Sunrise at the top of Panama
I’d love to take you on a trip to the Barú volcano, situated in the western highlands of Panama. The summit of the volcano stands at 3,478 metres, making it the highest point in Panama. Just imagine the view once you’ve reached the summit.
The Barú volcano in Boquete
In January 2020, I went on a two-week trip of Panama with a friend. One of the places we were really keen to visit was the area around Boquete. It promises fascinating natural spectacles, such as waterfalls, mountains and the Barú volcano. One of the reasons for visiting Boquete was to climb the volcano. It’s a 13.5-kilometre hike and it takes about 6 hours to reach the summit. Most of the trek takes place at night, so that upon reaching the summit you can enjoy the sunrise from the volcano.
A bit of preparation and off we go
The day before the trek, we rested and tried to conserve as much energy as possible. We’d already been warned that it wouldn’t be an easy hike. We’d also stocked up on plenty of snacks and drinks for the ascent of Barú. At a quarter to twelve, we were taken to the starting point of the hike.
It was dark when we set off on our walk, but luckily the moon provided some light. A good head torch is also a must-have for finding your way in the dark. The first two kilometres went smoothly. The route was fairly flat and we didn’t have to climb. Still, we decided to take our first break, knowing we still had a long way to go. After a few more kilometres, it started to get colder and we grew increasingly tired. Due to the lack of sleep, it felt as though we were losing more energy than we could replenish. After another short break, we carried on. Signs along the route indicated which kilometre we were at. These kept us motivated and were also a useful indicator of how far we still had to go. After about 7 kilometres, we started to find it really tough and even considered turning back and heading back to our accommodation. Somehow, though, we managed to motivate ourselves to carry on. A little while before the finish, it started to get really cold and the air became damp. We were walking through the clouds! After about 6 hours, we finally reached the summit of the volcano. We’d made it!
The sunrise from the Barú volcano
Our excitement quickly faded when we saw that the entire crater was shrouded in clouds. We literally couldn’t see a thing. And to think we’d expected to see the most beautiful sunrise of our lives here at the summit of the volcano. We decided to rest for a while before heading back to Boquete and found shelter in a small hut where a few locals were staying. Suddenly, other hikers opened the door and told everyone to come outside immediately. We didn’t know what was happening, but it was a pleasant surprise: the clouds had magically disappeared and we witnessed a truly spectacular sunrise. The clouds drifted slowly past, making the view even more special. On the other side of the volcano, we could see the Pacific Ocean. If you’re very lucky, you can see both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean at the same time.
After enjoying the sunrise and having had a rest, we returned to Boquete. We were in luck, as a local resident driving down from the summit of the Barú volcano was kind enough to give us a lift in his truck. That turned out to be quite an adventure too.
Who is this hike suitable for?
I can highly recommend the trek to the summit of Panama. As long as you’re in reasonably good physical condition and have a good sense of balance, you can take part in this trek. However, it’s important to ask yourself beforehand whether a hike of this kind is right for you. The trek starts in the middle of the night and takes about 6 hours to reach the summit. It is therefore quite a challenge, but if you love adventure, it’s a fantastic experience. Make sure you take plenty of snacks and drinks with you and wear layers of clothing, as it can get very cold.
This experience is something I’ll always remember whenever I think back on my trip to Panama!
More about Panama
Would you like to organise your own trip of Panama and are you curious about the options available? Then take a look at the sample itineraries we’ve put together to inspire you. Do you have any questions? Please feel free to get in touch with us. Send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl or call us on +31 73 610 62 04. We’ll be happy to help.