Highlights
- Full-day adventure to the Pacaya Volcano from Guatemala City
- Hike to the top of Pacaya with your expert guide and admire close-up views of the active volcano
- Admire picturesque views of the Fuego, Agua and Acatenango volcanoes
- Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off
What You Can Expect
Pacaya Volcano Day Trip from Guatemala City
After pickup from your Guatemala City hotel, head southeast about 15 miles (25 km) to the base of Pacaya, where you’ll embark on a 2.5-hour hike up the volcano with your expert guide. Enjoy a mild walk to a viewing spot at the lagoon of Calderas and take in panoramic views of the Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes. As you continue hiking toward the top, learn about the history of this active volcano and spot unique volcanic vegetation along the way.
Once you arrive at a plateau along the trail, marvel at spectacular views of the Guatemala landscape and see the main crater of the volcano. To ensure your safety, you won’t be able to visit the crater, but you will get an amazing view of red-hot lava flowing and steam baths created by the heat of Pacaya.
Take a break and relax here as you take in more scenic views before hiking back to the base of the volcano.
Customer Reviews
Dan G.
USA
April 2013
Short version: Incredible trip with breathtaking scenery and even better hospitality from driver and guide. Out of shape travelers NOT encouraged!
Long Version: Let me start this off by saying my wife is a native Spanish speaker and it went a LONG way in Guatemala as a whole since tourism is slowly coming back after decades of civil war. That aside, this was truly an experience unlike anything my wife and I have every done before. We were picked up right at our hotel at 7:30AM after breakfast. The driver, Henry, was INCREDIBLY nice and hospitable(we actually used him again the next day to set up a private cab to Antigua). Upon getting there, we were introduced to our guide who would take us up the mountain. The only slightly annoying part was right in the beginning as they try to convince you to rent a walking stick or take a horse up the mountain, but this is expected in tourist areas. After respectfully declining (about a dozen times!), we were off on our adventure. As we went up the mountain we would stop frequently to take in wild life and learn the different uses of the local plants by the natives to cure anything from headaches and stomachaches to wiping the sweat from your brow! As we reached the peak of our ascent, we stopped at a place called the oven. It was basically just two rocks jutting out and inside the rocks were temps of over 400 degrees! Our guide had gotten us sticks so we could roast marshmallows from the heat. It was a tasty treat and good half way point before the descent. The descent was a little hairy as the ground is not really set due to the activity of the volcano. Just go slow and you will be fine! When we got to the bottom of the mountain we got back in the van with Henry and were dropped off back at our hotel by early afternoon with plenty of time before dinner to shower off the adventure. Awesome trip and a MUST if you are visiting Guatemala!
March 2013
This was a great trip! Our driver and guide were both fantastic resources. The hike was amazing, walking through different ecosystems as we ascended and finally ending up in the baran wasteland where lava had flowed just two years before. A great way to spend a day!
