Private Santa Ana Hike: Izalco, Cerro Verde and the Pacific from the Top

What you see from the summit is the argument for the climb: the sulphur lagoon in the crater below you, Lake Coatepeque on one side, the Izalco cone, the green of Cerro Verde, and beyond all of it the Pacific. The operator takes only a limited number of guests a day and starts before the busy hours, so the trail is quiet and the viewpoints are not three deep in people. The guide is certified and bilingual and sets the pace by what your group can manage rather than by a timetable, which on a volcano is the difference between a good day and an endurance test. The history, the geology and the local culture come with the walk. Transport is private, with pick-up and drop-off at your hotel. Lunch comes after the descent, at a local restaurant on Lake Coatepeque, in front of the water. The group is yours alone, from the moment you are collected to the moment you are dropped back.