Guatemala Pictures

Picture taken in automatic mode at Tajumulco Volcano (4,220 meters above sea level).

Tajumulco is the highest peak in Central America and you can see ice formations over the rocks and among the grass near the trail. It is a medium difficulty hike and with some previous training you can complete the journey in one day without camping over there.

For newbies it is advisable to train some on other volcanoes and stay at San Marcos (near the volcano) for a while so you can adapt to the altitude. For non experienced climbers it might give some nauseas while on the summit.

Are you crazy?

Its what people asked me when they knew I was going to the summit alone, without guide and not knowing the route. In the meantime, a Mexican was receiving the same questions on another trail. It was a long trip to get to Tajumulco.

And if you think we are crazy, those new friends on the left side of the picture… came from Costa Rica to Guatemala only to visit Tajumulco…

I wouldn’t say crazy… Crazy is to spend the life sitting on a couch for ever while all this beauty waits for you in the nature.

And how can I get there?

Wanna visit Tajumulco? Drive to Quetzaltenango via Interamericana road. Reach Quetzaltenango and from there goto San Marcos. Ask for directions and take your car (you don’t need a jeep) to Tajumulco. The landscape is great.

You can hire a local guide over there who will be happy to take you to the summit as a quick tour between the forest.

Take some food and water, mostly water as high altitudes tend to dehydrate your body very quickly. Bring some aspirins as they help in some way to the altitude sickness.

If you are a complete newbie… think twice it is the highest peak (4,220 meters above sea level) and average people have problems at 2,500 meters.