Mountain Volcán Tacaná (4 110 m / 13 484 ft)

Hiking to the top of the Tacana is many hours of fascinating journey, some routes are stretched for a few days of leisurely, thoughtful ascent. The most popular routes to the summit both in Guatemala and Mexico are among the most interesting and picturesque across the continent as a whole and Central America in particular. On the way to the top there are luxurious jungle, farm villages, petrified lava flows and stone forest, stretching to the tops of the lower volcanic craters. From these areas begin the most spectacular views of the valley when the clouds are hovering right before your eyes, and other significant peaks heights are becoming more visible to the extent that, as thinning forests on the slopes offer a full view on the area adjacent to Takana. The slopes of the mountains offer a variety of locations to accommodate the campground - Haciendas, Potreros, Laguna Seca and the other located inside the exctinct crater.

Mountain Tacana is an active stratovolcano in Central America, located on the border of Guatemala and Mexico, which also is known as the Soconusco. Height at 4093 m allows it to be listed among the top ten highest peaks in Mexico and gives it the second position in the list of similar heights in Guatemala. The volcano erupted relatively recently - in 1986 there was a small release of molten rock. Despite the small scale of this eruption volcano remains dangerous for 250,000 people living in its whereabouts. Tacana starts a chain of hundreds of volcanoes stretching for 1,500 km parallel to the Pacific coast, known as the Volcanic Arch in Central America. There are several ways to the top from the part of Mexico, and from the part of Guatemala. In the valleys at the foot of the volcano unique and rich biological ecosystem thrives, some important cultural and economic assets of the region are also located there. Landscapes and views of the mountain peaks in this area of Central America are recognised for their highest aesthetic characteristics as national symbols of both countries in which they are located.

• Mexico State High Points

The volcano is located 15 km north of the Cacahoatán city in Chiapas state in Mexico, and on the part of Guatemala in the department of San Marcos. Climb from Guatemala side is shorter, but technically much harder and taking longer time in comparison with Mexico side climb. Approaches to hiking trails on the Mexican side of Takana are located near major cities, but the path to the summit from here is longer than Guatemalan ones, taking at least two days.

If traveling from Guatemala usually the route begins with a bus ride from Guatemala City to San Marcos, from there on the highway to San Jose San Jose Ojetenam, and after reaching the village - on the bus to Sibinal where the climbing starts. The total length of the journey - about 350 km. On the Mexican side trip starts from the city of Tapachula, where a shuttle bus to Cacahoatán, on arrival transfer to the bus to Union Juarez. From the Central square of Union Juarez it's a walking tour or a ride to the north of the village of Cordova and further to Talicuan.

Climbing volcano Tacana does not require a guide, but in some situations using one may be useful - until now there are rumors that on the slopes of the mountains landmines can be seen (from the side of Guatemala) that's why it is dangerous to deviate from the trail too far. One should avoid objects uncharacteristic for the natural landscape.

 

Climbing to the top of volcano Tacana popular during the celebration of Easter, which is celebrated in Mexico during the first week after the Spring Equinox - usually sometime around 21 March. These days on the slopes there is a huge number of climbers from Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico.

 

From the top of volcano Tacana almost all of the highest volcanoes and mountains in Guatemala and Mexico are seen, and, under certain weather conditions, the water of the Pacific Ocean. It is not recommended to drink the water from the crater on the top of Tacana.

 

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Guided Tours

• Italian Trek
• Petra Vertical
• Mundo Maya

• https://www.summitpost.org/volc-n-tacan/150301
• http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=8075
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcán_Tacaná
• http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=MEX+34&mode=all