Ilamatepec Volcano

The Santa Ana Volcano, located in the homonymous department or Ilamatepec, its name comes from the Nahuat Ilamatepet and means The Hill of the Old Woman. It has an elevation of 2,381 m s. n. m. and it is the highest in this country. Its last eruptions occurred in 1904, in 1920 and in 2005 according to the Volcanic Explosivity Index, this volcano is level 3 out of 8.

It is part of the Los Volcanes complex in the Apaneca mountain range, within a tropical mountainous cloud forest, in a coffee-growing region about 65 kilometers west of the capital. The main activities in the region are agriculture and tourism.

In the month of August 2005, it presented the typical activity of many volcanoes prior to an eruption. On Saturday, October 1, 2005 at 8:00 (GMT-6) local time, there was an explosion in which the volcano expelled ash and rocks into the skies. Likewise, an avalanche of hot water began to descend from the crater, killing at least two people and forcing the evacuation of the San Blas area.

Oronymy

During colonial times, the Santa Ana volcano was known by the names Volcán de los Izalcos, Volcán de Fuego, and Volcán de Sonsonate.

Ilamatepet

This volcano has been known by the name Ilamatepec, this name comes from the Nahuat Ilamatepet and means The Hill of the Old Woman or Mountain of the Old Woman.

Location

It belongs to the Apaneca-ilamatepec Conservation Area and Biosphere Reserve, certified by UNESCO in September 2007, it is located between the municipalities of Santa Ana and Chalchuapa, in the Department of Santa Ana

The volcano as part of the Los Volcanes complex has the main characteristic to do with the hydrogeological linkage of the three volcanoes: Izalco, Cerro Verde and Ilamatepec. It is made up of the portions of San José Miramar, San Blas or Las Brumas, Ojo de Agua del Venado, Los Andes, El Paraíso, Volcán de Izalco, la Auxiliadora and Cerro Verde.

A declaration has been established for San Blas, Izalco Volcano, its lavas and San José Miramar. It has an approved Management Plan and mandatory compliance since 2006. It presents spectacular landscapes, active volcanoes, three different ecosystems and is part of the Montane Forests of Central America ecoregion. It has low-impact tourism potential up to massive visitation and has sites with the capacity for infiltration and aquifer recharge with forests in formation as primary succession on volcanic flow.

Biodiversity

Flora: More than 125 species of trees are reported to be present in the ecosystems: Altimontane Evergreen Broadleaf Tropical Forest. Altimontano Páramo and Lava flow with scarce vegetation. Predominating the species of wax stick, pine tree, sapuyulo or species typical of lava such as lichens, lycopodia, grasses and agaves; orchids of different species and bromeliads known as gallitos. In the moor there is a group of species unique in the country; They are characterized by having wide, flattened or soft leaves due to the presence of hairs. These species adapt to the sulfurous gases and strong winds that occur in the volcano. There are approximately 134 hectares of cypress plantations that were introduced by the former owners.

Fauna: Among the mammals are: coyotes, spin fox, deer, ocelot. Birds: short-tailed hawk, mountain falcon and black eagle among others. It is one of the few natural areas where monitoring of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles has been carried out.

Ecosystem services and attention to visitors: It has two visitation centers in the San Blas and Los Andes sectors. It has facilities for accommodation for researchers, tourists, camping areas, a multipurpose room, viewpoints and hiking trails that lead to the volcanic crater and a campfire area. Ecosystem services include community water supply, scenic beauty, recreation and tourism.

Climate

The climate is cool, on average around 6 °C to 8 °C, although it can vary abruptly to a warmer environment, this change largely depends on sunlight. At the beginning or end of the day, such as when clouds are present, the temperature drops, as does the wind. On a normal day, you can enjoy weather between 16°C to 24°C. In the months of May to October it rains heavily, so camping is recommended in the remaining months.

Tourism

For lovers of outdoor walks and beautiful landscapes, the ascent to the Ilamatepec crater and the summits of the other Volcanoes is allowed.

San Blas sector Park Ranger Station. Los Volcanoes National Park. El Salvador.

Los Volcanes National Park has three accesses enabled for tourists:

1. The Cerro Verde Natural Park Sector, easily accessible by paved road (Road to Cerro Verde). From there the departure to the Santa Ana volcano begins at 9am with a single departure. Also add that to go to the Ilamatepec or Santa Ana volcano it has a cost, one is the guide service and the cost for this is $3 per person and the other is the payment to enter the ANP sector San Blas to climb the volcano and the cost of this is $3 for a national or resident and $6 if it is a foreign person. It has a tourist center managed by the Salvadoran Institute of Tourism, trails, orchidarium, viewpoints, cafeteria, local guides and a mountain hotel known as Casa 1800. From here, hikes to the other volcanoes such as Izalco are organized, starting at 10: 45am with tourist police escort.

2. The San Blas Sector, with vehicular access through 200 meters of a dirt and stone bypass, 11 kilometers after the detour to Cerro Verde, has a park ranger station, cafeteria, “backpacker” type cabins and a more comfortable type version. igloo. From here trails start towards the summits of the three volcanoes.

3. The Los Andes Sector, 6.5 km along a dirt road (4x4 required) from the Highway to Cerro Verde (8.4 kilometers after the detour), is the most private, with a park ranger station, visitor center, infrastructure for training and events; biological station, properly equipped camping and lunch areas, orchidarium, dining room, “deckcamping” type ecological lodge and trail to the Santa Ana crater.

There are many places that offer cabins and fields for camping, everything must be done with prior reservation to avoid inconveniences, we show you a video of a camping property in Los Volcanes Park, Vacation in Los Volcanes Park. El Salvador.

In general the climate is cool. As in the rest of the country, the best months for field activities are May, June, October, November and December; although a visit at any other time will also be pleasant.

For safety reasons, hikes to the summits of the Izalco and Santa Ana volcanoes must be done in the company of local guides and specialized personnel; Get information at the guide, resource guard and tourist police stations.

Internal regulations for tourism in the Volcano as part of the Los Volcanes national park

• There is a mandatory registration in the entrance houses of the Park.
• Income of intoxicating beverages is prohibited, as well as smoking inside the park.
• Deposit the trash in plastic bags, and remove it from the area.
• The use of loudspeakers and horns of vehicles is prohibited as it affects wildlife behavior.
• If you carry weapons, you'll have to leave them at the entrance.
• Understand the suggestions of the Guides and Rangers, they are authorized to apply the Law on Protected Natural Areas.
• It is compulsory to ascend the crater guarded by POLITUR agents or Tourist Guides.
• Making a fire and kitchen is only allowed in the places indicated within the natural area.
• Handle, lime or graze rocks, trees, burners, tables, labels and cabins is not allowed.
• Visitors and people from the inner communities of the Park must refrain from driving bicycles and motorcycles, as well as riding horses or driving cattle through the streets and trails.
• The Rangers will decommission sound equipment, firearms, corvettes, mushrooms, drunk drinks and pets.
• Making scandals, burning gunpowder, screaming, playing musical instruments, lighting sound apparatus or intimidating third parties is forbidden.
• You must be careful when driving your vehicle, the maximum speed is 10 kilometers per hour in the case of Sector Los Andes.