.

Dengue Fever is also quite common in this area, and although there is still no vaccine nor medication to prevent it, you can take plenty of preventative measures while hiking. Always have your bug spray on hand, and no black! Mosquitos are primarily attracted to black, so loose/light-colored clothing is the way to go.

We hope you trust us when we say making the rewarding and challenging journey to Colombia’s Lost City will inevitably become the trip you relive with your loved ones for years to come! So, start making those wonderful memories soon, and contact us today to learn more about incorporating La Ciudad Perdida in your personalized travel experience to Colombia!