Enjoy the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation on this day trip, ascending Pacaya Volcano and then soaking your muscles at a thermal bath resort. Scale the 8,300-foot (2,500-meter) heights of Pacaya, one of the most active volcanoes in Guatemala. At the top you’ll be able to peer down into the boiling lava of the crater and feel the earth’s rumble. Descend back down from the summit to enjoy an included lunch and soak in the thermal waters of Kawilal Hot Springs, featuring 12 soaking pools, 25 steam baths, and three hydrotherapy baths. Your Pacaya day trip also includes entrance fees, a guide, and round-trip hotel transport.

Hike Pacaya Volcano and visit the Kawilal Hot Springs with an included lunch
Climb to the top of one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes and peer down into the lava in the crater
Soothe your aching hiking muscles at thermal-fed waters of Kawilal Hot Springs
Enjoy Kawilal's collection of more than 12 soaking pools, 25 steam baths, and three hydrotherapy baths
Great combination of relaxation and active adventure

What's Included

Lunch
Local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance to Kawilal Hot Springs ( If option selected)

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Horses at Pacaya Volcano
Entrance to Pacaya Volcano National Park

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Possible departure locations

View departure locations

Departure Time

6:30 AM

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Tours include bilingual guide (English and Spanish).
It is recommended that you bring walking shoes, hat, sunglasses, and a camera.
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Infants must sit on laps
Please contact local provider if you need a guide in any other language. French, German and Italian in private services, subject to additional costs and guide availability.
For groups of 10 persons or more, please contact local provider to arrange.

Please keep in mind that when climbing an active volcano changes in activity and weather may cancel or shorten the excursion at anytime.
Medical and Legal Note: Guests booking this tour certify that they are in excellent physical condition and free from any heart, respiratory and/or back condition and are not pregnant. Booking of this tour constitutes an acceptance of the inherent risk of climbing any active volcano and the guest agrees to hold Gray Line all subsidiaries, licensees, staff members and vendors harmless and not liable for any and all injuries or death as a result of taking this tour.
Child under 13 years is not allowed to take the thermal circuit.
If you are lodging in Zone 1, our only pick-up point is at the Hotel Panamerican.
If you are lodging in an airbnb please move to the nearest hotel lobby and please let us know of its name.
To find pictures of our experiences, search us on Instagram as @graylinetoursgt
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Pacaya Volcano Tour and Hot Springs from Guatemala City?

A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival

Q:What is the policy on sanitization during Pacaya Volcano Tour and Hot Springs from Guatemala City?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized

Q:What is the social distancing policy during Pacaya Volcano Tour and Hot Springs from Guatemala City?

A:The policy on social distancing is:

Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Q:What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Pacaya Volcano Tour and Hot Springs from Guatemala City?

A:The policy on staff health & safety is:

Regular temperature checks for staff

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

It’s a long hike up, but well worth the experience!

Hot springs regime a brilliant experience - no residual muscle aches from the walk, Really recommend this day trip from Guatemala City or Antigua.

Reviews

4.5

53 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 53 reviews

HIKE to a volcano

Michael_W, May 2022

The hike is s very important part of this trip. That cannot be understated. But it's worth it. 10/10 would recommend. Definitely recommend bringing a speaker. Food was good. The spa at the end was necessary.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Dear Michael Thank you for having booked with us and for takes the time to share your comments with us, they are really important for us

Great experience

Carolyn_B, Mar 2020

Great experience for anyone who loves nature. Very unique tour with hot springs and visible lava coming down the volcano

Modern reviews have neutered valid opinions

geoffrey_t, Feb 2020

I do not wish to jeopardize anyone's job so I cannot specify why I did not rate tour five stars. I did this exact tour July 2018. Have worked in travel industry 50 years. I positively would recommend this tour to all able bodied and conditioned people under 60. Hot springs with lunch part was delightful and well worth what we paid.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Great Tour

Michelle_T, Feb 2020

Tour was nice. I left from Guatemala City solo at 6:30 and met some great people on the tour. We hiked and actually got to be on an active volcano and roast marshmallows it was amazing! The hike is a bit steep but nothing too crazy; I'd recommend good walking sneakers. They had horses walk with us incase we got tired. Afterwards we got lunch; included were options like pizza, chicken, plaintain, salad etc at the hot spring resort. We also got free smoothies. The hot springs were so relaxing, I wish we had more time there would be my only recommendation. This is a good deal for the price because if you want to the hot spring on your own you'd be paying a lot more. Overall great tour.

