Guatemalan Volcano Experience
Guatemalan Volcano Experience
Guatemalan Volcano Experience
16 Days Starting and ending in Guatemala City
Visiting: Guatemala City Metropolitan Area, Panajachel, San Marcos La Laguna, Volcán San Pedro, San Juan La Laguna, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Xela, Volcán Tajumulco, Antigua Guatemala, Pacaya, Acatenango
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AVVOL
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
3 - 10
Physical rating:
High, Difficult Volcano Tracks
Age range:
15-50
Tour operated in:
English , German , SpanishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Camping, Expeditions, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Cultural, Eco Conscious, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Photography, Wellness Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Canoeing-Kayaking, Climbing-Mountaineering, Shopping, Sightseeing, Trekking, Walking
Tour Overview
Guatemala, besides having a great cultural, social and natural diversity, one of the most astounding attractions are the volcanoes. This combination makes Guatemala one of the most beautiful countries in Latin America. This 16-day trip, will take you to the 5 most representative volcanoes of Guatemala, as well as to the most historical and magical places as they are: Atitlán and its beautiful lake, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world according to National Geographic. This lake is surrounded by 3 volcanoes and Mayan villages, each one with a unique sense of life and distinctive personalities. You will also visit the department of Quetzaltenango, where the highest volcano in Guatemala and Central America can be found, the Tajumulco Volcano. You will also visit Antigua Guatemala, one of the favourite destinations of all visitors, which preserves the history of this city in its stone walls and roads. You will admire the volcanoes that surround Antigua Guatemala and you will have the opportunity to climb the Acatenango Volcano, the favourite among visitors due to its proximity to highly-active Fuego Volcano. From Antigua, you will also head towards the Pacaya Volcano, another active volcano.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Guatemala City
Location: Guatemala City Metropolitan Area
Accommodation: Hotel
You will check in at your hotel in Guatemala City. This city is the largest and most developed in Central America, with high buildings in its hotel and executive zone, where you will be staying. We will rest this day at the hotel, as the next day we will move to Atitlán where we'll begin the programmed activities.
Day 2 : Panajachel & San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlán
Location: Panajachel, San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala City Metropolitan Area
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We will begin our journey by heading to Panajachel, Atitlán. Here we will find Lake Atitlán, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It reaches a total of 130 square kilometres of water body, and is surrounded by 3 volcanoes, as well as several Mayan (indigenous) villages, each with its unique personality and different sense of living. Being surrounded by 12 different villages is one of the reasons why you can find a lot of culture in the area, as well as a wide variety of different ecological activities.
Upon arrival, we will have our welcome lunch and in the afternoon we will move on to San Marcos, a beautiful little town known for its yoga and vegan practices. Here, after a short walk, we will arrive at Tzankujil Park, where you can jump from a 7-meter-high wooden platform into the crystal-clear waters of the lake if you wish. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit. This day you will be able to appreciate the San Pedro Volcano from a distance, which we will be ascending the next day.
Day 3 : San Pedro Volcano Tour
Location: Volcán San Pedro, Panajachel
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Box
This day we will begin our volcanic adventure by climbing the San Pedro Volcano. Early in the morning we will take a boat across the entire Lake Atitlán to San Pedro La Laguna. There we will walk to the entrance of the volcano where our guide will be waiting for us. It has an altitude of 3020 meters and takes approximately 3 and a half hours to climb. You will test your physical condition on this incredible ascent. At the highest spot we will be able to appreciate one of the most spectacular views of Lake Atitlán.
Day 4 : Paddle-Boarding / Lakeside Villages Tour
Location: Panajachel, San Juan La Laguna, Santiago Sacatepéquez
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We will start the day off with a relaxing and stimulating activity: paddle-boarding at Lake Atitlán. During the afternoon we will take our Lake Tour in which we will visit 3 iconic villages surrounding the beautiful lake, each with its own distinct personality and culture. We will visit San Juan, Santiago and Panajachel. To get there we will use a boat that will take us from one end of the lake to the other, enjoying the beautiful views of the volcanoes and nature. We will learn about the life and traditions of each town, full of narrow streets, local vendors and the traditional and colourful tuc-tucs, used by the villagers for transportation.
Day 5 : Xela, Quetzaltenango Department
Location: Xela, Panajachel
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
On our fifth day we will undertake the first part of our longest journey in this tour by heading to Quetzaltenango Department, where we will spend the night and prepare our equipment to continue with our second volcano hike on the next day. This department is halfway to Tajumulco Volcano.
