Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge
Hike up five of Guatemala's volcanoes - dubbed 'The Ring of Fire' - ending up at spectacular Lake Atitlán
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, English-speaking local guidesHotel & Camping
7 nights in local hotels. 2 nights camping on volcanoes.Meals
8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners of tasty Central American foodTransfers
Your airport and local transfers, permits and entry fees are includedEquipment
All of the camping equipment for sleeping on the Acatenango and Tajumulco volcanoes is providedSmall ‘Like-minded’ Groups
Solo-friendly by design, our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Take in the views as you stand on top of Tajumulco volcano (4220m): the highest point of Central America
Hike to an epic summit overlooking the continuously erupting Volcan de Fuego and watch the sunrise from Acatenango volcano with views all the way to Mexico
Toast your volcano trekking exploits with sundowners and celebrations beside the dreamy azure waters of Lake Atitlán
Key Information
Day 1
Explore Antigua
You'll be met at the airport and in Guatemala City for your 1 hour transfer to Antigua: the base for the first of volcano climb. After settling into your hotel, you'll have free time to wander Antigua's cobbled streets and browse the myriad street stalls.
Day 2
Hike Pacaya Volcano
Hiking
In the morning you'll get straight to the task at hand: volcano trekking! You'll meet the group and drive to the trailhead of Pacaya volcano, lace up your hiking boots and hit the trail for what is an ideal acclimatisation trek. The route weaves through lava fields, formed by eruptions as recent as 2010. Geothermal hotspots can be found on the cooled lava formations. When you reach Pacaya's peak, you'll enjoy a picnic overlooking neighbouring volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. You'll head back to Antigua for the evening: grab a beer and some classic Central American food from Antigua's many street stalls, bars, restaurants and cafes. As a young active volcano, the summit of Volcan Pacaya is sometimes closed for safety reasons by the local authorities. This has been an increasingly common occurrence in 2024, with groups still trekking a spectacular circuit route but not making it quite to the summit.
Day 3
Acatenango Volcano Hike and Overnight Camp (3575m)
Hiking
You'll grab a big breakfast in Antigua before heading to the trailhead at La Soledad. Today's volcano hike is up the imposing Acatenango. The hike starts off through farmland and small villages, before ascending into a cloud forest. This is an area of high biodiversity, home to the famous Quetzal bird. You'll soon be greeted with sweeping views of the highlands and neighbouring volcanoes: a good time for a scenic refuel as you picnic on the volcano slopes.
After hiking through temperate forest, you'll reach the private camp spot at 3750m above sea level, cut into the slopes just below the tree line. Enjoy a fresh camp dinner and a night around the campfire. You are likely to have views of Fuego volcano belching fumes into the sky, just 4km away. It is an active volcano, with its last major eruption in 2018.
Day 4
Sunrise on Acatenango Volcano (3976m) and descend to Quetzaltenango
Hiking
You'll rise early to complete the hour-long hike to the summit of Acatenango, along a sand and scree covered trail. Reaching the cold and windswept summit, you'll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the entire Guatemalan highlands, all the way to the border of Mexico. You'll descend via a different route, moving through several different micro-climates as you lose altitude. Back at the trailhead, you'll jump in the van and head towards Guatemala's second largest city, Quetzaltenango - also known by its Mayan name, Xela. Check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening in this lively city.
Day 5
Chicabal Volcano (2845m) and Hot Springs
Hiking
Next up is your third volcano peak: Chicabal. There is a 1 hour drive to reach Laguna Seca where the hike starts. Today's summit is an easier hike taking you up to a sacred site in the Guatemalan highlands to a mystical lagoon that sits within the crater of Chicabal Volcano. The site represents the centre of the cosmos for the Mam Maya, and traditional ceremonies sometimes take place at the lake. After descending from the volcano there is a short journey to Fuentes Georginas to enjoy a bathe in the natural hot springs before returning to Xela for the evening.
