Volcano Tajumulco
The highest peak in Central America
Searching for a demanding hike leading to the best sunrise you have ever seen in your life? Well, here it is, Volcano Tajumulco hike. You can say you conquered the highest peak in the whole of Central America and climbed to almost 14,000 feet.
Additionally, you will likely observe one of the most marvelous sunrises you have ever experienced in your life. It is demanding enough, but also feasible for an ample range of travelers, even those with little or no previous hiking background.
Volcano Tajumulco
The highlands
Volcano Tajumulco
Sunrise
Highlights
Enroll yourself in a two-day trek expedition up the highest peak of Central America, Volcano Tajumulco, standing at 13,845 feet tall (4,220 meters). The exploration will take you on a wandering single-track trail through fog immersed pine forests and meadows.
Itinerary
The trek to the ‘Tajumulco’ Volcano is a must-do for volcano-lovers. The highest in all of Central America with a height of 4,220 meters above sea level. When you reach the top, you will have a spectacular view of the Volcanic chain of Guatemala. Although it is located in the tropical part of the planet, the temperature at its peak can reach between 0 and 10 degrees below zero at night.
From the highest summit, you can see various volcanoes, the border with Mexico, the Pacific ocean, and the longest mountain chain in Central America. The difficulty of its ascent is medium since it has a path for hikers, and the guide gives the necessary instructions for your safety. The volcano is currently inactive, but it has reports of eruptions in history.
Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Quetzaltenango, also known as Xela. The trek starts in the place known as Tuichan where the path leading to the volcano is located. Before starting the adventure, a certified guide will give you a brief talk with the necessary recommendations for your safety. As you advance on the trail, you will enjoy Guatemala and its wonderful landmarks.
You will notice more vegetation and mountainous forest with the feel of the air growing purer and purer. There will be breaks so you can hydrate and taste some snacks. At about three o’clock in the afternoon, the tour will reach the place of the camp. The group will set up the tents, and you will have lunch and time to enjoy the spectacular view. Later, you will hike 200 more meters to the very top to see an amazing sunset. Relax and prepare for the best that comes tomorrow.
As the route pushes higher, you will find yourself hiking on clouds. The final steep push in the trail embraces those worthy of the challenge with a dramatic view. Stars, clouds, a stretch full of other volcanoes going off, and the ascending sun make for an exceptionally sweet compensation.
Itinerary
5:00 a.m. Pickup from your hotel
5:15 a.m. Drive approx. 2 hours to San Marcos
7:30 a.m. Arrive at San Marcos and have breakfast at a small local restaurant
8:30 a.m. Continue to Tuichan, where the pathway is located
10:00 a.m. The hike begins
2:30 p.m. Arrive at base camp, about 200 meters below the summit
3:00 p.m. Set up a camping site, eat lunch, and relax
6:00 p.m. Contemplate sunset from the second summit of Volcano Tajumulco, Cerro Concepción at 4100 meters above sea level (weather allowance)
7:00 p.m. Delicious dinner and hot drinks, and call it a night early
Hike to the very summit of the volcano. Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular sunrise more than four thousand meters above sea level. This is an impressive sunrise that will make it worth the effort of the climbing. You will enjoy a fabulous view of the volcanic cones that can be seen throughout the horizon of the country, and you can take your best photographs for your memory album.
This is an unforgettable adventure by having climbed the highest volcano in all of Central America. After the descent of the volcano, a private transport awaits you at the entrance of the sidewalk to take you back to your hotel where this amazing adventure trekking Tajumulco volcano ends.
Itinerary
3:30 a.m. Early wake up
4:00 a.m. Hike to the summit
5:30 a.m. Reach the summit, contemplate the sunrise (weather allowance)
8:00 a.m. Go back to base camp, eat breakfast, and pack
10:00 a.m. Hike down the volcano
12:30 p.m. Eat a delicious lunch at a small local restaurant in Tuichan
1:30 p.m. Take your private transportation back to Xela
4:30 p.m. Arrive at Xela
map, expenses & price
Volcano Acatenango
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Camping and cooking equipment.
-Local certified guides.
-Freshly prepared picnic lunch, dinner & breakfast.
-Juice, coffee, tea, and snacks
-Park entrance fee.
Per person starting at $125
Brief facts Volcano Tajumulco
Regular backpack weight: 15 – 20 kilograms*
Maximum altitude: 4220 meters above sea level
Total hike distance: 15 kilometers
A fun fact: in 2009, due to a cold front, a snowfall of twenty centimeters fell at its peak, which was a historical snowfall in Guatemala. At the end of the ascent, you will spend the night in the volcano to admire a spectacular sunset and sunrise the next morning at its peak.
*For any travelers who would like to do this hike however are concerned about the weight of their backpack, mules are accessible to rent for $75.
-Hiking boots or good trekking shoes – (no sandals)
-Large-capacity backpack (50L+) with rain cover
-One warm layer and/or windbreaker
-Rain jacket
-Cold-weather clothing for near-freezing night-time temperatures at camp
-Personal toiletries and/or medications
-Camera, hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
-4 liters of water (minimum)
-Flashlight
