Santa Ana Volcano Hiking Tour from San Salvador
San Salvador, El Salvador
Trip Type: Hiking & Camping
Duration: 9 hours
Huff your way up Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) volcano, El Salvador’s highest, on this full-day tour in Cerro Verde National Park. Walk through a windy cloud forest, and at the crater, capture views of a glimmering lagoon and panoramas of Lake Coatepeque, Izalco and Cerro Verde volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean. Upgrade to include a private guide, who will lead you on this moderately difficult hike and explain the geology, lush vegetation and village ruins you see along the way. A box lunch and round-trip transport by private vehicle from San Salvador hotels are included.
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Huff your way up Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) volcano, El Salvador’s highest, on this full-day tour in Cerro Verde National Park. Walk through a windy cloud forest, and at the crater, capture views of a glimmering lagoon and panoramas of Lake Coatepeque, Izalco and Cerro Verde volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean. Upgrade to include a private guide, who will lead you on this moderately difficult hike and explain the geology, lush vegetation and village ruins you see along the way. A box lunch and round-trip transport by private vehicle from San Salvador hotels are included.
Your objective on this tour: Climb to the crater of El Salvador’s highest volcano — Santa Ana, also known as Ilamatepec or Mother Hill, 7,822 feet (2,384 meters) above sea level and 2 million years old. This unpredictable volcano located in Cerro Verde National Park, also known as Parque Nacional Los Volcanes, last erupted in 2005. In addition to Santa Ana, other volcanoes located here include Cerro Verde, 1.5 million years old, and Izalco, which first burst lava in 1770.
After you're chauffeured from your hotel in the comfort of a private vehicle, relax on the drive west for over an hour to the park. Upon arrival, you can choose to tackle this moderately difficult trek up Santa Ana volcano and navigate tricky sections on your own. (Park staff are available to point out directions to the trail.)
Or upgrade to enjoy the convenience of a knowledgeable private guide, who will remove guesswork on the trail and enrich your experience with informative commentary on the history and geology of the park. (See full trail description in Itinerary below.)
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