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El Salvador
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San Salvador Department
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San Salvador
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Tours & Activities
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Hike active Izalco volcano, one of the youngest in the world
1 day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
The hike to Izalco volcano starts on Cerro Verde's visitors center. Here you'll find services such toilets, cafeteria and handcrafts.
After few directions from park's authorities we start our hike which may be divided in 4 stages:
• Stage 1: walk Cerro Verde down. Pleasant hike in the cloud forest along steps carved on the ground. Some occasional wild life may be spotted. The only concern may be the shock on the knees (please note it).
• Stage 2: you get out abruptly from the forest just to face an enormous pile of rocks waiting to be walked to the top. The terrain is rough, with loose sharp rocks and massive basalt boulders. As you walk the trail becomes steeper and some steam coming beneath the rocks tells you're almost on the top! Once there, recover you're breath and circle the crater. On clear day you can watch the Pacific Ocean, Coatepeque lake and valleys, villages, mountain ranges and volcanic belts in El Salvador and Guatemala.
• Stage 3: Walk Izalco down. Watch your step but don't forget to watch the different solidified lava flows that form the skirts of Izalco. Also watch up for any rolling stone.
• Stage 4: Walk Cerro Verde up... al the way up because the near 1,500 steps you walked down earlier seem steeper. And they're steep but once you reach Cerro Verde's visitor center you can proudly say VINI, VIDI, VINCI.
Note this hike is tougher than most of hiking destinations in El Salvador. Not for technical nor the elevation but for the slope which is very steep on both sides, Izalco and Cerro Verde. Hydration, adequate footwear and clothing, sun/rain protection and trekking poles are always recommended.
Not suitable for people with breath diseases, asthma, heart, blood pressure or mobility problems.
Following Park's Rules, all hikes must be joined by local guides and officers of Tourist Police branch trained and ready to respond on any case of accidents, evacuations, rescues and First Aid
Distance walked: 8 Km
Actual walking time: 3h 45m
Top elevation: 2,019 mt
Lowest elevation: 1,627 mt
Total ascent: 691 mt
Total descent: 676 mt
At the end of the walk you'll have the reward and satisfactions of hiking 2 volcanoes in one day. Way to go!
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After few directions from park's authorities we start our hike which may be divided in 4 stages:
• Stage 1: walk Cerro Verde down. Pleasant hike in the cloud forest along steps carved on the ground. Some occasional wild life may be spotted. The only concern may be the shock on the knees (please note it).
• Stage 2: you get out abruptly from the forest just to face an enormous pile of rocks waiting to be walked to the top. The terrain is rough, with loose sharp rocks and massive basalt boulders. As you walk the trail becomes steeper and some steam coming beneath the rocks tells you're almost on the top! Once there, recover you're breath and circle the crater. On clear day you can watch the Pacific Ocean, Coatepeque lake and valleys, villages, mountain ranges and volcanic belts in El Salvador and Guatemala.
• Stage 3: Walk Izalco down. Watch your step but don't forget to watch the different solidified lava flows that form the skirts of Izalco. Also watch up for any rolling stone.
• Stage 4: Walk Cerro Verde up... al the way up because the near 1,500 steps you walked down earlier seem steeper. And they're steep but once you reach Cerro Verde's visitor center you can proudly say VINI, VIDI, VINCI.
Note this hike is tougher than most of hiking destinations in El Salvador. Not for technical nor the elevation but for the slope which is very steep on both sides, Izalco and Cerro Verde. Hydration, adequate footwear and clothing, sun/rain protection and trekking poles are always recommended.
Not suitable for people with breath diseases, asthma, heart, blood pressure or mobility problems.
Following Park's Rules, all hikes must be joined by local guides and officers of Tourist Police branch trained and ready to respond on any case of accidents, evacuations, rescues and First Aid
Distance walked: 8 Km
Actual walking time: 3h 45m
Top elevation: 2,019 mt
Lowest elevation: 1,627 mt
Total ascent: 691 mt
Total descent: 676 mt
At the end of the walk you'll have the reward and satisfactions of hiking 2 volcanoes in one day. Way to go!
Included
- Professional guide
- Local taxes
- National Park fees
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- All activities
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup
- Private tour
Not included
- Gratuities to local guides (optional)
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- IMPORTANT NOTE
- We join a group hike departing from Cerro Verde. This hike only runs if there's enough police officers to escort the group. Sometimes they run short of police officers so the option available is Santa Ana volcano hike. As worthy as Izalco.
- Minimum age is 10 years
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather once within the National Park limits won't be any refund.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Sport
65%
Tourism
25%
Cultural
25%
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