Day 6
Hike Tajumulco Volcano - Central America's Highest Point (4220m)
Hiking
Another early start for a 3 hour drive to San Sebastian, close to the border with Mexico and the base for your climb up Tajumulco, Guatemala's highest volcano and the highest point in all of Central America. Today is a long day with around 5 hours of hiking. There are beautiful forest trails and pine studded ridges on the way to your camp spot for the night. You'll put your head down to sleep at approx 3965m above sea level - but not just yet. From the camp, the volcano summit is a steep climb for 30 minutes more, topping out at 4220m. You're officially on the top of Central America! Another awesome night of wild volcano camping awaits on the short descent back to camp.
Day 7
Descend Tajumulco and drive to Lake Atitlan
Hiking
Wake up on the volcano and make your descent down Tajumulco. You have a long drive to recover on, with a lunch stop en route, through the Guatemalan highlands to spectacular Lake Atitlan. You'll take a boat across the lake from Panajachel to your lakeside eco-hotel in the small town of San Pedro. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy this special place. Head in to town or just lie in a hammock and bask in the views of water and fire - lake and volcanoes all around you.
Day 8
Hike up San Pedro Volcano (2988m)
Hiking
You may have been relaxing, but this adventure isn't over yet! Today is your fifth and final volcano: Volcan San Pedro. After breakfast beside the lake, you'll take a boat across to the trail head. Experience your final epic hike through cloud forest, with sweeping highland vistas and spectacular views back down towards Lake Atitlan. At approx3000m, San Pedro volcano is no baby, but a fitting place to end your volcano hiking adventure.
Day 9
Unwind at Lake Atitlan
Congratulations: you've summited five volcanoes in a week! You've certainly earned a rest this morning, so the lake and eco-hotel is yours to soak up as you wish. There are kayaks available for use, or you can head to one of the best swimming spots at the lake. Early afternoon you'll head back to Antigua for a final evening celebrating your week of volcano summits with your group.
Day 10
Head back to the airport
Enjoy breakfast in Antigua and any spare time you may have before your host takes you back to the airport in Guatemala City for your departure flight.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4 – Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
What is the food like?
Traditional Guatemalan food is based on Maya cuisine with Spanish influences. Classic meals usually include corn, beans, chillies, rice, pork, beef, chicken, cheese and tortillas as staple ingredients. Picnic lunches are provided on hiking days. Your host has deliberately not included the evening meals in Antigua, Xela and Atitlan in your trip as it's great fun to explore the food options in each place. Antigua in particular is a food lover's dream, the street food scene here is worth investing some time and Quetzals in. Camp dinners on Acatenango and Tajumulco are real highlights of the trip. Your guide will prep Guatemalan food on the slopes while you take in the views of the neighbouring, and often erupting, volcanic peaks.
Vegetarians, vegans and most other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please make requests known in advance on your passenger info form. Bear in mind that vegetarian and vegan options in Central America can be limited, meaning less variety of ingredients.
What is the accommodation like?
Antigua Hotel
In Antigua your base will be at Casa Antigua (or similar), set in a historical building with lush green courtyards and just a 2-minute walk away from Antigua's central park. Guests can also use the swimming pool and sauna at the hotel's sister property nearby for a small extra fee. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en suite bathroom.
Quetzaltenango Hotel
In Quetzaltenango you'll stay in Hotel Modelo (or similar): a charming, historic 3-star hotel run by four generations of the same family. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with an en suite bathroom.
Lake Atitlan Hotel
At Lake Atitlan you'll stay at Hotel Sak'cari El Amanecer in San Pedro La Laguna (or similar). This is a hotel right on the waterfront, run on renewable energy and with an amazing pool with views of the lake and volcanoes. It's the perfect spot to wind down after all the volcano action. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with private bathroom.
Volcano Camping
You'll also camp on volcanoes Acatenango and Tajumulco. All of your camping gear is provided: tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag. Be advised that night time on the volcanoes can be quite cold, so do bring warm layers with you. There will be campfires to keep you toasty at dinner time, while stargazing and watching Fuego volcano do its thing.