Day 6 : Tajumulco Volcano
Location: Volcán Tajumulco, Xela
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner boxes
We will get up early in the morning and head towards the San Marcos Department, in a bus-transfer of approximately 2 and a half hours to visit the farthest volcano of this tour: the Tajumulco Volcano, the highest in Central America. The volcano has two summits, the highest reaching 4,220 meters above sea level, while the lowest — called Cerro Concepción — reaching 4,100 m.a.s.l.
This is a beautiful volcano that due to its height, allows its visitors to have an impressive view of the country's volcanic mountain range, since it is possible to see from the Tacaná Volcano all the way to those in the eastern region of Guatemala, which means that practically the entire volcanic chain can be seen. The ascent to the volcano is easy because of its tourist-friendly route, where there is an identifiable and marked path leading to the summit. The average time for the ascent is approximately 5 hours, while the descent usually takes around 3 hours.
Day 7 : Sunrise Atop The Tajumulco Volcano
Location: Xela, Volcán Tajumulco
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast Box
We will wake up in this colossus before dawn to climb to the summit and appreciate the sunrise. We will have one of the most astounding views that can only be enjoyed in Guatemala at 4220 meters above sea level. We will begin our descent after breakfast and then head back to Quetzaltenango, where we will rest, since Antigua Guatemala will be waiting for us the next day.
Day 8 : Antigua Guatemala
Location: Antigua Guatemala, Xela
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This day we will say goodbye to Quetzaltenango and head on our way to Antigua Guatemala. After checking in at your hotel in Antigua, we will have a walk around this beautiful colonial city, where we will learn about the ruins, temples, culture and traditions, as well as enjoy a delicious traditional lunch where you can taste the local gastronomy.
Commonly known as one of the most beautiful colonial cities, Antigua Guatemala has been the main attraction for travellers of all ages. The city is full of cobblestone streets, colourful facades and beautiful buildings, where you can find the influence of various architectural trends such as Renaissance and Baroque, among others.
Antigua is also surrounded by 3 volcanoes, which provide its visitors with amazing landscapes. Here you can also find a lot of culture, a lot of commerce and a great variety of restaurants and nightlife experiences, making it still the most visited place in the region. UNESCO declared the city a cultural heritage site in 1979.
Day 9 : Pacaya Volcano
Location: Pacaya, Antigua Guatemala
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner boxes for the hike
This day we will go to the Pacaya Volcano located in the Escuintla Department. After being inactive for a century, it erupted violently in 1965 and has been in constant eruptive activity ever since. On July 20th, 1963 it was declared a National Park and is a place of tourist attraction for both foreign and domestic visitors. It is located 47.5 km south of Guatemala City.
It is one of the most active volcanoes in all of Central America and is easily accessible at an altitude of 2552 meters above sea level. For more than 50 years, the volcano has maintained a moderate eruptive phase that has produced frequent and impressive eruptions; with an average of one strong eruption each year and signs of activity every day of the week. It is one of the most recommended volcanoes due to its easy ascent and beautiful landscapes. Here we will have our second night of camping and if we are lucky we will be able to see the volcano erupt.
Day 10 : Pacaya Sunrise
Location: Antigua Guatemala, Pacaya
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast Box at Pacaya Volcano campsite
We will wake up early to appreciate the sunrise and try to get as close as possible to the volcano summit. Then we will begin our descent and head back to Antigua Guatemala in the afternoon. Rest of the day will be free for you to recover from this incredible adventure.
Day 11 : Free Day In Antigua Guatemala
Location: Antigua Guatemala
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This day will be free for you to enjoy and discover what Antigua Guatemala has to offer. Walk its cobblestone streets, visit the local trading posts, enjoy the colonial terraces accompanied by a delicious regional coffee and a sweet dessert. Relax on the benches in the central plaza or walk down the Santa Catalina Arch street, full of life and local movement, or visit the churches or museums full of history.
You can enjoy this day as you wish, we have taken into account the desire of our visitors who want to know the beautiful colonial city of Antigua Guatemala at their own pace. We will always be available to assist you on this day in whatever way you may need.
Day 12 : Acatenango Volcano / Fuego Volcano
Location: Acatenango, Antigua Guatemala
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner boxes at the volcano
We will wake up early in Antigua Guatemala and head towards La Soledad, in Chimaltenango Department, where we will begin the most difficult climb of our journey, the Acatenango Volcano. This volcano is the 3rd highest volcano in Guatemala and has 2 summits, the first one called Yepocapa with a height of 3880 meters above sea level, and the highest peak with a height of 3976 m.a.s.l.
