Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge

If any of the volcano summits are closed for safety reasons by the local authorities, then your host team will decide on what alternative trek(s) to do. They will choose an alternative trek that complements the difficulty grading of the trip and takes into account best practices for safe altitude acclimatization.

No, your local host has a private basecamp on Acatenango so you don't have to carry up the camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat plus cooking gear). For the climb up to Tajumulco summit, you'll be helped to take the camping gear to the campsite by local people from the community. On these two days, you only need to carry your water for the hike up, clothes, and any other extras you want. Filtered drinking water is available at the camping spots so you can refill your bottles at the end of the hikes, and before descending the following day. You won’t need a big backpack, you will be fine with a day backpack of approx 30-35 liters.

If you prefer to hike with an even lighter load, local porters to the overnight camp sections are available to rent locally at an extra cost: $65USD. Your host in Guatemala has worked alongside local communities around the volcanoes to help set up a guide association to ensure fair pay for porters and guides, and high safety standards for all visitors to the volcanoes. If you'd like to request this service, please speak to your host or your guide before the trip or during the first briefing.

This is a Level 6 Trek, so the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it. However, this isn’t a race. Our trips are group adventures, and everyone will move at a different pace. Adventure travel also comes with a level of unpredictability — weather can change, plans may shift, and lodging can sometimes be more rustic than you’re used to. That’s all part of the experience.

Your guide is there to keep things safe and running smoothly, but a great trip also relies on the group. If you find yourself moving faster on a climb, take a moment to check in with others — a bit of encouragement can go a long way. These trips bring together people from different countries, backgrounds, and walks of life, and that shared experience is what makes them special.

Take things at a steady pace, support one another, and make the most of the time together. You might just leave with a new friend or two.

Tap water in Guatemala is not safe to drink, so you'll need to stick to bottled or filtered water. Each hotel you'll stay in will have filtered water where you can fill up your bottles before each hike, making sure that you carry plenty for each hike. Your host is passionate about reducing single-use plastic waste in Guatemala, so they won't provide plastic bottles of drinking water at any stage.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive, and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location, and lodging, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Guatemalan food has a really rich background shaped by Indigenous Maya traditions, Spanish colonial influence, and local geography. The food is characterized by a heavy reliance on corn, black beans, and rice, typically served in hearty, nutrient-dense, and often stew-based meals.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Vegetarian travelers generally find options based on rice, beans, and vegetables, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Antigua and Lake Atitlán, where veggie-friendly, vegan, and organic restaurants are common.

Vegan -Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. While traditional, rural food is meat-heavy, major towns offer many dedicated vegan restaurants, plant-based options, and fresh local produce, including staples like black beans, avocado, and tortillas.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. The Host is unable to guarantee a separate, certified cooking/preparation area or the use of certified kosher products. They can, however, provide meals that exclude non-Kosher ingredients (such as pork and shellfish) and avoid mixing meat and dairy.

Halal -Certified Halal supply varies by location and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free -Gluten-free diets including Celiac can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Finding gluten-free food in Guatemala is manageable, especially in tourist areas like Antigua and Lake Atitlán, which offer dedicated cafes and restaurants with GF labeled options. Authentic Guatemalan food is largely corn-based (tortillas, tamales), but cross-contamination can be a risk, and restaurants often use wheat-based additives.

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Many traditional dishes are naturally lactose-free or can easily be prepared without dairy, such as grilled meats, rice, and vegetable dishes though eggs are common.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life-threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip, and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when traveling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods, and labeling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. While your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Yes, you can leave your excess luggage in Antigua if needed. Be aware that you won't be returning to Antigua until the end of the trip, so you'll need to take everything with you for the volcano climbs.

For groups of up to four, there will be one guide. Groups of five to eight will have two guides, and groups of nine to 14 will be accompanied by three guides. In addition to the main hiking guides, support staff will assist with camping logistics on Acatenango and Tajumulco, depending on group size.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The dry season runs from November to March, with October and April also good times to visit. The Guatemalan highlands offer a reliable climate for hiking, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 50°F to 81°F, though nights on the volcanoes can drop below 32°F. January to March brings the most consistent dry, sunny weather. By April, temperatures can dip slightly, with cooler nights and an increased chance of showers, although rain is possible year-round. Late November offers good conditions with fewer tourists before the holiday rush. The rainy season (May to October), often referred to as the green season, brings afternoon showers, lower prices and fewer crowds. It remains a good time for trekking, when the landscape is at its most lush.

Be aware that camping on Acatenango and Tajumulco involves sleeping at around 13,000ft above sea level, where temperatures can drop to between 32°F and 41°F overnight. Pack warm layers for these nights, including thermals, fleece and a down jacket.