Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge

A really great trip made even more special by our Guides Luis and David. The hikes were tough but very rewarding. I wouldn’t recommend for people not used to hiking. We bought some hiking poles the day before setting off which were really helpful. Out of our couple, one of us had boots, one had sturdy trail shoes. The boots were better, but it is doable in good trail shoes/trainers. The volcanoes are stunning. Pleased we got to travel around Guatemala and different parts of the country. I’d recommend adding a day or two extra in Antigua before or after, as it’s a really cool city. The local tour company were brilliant (old town outfitters). I would advise against this trip if you’re really scared of dogs, there’s lots of strays everywhere, pretty harmless and nobody got attacked, but just to note there’s a lot just hanging around! The least impressive part was probably the thermal baths, it seemed a long drive for an average experience, we’d have maybe preferred just a few hours to explore Xela city. I think a head torch was on the “recommended” part of the kit list but it is 100% essential! The hotels were all nice and were comfortable, and the sleeping bags were warm for the two camping nights. You should expect to tip the local porters at each volcano and then the main local guides who are with you all week, so factor this into the total cost of the trip (they did a great job so was thoroughly deserved!). A couple of people in our group suffered mild to moderate altitude sickness on the 2 highest volcanoes, if you think you’re at risk of this definitely get some Diamox tablets, and drink electrolytes to ensure you’re fully hydrated. The symptoms improved rapidly as soon as we descended. If possible, arrive in Antigua a couple of days early to acclimatise and explore!

This was quite the epic and memorable adventure with sights and natural phenomena unlike anywhere in the world. The beauty of Guatemala was unsurpassed, silent — due to the off the beaten path nature of it — and powerful — because VOLCANOES. Fuego was a sight to behold and one that should not be overlooked.

The hikes were challenging, the terrain so new and exciting to experience! I did all hikes in trailer runners and low gaiters. If you normally hike in trail runners, then you will be fine. My gaiters ended up being my most invaluable gear; they were helpful in keeping out the scree of my shoes during the exhilarating slides down the face of the volcano! In addition, I didn’t bring poles originally and was eternally grateful to the local guide company for providing my friend and I one each. They ended up being so helpful as well!

The group was a fine team and such great company. Guides Diego and Vini were the dream team. They each had such an infectious, positive energy that radiated throughout the group. Most importantly though, they ensured our safety when it came to AMS; they stressed the signs and symptoms constantly and made sure the group speed was ideal for optimal acclimatization. I also felt secure especially on San Pedro when two police officers joined our crew to keep the banditos away.

This was my first time in Central America and it was a great first venture into the region. And I can say with confidence that it will not be my last!

This was such an incredible trip! Guatemala is amazing and getting to see several parts of the country was great. The volcanoes were absolutely stunning. The hiking was difficult but doable and the guides were great about accommodating the different speeds of our group. I definitely recommend preparing for the altitude as much as possible and/or take medication. We had a great group and the guides (Vini and Diego) were phenomenal! Overall highly recommend this trip, definitely one of the coolest trips I’ve taken.

Everything was great! From guides to logistics to team. Top 10 travel experience because of Acate and Fuego. The guides, Diego and Vini were very vocal about AMS sickness and always concerned about you. You always felt like you were in good hands. Local tips and insights were especially helpful.

We had a brilliant experience on the 5 volcano’s trip in Guatemala. The hikes were challenging but manageable for the whole group and very rewarding! The landscapes were beautiful and the experience was elevated by the energy of our guides Joel, Vini and Rudy. Their infectious energy, enthusiasm and support kept us motivated and their adaptability ensured we got the best experience possible. Couldn’t have asked for a better adventure or a better group of people to share it with.

Absolutely fantastic challenge! As mentioned by others, the adventure is indeed challenging but very rewarding. I can't recommend it enough!

We were lucky to have a fabulous local crew from Old Town outfitters and incredible group of hikers! The views you'd see on this trip are to remember for life!

As a famous slogan says JUST DO IT!

P.S. Huge thanks to Joel and David for keeping us safe, motivated and entertained, to Viny for keeping us well fed, to Henry for delivering us safe and sound to all destinations! <3

An outstanding all round trip. Seeing a live volcano (Fuego) was a lifetime experience. The organisation and tempo of the trip was outstanding. The hikes were well paced, and the views stunning. I loved the 2 overnight camps/sunrises which adds to the adventure. The guides and wider support team were very helpful, professional, fun and engaging which added to great dynamics. We also had a great group; which I expect is typical of the sort of people who travel with MBA. I strongly recommend you take walking poles. Also very good value for the amount we achieved in such a short space of time. Ensure chose the right time of year; when not too hot, but when the rainy season has passed so likely to have clear views.

