Central America: Hike, Bike & Kayak

Reiseverlauf 2026

1. Tag 1

   Antigua

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   Bienvenidos! Welcome to Guatemala. Your adventure begins in Antigua, Guatemala’s picturesque highland city surrounded by volcanoes. If you arrive early, perhaps walk through the cobblestone streets and brightly painted homes. Your trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. Afterwards, ask your leader about their favourite Antigua restaurant, where you might enjoy getting to know your travel companions for the next week.
   It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
2. Tag 2

   Antigua

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   Start your Central American adventure with a half-day ride from the brightly painted streets of Antigua to a small but mighty coffee plantation. Start in the city, then pedal through the surrounding villages until you reach Finca Azotea – a coffee plantation that practises shade-grown coffee. On arrival, you’ll learn about this coffee production style and sample a variety of the coffee grown here. Then, hop back on the bikes, ride through the coffee plants and back to the city. Perhaps get some of your travel companions together for dinner at one of Antigua’s rooftop terraces. Ask your leader for their recommendations.
   Your cycling time today will be approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) or 4 hours. Today’s bike ride is suitable for beginner to intermediate riders and designed to help you acclimate to this region's higher altitude in preparation for tomorrow’s volcano hike.
3. Tag 3

   Acatenango

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   Nach dem Frühstück verlässt du dein Hotel und fährst in Richtung des Vulkans Acatenango. Mit einer Höhe von 3.976 m ist der Acatenango der dritthöchste Berg Guatemalas. Das heutige Abenteuer beginnt in La Soledad, von wo aus du zu deiner Unterkunft im Basislager des Vulkans wanderst. Spüre den Höhenunterschied, während du durch vier Klimazonen Guatemalas wanderst - Ackerland, Nebelwald, alpiner Wald und schließlich Vulkanland - und mache unterwegs eine Mittagspause. Am Nachmittag erreichst du dein Lager und genießt die Aussicht auf den aktiven Vulkan Fuego. Genieße das Abendessen am Lagerfeuer und beobachte, wie die Sonne untergeht und die Lava zu glühen beginnt.
   Die Reisezeit beträgt heute etwa 1 Stunde. Deine Wanderstrecke beträgt etwa 5-6 Stunden oder 7 km und beginnt auf einer Höhe von 1300 m (4265 Fuß). Die Herausforderung in Acatenango liegt eher in der Höhe und der stetigen Steigung als im technischen Terrain. Ein gemessener Aufstieg, strategische Pausen und Flüssigkeitszufuhr sind wichtiger als Geschwindigkeit. Unsere Guides achten auf die üblichen Symptome der Höhenlage und passen den Plan an, damit die Reise sicher, komfortabel und angenehm bleibt. Für den heutigen Tag und die Nacht im Basislager brauchst du nur einen Rucksack mit deinen persönlichen Gegenständen mitzunehmen. Schlafsäcke und Kopfkissen werden gestellt. Achte darauf, dass du Kleidung für kaltes Wetter dabei hast. Dein Hauptgepäck wird sicher in deinem Hotel in Antigua aufbewahrt und am nächsten Tag abgeholt. Solltest du die Wanderung nicht beenden können, musst du auf eigene Kosten mit einem Allradfahrzeug absteigen. Diese Kosten variieren je nach dem Punkt, von dem aus du zurückkehren musst.
4. Tag 4

   Antigua

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   Be sure to set your alarm early to catch the sunrise over the Fuego volcano. For those keen to reach the summit of Acatenango, an optional one-hour hike will leave camp early in the morning. Upon the summiters' return, descend the volcano to yesterday’s starting point. From here, you’ll travel back to Antigua and grab lunch. Check back into the hotel to freshen up and enjoy free time for the rest of the day.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour. Your hiking distance will be approximately 5-6 hours or 7km (4.3 mi), plus an additional 1.5 hours or 3km (1.8 mi) if hiking to the summit.
5. Tag 5

   Ahuachapan

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   Enjoy a later start this morning before leaving Antigua, crossing the border into El Salvador and the famous Ruta de las Flores region. Expect some time waiting at the border crossing, arriving in Ahuachapán sometime in the early afternoon. With free time until a cooking class this evening, perhaps set out on foot to explore the Pasaje La Concordia pedestrian area, known for its murals and monuments. Or if you’d like to relax your muscles, ask your leader about a visit to the Santa Teresa Hot Springs. Tonight, rejoin your group for a cooking class where you’ll learn how to make traditional Salvadoran pupusas (stuffed corn flat bread) that you’ll eat for dinner.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
6. Tag 6

   Ahuachapan

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   Get an early start for another day hiking up one of Central America’s scenic volcanoes, today the Santa Ana Volcano. Found in the Apaneca mountain range, this volcano reaches an altitude of 2,381m (7812 feet) and last erupted in 2005. Reach the summit and look into the crater to spot the turquoise lake and out across the Los Volanes Complex for views of El Salvador’s coffee growing region. Descend from the summit and head towards Coatepeque Lake for an afternoon of kayaking in a 50,000-year-old volcanic lake. Enjoy a paddle looking out for the many species of birds and wildlife, including green iguanas, painted wood turtles and green herons, who call this area home.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour. Your hiking distance will be approximately 4 hours or 7km (4.3 mi) with an elevation gain of 471m (1545 feet).
7. Tag 7

   El Tunco

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   Today, you’ll be saying goodbye to the Central American highlands and hello to the Pacific coast. After breakfast at your hotel, start the journey to El Tunco – El Salvador’s famous surf spot. This beach earned the name ‘El Tunco’ – a Salvadoran slang word referring to pigs – due to the large boulder in the water that some say resembles the animal. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring the black sand beach or kicking back at an oceanfront restaurant. Surfing enthusiasts can join an optional surf lesson riding the world-class right-hand breaks.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
8. Tag 8

   El Tunco

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   Fuel up at breakfast for a day exploring the waterfalls of Tamanique. Pack or wear your swimsuit before setting out to your hike with a local guide. Begin the trek on the jungle paths, climbing stairs and uneven terrain before reaching the falls. The trails to the four main waterfalls vary in hiking difficulty. The area's marquee attraction is the largest waterfall, sitting at a height of over 40 metres (131 feet). Enjoy several hours relaxing or swimming in the pools before returning to the beach this afternoon. Tonight, there's an optional group dinner to celebrate the end of your adventure.
   Your hiking distance will be approximately 3km (1.8 mi) with an elevation gain of 213m (700 feet).
9. Tag 9

   El Tunco

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   There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
   The San Salvador international airport is just a one-hour drive from the El Tunco region.