No 5. Tajumulco 4,219m, Guatemala.

Updated: Jun 23, 2022

24.01.2011 - Tajumulco 4,219m, Guatemala (UN Country High Point).

Information

Volcán Tajumulco is a large stratovolcano in the department of San Marcos in western Guatemala. It is the highest mountain in Central America at 4,203 metres (13,789 ft). It is part of the mountain range of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, which begins in Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas.

Summary

This was a pretty standard two day hike with an overnight camp high on Tajumulco using 'Quetzal Trekkers' working out of Quetzaltenango. We used the treking company for transport convenience more than anything as we were short of time having done a few other multi day treks earlier in the holiday and we were flying out the next day. I will add they were very efficient but don't expect qualified mountain guides from the international set of 'helpers' that they employ.

This is a great climb on good trails and is not technical in any way. It also has decent mountain views over both Mexico and Guatemala. You could quite easily do this hike yourself if you'r fit, have maps, have the time and are confident in your mountain ability.

Despite being a popular climb the mountain can only be reached by bus rides to the trail head normally through nearby San Sebastian or San Marcos. Ask to be dropped off at "Llano de la Guardia" which is near the turnoff to the tiny village of Tuichan (30 kms from San Sebastian). Once you are dropped off at the trailhead junction with the RN121N road you start hiking up on wide farm type paths at first and then move onto good foot paths but in the glare of the open sun. I did not make turn by turn notes but if you have a gps or smartphone use the gpx file. It is all pretty simple to follow. At around 3,000m you enter the pine forests where there is some welcome respite from the sun and eventually follow a ridgeline. After about six hours hiking you get to a decent level spot in the forest which denotes your summit camp. This is actually the col between Tajumulco and Cerro Conception at around 4,000m. Here we relaxed and slept before gettin up predawn for the early 1.5 hour morning ascent the next day to the summit to see the sunrise. We used head torches to go around the north rim of the summit crater and the route was rocky with some easy scrambling in places. However the rather shabby indistinct summit was easily attained and the early morning sunrise views were superb despite the cold (you are at 4,000+ meters). Tajumulco is a plum proper volcano and so after loitering for photos we started the decent back to the campsite albeit going around to the south side of the crater on a different route. The view into the crater at some points were quite awesome. Once again it was easy enough. After getting back to tents it was a quick cup of coffee and breakfast and then an easy decent back down to the trail head.

All in all we had great weather and it was a very pleasant comfortable hiking route, thoroughly enjoyable in every respect. It was nowhere excessively steep apart for the last few hundred meters getting onto the summit.

Parking: Bus to start of route.

Route: A pretty standard two day hiking route with high overnight camp and earl sunrise ascent.

Route Statistics: Over two days, 12.5kms with 1,157m of ascent.

Ascent Entry on Peakbagger: Volcan Tajumulco

GPX files: For gpx files click on the below.