This is an awesome trip at the top of my list of experiences! If you like being out and active, beautiful views and experience the impressive power of volcanoes.

The guides are really professional, friendly and take good care of you. The group dynamics were great, everyone is excited to share this experience.

Just to provide some reference for others: I didn't have much hiking experience, but I'm an active runner and cycler, 40 years old. I loved the physical activity, obviously the hikes cost quite some energy, but I could do them all all without too much challenge. Others indicated they had to push themselves more to complete the trip, but I think anyone who is active and up for it can do it!

Insights:

• I never used poles before, but glad I brought a pair
• I used trail running shoes, which were perfect mostly and would choose them again. Would wear higher socks next time though.
• I had 1 fleece and 1 warm jacket, this was sufficient. Gloves are nice at dawn hikes.
• I used a 2l water bladder, it's really nice to be able to easily drink whenever you feel like it without having to stop. And electrolytes!
• No need to worry about baggage, they drive everything between each hotel.
• Not needed: Water purification . First-aid kit (guides had this), biodegradable bags.

A brilliant trip: physically and mentally demanding, but so worth it. The views were epic, the guides were patient and motivating, the rest of the adventurers were legends.

Along with what others have said, walking poles are a real asset, you probably won't need waterproof trousers or water purification tablets.

It would be great if more opportunities to swim could be built into the schedule. Lake Atitlan is too polluted.

Look out for the manageress at the hotel in Lake Atitlan. She's from the Basil Fawlty school of hoteliers!

Thanks to Jose, David, and especially Vini. The only reason I made it up San Pedro volcano is because it's his favourite!

We had an excellent experience, the guides were professional, friendly and with a very good energy. They made sure everything ran smoothly even when the unexpected happened. Food was also great. Guatemala has great culture and the hikes are challenging but also manageable. Seeing volcanoes in person is something everyone who gets the chance should do!

Fabulous scenery amazing guides incredibly friendly locals. All hotel where basic but comfortable with good breakfasts and helpful staff. Our driver did a great job too only criticism was that there was bit too much driving but it was worth it to climb San Pedro volcano. So lovely in the forest and not busy like the taller more famous volcanos and to see and travel on lake Atitlan. Dispite being such a disparate group we did become a team...

Lovely adventure.

First day was way longer then expected. I did not mind but could have been good to be prepeared for a long day.

It is a tough adventure for sure but not impossible. Can deffently recomend. Very skillful and lively guides. Execellent food throughot

Some notes on the packing list:

You will need: -walking poles -warm gloves

You will not need: -waterpurification tablets.

I couldn’t find a single fault with the trip; amazing staff, excellent choice of hotels, all food provided was delicious, well organised and, although a challenge, extremely rewarding. Despite more than half the other travellers being thirty plus years younger than me Pepi, Vinnie and Jerry made sure I accomplished every volcano, they were patient and supportive throughout.

A fantastic trip run by Pepian, Vinnie and Jerry. They couldn't have been more encouraging or have made it more fun. Our group was made up of speedsters and us slower people. They handled the difference well. Vinnie was the cook and made sure we were all fueled up on the camping trips. Gerry helped develop my Spanish and Pepian made sure it all ran smoothly while making some good conversation. My group all had an ace time.

I recently participated in Much Better Adventure's Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge that was locally run by Old Town Outfitters. It was spectacular. The guides (Pepian, Luis and Josias) were so caring, knowledgeable and fun. They were able to accommodate for a wide range of hiking paces and dietary restrictions. We quite literally couldn't have done it without them!

I know I read a ton of reviews when prepping for this trip so here are a couple tips/insights that my group agreed on:

• Hiking poles are a must. Everyone that didn't bring some ended up using a stick.
• It gets very dusty so I would recommend bringing some wipes to clean up especially on the nights you camp.
• You are going to be hiking all over Guatemala so you will be in the bus for chunks of time. It's just part of the deal so make sure you're prepared with headphones and portable chargers.
• The "challenging" classification is accurate. You are hiking for 7 days in a row so while it's doable be prepared to be tired/sore/challenged!

