GREEN El Salvador

The green of our mountains and forests.  This itinerary includes a Sea Turtle Conservation experience, volcano hiking, glamping, a tropical dry forest, a cloud forest, and a nonprofit activity around conservation:

Alegria Lagoon (Happiness Lagoon) is located inside the crater of Tecapa Volcano. It is also known as the emerald of America due to its turquoise color.  You will be able to walk to the edge of the crater and fill the sulfuric water.  Alegria is also a charming town that offers wonderful views of Central El Salvador.  Continue to Jiquilisco Bay, a UNESCO BiosphereReserve.  Four species of sea turtles nest in El Salvador: Leatherback, Green, Olive Ridley, and Hawksbill; this last one highly endangered and Jiquilisco Bay is its main nesting point on all the Eastern Pacific.  Night in Jiquilisco Bay.

Today you will participate in a sea turtle conservation experience along with local biologists.  You will witness how they safely capture a sea turtle in order to study it.  You will be able to help them with measurements.  Several other types of data are obtained such as DNA sample, exact location the turtle was found, etc.  All this information has been creating a very important database that provides invaluable insight regarding sea turtle behavior; helping design the strategies for their conservation.  The sea turtle is safely released back into the ocean. Night in Jiquilisco Bay.

El Salvador is the country with more volcanoes per square kilometers in the world. After checkout, you will start your trip towards El Boquerón, which stands for big mouth; the name of the crater of San Salvador Volcano. The area offers beautiful views of San Salvador city, restaurants, cafes and Boquerón Park, where you will be able to walk to the edge of the crater at 1,900 meters above sea level. Then, continue west to Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where you will spend the night in a glamping site in the middle of three volcanoes. Glamping in Volcanoes National Park.

Three main volcanoes and a volcanic lake form Volcanoes National Park. One of them is Izalco Volcano, also known as “Lighthouse of the Pacific”, since in the 1800´s and early 1900´s ships sailing on the coasts of El Salvador guided themselves with the glowing lava being expelled by its crater. It is the third youngest volcano in the Western Hemisphere since it was born in the 1700´s. On the other hand, Santa Ana Volcano is thousands of years old. No lava is currently flowing, but both volcanoes are still active since constant fumaroles are present. Both volcanoes are accessible for hiking trails that lead to their corresponding craters. Today, you will hike Santa Ana Volcano with its solid and massive body. Once at the top, it offers the view of Coatepeque Lake as well as the sulfur green lagoon inside the crater. Total hike takes about 4 hours. On a clear day, even the ships on the Pacific Ocean can be seen. In the afternoon, enjoy meaningful time with the local children and our nonprofit organization Share Smiles, which supports communities in areas with tourism potential. The focus of the activity will be around conservation. Glamping in Volcanoes National Park.

Early morning departure towards a beautiful cloud forest called Montecristo. It has elevations ranging from 800 to 2,400 meters above sea level and offers the widest variety of flora in El Salvador. In its 100 Year Garden, you will be able to see about 250 different species of orchids; if lucky, you will also be able to spot the magnificent Quetzal bird. One of its many treks will take you to the exact point where three countries meet: El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Return to Volcanoes National Park. Glamping in Volcanoes National Park.

After check out, continue to El Imposible Forest, one of the most important natural parks of El Salvador since it is an ecosystem that is endangered worldwide: Tropical dry forest. It also offers a rich diversity of wildlife and a great source of water resources. You will enjoy trekking and refreshing yourself in one of its pristine rivers. Continue to San Salvador.