NATIONAL PARK AND BEACHES

Ecological National Parks, Protected Areas and Beaches
Eight Days
Departure from USA: Daily

DAY 1: Arrival in San Salvador
Upon arrival in San Salvador, guests are met & transferred to hotel for overnight.
Overnight accommodations

DAY 2: El Espino Eco Park
Breakfast. Eco-park El Espino is an 87 acre protected area in the Quezaltepeque volcano. It has 3 pathways, a hanging bridge, view point decks, fumaroles and a meteorology study station. This is a very important place the city of San Salvador because is the sanctuary for more than 106 species of native and migration birds like Mot Mot, Magpie, Parakeets, Parrots, and Toucans among others. Being San Salvador’s “lung” it becomes a very important place where water springs down and feeds the cities around. There you find a great variety of flora like Cinnamon Madrecacao, Laurel (bay leaf), Jiote, Caimito, Amate, Capoc, Pepeto, Guayaba, Pine, Mango, Avocado, Cedar, Cypres, Bread Fruit, Balsam, Guachipilín, Chilindrón, Nacaspilo, Ujushte, Llama del Bosque and especially coffee plantations.

After lunch you will surround the volcano in vehicle to go visit the other side of the beautiful Quezaltepeque volcano and its largest crater. Along the way up you will be able to enjoy of a
panoramic view of the capital city. But before coming down to civilization you´ll experience an adventurous descent along the zip line traveling through the mountainside treetops and be privy to a beautiful array of flora and fauna. Get in touch with Mother Nature and fly like a bird during this exciting and safe tour for people of all ages.
Overnight in San Salvador (B/L)

DAY 3: El Imposible National Park
Breakfast. Depart today to explore El Imposible National Park, one of El Salvador’s most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries and home to a fantastic diversity of flora. Here you can find over 1,000 species of plants and trees, some of which are endemic (native) to the region. You’ll start your tour in the Mixtepe Visitors Center, as the guide gives you a brief introduction to the tropical jungle. Then the guide will lead you along the wooded trail that leads to Mountain View lookout points. You will then go even deeper into the jungle where you’ll find the spot known as
the Junction, where the Guayapa and Venado Rivers meet. This is a great spot to take a swim in the cold waters before checking out the rock carvings at the Stamped Rock (Piedra Sellada) archaeological site. Dinner at the community.
Overnight accommodations (B/D)

DAY 4: El Imposible National Park
Breakfast. With over 3,800 hectares (9,390 acres) to explore, you need at least, one more day to visit most of the park. The guide will lead you along the wooded trail, making several stops to describe the natural wonders of the park. Afterwards you’ll return to the Mixtepe Visitors Center to finish up the tour.
Overnight accommodations (B)
DAY 5: Santa Rita Protected Area (From November to July)
Breakfast. This natural adventure takes place in one of the most representative and exotic ecosystems of El Salvador’s coastal plains called Santa Rita Protected Area. This semi-humid tropical forest remains lush and green even during the dry season. Our guided walking tour will take you along a beautiful, interpretative forest trail over wooden bridges to one of Santa Rita’s main attractions: Lizard Pond or Posa de los Lagartos. Literally dozens of restless reptiles will swim right before your eyes in the Forests & Mangroves region. The immense trees and incredible natural beauty of the exotic vegetation of Santa Rita protected area will amaze you. Keeping on with our walk the guide will make several stops to explain the interesting facts and hidden marvels. One of the stops is below a daunting observation tower whose view lets you look across the treetops. Climbing here is at your own risk but the view is impressive. The community will make lunch for the group. Later on, the next stop is at El Cabildo Pond, a special area inside Zanjón El Chino. These muddy waters are home to a prehistoric fish known as the Tropical Gar. The Tropical Gar dates back over 150 million years and still retains characteristics of the Mesozoic Era. The fish are visible on the surface of the water and resemble floating logs. You’ll be amazed at how they “dance on the water”. They are reported to grow up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in length and live for up to 40 years!
Overnight accommodations (B/L)

DAY 6: Walter Thilo Deininger Natural Park
Breakfast. Walter Thilo Deininger Natural Park represents an important protected area with a diversity of species of animals, medicinal plants, and endangered trees. The park serves as an ecological center of interpretation where different species of the flora and fauna can be studied. It also offers different pathways: El Mirador with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean; El Encanto cave; the Chamseñora pathway with nice views and caducifolia vegetation and Amayo river pathway. After the visit to this wonderful park we will go for a great seafood lunch just before departing to your hotel at the beach.
Overnight accommodations (B/L)

DAY 7: Beach Day
Breakfast. Day to enjoy and relax at the beach.
Overnight accommodations (B)

DAY 8: Depart San Salvador
Breakfast. This morning our driver will transfer guests to the airport in plenty of time to catch
their flight. (B)