The Adventurer - Guatemala

Here we is a quick overview
of the most frequently
and trilling hiked volcanoes in
Guatemala:
VOLCAN PACAYA (8,373 FT)
Sits only 30 kilometers south of
the center of Guatemala City,
an urban center with a population
of more than 1.5 million.
By far the most popular, an
easy couple of hours walking,
with the possibility of lava and
great views. Easily accessible
from Antigua and Guatemala
City. Pacaya is one of only
a few volcanoes in Guatemala
currently in active status. Can’t
guarantee you will see lava
like that in the picture above,
but some visitors report seeing
great lava flows.
ACATENAGO (13,041 FT)
As we have previously discussed
in the article is best suited
to a two day hike as it takes
8-9 hours to reach the summit.
But this means you can camp
on the side of the Volcano, and
watch both sunset and sunrise.
Along with its twin volcano to
the south, Volcan Fuego, it also
overlooks the historic former
capital city of Antigua Guatemala
. A fantastic hike, tough
but rewarding. See our account
of it here and our tips on how
to climb it (what to bring, what
to expect etc). Tours to hike
Acatenago leave from the town
of Antigua.
AGUA (12,339 FT)
Although the volcano has not
been active in historical time,
or about the last 500 years
this volcano which dominates
the skyline in the town of Antigua
is one of the most beautiful
sites. There are no scheduled
tours up this one but tour
companies can organise special
excursions. This volcano has a
reputation for robbers, so tour
agencies will expect you to foot
the bill for 2 security guards
carrying shotguns to accompany
you. If you are willing to pay
this, it reportedly takes approximately
13 hours up and back
down again.
FUEGO (12346FT)
Located near the town of Antigua,
from which it is accessible.
Has small eruptions reasonably
frequency (which you might
see if you are in the town of Antigua).
Despite frequent eruptions
the volcano is apparently
safe to climb up until a certain
elevation (do with a guide).
Alongside Pacaya, Fuego is one
of only a few in in Guatemala
considered active status.
TAJUMULCO (13,845 FT)
Is the heighest volcano in Central
America. The hike is reportedly
quite easy, though does
take two days as you need to
acclimatize on the first day.
day. To do so you spend the
first night camped on the side
of the volcano.
LAKE ATITLAN
Is a large crater lake a few hours
west of Anitgua and Guatemala
City, surrounded by 3 volcanoes.
One of the most popular
tourist attractions in Guatemala
A great place to go hiking
and enjoy views over the lake.
Lake Atitalan is also surrounded
by a number of small towns,
each accessible by a network of
cheap boats/water taxis. Each
town comes with its own style
and flavour and something different
to offer.
SANTA MARÍA (12,375FT)
Is a large active volcano in
western Guatemala (near the
city of Quetzaltenango). An
eruption from Santa María in
1902 was one of the four largest
eruptions of the 20th century.
It is also one of the five
biggest eruptions of the past
200 – 300 years.
Guatemala is one of
those rear destinations that
rewards even the most jaded
world traveler with revelatory
experiences. Stark silhouettes
rise above Guatemala’s mountainous
landscape and only few
visitors will return home without
pictures of these giants in
their collection of snapshots.
Climbing a volcano is a
very interesting activity which
is tested not only physical fitness
but mental condition ,
needing you to be somewhat
previously prepared for the effort,
but the summit is always
well worth the struggle of
climing.
If you decide to go on
this adventure you will be able
to enjoy the thrill of hiking
perhaps some of the most frequently
photographed volcanoes
in Guatemala and in the
world.
Anyway , these are just
some experiences, but by climbing
these volcanoes they give
you a life lesson about the importance
of perseverance, one
step at a time , having a definite
goal , do not get discouraged
when things are adverse , and
master something, it is good to
have friends who will help you
when is fallen, that will encourage
you to keep going.
So go ahead and if you
want to know what it feels like
climbing a volcano , that you
find out for yourself , doing it
in the company of friends who
know the place and above all
with a single mission: “Reach
the top”.
“LIFE IS NOT MEASURED
BY THE NUMBER OF
BREATHS WE TAKE, BUT
BY THE MOMENTS THAT
TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY”
-GEORGE CARLIN
13 The Adventurer | April 2016 April 2016 | The Adventurer 14