Upgrades
All hotel rooms and tents on the trip are based on twin sharing. So for solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked throughout the trip (subject to availability). See Optional Extras for prices.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City (GUA)
Arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City (GUA)
Depart any time on Day 10
Transfers
Transfers between La Aurora International Airport (GUA) and your hotel in Antigua are provided for any flight arriving on Day 1, and departing on Day 10 of the trip. If you wish to arrive earlier or stay on later, your host can arrange private transfers for an additional cost. See Optional Extras for details.
Travel options
There are direct flights to La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City from many destinations in the US, and via Madrid from Europe.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- All of the camping equipment for sleeping on the Acatenango and Tajumulco volcanoes is provided
What do I need to bring?
Bags
- Soft duffel bag or rucksack (your main travel luggage that gets moved between hotels for you)
- Daypack approx. 35L+ (for trekking with, including for the overnight camps where you'll be carrying water, food, personal belongings)
- Waterproof liner for rucksack or drybags
Clothes
- Down jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Breathable wicking layers
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Thermals (merino is best)
- Warm hat
- Buff or neckscarf
- Gloves
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear & socks
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Hiking boots (worn-in)
- Sandals
Other
- Padlock for left luggage
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Spare camera batteries
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel Insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellant
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry out)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or torch
- Reusable water bottle x 1 ltr
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks
- Walking poles (optional)
Double/Twin room in Antigua
Payable Before Departure
Double/Twin room in Antigua
… Per Night
Single room in Antigua
Payable Before Departure
Single room in Antigua
… Per Night
Private Solo Room & Tent Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Private Solo Room & Tent Upgrade
…
Private transfer between Guatemala City and Antigua (each way, per vehicle for 1-3 people)
Payable Before Departure
Private transfer between Guatemala City and Antigua (each way, per vehicle for 1-3 people)
…
Experience beyond compare
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.
Fantastic trip!
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
Seeing a live volcano... a lifetime experience
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.
Unforgettable experience
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
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!
Great Volcano Hiking
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!
Just go do it!
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
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
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 and challenging trip.
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.
Highly recommend!
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!
Amazing 100% recommend
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.
Volcano Challenge - Guatemala
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
Elevated adventure in Guatemala!
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
Excellent trip and incredibly well organised.
Incredible
A challenging hike in a wonderful country
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
Hiking volcanoes in Guatemala was amazing enough, but the guides were so outgoing and patient that it really elevated the trip.
Unreal
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!
Not recommended especially for people with food restrictions
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
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.
An unforgettable experience - the hikes were hard but the views were well worth the effort. The guides were so supportive, and the food was tasty and provided in huge quantities to keep us going on the hikes. Our group had the added complication of having to navigate national protests, but both the MBA & local team went above & beyond to ensure we were kept in the loop before & during the trip. Adventure of a lifetime!
Brilliant tour - once in a lifetime experiences packed together into nine days that I will never forget!
As a novice to mountain trekking, the experience was amazing. I found a few of the mountains challenging, but I did it. We were so lucky to see Fuego errupt whilst camping. The most awesome site. The team guides were brilliant, they made the trekking so much fun. The hotels used were not too good and although asked well in advance for my catering needs, these were not provided. I am gluten free and found it difficult to get anything gluten free. I found the local entertainment was not provided, which would have been great. Logging all our luggage to lake Atitalan was not good. We should have been given the option to leave our luggage at the hotel in Antigua, as we were returning to that hotel.
We had an absolutely brilliant time. It was quite challenging physically but the rewards in terms of the views and the sense of accomplishment were fantastic. Highlights included the views of Fuego erupting from Acatenango, the magical lagoon at San Martin, and the sunrise from the top of Tajumulco. The group was brilliant and stuck together throughout the trip. We met some great people and thoroughly enjoyed their company. The guides were excellent. Luis is a superb bloke and I would follow him up anything, safe in the knowledge that he knows what he’s doing and he can tell me lots of interesting stuff on the way. Joel did a great job with the kit - it was always where it needed to be and in top condition. Jossais played a blinder with the cooking, rustling up some superb meals in the most difficult conditions. Henry, the driver, was a diamond. We always felt safe in the bus and he performed some amazing manoeuvres in the tightest of streets. I’m not sure that there’s anything I would change but we were very envious of the people who were staying on and if we were booking again we would probably try and stay another day or two at Lake Atitlan or in Antigua. Great trip.
