Adventures in El Salvador

Then, through the coffee plantations, ascent by vehicle to the slopes of the San Salvador volcano, with stops at various viewpoints.Visit to the El Boqueron Volcano Park (1893 m). The crater has a diameter of 1.5 km and a depth of 560 m. Stop at the Military Museum to look at the relief map of the country, then return to the city to visit the historic center: the Cathedral, the National Theater, the National Palace, the El Rosario Church, the El Rosario Church, the El Rosario Church, the Plaza Barrios and the Plaza Libertad. Walk through the central market, then have lunch in a pupuseria, to taste the famous pupusas. In the evening, enjoy free dinner in the Paseo del Carmen neighborhood in Santa Tecla, a pleasant and very lively place. Night at the hotel at the same hotel as the day before. D3 'Route des Fleurs (tree climbing) In the morning, drive to Jayaque (40 km), and to the Furesa Animal Park. Departure for a “canopy tour”, a tree-climbing course between platforms in the big trees, suspended in our harnesses above the “void” (everything relative!). In the afternoon, we take the “Flower Route”, which winds at the foot of the volcanoes among the coffee plantations, crossing pretty villages at altitude, such as Apaneca (1400m) or Ataco: painted houses, beautiful squares and colonial-style churches. Approximately 80 km of road. At the end of the afternoon, arrival in Ahuachapan, and visit the small historic center of this beautiful colonial city, located 800 m above sea level. Night at the hotel.D4 - Volcanoes National ParkDeparture for Volcanoes National Park (60 km), one of the country's protected areas, where there are three relatively young volcanoes (between 2 million and 250 years old), the Izalco volcanoes (1950 m), 1950 m), Santa Ana (1950 m), Santa Ana (2381 m), and Cerro Verde (2381 m), and Cerro Verde (2030 m) .Ascension of the Santa Ana volcano (or Llamatepec), 2 hours of easy walking, with several viewpoints such as the Mirador del Pacifico from where you can admire Lake Coatepeque in its entirety. At the bottom of the Santa Ana crater is a small emerald green lake. Outdoor barbecue dinner and night in bungalows at the foot of Santa Ana (1800 m). Day 5 - Archaeological sites of Tazumal and Joya de CerenVisit the archaeological site of Tazumal (20 km), which was once an important Mayan city, with a pyramid 30 meters high. Then drive to the site of Joya de Ceren (40 km), the “Pompeii of America”, which is part of the World Heritage by UNESCO. Here are the ruins of Ceren, a small agricultural village buried under volcanic ash. In the afternoon, drive to the mountain and the village of San Ignacio, located at an altitude of 1000 m. Approximately 150 km of road during the day. Accommodation in a mountain hotel for 2 nights. Day 6 - Peñon de Cayaguanca/La PalmaHike to Peñon de Cayaguanca, a huge rock that rises to 1,622 m just on the border between El Salvador and Honduras. Cayaguanca means in Nahuat (Mayan language) “Peter looking at the stars”. In the company of a local guide, a 2.5 hour walk through a beautiful forest, where you can sometimes see anteaters, toucans and vultures. From the top, panoramic views of the mountains and surrounding volcanoes (some from Honduras), cities and even rivers. Picnic at the top, then back to San Ignacio. In the afternoon, visit the village of La Palma, a Salvadoran craft center par excellence. The village has a particularity, many houses have facades painted with traditional naive patterns. Overnight at the hotel.D7 - Salto de las Golondrinas/Cihuatan Mayan Site/SuchitotorHike to the Salto de las Golondrinas waterfalls. The path runs along the river cut by several small waterfalls and basins where it is possible to swim. We can admire many flowers, including superb orchids (in season), and very beautiful butterflies. 3 hours of walking. Lunch in a “comedor” (small local restaurant) in San Ignacio, then drive to Cihuatan (50 km), the largest archaeological site in the country, with a fortified enclosure and a pyramid. Visit the ruins of the Mayan city, abandoned around 1300 AD, then drive to the colonial city of Suchitoto (15 km). This small town is considered a national historic gem, with the central square, the church of Santa Lucia, and the view of Lake Suchitlan. Overnight at the hotel.D8 - Horseback Riding/Road to the North-EastIn the morning, horseback ride over Suchitoto on the slopes of the Guazapa volcano. No riding experience is required, the horses are well-trained, they know the road, and the traditional saddle in this region is comfortable. Lunch in a comedor in Suchitoto, then departure for the village of Perquin, located at an altitude of 1200 m in the North-East of the country. Approximately 180 km/4 hours of driving. Night at the hotel.J9 'Perquin and the memory of the civil warIn the morning, visit the Perquin Revolution Museum, dedicated to the civil war of the 80s, told by former “compañeros”. Then a walk to the top of Cerro de Perquin (1320 m), a belvedere offering a 360° panorama of the neighboring mountains as well as Honduras.A short transfer (15 km) takes us to the small village of El Mozote, where 500 villagers, including many children, were massacred by the army on December 11, 1981.Picnic on the banks of the Rio Sapo, in a peaceful natural setting. Swimming is possible in the crystal clear waters of the river. Night at the hotel in Perquin.J10 'Route de la Paix Route to the South, first stop at the village of Cacaopera (40km/40m), an important pre-Hispanic center. Visit the colonial church built in 1660, then we continue our way to Corinto (25 km/25mn). Visit the “Grutas del Espiritu Santo”, a cave home to cave paintings dating back 10,000 years, and stroll around. In the afternoon, drive to Puerto El Triumfo (about 100 km), a port on Jiquilisco Bay open to the Pacific. Crossing by “lancha” (local boat) to the hotel which is located on the other side of the bay. Night at the hotel.J11 'Mangroves of Jiquilisco Bay/Lancha and kayakIn the morning, boarding a lancha, for a cruise to discover Jiquilisco Bay, 50 km long and 10 m deep maximum. Its mangroves are home to numerous varieties of birds, and even crocodiles. Bathe in the clear and calm waters of the bay and rest on a white sandy beach. In the afternoon, kayak trip (open single and two-seater) lasting about 2 hours. Night at the hotel.D12 - Return flightBeach and relaxation (free meals). Transfer to the airport (70 km) and return flight. D13 - Flight arrival.The course of this program is indicative. It may undergo modifications or adjustments, depending on technical criteria, safety requirements or the climatic conditions of the moment. In this case, only those responsible for UCPA supervision are authorized to take the necessary decision (s).