Earth, Wind and Fire in Guatemala

Antigua was built in 1534 as the capital of the Spanish colony in Central America. The city was destroyed in 1773 by the Santa María Earthquake and relocated to the new capital. This has allowed Antigua to keep a charm of the past; it is like going back in time more than a hundred years (without the solitude).

It is a beautiful city surrounded by volcanoes, only an hour SE of Guatemala City. As the city prepares for Easter, which is the most important and busiest week of the year, you will see how a laid back town turns into a colorful and busy place. Religious processions start to take place on weekends at the beginning of March making this an impressive time to be there.

You will arrive in Guatemala City. The event includes trasport from airport to Antigua.

Day One: Arrival early afternoon and time to chill out and acclimate.

Day Two: Urban hike around Antigua, visiting ruins of colonial buildings destroyed during the earthquake of 1773, craft market and acclimation.

Day Three: Breakfast at 5:30 am to leave at 6 am. to Santa María de Jesús to start hike. Hike Volcán de Agua to the top and enjoy the beautiful views.

Day Four: Free day to visit around town and see processions, or take side trips.

We will hike up Volcán de Agua, the third highest volcano in Guatemala. This is a special experience not to miss as the views are incredible, as we reach the top at 12.336 ft. On a clear day active Pacaya and Fuego (fire) volcanoes are in view, as well as Acatenango and Atitlan dormant volcanoes. Sometimes the Pacific Ocean can be seen.

As this is the dry season in Guatemala, the mornings are cool and the days hot. The hike up the Water volcano will start early to avoid the heat in Antigua, but will get cold as we ascend. Plan to bring warm layers to wear. We will follow trails that go through coffee plantations, pastures, and about two-thirds of the way up, the humid sub tropical climate will suddenly change to high sierra with thick meadows of high grass and burn out husks of trees, and the temperature begins to drop significantly. The  steep switchbacks announce that we get close to the crater of the volcano. The summit contains a 250 yd. diameter crater that provides shelter for those who camp there. The views are breathtaking!

The hike is a moderate to strenuous 8.2 miles of high altitude hiking.

Antigua is located at 5,030 ft. and the Water volcano reaches 12,336 ft. We will start the hike in Santa María de Jesús, at 6,791 ft. Therefore, we will ascend 7,306 ft. from Antigua, of which 5,545 ft. will be done during the hike. It takes 3.5 to 5 hr. to reach the summit depending on your physical condition.

Hotel accomodations will be at the Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo. www.posadadedonrodrigo.com. We negotiated a hotel group rate that includes taxes and breakfast, based on double occupancy. We have reserved a block of rooms from March 8-12 in Antigua. If you would like to stay more days please let the organizers know to contact hotel for availability.

The lodging will be paid directly by organizer to hotel. You have to pay for any additional hotel expenses (meals except breakfast, room service, laundry, telephone calls, etc.).

Optional side trips include:

Frommers Guatemala

Payment Schedule:

1. The full amount of $220 by check, must be received by Feb. 23, 2012. Please make the check out to Oscar Tarrago and  mail payment to: Eva de Vallescar, 709 Tuxworth Circle, Decatur, GA 30033.

Registration Requirements

1. Open to all AOC members. We would love to have members of our sister clubs (The Maryland Outdoor Club, The Calgary Outdoor Club, The Edmonton Outdoor Club, or the Raleigh Outdoor Club) join us on this trip. All must register through the AOC for the event.

Because this is a D5 international event, make sure you are in good health condition and physically fit. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the organizers.

We must receive, by Feb. 23, 2012 the following information: a. Your name as it appears in your passport; b. your nationality and passport number; c; your passport's expiration date; d. your date of birth; e. Your occupation.

The expiration date of your passport must be at least six months after the date you leave Guatemala. Therefore, you cannot be included in the trip if you do not have a valid passport by the cut off date. It may take up to six weeks to get a US passport.

If you do not satisfy all these requirements by the cut off date you will be removed from the list of participants.

Antigua is at an altitude of 5,030 ft. and the Water volcano at 12,336ft., therefore we will gain 7,306 ft., of which more than half will be done during the 5 hr. hike. Acclimatization is very important the day you arrive and the following day.