Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ted Quetzaltenango to the Pacific coast but operated for just three years from 1930 to
1933.
Activities
Volcano Ascents & Treks
There are many exciting walks and climbs to be done from Xela.
Volcán Tajumulco
(4220m),
50km northwest, is the highest point in Central America and is a challenging trip of one
long day from the city or two days with a night camping on the mountain. This includes
about five hours' walking up from the starting point, Tuhichan (2½ hours by bus from
Xela).
With early starts,
Volcán Santa María
(3772m), towering to the south of the city, and the
highly active
Santiaguito
(2488m), on Santa María's southwest flank, can both be done in
long mornings from Xela, though the tough, slippery trail is recommended only for
seasoned hikers. You start walking at the village of
Llanos del Pinal
, 5km south of Xela (Q5
by bus), from which it's four to five hours up to the summit of Santa María. Getting too
close to Santiaguito is dangerous, so people usually just look at it from a point about 1½
hours' walk from Llanos del Pinal.
Kaqchikel Tours
( 5010-4465;
www.kaqchikeltoursxela.com
;
7a Calle 15-36, Zona 1)
This locally owned outfit special-
izes in volcano ascents. Two-day Tajumulco trips cost Q375 per person. Kaqchikel also
offers full-moon ascents of Santa María (Q150) and challenging two-day Santiaguito trips
(Q600), camping on a small hill as close as is safely possible to the crater. Prices (all with
a minimum of four participants) include transportation, food, equipment and a guide.
HIKING
Monte Verde Tours
( 5729-6279;
www.monte-verdetours.com
; 13a Av 8-34, Zona 1)
Offers a variety of volcano hikes and
tours of villages around Xela.
HIKING
HIKING
Quetzaltrekkers
