Santa Ana volcano hike with privileged early access. Go safe and skip the crowds
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Privileged early access in small groups
As Licensed Guide with 400+ successful summits you can be sure I'm one of the most experienced guides for this destination.
The hike goes from the cloud forest on the skirts to the volcanic wasteland at the top. From here you can see the steamy sulfuric-acid lake at the bottom and the multicolored layers of ash on the walls of the crater and Coatepeque caldera lake.
Beyond just a walk, this is an interpretative hike. Learn facts of geology, eruptive history, etc. of the volcanoes.
Skip the crowds, the warmest hours, the lines and the slow walkers and queues.
This is a private departure, not the 10 AM joint hike. This way you go your own pace, making the experience more enjoyable.
The larger the group the slower it goes. Even weather tends to be more favorable on early hours.
Seize more of your day! No hurries, no crowds. Enjoy the views, take pictures.
Looking for an extra challenge? Book for the longer hike to the summit of the volcano.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Admissions to Natural Protected Area
Guided hike
Privileged early access for small groups.
Use of park's facilities
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hiking sticks available upon request
Personal expenses
Meals and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Parque Nacional Cerro Verde
Parque Nacional Los Volcanes (AKA Cerro Verde) is a compound of 3 major volcanoes, including the tallest (Santa Ana) and the youngest in El Salvador (Izalco). The lands in and beyond the Protected Area are habitat for one third of the known wildlife species in El Salvador and a mix of environments: from the coffee farms and solidified lava flows and from the lush cloud forest to the moorlands. This Protected Area is one of the natural jewels of El Salvador.
With this privileged early access you skip the crowds, the warmest hours and waiting in line. You walk your own pace and spend more time enjoying by the crater. Also called Santa Ana, this the tallest volcano in El Salvador and a terrific hike with stunning views to the valleys and Coatepeque caldera lake below. This is also the Easternmost peak of the majestic Apaneca mountain range, a belt formed by 14 volcanoes and the largest coffee country of El Salvador. Along the hike we walk through diverse environments, from the cloud forest to wasteland on the top. A couple of miradores offer great views and a good place for a rest. Once on the top you can see the massive and deep crater with a steaming turquoise sulfuric-acid lake at the bottom and the fumaroles spewing sulfuric gas. On a clear day from here you can see up to 9 volcanoes, the fertile Zapotitán valley and the Pacific Ocean coastline on the distance.
Options
Reaching the very summit!
Duration: 9 hours: 5 - 6 hours of actual walking time along coffee farms, rural roads and a lush cloud forest and moorland on the summit.
By Los Andes Sector: This is a 21 Km, less beaten track. A more challenging hike that takes you to the very summit of the mighty Santa Ana volcano
Pickup included
Hike a Trilogy of Volcanoes
Santa Ana, Izalco, Cerro Verde: This is one of the most challenging hikes: 3 major volcanoes in one day!
Do you dare? Not for the faints of heart.
Pickup included
Private Departure.Small Groups
Duration: 7 hours: At a glance
Distance walked: ~8 Km
Actual walking time: 3h30m - 4h
Elevation gain: ~450 m
Top elevation: 2278 masl
San Blas Sector: This is the most used and easiest trail to the rim of the crater.
With early privileged access you skip the crowds.
Pickup included
Reviews
10 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Alfredo Avalos made us feel safe and happy the entire hiking tour!!!!
Paulina M,
Jul 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alfredo Avalos is very knowledgeable about volcano hiking. He explained everything clearly and made sure we were safe during the whole trip. We got early access to the trail and avoided the crowds. The hike was a great experience, and we also learned a lot about the volcano. I highly recommend him as a guide.
Look no further this is your guy for El Salvador
Alan W,
Mar 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00100% recommend using Alfredo and nobody else. This man is the best, the hike was hard but he made it wonderful. We used him for a 8 day trip. We even changed things on the fly and he adjusted as needed and recommended places. The hotels he picked will blow your mind . Small private boutique places where he knows the owners personally. Super special touch .