Overall this trip was a great way to see Guatemala and I would highly recommend it to any hiker in my life!

Good scenery, friendly hosts, nice place to visit.

Amazing trip highly recommend for those look to explore Central America the accommodation was really good and when camp everything is taken care of for you the food throughout the trip was delicious and the guides did everything in there power to make sure you enjoyed the trip going out of there way to make it happen would like to thank Joel Mateo our lead guide Josias Back our chef and guide Rudy Tala who sorted all the kit and guide.

The trip was a fabulous experience, a real lifetime memory!! Experiencing Fuego explode in anger is something I will never forget.

All hikes were challenging in their own right, the trip is for sure a 4/5 difficulty so please don't expect an easy ride!! But it is worthwhile for sure.

The guides were fabulous, in particular Joel (lead), Josias (cook and bottle washer) and of course Rudy (dimple master!!)

Accommodation at each location was much better than basic and the mattresses provided at camp were exceptional.

We did spend a little too much time in the bus on one day in particular, circa 6.5 hours, and this part of the trip needs re-thinking by MBA IMHO.

But apart from that one very small negative I would recommend this trip to everyone with a sense of adventure and who like steep and long hikes x

I recommend this trip 100%! Everything was well organized, and the guides made sure we were comfy and safe every step of the way. Even though the hikes were challenging at times, the views were absolutely worth it.

Excellent trip and incredibly well organised.

Incredible

A very challenging hike up 5 of Guatemala’s volcanoes. To be quite honest it was tougher than I thought it would be when booking. The guides were the highlight Luis, Diana and David were great. They got us up all five volcanoes safely and with good humour. Diana’s food was sublime. It was amazing what she could produce in a small tent on the side of a volcano. From booking to the drive to the airport on the way home everything worked seamlessly I recommend this trip and MBV Thank you

Hiking volcanoes in Guatemala was amazing enough, but the guides were so outgoing and patient that it really elevated the trip.

This was the trip of a lifetime! Seeing Fuego erupt from Acatenango base camp is an experience that will stay with me forever. Joel, Josias, and Luis were fantastic guides. Our driver , Marcello, was also amazing. While INCREDIBLY strenuous, I loved summitting 5 volcanoes with our wonderful team. Thank you for the memories!

Company or that specific location in Guatemala not very organized or accurate. Also I was promised to follow my food restrictions and found myself hungry after every meal. As the trip progressed I had less and less food that fitted my needs. Even the last dinner/restaurant was chosen with everything I can't or want to eat.

Organisation was bellow expectation. A lot of time has been wasted due to a poor organisation: there was always something missing. As a consequence, the real start for hiking was always late, very often after the clear morning skies.

Daily briefings never matched the real distance for the day, it was always shorter, sometimes significantly. explanations were "we are lacking time".

It was a surprise to have to carry our water for multiple days. In all multi-day hikes I have made before, you only carry your water for the day, and can refill at the camp.

The tour was asking to be physically fit and with that I was expecting a more dynamic group. It was not the case and we had to wait constantly for the slower participants.

I have traveled many countries (over 110) and many of them by organising the tour myself. What I expect when I book an organised tour is a professional organisation that will save me time and help me packing a maximum of activities in a limited time allocated for holidays. On this front you have failed, my overall feeling is that I would have achieved more by organising the hikes myself with local guides.

Altogether, was not my expectations for active holidays.

This trip was everything I hoped it would be and so much more.

The hikes were challenging but so rewarding by the scenery from the peaks. The guides were excellent and really brought the group together, became a family for 10 days. I can’t thank the guides enough for an amazing experience.

Guatemala is truly a beautiful country. Trip of a life time!

This really was an experience that will stay with me forever. I enjoyed every minute of it. The five volcano treks were amazing, each one special in its own way. Our local guides Joel, Vinny and David deserve special credit for making this adventure so memorable.

The trip of a lifetime exploring beautiful Guatemala. The guides Joel, Vinny and David were simply amazing, they became friends during the trip. Such an awesome group of travellers to spend 10 days with too. Can’t rate this trip highly enough, if you want to explore a Central American country and have a challenge then do this! The hiking was difficult but views and sense of achievement was incredible!

This trip was so much! Our guides Luis, Rudy, and Diana were all amazing and full of great energy on the trip. Some of the hikes were challenging, but the views were well worth it. I really enjoyed spending time in Guatemala and getting to see all the places we went, it was such a fun adventure!