Highest point in Central America: 4220m above sea level
Day 1
We leave Xela early in the morning and make our way by bus to the town of San Marcos, near the Mexican border. After a hearty breakfast in one of the local comedors, we board a second bus which takes us to the beginning of our hike. The trail begins at the small village of Tuichan and winds its way through corn milpas and farmland. Due to the altitude it is very difficult to grow crops and the trail soon gives way to pockets of wood land and grazing pastures for sheep.
We hike for a few hours, making our way over several ridges and stopping for lunch around mid-day at one of the pastures. The trail then takes us into high-altitude pine forest, with some wonderful views over the country. We finally reach our campsite 220m below the summit at around 4pm and begin to prepare for the coming night. The tents are pitched while the water is heated for a well deserved hot drink. Those who are feeling fit can then take a short walk to the top of Cerro Concepcion--the lower of the two peaks of Tajumulco--to watch the sunset to the east over Mexico. After sundown, dinner is cooked and we can enjoy the tranquility and, weather permitting, an unobstructed view of the stars. At this altitude we can see many more stars than normal, there are also no bright city lights to affect our view and it is sometimes difficult to make out the different constellations. After our meal we take to our sleeping bags early for some much needed rest.
Day 2
At 4am we creep out of our tents into the cold morning air and begin to hike the final 220m to the summit in time to see the sun rise above the horizon. In the distance we can watch Volcan Santiaguito and Volcan Fuego erupt as we look across the volcano chain of Guatemala. We look east to Volcan Tacana and the Mexican border and far to the north-west we can see the Cuchumantanes Mountains near Huehuetenango. After sunrise we take a short hike around the crater of the volcano. This offers us some wonderful scenery down the plains into Mexico and the Pacific coast. The shadow of the volcano becomes visible shortly after dawn. On the right in the background can be seen Volcan Tacana. After we have rested we make our way back down to our campsite for a hot breakfast and some coffee. After our morning meal we clear up the area and make our way back down to the trail head and Tuichan where we eat lunch at a local comedor. After lunch we board a bus which will take us back into San Marcos. Here we change buses and head back to Xela and the comforts of warm showers and clean sheets.
Minimum Donation Q400.00
This hike leaves every Saturday morning and returns Sunday evening
Cost includes:
Cost does not include:
- Personal travel insurance
- Alcohol
- Costs incurred due to accident, illness or other unforeseen circumstances
- Tips for the guides
- Very Warm Clothing
- Rain Gear
- Sun Screen
- Headlamp
- Hat
- Gloves
- Backpack
Any of the above items that you do not have we will do our best to provide.
* With all trips, please sign up by noon the day before your desired trip. Space is always limited to first comers.
**Quetzaltrekkers purchases the food provided on our trips from local Guatemalan vendors and co-ops.