Epic Santa Ana Hike with the Wonderful Alfredo
Francesca F,
Jun 25, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00I highly recommend the Santa Ana hike with Alfredo. Expect an early morning hike with the privilege of experiencing the cloud forest and natural wonders of Santa Ana on a private tour, beating the afternoon heat and crowds. Alfredo is a knowledgeable and attentive guide with passion for the land and country. It was a true pleasure to get to know Alfredo. Also, be sure to ask about his mom's pupuseria! 10/10
Cool hike with Senior Alfredo ;-)
PabsSkrobs,
Mar 8, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My friend and I had a pleasure to use services of Alfredo whilst climbing the St. Ana volcano in March 2022. "Pleasure" is not just a grammatical form used here: it stands for the actual description of the experience. Our guide turned to be knowledgeable and kind companion, who answered all our questions and tended to our needs (eg. A stopover at the coffee shop at our request). Chilled out, adaptive... worth highest recommendations.
Great guide, great hike!
mr107,
Feb 14, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alfredo is an excellent guide and we really enjoyed the excursion. On the way we were alone, so we could enjoy the views and the scenery for ourselves. Alfredo kept an eye on us at all times and told us many interesting things about El Salvador. Thank you very much from your friends in Spain, Italy and Poland!
A short and sweet sampling of El Salvador
elfox927,
Oct 16, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Friends living in El Salvador who have used Alfredo for tours in the past set us up with a private baby tortuga release, city tour, and a hike up Santa Ana with a side stop at the Cerro Verde cloud forest. Typically, I experience some anxiety meeting new people but Alfredo is so warm and friendly, I was immediately at ease. His passion for the country and the people come through in his historical and geographical knowledge of the area. We were even lucky enough to sample the fare from his family’s pupuseria (spoiler: the pupusas were amazing!). The turtle release was incredible, city tour enlightening, the volcano hike breathtaking, the food delicious. Alfredo is a wonderful, accommodating guide. Go to El Salvador, book some tours with Alfredo, have the trip of a lifetime. You will not regret it!
Volcano and downtown with Alfredo!
JenKPGH,
Oct 16, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alfredo is amazing. He is so knowledgeable and passionate about El Salvador and it’s history. We toured with Alfredo on more than one occasion, for a downtown tour and also the Santa Ana volcano hike. Both were incredible and I recommend Alfredo for any touring you’d like to do in El Salvador!! His family also makes amazing Papousas!! In business over 40 years Thank you again for everything, Alfredo!
Amazing Experience Hiking Santa Ana with Alfredo
Caballero55,
Aug 2, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alfredo is simply a terrific guide! He was knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and fluent in English. He picked us up as scheduled. We felt safe throughout the tour. We could tell we were in good hands with Alfredo. During the hike, Alfredo had a lot of great insight into the history, geography and botany of the volcano and the surrounding areas. We never would have learned about these things if we had not hired Alfredo. You can tell that Alfredo really enjoys his job and enjoys hiking. That enthusiasm was infectious. He was also friendly and a great conversationalist; we talked a lot about hiking, El Salvador, and the great outdoors. It was a joy to simply be around him. Alfredo knew a lot of the local people we encountered and they greeted him warmly. That says a lot about Alfredo and his reputation. In summary, we had a fantastic experience having Alfredo as our guide for the hike on the Santa Ana volcano. He helped give us a wonderful experience and we highly recommend Alfredo.
Volcano
andrewsO4870SY,
Jul 2, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great experience definitely recommend the volcano hike. Was a fantastic guide and very knowledgeable
Had a great time
38johnathanh,
Jul 1, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unreal views, unforgettable experience, great guide. If you do this tour it will definitely be a highlight of your time in El Salvador.
From US$93.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by Alfredo Avalos - Licensed Tour Guide in El Salvador