5am climb on Santa Maria Volcano

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Just a short note to let you all know that I had the most spectacular day today in Guatemala! I rose at 4:45 am and set off in complete darkness to climb the fourth highest volcano in Guatemala, Santa Maria at 12,375 feet/3772m. It was so intensely beautiful that it made me melt. When we got to the top of the volcano a few hours later, I saw my first ever live volcano eruption right across the way at Santiaguito Volcano. Here it is….

There are two other options for climbing The Santa Maria Volcano. One is you start at 11 pm and do a moonlight hike and watch the sun rise over the neighboring volcanoes (there are tons!) but it is very very cold. The other is a 2 or 3 am start and you arrive just as the sun rises over the volcanoes. Apparently if you do the night hike you can see the brilliant red lava gleaming from a neighboring volcano!!!! If I was here a little longer than a week, I would have definitely done it. I can’t imagine how amazing it would be to see burning live lava in the darkness of the night!

Stay tuned…This is just a quick “postcard” summary of my trip. I took over 150 pictures today of the amazing volcano, countryside and farmland. Of course I need to edit and write it all up as a post! That will be when I return!

12 thoughts on “5am climb on Santa Maria Volcano”

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I used Adrenalina Tours and I was the only one on the trek. Looking back I hope this was ok and safe. I’d heard of some muggings occasionally along the route. Oh well. I’m safe and sound now and LOVED the experience! What a place!

      Reply ↓

  3. Wow! I don’t know what else to say. That is absolutely incredible. I would kill to see that in person, and can’t wait to see more photos!
    Hugs,
    Kathy

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes it was nuts! Then I saw another one erupting on my last day in town in Antigua. Now that I’m home I look back and realize how crazy this is. Good thing it wasn’t more substantial or dangerous!

      Reply ↓
  5. Jennifer Avventura – Canadian Freelance writer living in Sardinia, Italy. A serial immigrant who has lived in Australia, England, Cayman Islands and Jamaica. When she's not out running 6k you will find her sitting at the computer - writing her novel and searching for worldwide work.
    Jennifer Avventura on said:

    Wow, what an amazing morning you had. Thanks for the postcards, keep them coming!

    Reply ↓
  6. Rory Alexander – Ever growing blogger that spent 2 years in living in China, then 6 weeks backpacking around New Zealand and is now back home in South Africa for the foreseeable future.
    Rory Alexander on said:

    That’s awesome, looking forward to the full write up.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Lu for all the wonderful comments! I’m just trying to catch up. You would love Guatemala!

      Reply ↓

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