LA ANTIGUA GUATEMALA - Guatemala - page 130

Guatemala. The bulk of the hiking done around Antigua involves one of the volcanoes
towering ominously over its streets.
Volcano Climbs
At 3,750 meters (12,325 feet) Agua Volcano is one of the most popular climbs because
of its proximity to town, from which it invites hikers to attempt an ascent of its steep
slopes to the near-perfect crater ringed with various radio antennas. The trailhead is in
the nearby village of Santa María de Jesús, from where it's a five-hour ascent, though
numerous tourist robberies have occurred through the years in the vicinity of this town.
Guatemala Ventures (1a Avenida Sur #15, end of 6a Calle Oriente, tel. [phone],
www.guatemalaventures.com ) drives farther up the road to a spot two hours from the sum-
mit and is the recommended way to go. A day trip costs $40 with this outfitter.
Just shy of 4,300 meters (14,000 feet), Acatenango Volcano is a safer and somewhat
more interesting climb, as it has twin craters and often affords fantastic views of nearby
Fuego Volcano ,whichenteredaphaseofincreasedactivityin1999. Old Town Outfitters
(5aAvenidaSur#12C,tel.[phone], www.bikeguatemala.com )offersaone-day($49)or
overnight ($69) trip to the volcano starting in the village of La Soledad, from where it's
a 5-6-hour hike through cornfields and pine forests to the first crater. The overnight trip
camps on the second peak, which stands at 13,900 feet. Guatemala Ventures also does this
trip, driving to within two hours of the first summit and costing $59/$99 for the one-day
and overnight trips.
By far the most popular volcano trip is to active Pacaya Volcano, near Lake Amatitlán
and closer to Guatemala City. There's no shortage of outfitters offering this trip, which
generally leaves in the afternoon and costs $7-30 per person. Recommended companies
include Old Town Outfitters (5a Avenida Sur #12C, tel. [phone],
www.bikeguatemala.com , $30 including lunch), which leaves earlier than most other com-
panies to avoid the crowds. Adrenalina Tours (5a Avenida Norte #31, tel. [phone] or
5535-6831) leaves daily at 6 A.M. and 1 P.M. The trip costs $10-20 depending on whether
or not you want a meal with your climb. The more expensive V.I.P. trip has a four-person
minimum and also includes the $3 park admission fee. For your standard trip in the $5-7
vicinity, a good outfitter is Gran Jaguar Tours (4a Calle Poniente #30, tel. [phone]),
leaving at 6 A.M. and 1 P.M.
Recommended by readers for all of the above trips is O.X. Outdoor Excursions (1a
Avenida Sur #4B, tel. [phone] or 5801-4301, www.guatemalavolcano.com ), offering
well-guided trips to the Antigua area volcanoes. The Spires of Fire trip is a five-day ad-
venture climbing Guatemala's three active volcanoes (Fuego, Pacaya, and Santiaguito); it
costs $500.
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