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REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed by the trip leader(s) and NOT the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for payment details and instructions.



Earth, Wind and Fire in Guatemala




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala   Hike: Earth, Wind and Fire in Guatemala  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Mar 8 2012  2:00 pm >> Mon, Mar 12 2012 8:00 am
Registration Opens: Wed, Dec 28 2011 12:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Feb 23 2012 5:00 pm
Event Duration:Four days
Difficulty Rating:D7: Extreme
Distance:11 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Oscar
Lisa Maldonado
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Member Cost:$220.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:17
Minimum Group Size:5
Number Registered So Far: 22 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
This is a great opportunity to visit a beautiful country in Central America that offers many opportunities for outdoor activities: Guatemala. In this event we will visit the city of Antigua (the old capital), some of the colonial ruins from the earthquake of 1773 and climb the "Volcán de Agua" (Water volcano). Volcán de Agua is said to be one of nature's best pieces of art, being its shape almost perfect, and a popular hike among locals and foreigners.


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:

- Hike Acatenango volcano (13.040 ft.), an ardous 5-6 hr. ascent.
- Hike [active] Pacaya volcano (8,370 ft.).
- Visit Lake Atitlán and Panajachel, a town by Lake Atitlán, and the heart of an important Native Indian area a few hrs. away from Antigua.
- Visit Chichicastenango, a a very colorful Native Indian town filled with traditions.
- Visit Tikal Mayan ruins. The largest Mayan city ruins open to the public in the Peten rain forest on the northern part of Guatemala. To get there one must take a one hr. flight from Guatemala City. Two and three-day trips are available in different types of accommodations to fit your budget.
- Rock climbing in Quetzaltenango.
- Breakfast at a Macadamia nut farm.
- Visit of coffee plantation.
- Treetop zipline (canopying) and other activities are available near Antigua.
- The Pacific Ocean is 1½ hrs. away.

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.


Required Items to Bring:
Valid Passport.

Your passport must have a validity of at least 6 months past the departure date from Guatemala (09/12/2012).
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Personal Equipment List:
- Hiking boots
- Sun hat
- Rain gear
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Personal First-aid kit
- Head lamp and Batteries
- 1.5 liter Nalgene bottle
- Camera
- Extra snacks
- Trekking poles.

Notes:
NOTE: We will schedule meetings to answer questions and organize ourselves for this unique adventure!

CDC Health Information for Travelers to Guatemala
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/guatemala.htm


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Member Cost:$220.00/Person
Cost Includes:- Transport from Guatemala City airport to Antigua.
- Hotel accommodation in Antigua (double occupancy) for 3 nights. (Single occupancy will have an additional $135 charge for lodging totalling $355 for the trip.)
- Breakfasts.
- Breakfast the day of the hike is at 5:30 am (if you think it is too early to eat at that time, you can take a box breakfast provided by the hotel -with 2 sandwiches,one ham and one cheese, fruit juice and a fruit).
- Urban hike visiting the city and colonial ruins.
- Transport from Antigua to Santa Maria de Jesus to start hike and return to Antigua.
- Professional English speaking guide.
- Transport from Antigua to Guatemala City airport.

Cost does NOT include:

- Airfare: Atlanta/Guatemala City (starting at $466 Spirit Airlines w/stop over in Ft. Lauderdale and other airlines, or Delta non-stop $680).
- Side trips.
- Hotel miscellaneous expenses.
- Personal Expenses.
- Meals not mentioned in program.
Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: If you cancel on or before Jan 31, receive a full refund. No refunds are possible after that date.