PACAYA -hike on a living volcano

norbertsauer, Jan 2020

I tried a lot to find out tour Details such as: height meters to go, time to go; sea Level at start and end of the tour. "Average Fitness" is a little poor to my opinion.It also would be nice to explain, that the tour does not end at the top of the mountain, but somewhere in the middle. My expectations for a mountain tour are and were always the same. To reach the top. Nevertheless it is an amazing mountain tour. Great views into the surrounding landscape, and the PACAYA volcano is a Living Thing. You can see it and you can feel it. This mountain is still alive! . Not to forget the wonderful Kawiial Spa. A lot of different pools with different water temperatures, 41°C to about 23°C in a stair like pool area invite you to relax and to refresh. Amazing!

Response from Host, Mar 2020

Dear Norbert Thank you for having booked with us and for takes the time to share your comments, we will take into consideration your suggestions, again thank you for live this experience with us!!

Absolutely the best adventure and value.

james_D, Dec 2019

The volcano tour was amazing. Great guides and a good pace for hiking. They offered horses which two in the group took advantage of. Great rest spots with nice views. Roasted marshmallows at the base of the volcano was a bonus experience. Great shuttle service and was treated to four hours at an amazing resort with several thermal pools and hot tubs to enjoy. Massage services were also available at nominal expenses and it far exceeded my expectation. Truly one of the best values and experiences I've enjoyed in my years of traveling abroad.

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Dear James Thank you for having booked with us and for takes the time to share your experience lived with us!!

Great day out!

Mark_S, Dec 2019

Good value for money. The volcano is awesome, you get right up close to the lava and toast marshmallows etc....the walk requires some physical fitness, though not arduous, very scenic. Guides all very helpful - transport comfortable. Hot springs regime a brilliant experience - no residual muscle aches from the walk......Really recommend this day trip from Guatemala City or Antigua.

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Dear Thank you for having booked with us, we really appreciate the time you took to leave your comments aboyt your experience with us!!

Disappointed

Alexis_S, Nov 2019

I was disappointed with the hot springs. I thought they were going to be natural hot springs on the side of a mountain. These hot springs were just pools at a hotel. The volcano part was the best part.

Response from Host, Nov 2019

Dear Thank you for having booked with us, we appreaciate your comments, It is important to mention that in our description it is not mentioned that the hot springs are on one side of the volcano or the mountain, if it is clarified that they are swimming pools, it is also important to mention that the water used in these pools, come from the volcano.

Pacaya Volcano.

Bharath_K, Oct 2019

It was a great experience, driver and guide were great. And the hot spring is a bonus. great food and service.

Response from Host, Oct 2019

Dear Thank you for having booked with us and for takes the time to share your comments with us!!

Pacaya

Rodney_F, Oct 2019

The tour guide and driver were fine. The hike was great and the spa nice. However, the 3 hour traffic jam of insane Guatemalan traffic on the way back ruined an otherwise nice day. It's not the tour company's fault, but if you loathe traffic jams like I do, reconsider.

Nice volcano and Hot Springs

Daniel_V, Sep 2019

Pacaya volcano is a short hike with a nice view. The lava can be seen at the top. The tour guides were very friendly.

Response from Host, Oct 2019

Dear Daniel Thank you for having booked with us and for takes the time to share your comments with us!!

Excellent trip up Pacaya Volcano

Robert_C, Aug 2019

Great trip up to the Pacaya volcano. They picked us up right on time at the hotel and the whole day was a great trip. From the hike up the volcano, to the lunch at the Hot Springs everything was excellent. Our guides Juan Pablo and Claudio were awesome.

Response from Host, Oct 2019

Dear Thank you for having booked with us and for takes the time to share your experience with us!!

Worth the hike!

Adam_F, Jul 2019

The feeling I had when reaching the top where the lava flow was is a memory I know I will always treasure. Our guide, Claudio, was amazing. It’s a long hike up, but well worth the experience! Lunch was delicious, and the hot springs was an amazing way to end this tour.

Response from Host, Oct 2019

Dear Thank you for having booked with us and for takes the time to share your experience lived with us!!

This is absolutely amazing and the...

Debby K, Mar 2018

This is absolutely amazing and the best to do. The volcano is beautiful and the views are really special. Pace still works and you can hear it while walking over it. And then afterwards the hot springs is a real threat and the lunch is perfect to. But what really makes the day is Juan Pablo - best and most happy guide ever !

This was a great trip but be aware...

