The day trip I was most excited for in El Salvador was a hike to Volcán de Santa Ana, the nation's highest volcanic peak in the northwestern part of the country. My parents, after a day of rest and with promises of cooler weather, joined us for an early morning (5:30 a.m.!) departure to miss the traffic and crowds (alas, we still hit road traffic) for the ~2 hour drive and then ~ 7 km round-trip hike through the forest and up to the crater rim at the top.
Iver, the most energetic of us, was ready to go...
... and swung on forest vines like Tarzan!
Niall saw the uphill and immediately requested to be carried. Maybe he'll walk by the time he's six!
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We had lovely views over the other nearby volcanoes (Izalco, the conical one, and Cerro Verde).
Niall walked a little bit as we approached the top...
... but then we spotted him riding on Chamba's shoulders!
V stuck with mom near the rear.
Iver & the "hook hand"
Ridge to the top! (Iver and my Dad were among the first, of more than 200 people most days, to reach the top!)
The volcano is 2381 m or ~7800 ft in elevation.
The caldera view reminded me so much of Crater Lake in OR! This water was green and STEAMY, though!
The popsicles sold at the top weren't even a bad deal!
We all made it! I'm proud of my septuagenarian parents, who were among the oldest we saw hiking (even though they're definitely questioning our "vacation" activity choices)!
Niall was obsessed with being photographed with this little plastic water pistol we got at the gas station at which we ate breakfast!
Trick shots (in between my panic at the kids approaching the crater rim)
Lovely view of nearby Lago de Coatepeque
The boys were extremely speedy on the way down, Niall walking on his own most of the way (gravity helps!) and Iver leading the way at under an hour!
"Canela" ("Cinnamon,") the volcano dog, followed them down.
The kids had a blast taking "net" jumping photos.
Niall mimicked Spider-Man!
This kid ate at least un hamburguesa per day on this trip!
Much-deserved rest on the return drive!
We loved our time with Chamba of Tunco Life and would highly recommend him/the small company if you ever make it to South El Salvador!
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