El Salvador Wilderness Tour: Long Version (12 days)

El Salvador might be a small country, but packs a big punch when it comes to nature and wildlife. Known for its stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems, El Salvador is home to a wide range of flora and fauna that is sure to delight nature enthusiasts of all ages. From lush tropical forests to misty volcanoes, pristine beaches to rugged canyons, the country's natural beauty is truly breathtaking.

One of the main highlights of El Salvador's nature is Montecristo National Park,  in the western highlands of El Salvador, near the border with Honduras. It is known for its diverse ecosystems, which include cloud forests, pine forests, and wetlands. The park is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including many species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. It is a popular destination for hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography.

Another highlight is Jiquilisco Bay, the largest mangrove forest in Central America and an important breeding and feeding ground for marine species such as sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, rays, and many types of fish.

La Joya Forest Reserve is another must-see place, it's a Cloud Forest Reserve located in the western highlands of El Salvador. Here you can find a rich diversity of plants and animals, including many species of hummingbirds and the Resplendent Quetzal.

Cerro Verde National Park is also a great destination, here you can hike to the volcano summit and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, and see many bird species like the White-faced Capuchin, the Black-faced Solitaire and the Black Guan.

El Imposible National Park is another destination that offers diverse ecosystems, including cloud forests, canyons, and rivers. It's home to many species of birds and mammals, such as the Three-wattled Bellbird, the Golden-browed Chlorophonia, and the Howler Monkey.

In addition to those, El Salvador offers a wide range of other natural and wildlife attractions, such as the San Diego Y la Barra, El Boqueron and many other sites.

This tour focuses on camping, hiking, birdwatching and wildlife. This tour is run in English or in Spanish. For camping it is best to bring your own sleeping bag and mattress. Tents can be rented.

Summary of the tour:

Day 1: Arrival in San Salvador
Day 2: La Joya Forest Reserve
Day 3: Jiquilisco Bay
Day 4: San Diego La Barra
Day 5 and 6: Montecristo National Park
Day 7: Santa Ana Volcano
Day 8: Ruta de las Flores - Ataco
Day 9: Impossible National Park
Day 10: Barra de Santiago
Day 11: Back to San Salvador
Day 12: Departure 

Tour in depth:

Day 1: Arrival in San Salvador

Our team will wait for you at the airport and bring you to your hotel or if time permits, we already go towards La Joya Forest Reserve.

Day 2: La Joya Forest Reserve

La Joya Forest Reserve is a cloud forest reserve located in the western highlands of El Salvador. Known for its beautiful landscapes and diverse ecosystems, the reserve is home to a rich diversity of plants and animals, making it a must-see destination for nature enthusiasts.

The reserve spans an area of 1500 hectares, where visitors can hike through the cloud forest, enjoying the sights and sounds of the forest, such as the bird song from the many species of birds that call the reserve home. The reserve is home to more than 200 bird species, including the Resplendent Quetzal and the Three-wattled Bellbird, and also several species of mammals and reptiles. We will stay overnight in a cabin or guesthouse in the area. 

Day 3: Jiquilisco Bay

Jiquilisco Bay is a beautiful bay located in the south-eastern coast of El Salvador, it is known for its extensive mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, and rich marine life. It is the largest mangrove forest in Central America and an important breeding and feeding ground for many marine species such as sharks, dolphins, rays, and various types of fish. We’ll start the day with a boat tour of the mangrove forests, where you can discover the diverse marine life of the bay, including dolphins, sea birds, and many species of fish.

We’ll also go see one of the bay's fishing communities, where you can learn about the traditional way of life and livelihood of the local people. We’ll also go to see sea turtles who nest here. 

This tour is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Jiquilisco Bay, learn about the local culture and lifestyle of the communities that live along the bay and have a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting its ecosystems for the conservation of marine life and for the benefit of the local communities.

In the evening we’ll drive towards San Salvador and stay overnight at a hotel near the city.


Day 4: San Diego La Barra

Today we have around and on and a half driving to our next destination. Bosque San Diego La Barra is a forested area part of the department of Santa Ana, in the northwest of the Central American country of El Salvador near the borders with Honduras and Guatemala. It is located in the eastern part of Lake Güija and the southern part of the Metapán Lagoon. As part of a Nature Reserve it is a protected space. There have been several initiatives and projects to promote its protection and reforestation campaigns. It is part of the San Diego and La Barra National Park, which has approximately 1700 ha. We’ll have a nice hike in the forest and if time permits we’ll also discover Lago Güija. We’ll go to spend the night at Reserva Ecoturistica Piedra Iman. 