Rebecca O, Mar 2018

This was a great trip but be aware that the climb is difficult if you have not acclimated to the elevation. If you can't handle the climb, there are people with horses that are available to hire for the climb.

The view at the top of the mountain...

IngridM_P, Feb 2018

The view at the top of the mountain, once you finally get to it, is phenomenal! But, don't be fooled, like we were...this tour does not take you to climb the Pacaya Volcano. It is a tour where you climb approx. 7500 ft, which is halfway up a mountain ACROSS from the volcano! The bright is that you actually get to see the Pacaya, which for us, was in eruption that day and we even heard it! It's a pretty steep climb, but of course that depends on what shape you're in...we're in our 50's and pretty athletic, but it still took the breath out of us. And, proper shoes are definitely recommended. I wore a good pair of sneakers, but the rubber kept slipping on the rocks and I almost fell around 5 times, no matter how careful I tried to be! At the beginning of the tour you will be ambushed by locals and their horses, to cheer you down on your climb. They can take you up the mountain, on the horse, if you can't make it for about 25 roundtrip. I recommend to eat breakfast beforehand bc they will not stop and you will need the energy. Also, take the tour out of Antigua if you will be there, bc if you take it from Guatemala City, the bus will drag you all the way to Antigua anyway to pick up other tourists which adds an extra hour, back and forth to your trip!. The final Hot-Springs-pool-circuit, at Teresita's, is totally worth the trip. It will renew and reinvigorate your tired muscles! And, the lunch is very good. No need to bring your own towels. The tour guide we had, Davis, was low key, but pretty knowledgeable. However, once you arrive to the mountain side, a local guide will adhere himself to your group, and you will end up paying him a tip also. Overall, a good experience. If you can make it to the volcano on your own, there are plenty of guides there who you definitely will need, and you can avoid the long trip on the van.

This was one of the best things I...

Tara_F, Sep 2017

This was one of the best things I have ever done...right up there with climbing the Great Wall and diving at the Great Barrier Reef. Our guide, Jovany Mijangos, was patient, knowledgeable and a lifetime local and his English was great. The hike up was challenging at times but you can go at your own pace. There are horses available to 20 to ride up if needed. The views are breathtaking! As you reach the top you are face to face with the clouds! When you reach the top you are on dry lava igneous rock and it looks like another planet. I felt like I was on Mars...so cool!! We even got to roast marshmallows on some of the dry lava that was still hot and smoking. Must do!! The hot springs were not as natural as I thought they would be. It was a spa at a hotel, but it was a beautiful and amazing spa with a delicious lunch...I didn't want to leave. Great afternoon, perfect day!

I will be honest that I was a bit...

Lisa_R, Apr 2017

I will be honest that I was a bit worried about doing this hike as I'm 50ish and not in great shape, but it was awesome. My friend and I were the only two in the group, and the guide allowed us to take it at our own pace and stop when necessary. You will walk on all types of rocky terrain from sand-like to softball sized rocks. The guide was informative about the volcano and the surrounding area. Finishing off the afternoon in the thermal pools was a relaxing way to end the day.

The hike up Pacaya Volcano is quite...

RobinAnn_D, Jan 2017

The hike up Pacaya Volcano is quite steep, I would recommend wearing real hiking boots as opposed to sneakers. I was wearing Nikes and kept slipping. They had walking sticks available for 1 and horses that could take you up the volcano for 100 Q one way. Our tour guide Jairo was excellent and very knowledgable. Our driver Jose was very kind and safe. My mother and I did not make it all the way to the top. We decided to turn back about halfway and Jairo insisted that he walk back down with us - even though he didn't have to!! Jose also opened up the van so my other could sit inside with the AC while we waited for the rest of the group. My brother made it to the top and said it was beautiful. The hot springs were a real treat after the volcano although the thermal circuit was a bit different. Definitely a great way to spend our last day in Guatemala!

The local tour folks grayline tours...

Jill M, Jan 2017

The local tour folks grayline tours were great. Couple of things to give you the heads up: 1. There are walking sticks and horses available for a cost. It would have been nice to know this ahead of time so I could have brought extra cash. I rode a horse up as it was steeper than I expected and it was Q100 one way. I walked down. 2. The 'hot springs' are really thermal therapy. Meaning you start in a hot 109 degree pool and then move to a cold 75 degree pool etc. Just want people to understand that - I thought it was fun to try something new but my companion did not enjoy the surprise of the cold water.

Questions?

Product code: 3022P40

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