This was an excellent trip, incredibly well organised and supported throughout the trip. I have been leading expeditions for 20 years as an international mountain leader and this trip was truly excellent.
A fantastic trip to climb the volcanos, see a live volcano and experience the local cuisine and stay in traditional hotels with knowledgeable guides. a chance to see Guatemala villages and culture.
The local guides were amazing! And what a trip - stunning volcanoes and such a beautiful country. A brilliant way to see it all! We felt very well looked after. And seeing Fuego erupt at night - wow!!
Amazing and challenging trip!
An incredible trip, fantastic guides and organisation, brilliant group and lifelong memories.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 221kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
You'll need a good level of fitness for this trip. You'll be trekking up 5 volcanoes in 10 days and some of the ascents are steep, with significant altitude gains on Days 3 and 6 in particular. You won't need any technical ability or mountain climbing experience, however. We recommend that you'll need to be comfortable hiking for multiple hours each day (see itinerary) whilst carrying some personal items including drinking water.
The trip reaches some high altitudes, topping out at 4220m on Day 6, and including overnight campsites at approx. 3575m on Day 3 and 3965m on Day 6. Physical exertion at these altitudes can feel harder if not accustomed to such altitudes, or if ascending too quickly. Your guides will set an appropriate pace and help each individual to complete the treks safely.
When you trek in the mountains, there's always the risk of getting altitude sickness, regardless of how old, young, fit or unfit you are. We would expect most trekkers to feel some mild symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, sleeplessness, heavy breathing) when over 3000m. Our guides are trained to identify the symptoms of altitude sickness so if any more serious symptoms are noted, there is a strict procedure regarding extra care or a rapid descent or evacuation if needed. All of our trips have been designed with altitude best practice in mind so acclimatisation days have been built in and our experienced guides follow advice to ‘walk high and sleep low’.
Yes, for the two overnight volcano camps everyone in the group pitches in and helps carry the camping gear: sleeping bags, pads and parts of the tent you will be using. This is all part of the experience of hiking to the top of a volcano and pitching up for a night sleeping out on the summit.
Additional porters for the overnight camp sections are available to hire locally at an extra cost: $25USD each way. 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.
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.
If any of the volcano summits are closed for safety reasons by the local authorities then your host team in Ecuador 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 acclimatisation.
Dry season runs from November to March, with the fringe months of October and April also being good times to visit. The Guatemalan highlands have a great climate for hiking, with lows of 10°C and highs of 27°C generally.
Be aware that the nights camping on Acatenango and Tajumulco volcanoes will be cold as you are sleeping at around 4000m above sea level. Make sure to pack enough warm layers for this part. Thermals, fleeces or light down jackets will be fine.
Yes you can leave your excess luggage in Antigua if you need to. 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.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion. Your guide will help with advice however, we suggest the amount below as a guideline per person:
Guide: 3-5 US dollars a day
Of course, you are free to tip more or less and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
For current advice about travelling in Guatemala, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that 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 (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers 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.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.
We've got your back
Guaranteed to run
All our trips are now guaranteed to run. Once you’ve booked your spot you can immediately make your travel arrangements, no uncertainty, no hanging about.
Flexible payments
Secure your spot with the minimum deposit and pay off the remaining balance in as many instalments as you like, with no interest or fees.
Happiness Guarantee
We’re so confident you’ll have an amazing time we’ll put our money on it.
Full financial protection
To give you complete peace of mind we’re backed by ABTOT and ATOL memberships
Tried & Trusted
We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 900 verified trip reviews averaging 4.8/5.
Connect before you go
You'll be invited to join a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before your big adventure together.