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What Our Students Say ...

Andrew

Ixchel was very welcoming and the perfect way to settle into Antigua. Although two weeks is too short, it has been a great introduction to Spanish. I would recommend Ixchel to anyone wanting to learn Spanish, explore Antigua and learn about Guatemalan culture. I can't wait to come back!

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Andrew Keely-Dyck
Canada

Carrie

I had a very good experience at Ixchel Spanish School. My teacher Isabel was excellent! I only attended for 2 weeks, but I learned enough to have simple conversations in Spanish and to ask common questions and to understand the answers. The program was flexible but well organized. I appreciated the focus on grammar and vocabulary.

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Carrie Blauwkamp
USA

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Pacaya Volcano

The Pacaya volcano is one of the most popular destinations in Guatemala. Because of its location just south of Guatemala City it is easily accessible from Antigua Guatemala.

Pacaya is an active volcano, but most of the time the activity is so low-key that it is safe to climb. In rare cases when the activity picks up and poses a danger to visitors, Pacaya National Park is closed and tours to the volcano are suspended until it is once again safe to climb.

The Pacaya volcano is located just 30 km (19 miles) south of Guatemala City, making it easy to reach from Antigua Guatemala.Pacaya is a complex volcano and consists of several cones. The currently active one is the McKenney cone.The Pacaya has been active nearly continuously since 1965.Lava flows are the most common kind of activity. Violent eruptions throwing ash and debris into the air are relatively rare.
Lava flowsLava flowsGlowing lava underneath a thin solid crustGlowing lava underneath a thin solid crust

Tours to the Pacaya Volcano

Tours begin in the town of San Vicente Pacaya at the foot of the volcano and are accompanied by professional guides who have climbed the volcano hundreds of times.The first part of the hike is fairly steep.On the way upOn the way up
On a cloudy day, you may walk right through the clouds.The climb is not technical, but it can get exhausting, especially as the air gets thinner higher up.The smart way to get to the top - rent a horse!Tour groups make several rest stops along the way.
View of a valley below the volcanoShort break to catch one's breath and take a few photosA small lake in an old crater now filled with waterGroup of students climbing the Pacaya together
For a while the hike leads through lush vegetation.Then the trees give way to open grassland.Higher up and closer to the crater, the landscape is as barren as the moon.Resting and getting ready for the next part of the hike - the climb to the top of the crater

At the Top

On the way to the top of the craterGlowing lavaGlowing lava under a thin solid crustThe ground is still hot in some places. Remember to wear firm shoes with thick soles.
Roasting marshmallows over the lavaRoasting marshmallows over the lavaLava-roasted marshmallows! Yummy!Relaxing and ...
Enjoying the viewStunning view of Pacaya's neighbors - volcanoes Agua (right), Acatenango (center, mostly behind the clouds) and Fuego (left)Student and his Spanish teacher at the top of the PacayaStill smiling! Reaching the top of an active volcano is definitely worth the effort!

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