Tour to the volcano – extreme travel

Extreme tourism today is the most “tidbit” for many travelers, “adrenaline hunters” and simply suffering from a boring life in the stone walls of the metropolis. The opportunity not only to see with your own eyes the most remote and picturesque corners of our planet, to take dizzying pictures of water cascades or columns of steam and boiling water escaping from a geyser, but also to test your own nerves for a fortress – this is what unites modern extreme people.

Today, all kinds of tours and extreme entertainment in the immediate vicinity of volcanoes are gaining more and more popularity. And this type of tourist leisure is not limited to banal photography against the backdrop of a long “extinct” natural phenomenon. Daredevils set completely different goals for themselves, which sometimes border on insanity and put human life on the flimsy scale of His Majesty Chance.

Courage or madness?

Agree, not everyone will voluntarily decide on such a desperate journey, the mere thought of which makes many people shudder! But with what “burning” eyes they talk about what they saw, those few who tried their fate and nevertheless decided on a crazy acquaintance with such representatives of volcanoes as the Sicilian Etna, the Hawaiian Kilauea or the Japanese Fujiyama! Undoubtedly, the memorable days, hours and minutes of this journey into the heart of volcanoes will forever remain among the best memories of such daredevils. They will undoubtedly have something to surprise their children and grandchildren, inciting them to repeat their exploits.

Myths and reality

The ancient inhabitants believed in the divine origin of volcanoes, and the eruptions that took place were perceived only as “the wrath of the gods.” Some tribes tried to calm the volcanoes by making thousands of human sacrifices to the pagan gods that lived in their minds and hearts. Others associated the eruptions with the approaching end of the world and tried to escape by leaving the inhabited lands.

One has only to recall the myths of Ancient Greece, in which the battle between the giants and the gods of Olympus is described in the brightest colors. Zeus and his companions were able to overcome the giants and hid them under a thick layer of earth. It is they who from time to time try to break out through the huge vents of volcanoes, leaving no evil thoughts to enslave the human race.

Attitude towards volcanoes has always been wary, and some processes that take place in its depths cannot be explained even by the best minds of our time. The more interesting it will be a personal acquaintance with the brightest representatives of this natural phenomenon.

Get on the road!

If you are not greedy for such fantastic stories and you are not afraid of a huge mountain with a crater at its highest point, you should definitely evaluate all the possibilities and advantages of such an extreme type of tourist vacation as a trip to a volcano.

What will your soul desire? If you are just a novice extreme sportsman, do not have invaluable experience in climbing steep cliffs and hold a safety cable for the first time, you should start conquering volcanoes with small and long “extinct” volcanoes. Having got used to it a little, and even in the company of “experienced” conquerors of snowy peaks, you can take a chance and go to those places that are still kept at bay by a “sleeping” or even active volcano. And, believe me, there are not so few of them as it might seem at first glance.

What is waiting for you?

The process of climbing the volcano will give every tourist a rich set of bright and unusual experiences. Colorful landscapes will be a worthy addition to your personal collection of photographs. Clean mountain air will undoubtedly be the best gift for lungs tired of the atmosphere of big cities. Well, smiling guides and local fellow travelers will gladly introduce you to local traditions, customs and even legends. After all, not a single volcano is complete without myths that are diligently passed down from generation to generation.

But the biggest impression, perhaps a shock, awaits everyone at the very top of the mountain. Exactly where the view of the bottomless crater of a natural phenomenon opens, at the bottom of which, quite possibly, a red-hot mixture of bright red or gray-orange color is seething. And the smell of hydrogen sulfide will be another reminder that this is not the best place for jokes and pampering.

Fujiyama

Mount Fuji is considered one of the most popular and beautiful places for extreme tourism. This is the highest point, the height of which is 3776 meters above sea level. Today, this volcano is officially considered inactive. It is noteworthy that the Japanese volcano has an almost perfect cone shape. Not many representatives of this natural phenomenon can boast of such forms. Therefore, the first thing that tourists who find themselves in its vicinity do is take pictures of themselves against the grandiose background of a Japanese mountain.

As you rise, you feel close to heaven. Here and there there are lonely clouds, which, as it seems, are within easy reach. And the chest swells more and more from the purest mountain air. During such an ascent, it is best to use the services of an experienced guide.