Day 5 and 6: Montecristo National Park

After exploring the area where we spent the night, we’ll go to Montecristo National Park, we will hike here and camp for one night. On the last night we’ll go to a guesthouse. 

Day 7: Santa Ana Volcano

Today we’ll go on top of the famous Santa Ana Volcano, located in the Cerro Verde National Park, in the Western highlands of El Salvador. It covers an area of more than 5,700 hectares and offers visitors a chance to hike and discover diverse ecosystems such as cloud forests, pine forests, and wetlands.

The Santa Ana volcano is an active volcano that stands at 2,381 meters above sea level, it offers visitors the chance to climb to the summit and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The volcano is one of the highest points in El Salvador, and offers some of the most spectacular views of the country.

We’ll start the day with a guided hike to the volcano's base, where you can learn about the volcano's history, geology, and wildlife and begin the ascent to the volcano's summit, a challenging hike but the views from the top are worth it.

Keep in mind that climbing Santa Ana volcano can be physically demanding, and it's recommended that only those who are in good physical shape participate. It's important to wear comfortable shoes, bring enough water and wear appropriate clothing. It's also important to always follow the instructions of the guide.

Day 8: Ruta de las Flores - Ataco

After breakfast we’ll drive the most famous road in El Salvador: Ruta de las Flores. We’ll have a few stops in the charming little towns we’re passing on the road and will arrive in Ataco around lunch time, which is one of the most beautiful towns in El Salvador and famous for its colorful murals. Here we will visit a coffee processing facility and if time permits we’ll also go to see some nearby waterfalls. We will stay here for the night.

The Ruta de las Flores, or "Route of the Flowers" is a popular tourist route in El Salvador that winds through the picturesque towns of the western highlands of the country. The route takes visitors through lush cloud forests, charming colonial-era towns, and picturesque coffee plantations, offering a glimpse of El Salvador's rich culture and natural beauty.

This route includes several towns, such as Apaneca, Ataco, Juayua, Nahuizalco and Sonsonate. Each town is known for its unique charm and cultural heritage, with colorful traditional festivals, delicious local cuisine, and handcrafted souvenirs.

Day 9: Impossible National Park

Impossible National Park is right on Ataco’s doorstep, so we’ll get to hike here the whole day to explore the park and will either camp at the park or stay at a cabin.

El Imposible National Park, also known as El Imposible, is a protected area located in the western region of El Salvador. This park spans an area of around 15,000 hectares, and is considered one of the most important conservation areas in the country. The park is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including cloud forests, tropical dry forests, and mangrove swamps, as well as a rich variety of plant and animal species.

El Imposible is known for its rugged and steep terrain, making it a challenging but rewarding destination for hikers and trekkers. The park offers several hiking trails, which offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park's diverse ecosystems and wildlife.

The park is also home to a rich diversity of birds, including several species of parrots, trogons, tanagers and hummingbirds, as well as many species of mammals, reptiles and insects. The park also has a beautiful waterfall which is a great spot to take a dip and cool off after a hike.

Day 10: Barra de Santiago

After spending the night at Impossible, we’ll go explore the coastline of Barra de Santiago. Barra de Santiago, El Salvador is a small coastal town located in the western part of the country. It is situated on the Gulf of Fonseca, and is known for its beautiful beaches and lush mangrove forests. The town is a popular spot for fishing, both for local residents and tourists, and is home to a number of seafood restaurants that serve fresh, delicious seafood. In addition to fishing, the town is also a popular destination for water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding. Barra de Santiago is also home to a number of eco-tourism initiatives that aim to protect the local mangrove forests and wildlife, which include diverse bird species and the endangered manatee. We’ll explore the mangroves and if you want you can also hire kayak or paddleboard this afternoon. 

Day 11: Back to San Salvador

In the early afternoon, we’ll head back to San Salvador where we’ll help you check in at your hotel and you can enjoy a free evening. Tomorrow we’ll be back to pick you up and bring you to the airport. 

Day 12: Departure

Today we’ll bring you to the airport. We can also transport you to the border between El Salvador and Guatemala or Honduras and arrange your border crossing and transport.

Included: 

- Accommodation in midrange/upper midrange hotels/guesthouses
- All transport in private vehicles
- Professional, local English speaking guide  (or Spanish of course)

- All entrance fees and activities as describes 

Not included: 

- Visa and tourist pass 

- Flights 

- Meals and drinks 

- Tips and gratuities