Tajumulco means “above the clouds” in a local language (there are more than 20 languages in Guatemala). Standing on the top of Tajumulco with clouds on your feet, you are facing an unforgettable view spreading from Mexico, smoking volcano craters and the Ocean. I could not wait to visit Guatemala with a plan of hiking 4 major volcanoes – and of course the highest peak in Central America – Tajumulco. Hiking Tajumulco is generally considered as challenging, mainly due to an altitude above 4000 meters. The mountain is NOT popular at all – due to remote location and active Fuego volcano, which is the biggest attraction among adventurous travelers.
There were only about 7 people reaching the top of Tajumulco for sunrise, not like Acatenango with thousands of hikers trying to conquer this tough peak. Tajumulco is different, it is a magnificent journey through untouched nature, camping in complete wilderness with coyotes coming to look for food remains.
Hiking Tajumulco Volcano - all you need to know.
Surprisingly you can do it without a tour guide – so the mountain is a perfect destination for adventurous hikers. The trail is quite visible and if you have an experience with heights, that should not be impossible. There are no difficult sections on the way up. Just download GPS offline maps.
The hike costs between $100-$125 /per person/ min 2 people.
- Permits and fees required for the hike are included within a tour price (double check with your operator), my guide was stopped along the trail and paid the local guards.
- Xela is usually a gateaway for hiking Tajumulco. It is about 3-4 hours drive from Antigua, and another 3-4 hours drive from Xela to reach the beginning of the hike.
- Bring warm clothes if you are camping on the mountain – it gets very cold and rainy! Waterproof jacket, trausers and backpack cover are a must. You need to avoid getting wet, otherwise it will be freezing at higher levels.
I suggest starting volcano hikes as early as possible, clouds tend to roll in around 10am.
I hiked Tajumulco in November and had unbelievably good sunny weather. There was no wind at the top which is very unusual.
Many hikers said October ascend was extremely wet.
Tajumulco Volcano hike.
There are two options for hiking Tajumulco, the highest mountain in Central America at 4,220 meters, which is part of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountain range.
- 2-day Tajumulco Volcano hike: 2 days/1 night. I chose this option to have more time to enjoy the scenery and have no problem in reaching the summit (I didn’t acclimatize at all – so I had to take 2-day trek). Remember you will need to carry food, water and camping gear/which is not necessary for a 1-day hike.
- 1-day Tajumulco hike: Stating in Xela at 11pm, taking 2 x local buses to start hiking at 2am, reaching the summit for 6-6.30am.
NOTE: 1-day night hike is strenuous! It is not for everyone and you should make sure to acclimatize ahead of the adventure, otherwise, you might be affected by high altitude sickness and every step will be a struggle.
Hiking Tajumulco 2-day itinerary.
DAY1:
- STARTING POINT – XELA: The tour operator picked me up at 8am from Xela and along with my Spanish guide we were dropped off at the local bus station – on the photo. The first bus takes almost 2 hours and the second 1.5h.
- START OF THE HIKE: 10am. The trail usually starts from the town of San Marcos La Laguna. The local mini bus will drop you off at the beginning of the hike – there is a small shop where you can buy water, and plastic covers.
- We started hiking at 10am to reach our camping site at 4pm, with many breaks for lunch and hydration.
- THE ROUTE: Not too difficult but the altitude can be a challenge. So take it slow, drink plenty of water: 4-5 litres!!
- After setting up your tent you will enjoy a freshly cooked dinner 😉 We had tomato spaghetti!
- 7-8pm BEDTIME ;)))
The first part of the trail is relatively straightforward, traversing through lush vegetation.
As you gain elevation, the terrain becomes steeper and more challenging. Take regular breaks and hydrate.
Camping at the top of Tajumulco Volcano.
You are camping in a pine forest; trees provide extra protection against wind and rain. However, we stretched an additional plastic sheet above our tent to protect us against dense rainfall. It’s a lovely quiet piece of nature, sometimes coyotes come closer looking for food, and in the morning birds rustle among branches.
There was only one more tent near our camping site. The Americans were great companions! 😉
Some people say the area is highly polluted but in November 2024 the mountain was clean – perhaps after a bad response from tourists, local authorities put some effort into removing rubbish.
DAY-2:
START ASCENT: 3.30am wake up, 4am start hiking
SUMMITING: 6am – it takes approx. 1.5h to reach the top of Tajumulco. The final stretch to the summit can be demanding, but the reward is worth every step. The panoramic views from the top are stunning, the landscape extends across the Guatemalan highlands and beyond.
WEATHER AT THE TOP: If windy it gets very cold! Be prepared for wind and rain – you need to wear water and windproof clothing, gloves and a hat are a must.
Tajumulco sunrise hike.
Sunrise above the clouds is one of the most beautiful pictures in the world. The sky when we were leaving our tent was crystal clear with millions of stars. We knew this is a good sign for perfect visibility from the top.. and it really was!
How hard is Tajumulco hike?
I hiked Tajumulco without any acclimatization, straight after landing in Guatemala. For that reason, I decided to book 2-day Tajumulco hike, instead of an overnight. Camping at the bottom of the highest mountain in Latin America sounded fascinating, so I didn’t hesitate to go for it – it was a beautiful adventure – freestyle traveling is just a wonderful way of exploring the world. Take your time and enjoy as much as you can – there was only me, my guide and the mountain 😉
Due to its elevation, the hike can be strenuous and acclimatization to altitude is important. So take it slow to increase your chances of getting to the top. You should have a good level of fitness.
I hired a guide as I was unfamiliar with the area. The local guide was fantastic and highly experienced.
How high is Tajumulco?
Tajumulco is the highest peak in Central America standing at 4222 meters (13 815 feet).
It is less popular than other volcanoes in Guatemala due to its location on the more remote – western area of the country.
Is Tajumulco an active volcano?
Despite some unconfirmed rumors about volcano eruptions in the 19th century, it is said the volcano’s last eruption occurred around 1,100 years ago.
Best time for hiking Tajumulco?
The best time for hiking Tajumulco is the dry season which runs from November to April – however these are winter months with very low temperatures. The weather is generally more stable and the temperatures are cooler, especially at higher altitudes. These are ideal months for hiking as the weather clears up and there’s a good chance for a clear view of Mexico, the Ocean and Guatemala.
Gear-up for hiking Tajumulco.
Here’s a checklist of essentials while hiking Tajumulco:
ESSENTIALS:
- Comfortable hiking boots,
- Hiking poles help but they are not essential for this hike
- Warm layers, including a jacket (it can get chilly, especially at night), take one extra, you will not regret it.
- A sturdy backpack 45-55 liters with a waterproof cover
- Plenty of water (4-5 liters) and snacks /chocolate, nuts, high-protein bars/. Food is usually included within a 2-day hiking tour. You need to hydrate above 3000 meters.
- A good quality camera to capture the stunning views
- Headlight
- Gloves and a hat
- Tileters
- Sleeping bag rated for low temperatures, tent and insulated sleeping pad to maintain warmth. Rain occurs often, so you need to be well protected against getting wet.
EMERGENCY-SUPPLIERS:
- First aid kit, plasters and headache pills. Bare in mind there is no rescue team from the mountain, only you and your guide can maintain your health while hiking,
- Phone with a powerbank,
- Sunlotion and sunglasses are a must even in winter months.
Views on the way down are stunning! Sun warms up shortly after rising, we really had a great weather.
I hiked 4 volcanoes while traveling across Guatemala. Acatenago is the toughest mountain but it’s extremely popular for a combined hike to Fuego active volcano – which can be a lifetime experience! Solid and popular tours on Tripadvisor are:
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