Mexican Popocatepetl

This volcano is considered one of the most active volcanoes of our time. Even today it is difficult to predict its behavior and establish even the approximate time of the next eruption.

In this regard, the local authorities were forced to introduce some restrictions on excursions and tourist ascents to the crater of the volcano. So, a restricted zone has been established within a radius of 15 km from the mouth of the volcano, which no person can enter without special permission. This area is part of the Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, so you can still “knock out” a permit. And trust me, it's worth it!

The volcano itself is conditionally divided into three zones. The lower, “green zone” is covered with dense coniferous thickets and is considered the safest zone for tourists. The middle one has a rocky surface characteristic of an active volcano, which smoothly turns into eternal glaciers. And the uppermost zone, which is located right up to the vent of the crater, is not covered with glaciers, which indicates a high temperature and the proximity of the vent of the volcano.

The best periods to visit the volcano are March-April and September-October. Firstly, it is during these months that the activity of the volcano “falls” in a strange way. And secondly, the flow of tourists is significantly reduced. Although you may not be allowed in if the volcano decides to “wake up”.

Along the way, do not forget to look into another local attraction. On the slopes of the volcano there are 14 monasteries at once, the history of which begins in the 16th century. There are many interesting facts about these monasteries, but we will focus on just one. The missionaries who built them did not choose the slopes of the volcano for nothing. Thus, they wanted to show that they are not at all afraid of the eruption, because God protects them.

The volcano is located just 64 km from the capital of Mexico and you can get to it by regular bus. The journey will take no more than a couple of hours.

Hello from Sicily

One of the brightest, exciting and popular volcanoes in Europe is Etna, which is located in the eastern part of Sicily. The main feature of this active volcano is the presence of 4 permanently active craters at once. And, of course, one cannot help but appreciate the simply divine view that opens on the bays of the Mediterranean Sea.

Getting to the “Sicilian handsome” today is not difficult. Having flown to Catania Airport, tourists can transfer to comfortable sightseeing buses or rent a vehicle. Many travel companies are happy to offer extreme and exciting tours. You can go to the top on your own, but for safety reasons, it is recommended to hire a local guide who will save you from many possible troubles along the way.

You can arrange an unforgettable tour with a visit to the outskirts of Catania, wine ceremonies and villages located on the way to the top, both in advance and upon arrival at the place. On average, sightseeing tours, which include visiting local attractions and climbing various craters of Etna, will cost from 70 to 245 euros per person. It all depends on the excursion program, the time of year, the number of people in the excursion group.

Feel the breath of the volcano, which a few centuries ago terrified the surroundings of Sicily, touch its warm surface and leave forever in your heart and photo album these vivid memories of meeting the European fire-breathing giant!

Puyehue is a place for real extreme people

Another interesting place from the point of view of active tourist recreation is the Chilean volcano Puyehue, which is located in the southern part of the Latin American state. This volcano is considered active and poses a potential danger today, despite the fact that it showed the last active signs of life in the 60s of the last century.

If you are a passionate fan of a special kind of extreme jumping – bungee jumping, you should definitely visit this place. After bridges, arches, skyscrapers and other high-lying points are conquered, many extreme jumpers decide to test their fate and their nerves by jumping into the very mouth of the Puyehue volcano.

Just imagine, you are rushing down at great speed, right towards the red-hot lava, feeling the rising temperature with every centimeter of your own skin. The pupils dilate, the lungs contract, and all conscious life flashes through the head. This is no place for the weak! A jump, the outcome of which depends on only one rope, is an indescribable feeling and just a phenomenal dose of adrenaline in your blood!

If you love outdoor activities, appreciate all the benefits of rock climbing, can't live without thrills – welcome to the extreme recreation club! Climbing to the top of active and inactive volcanoes, the dizzying beauty of the surroundings and close proximity to the center of the planet – all this awaits those who once in their life ventured on such a dangerous and unusual journey.

Of course, you should not be like the daredevils who cook food over the mouth of a volcano, dry their wet clothes and show their courage in every possible way, dancing on the very edge of the abyss. This is not only a manifestation of disrespect for such places, but also an unjustified risk. In all other respects, there are practically no restrictions.

Once, having experienced the inexpressible sensations from direct communication with the volcano, you will forever remain among their true fans, you will use every chance to return to the top of Etna or any other volcano again and again.