From here you can see the summits of the following volcanoes: Santa Maria in Quetzaltenango Department; San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlán in Sololá Department; and in favourable conditions even the Tajumulco in San Marcos Department.
From the Acatenango cone it is possible to have a unique panoramic view of the most active volcano in the country, the Fuego Volcano. Fuego is connected to the Acatenango and has an altitude of 3763 meters above sea level. Here you can appreciate the eruptions with more than a thousand meters high, which makes visiting these volcanoes an unforgettable experience.
If the weather allows it we will have the opportunity to have, which is to many, the most beautiful view in all of Guatemala. This day you can also decide if you want to approach the Fuego Volcano in a 3-hour expedition, or relax at the Acatenango campsite.
Day 13 : Return To Antigua Guatemala
Location: Antigua Guatemala, Acatenango
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast box at the volcano
We will wake up very early in the camp to climb to the top of the Acatenango Volcano and appreciate the most incredible sunrise. After this we will descend and then return to Antigua Guatemala so you can rest in the afternoon. This day is ideal for partying in the joyful nights of Antigua or relaxing on one of its colonial terraces.
Day 14 : Villages Tour In Antigua Guatemala
Location: Antigua Guatemala
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
On our last day in Antigua Guatemala, you will have the morning free to enjoy it as you prefer. In the afternoon we will visit the different towns located around Antigua Guatemala in our Villages Tour, in which we will arrive at the famous viewpoint known as Cerro de la Cruz, where we will have a panoramic view of the colonial city and the amazing Agua Volcano in the background.
We will then continue to San Juan el Obispo —famous for its cultivation of diverse fruits—; then we will visit San Antonio Aguas Calientes and its handicrafts market where you can buy souvenirs from your trip in Guatemala; then we will see the city that was destroyed in 1541 by a landslide in the Agua Volcano, Ciudad Vieja (Old City); and finally we will visit a macadamia farm and a chocolate museum. This night we will have dinner together in which we'll celebrate the completion of the Volcano Experience challenge in Guatemala.
Day 15 : Return To Guatemala City
Location: Guatemala City Metropolitan Area, Antigua Guatemala
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We will say farewell to Antigua and head back to Guatemala City where we you will stay again in your hotel. This day we will be available to assist you in whatever way you may need.
Day 16 : End Of Tour
Location: Guatemala City Metropolitan Area
Meals Included: Breakfast
Here ends your Volcano Experience in Guatemala.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
12 night in high-standard hotels and 3 camping nights
-
Drinks with Meals
-
Fully Guided
-
Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
-
Meals – Breakfast Only
-
All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
Includes Flight Ticket Guatemala City - Peten
-
Entrance Fees
Acatenango, Fuego, San Pedro, Pacaya and Tajumulco Volcanoes Tour. Villages Tour around Lake Atitlán, Tzankujil Park, Paddle boarding activity, Antigua walking tour, Villages tour around Antigua Guatemala, Villages tour around Antigua and more.
-
Country Entry Visas
What's Not Included
-
Meals – Full Board
Some meals are included, please check the itinerary
-
Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping remains at the traveller's discretion, it is not mandatory
-
Country Entry Visas
Check the requirements of your country before departing
Check out our Q&As
-
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
High. This tour is intended for people with a high fitness level.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
We recommend being at least 15 years old. The tour consists of high physical activity
-
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes, you will have an Avem guide during your complete tour.
-
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes, you will receive your hotel reservation before your departure.
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, but you can contact us before your arrival for us to help you with your airport pick up.
-
Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Highly possible, this is a tour for foreign travellers.
-
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Please check your country requirements before travelling to Guatemala.
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, we are open to help you with any arrangement you need.
-
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
High standard hotels
-
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, you will have spare time on every location.
-
What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
The tour still takes place, the transport will be changed according to the number of passengers.
-
What is the maximum group size?
10 persons due to Covid-19
-
What currencies are required for this tour?
The currency used is the Guatemalan Quetzal, we recommend having some local currency with you, not every location accepts foreign currency.
-
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, every activity mentioned on the itinerary is included.
-
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Check with the Guatemalan Embassy of your country, before departing. This requirements may vary due to the current Covid-19 situation.
-
What is the tipping policy?
It is not mandatory and the tipping policy in Guatemala is the 10%
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Avem Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."