Guatemala’s impressive geography, defined by a chain of 33 volcanoes, makes up the backbone of the Guatemalan Highlands. This amazing itinerary focuses on the majestic volcanoes that overlook the old Spanish colonial capital of Antigua. You will climb the spectacularly active Volcano Pacaya and then venture to the tops of Volcano Acatenango and Volcano Fuego. Your experienced guides will provide all the gear and cooking equipment for a cozy night in the saddle.

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Guatemala’s impressive geography, defined by a chain of 33 volcanoes, makes up the backbone of the Guatemalan Highlands. This amazing itinerary focuses on the majestic volcanoes that overlook the old Spanish colonial capital of Antigua. You will climb the spectacularly active Volcano Pacaya and then venture to the tops of Volcano Acatenango and Volcano Fuego. Your experienced guides will provide all the gear and cooking equipment for a cozy night in the saddle.

With some luck, Fuego will provide some entertainment with a high altitude firework shows. Fuego, history’s most active volcano, has been recorded to be rumbling and firing lava from its crater ever since the Spanish first arrived in Antigua in the 16th century. This trip will also take you to the top of Volcano Tajumulco, Central America’s highest peak (13,845 ft). From the summit you will get views of the Guatemalan highlands, the Pacific Coast, the Cuchumatanes mountain range, and well into Mexico.

Here are the highlights of this adventure-packed tour:

  • Trek up Guatemala’s premier peaks, and summit Central America’s highest
  • Spend time on Lake Atitlan and see it from an aerial perspective
  • Hike 7 volcanoes and conquer the rugged backbone of the Western Highlands one by one
  • Camp under the stars and spend a night watching Volcan Fuego erupt
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Trip summary

  • Travel style Group departure
  • Departure Guatemala City
  • End Guatemala City
  • Countries
    • Guatemala
  • City
    • Antigua
    • Acatenango
    • Quetzaltenango
    • Zunil
    • Santa Maria
    • Tajumulco
    • Lake Atitlán
    • Guatemala City
  • Theme Adventure and trekking
  • Accommodation Standard
  • Flight Excluded
  • Guide Not Included
  • The tour has met our standards

Detailed itinerary

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  • 1
    Arrival
    Day 1

     Arrive to Guatemala City International Airport and transfer to Antigua.

    Visited places:
    • Guatemala City
    • Antigua
  • 2
    Sightseeing in Antigua
    Day 2

    A day for sightseeing in Antigua, a fascinating old Spanish Colonial city, now a World Heritage Site. 

    Visited places:
    • Antigua
  • 3
    Volcano Pacaya
    Day 3

    Our volcano trekking begins with a short but exciting ascent of smoking Pacaya overlooking Guatemala City. We reach a high point of approximately 2100 meters on this very active volcano before returning to Antigua. 

    Visited places:
    • Antigua
  • 4
    Acatenango and Fuego
    Day 4

    Driving to the small settlement of La Soledad we begin our ascent of Acatenango (3975m). Our overnight camp is spectacularly located just below the summit on the saddle between Acatenango and Fuego. Here we have amazing views of Fuego’s eruptions.

    Visited places:
    • Antigua
    • Acatenango
  • 5
    Volcano Fuego
    Day 5

    After admiring the sunrise and a hearty breakfast we ascend Fuego to a safe distance for viewing its regular eruptions and return to the saddle. 

    Visited places:
    • Acatenango
  • 6
    Descent to Antigua
    Day 6

    We embark on a long descent from the top to our waiting transport and we transfer to Antigua. The afternoon is free to further enjoy this charming town. 

    Visited places:
    • Acatenango
    • Antigua
  • 7
    Antigua - Quetzaltenango
    Day 7

    We have a scenic drive across the highlands to reach Guatemala’s second city of Quetzaltenango.

    Visited places:
    • Antigua
    • Quetzaltenango
  • 8
    Volcano Zunil
    Day 8

    Our next summit is Volcano Zunil (3542m). After a short drive to Xecam, follow an undulating ridge line to a spectacular camp high on the ridge overlooking the Xela Highlands.

     

    Visited places:
    • Quetzaltenango
    • Zunil
  • 9
    Volcano Zunil
    Day 9

    After an early breakfast we continue climbing the ridge to the summit of Volcano Zunil. We descend through cloud and bamboo forest into the Zunil Valley and we visit the hot springs of Fuente Georginas.

    Visited places:
    • Zunil
  • 10
    Volcano Santa Maria
    Day 10

    Our next objective is Santa Maria (3770m). We make an early start for the 5 hour trek and aim to reach the summit by lunchtime. We have a bird’s eye view into the fiery crater of the nearby active Volcano Santiaguto. 

    Visited places:
    • Zunil
    • Santa Maria
  • 11
    Volcano Tajumulco
    Day 11

    A long day to reach the highest point in Central America. Beginning with a drive to the village of Tuican, we climb Tajumulco and descend to a camp (c.3000m). 

    Visited places:
    • Santa Maria
    • Tajumulco
  • 12
    Lake Atitlàn
    Day 12

    After a short trek we transfer to Lake Atitlan. From the colourful Indian town of Panajachal we take a boat to our hotel.

    Visited places:
    • Tajumulco
    • Lake Atitlán
    Accommodation offered:
  • 13
    Volcano San Pedro
    Day 13

    The final volcano of our adventure is San Pedro (3040m) which gives us breathtaking views over the lake. We return to our hotel. 

    Visited places:
    • Lake Atitlán
    Accommodation offered:
  • 14
    Back to Antigua
    Day 14

    We take a boat back to Panajachal and transfer to Antigua. We have a final afternoon and evening to enjoy the many bars and street cafes. 

    Visited places:
    • Lake Atitlán
    • Antigua
  • 15
    End of tour
    Day 15

     Transfer to airport. End of services.

     

    Visited places:
    • Antigua
    • Guatemala City

Photogallery

  • Guatemala erupting volcano
  • Guatemala Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes
  • Guatemala volcanoes
  • Guatemala Pacaya volcano lava
  • Guatemala volcano
  • Guatemala Antigua S. Caterina Arch and volcano
  • Guatemala Antigua
  • Guatemala Antigua twilight
  • Guatemala Antigua view
  • Guatemala Lake Atitlan
  • Guatemala Lake Atitlan
  • Guatemala Antigua La Merced church
  • Guatemala camping
  • Guatemala volcanoes
  • Guatemala volcanoes sunset

  • Prices and conditions
    Price includes
    • opzioni e attività comprese nel pacchetto di viaggio
    Price does not include
    • mance
    • extra in genere
    • escursioni facoltative
    • tutto quanto non indicato nella voce 'La quota comprende'