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Peregrine Travel Centre

Central America: Hike, Bike & Kayak

Central America: Hike, Bike & Kayak

From $ 3,090 AUD

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Description

Grab your hiking shoes and charge your camera for a 9-day hiking, cycling and kayaking trip across Central America. Follow the volcano trail to the coast, stopping along the way to cycle through coffee groves and paddle across volcanic craters. Get the best views of the erupting Fuego volcano from your overnight stay on neighbouring Acatenango before summiting El Salvador’s Santa Ana volcanic lagoon crater. Enjoy time to rest and recover at the hot springs along the Ruta del las Flores or in the waterfalls of Tamanique before ending your adventure with a surf break on the Pacific Coast. This is one wet and wild adventure.

Trip Name
Central America: Hike, Bike & Kayak
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Catch the sought-after sunset and sunrise views of Guatemala’s actively erupting Fuego volcano on an overnight hike up the nearby Acatenango volcano.
  • Kayak in the volcanic crater lake of Coatepeque, surrounded by lush hills and warmed by geothermal vents that attract colourful birds to the shore.
  • Cycle through UNESCO-listed streets of Antigua to a nearby coffee plantation to learn about highland coffee production and sip on a fresh cup of coffee.
  • Summit Santa Ana Volcano in Cerro Verde National Park for an incredible view of the turquoise crater lake and surrounding coffee plantations.
  • Hike through the Salvadoran jungle to swim in the many waterfalls, then relax at El Tunco’s black sand beach.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Antigua
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.
Day 2 - Antigua
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.
Day 3 - Acatenango
After breakfast, depart from your hotel and head towards the Acatenango Volcano. Standing at 3,976m (13,045 feet), Acatenango is the third-highest peak in Guatemala. Today’s adventure begins at La Soledad, where you’ll hike to tonight’s lodgings at the volcano’s base camp. Feel the increase in elevation as you pass through four of Guatemala’s climate zones – farmland, cloud forest, alpine tree forest and finally volcanic, stopping for lunch along the way. Reach camp around mid-afternoon and soak up those hard-earned views of Guatemala’s active Fuego volcano. Enjoy dinner around the campfire and watch as the sun sets and the lava begins to glow.
Day 4 - Antigua
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.
Day 5 - Ahuachapan
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.
Day 6 - Ahuachapan
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.
Day 7 - El Tunco
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.
Day 8 - El Tunco
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.
Day 9 - El Tunco
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
09-09-202617-09-2026AUD $ 3,090-
30-09-202608-10-2026AUD $ 3,090-
07-10-202615-10-2026AUD $ 3,090-
21-10-202629-10-2026AUD $ 3,090-
28-10-202605-11-2026AUD $ 3,090-
08-11-202616-11-2026AUD $ 3,180-
15-11-202623-11-2026AUD $ 3,180-
25-11-202603-12-2026AUD $ 3,180-
02-12-202610-12-2026AUD $ 3,180-
16-12-202624-12-2026AUD $ 3,270-
23-12-202631-12-2026AUD $ 3,270-
13-01-202721-01-2027AUD $ 3,395-
27-01-202704-02-2027AUD $ 3,395-
10-02-202718-02-2027AUD $ 3,395-
17-02-202725-02-2027AUD $ 3,395-
24-02-202704-03-2027AUD $ 3,395-
10-03-202718-03-2027AUD $ 3,295-
24-03-202701-04-2027AUD $ 3,295-
14-04-202722-04-2027AUD $ 3,200-
28-04-202706-05-2027AUD $ 3,200-
12-05-202720-05-2027AUD $ 3,200-
26-05-202703-06-2027AUD $ 3,200-
12-01-202820-01-2028AUD $ 3,200-
26-01-202803-02-2028AUD $ 3,200-
09-02-202817-02-2028AUD $ 3,200-
16-02-202824-02-2028AUD $ 3,200-
23-02-202802-03-2028AUD $ 3,200-
08-03-202816-03-2028AUD $ 3,200-
22-03-202830-03-2028AUD $ 3,200-
12-04-202820-04-2028AUD $ 3,200-
26-04-202804-05-2028AUD $ 3,200-
10-05-202818-05-2028AUD $ 3,200-
24-05-202801-06-2028AUD $ 3,200-

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)

Transport

Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi

Map

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