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- Exploring tropical forest ecologies
- Kayaking through mangroves searching for wildlife
- Taking surfing lessons on a pristine beach
- Interacting with locals and learning about their way of life
- Learning about sea turtles through a conservation project
- Hiking up volcanos through cloud forests
- Wandering through charming colonial towns
- Creating your own scarf and learning about traditional indigo dying process
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Day 1 SAN SALVADOR (-,-,-)
Arrive San Salvador airport. Your driver will pick you up at the airport and drive to your hotel in the capital San Salvador.
Overnight: Hotel Sal y Luz 4*
Day 2 JOYA DE CEREN – APANECA (B,-,-)
Breakfast. Your guide picks you up and drives you to Joya de Ceren which was declared world heritage by UNESCO in 1993 for being the only location in the whole Mayan culture where you can appreciate the day to day living styles of the popular pre-Columbian inhabitants. Joya de Ceren was buried by several eruptions of volcanoes and the village under 14 layers of ash. The villagers were apparently able to escape in time – no bodies have been found – although they left behind utensils, ceramics, furniture, and even half-eaten food in their haste to escape.
Afterwards, head-off to one of El Salvador’s Mayan ruins, San Andres which was inhabited by Maya between AD 600 and 900. There is nice small museum on site.
Afternoon transfer to the mountains of the Ruta de Las Flores (the Route of Flowers), famous for its abundance of wild growing flowers. This region has beautiful panoramic views of the mountain side coffee plantations, lagoons and dense cloud forests. Take a look around at the little town of Ataco, colourfully decorated with murals and authentic crafts shops.
Overnight: Hotel Casa Degraciela 4*
Day 3: APANECA (B,-,-)
Today you seek adventure around the Green Lagoon (Laguna Verde) with the serene sounds of the cloud forest. Several active options around: You can mountain bike or hike. Bike tour starts up the mountains of Apaneca and visits the Laguna Verde Crater Lake and takes you on a downhill ride which can be all the way into the near colonial town. Another option is to hike around the lagoon, trough the coffee plantations.
In the afternoon you will experience a marvelous sensation of flying through the skies trough the coffee plantation in the Apaneca region. You will slide down in more than 2000 meters of cable, fourteen platforms suspended from the canopy trees, up to 150 meters per trek.
Hotel Casa Degraciela 4*
Day 4: CERRO VERDE NATIONAL PARK & LAKE COATEPEQUE (B,-,-)
Breakfast. You will get up early to drive to the National Park “Los Volcanes” boasting the three volcanoes of Izalco, Santa Ana and Cerro Verde. The scenery is spectacular and have a wide biodiversity. You will be able to spot some 300 year old trees climbing to amazing heights. There are many species of animals living inside the park; among them are various types of hummingbirds and the black birds known as “chara” which feed other birds such as toucans, during their mating season. Along the path witness ‘The Orchids’ and admire the beauty of these exotic plants that grow wild in the region.
At 11 am you will hike up Volcano Ilamatepec (Santa Ana) reaching 2,381 meters above sea level, the tallest volcano in El Salvador. The volcano has four craters and one of them has a sulphur lagoon. Its most recent eruption was during the morning of October 1st. 2005. The volcano is located within the hills of Apaneca, surrounded by cloud forests, in region full of coffee plantations. Great views of Lake Coatepeque await.
In the afternoon you will have time for a late lunch at Lake Coatepeque with an amazing view over the lake! Lake Coatepeque is a sparkling blue crater lake, 6 kms wide, 120 meters deep and surrounded by steep green slopes of Volcano Izalco and Santa Ana.
Afterwards you’ll be transferred to the picturesque colonial town of Suchitoto.
Overnight: Hotel Los Almendros de San Lorenzo 4*
Day 5: SUCHITOTO (B,-,-)
Breakfast. Suchitoto dates back from the pre-Columbian times and on the arrival of the Spanish it was one of the area’s most densely populated by the Pipiles. Walking through the narrow streets of the city of Suchitoto, learn its history and its conservation by seeing all of the full colonial buildings and cobblestone streets, and visit the cultural treasures of the Church of Santa Lucia on the main plaza, panoramic streets, old houses, and the “theater of the ruins”.
Indigo is a natural colorant extracted from the Xiquilite plant. It was a very important element for the Mayans since they used it for magic/religious rituals, as a medical plant, for pottery and for painting. During an Indigo workshop you will learn all about the process and enjoy designing your own scarf!
Suchitoto has great colonial houses and church, art galleries and is close to Lake Suchitlan. Lake Suchitlan is a former river that was dammed and has an rich ecosystem that offers much ornithological interest for abundance as well as for the variety of bird species, pelicans, herons and storks. We will have a historical city tour around all the interesting points in town. Guided walk in Suchitoto, visiting the church, market and corn mill.
Overnight: Hotel Los Almendros de San Lorenzo 4*
Day 6: SUCHITOTO (B,-,-)
Get up early and have some activities around Suchitoto. You can go horseback riding to Guazapa with an ex-guerilla local guide and see their former combat and campsites, trenches, tattoos, and bomb holes. Guazapa was the scenario for multiple bombings and military raids as it was a strategic bastion of the rebels for twelve years and in a repeated attempt by the army to retake the territory.
Or option to visit Cinquera, a small and picturesque rural community located in the Salvadorian Department of Cabañas, where the post war community is a great example of how to work together to have a better life. Here, sustainability and establishing a nature preserve are high priorities. The history of this community changed from being a ghost town during El Salvador’s civil war to a well-organized community living in peace. Here, you will visit their natural reserve, where you will hike through the rainforest with local guide.
In the afternoon you will visit the waterfalls of los Tercios.
Overnight: Hotel Los Almendros de San Lorenzo 4*
Day 7 SUCHITOTO TO THE BAY OF JIQUILISCO (B,L,-)
Transfer from Suchitoto to the Jiquilisco Bay, a natural treasure in the Eastern part of the country that is home to abundant biodiversity, declared a RAMSAR site and a Biosphere Reserve. Bahia de Jiquilisco is home for more than 17 species that live in the mangrove forest full with natural resources.
You can go through the channels by kayak and enter the deep mangrove swamps where you can observe birds, colourful crabs, and fish.
Participate in this amazing tour capturing and releasing giant turtles (Hawksbill or Black Turtles). Learn about what ICAPO (http://www.hawksbill.org/) project does in order to protect sea turtles. Tours are done as part of the sustainability of the conservation project. By taking this tour you will be supporting the continuous research for the conservation project. Expect to weigh and measure the turtles, take a skin sample and place a plate on the turtle. This tour is guided by professionals: vets or biologist who work directly with the conservation program.
Overnight: Puerto Barillas Lodge 3*
Day 8: EL CUCO (B,-,-)
Transfer to the east coast where you stay close to the town of El Cuco, most beautiful beaches of El Salvador!
Being in El Salvador, around world class surf breaks, we will introduce you to surfing with your first surf lesson from a professional surfer. The sandy beaches at the west coast of El Salvador are excellent for beginners to learn to surf. The waves on the inside are not that powerful, best at high tide. The surf instructors will help you to ride your first waves. You will have the board for the rest day so you can practice.
Overnight: Hotel Los Mangos 4*
Day 9: EL CUCO (B,-,-)
Day at leisure – or if you are up for it another surf lesson!
Overnight: Hotel Los Mangos 4*
Day 10: EL CUCO – AIRPORT (B,-,-)
Transfer back to the airport, to be in time for your flight!
-End of Services-
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TRIP INCLUSIOSN
4* accommodation for 9 nights in double/twin room at in mentioned hotels or similar
Services of Experienced English speaking guides
Applicable taxes
Meals as per itinerary
Tours, park entrance fees, and permits according to the itinerary, with English-speaking guide
Transportation as mentioned in the itinerary
Tips for staff for guide, driver, local guides and service providers
Pre-trip information package and comprehensive pre-trip support
Tour Exclusions
- Extras at hotels (telephone calls, room service, porterage, laundry, etc.)
Meals and beverages not mentioned above
International Flights (quoted separately)
Mandatory Travel Medical Insurance (click HERE for a quote)
Meals, snacks or drinks not specified in the itinerary
Any additional/extra tours or park fees
Personal and/or medical expenses
Costs associated with changes to your itinerary for reasons beyond our control
Any other service not mentioned in the “included” list or the itinerary
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PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change. Although we always do our best to stick to the itinerary, due to the ever changing nature of our world, activities, hotels, and sites are subject to change due to forces beyond our control.
HOTELS: If at time of booking quoted hotels are not available, similar hotels will be booked and price is subject to change.
CUSTOM TRAVEL: Want to tweak the itinerary? No problem. Let us know and we will change it to best suit your needs.
PASSPORTS: Must be valid for at least 6 months upon return date to your home country. Proper documentation is the responsibility of each traveller.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Pricing” tab_id=”1450636013406-74147471-0e7d”][vc_column_text]WHEN: This tour can be organized at any time of year. Travel during peak season will result in a surcharge.
PRICES FROM: $2075 USD per participant Double / Twin based on two travellers
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: +$595USD
A 20% non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking to reserve your place. Please contact info@finisterra.ca for more booking information. We accept payment by eTransfer, wire transfer, and credit card.
FINAL PAYMENT:
Full payment is due 60 prior to departure.
Contact: info@finisterra.ca
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