Get up close and personal with a Guatemalan volcano during this 7-hour Pacaya Volcano hike, one of the country’s most active. Travel through volcanic vegetation and surreal landscapes on your way to the top, enjoying impressive views of three nearby volcanic peaks, including Agua, Fuego and Acatenango at the summit. Your trip from Antigua to the volcano also includes round-trip transportation from your hotel and a guide.

Day trip to Pacaya Volcano from Antigua
Get an up-close look at the active volcano as you hike to the top of Pacaya with your expert guide
Admire picturesque views of the Fuego, Agua and Acatenango volcanoes
Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off

What's Included

Professional bilingual guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Bottled water
Entrance fee

Gratuities
Horseback ride

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

08:00 am

Pickup details

We pick up from any hotel in Antigua Guatemala.

What To Expect

Experience views of some of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes from up close as you hike to the top of Pacaya, where you’ll enjoy unforgettable views from the top of this 8,000-foot (2,438m) peak.

Start your day with an 8am pickup from your Antigua hotel, taking a 15 mile (25km) drive southeast to the base of this lumbering giant. Upon reaching the base, you’ll begin a 2.5-hour climb to the peak with your guide, learning about the history of this unique volcano and the vegetation that thrives in this strange environment. A mild walk brings you the lagoon of Calderas, where you can take in the amazing views of three nearby volcanoes, including Agua, Fuego and Acatenango.

Then continue on towards a plateau in the trail, a vantage point from which you’ll be able to observe the main crater along with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Due to safety concerns, you won’t venture all the way to the volcano’s crater, but you will have the chance to see glistening lava and a series of steam baths created by its heat.

Take a few moments to revel in the incredible views from up high before beginning your descent back down to the base and then back to Antigua for a drop-off at your hotel.

Pacaya Volcano

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Acatenango Volcano (Pass By)

Volcan de Agua (Pass By)

Fuego Volcano (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travellers with back problems

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travellers

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 cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Featured review

M_S

Miguel was an excellent guide who shared a ton of history and even some personal experiences. He was professional and a gentleman throughout the tour and treated us with respect and courtesy. Thank you for sharing the beautiful scenery and informative experience! -Mike & Ingrid

Reviews

4.5

68 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 68 reviews

Amazing Pacaya

Emma_L, Sept 2023

I was lucky to be almost the only 1 hiking Pacaya and had a wonderful guide (Luis) who went at an appropriate pace. He frequently checked how I was doing and if I needed a break. Luis clearly cares about his job and is passionate about Pacaya which added to my experience. The hike is definitely medium difficulty but doable. I was offered stocks by children at the bottom and horses but never do it was intrusive - everyone was polite and friendly (just trying to earn a living). The views all the way up are incredible- I highly recommend!

Oscar is the best guide

Eric_T, Aug 2023

Our guide Oscar was amazing! Knowledgeable, charismatic, interesting, and attentive to our safety. It was an all-around great experience because of him.

Great experience !...

Maggi_V, Aug 2023

Great experience ! Transport was great , we got a private car with an very nice driver that gave us much info also the guide from the Vulcans trip was nice and helpful

What a view!

Tom_E, Aug 2023

We felt very lucky to have nearly perfect weather for the hike and a breathtaking view at the top. This is not an easy hike but it was worth the effort! Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable.

Worth the trip

Theresa_T, Aug 2023

Our guide Luis was the best. He gave historical facts, gave updates of time to the top, gave us breaks, took time to take photos of us at certain points that were picturesque, picked lava rocks that were interesting so we could take as souvenirs and overall just a kind man. The view was worth the hike cause it truly was breathtaking.

Fun!

Justin_C, July 2023

It was an amazing experience. My son and I traveled alone and our guide made us feel very safe and comfortable. He discussed history and information about the volcano throughout our hike. The hike was not difficult but we took breaks along the way. Our guide went at the pace we needed to go. It was a lot of fun.

Awesome Tour

Amanda_P, May 2023

Our driver, Gustavo, and guide (I can't remember his name) were absolutely great! Gustavo reached out 1 day prior to ensure we were still on for the tour. Pick up was also right on time. Our guide was well knowledgeable and informative. The views were breathtaking. We also roasted marshmallows from the heat of the lava! ... A must see!

Phenomenal experience....

Ana_L, May 2023

Phenomenal experience. Communication was awesome, and we felt very safe from pick up to hiking to drop off!

Volcanic tours and experienced hiking guides

Charles_H, May 2023

Awesome day trip travel. Would like to thank the staff in charge of leading the journey and course. A few group can make the travel within an hours time. So much fun to be had. Experienced or not trained anyone may have the efforts to successfully make it up and through the volcanic tours.

I really enjoyed seeing...

Hamad_A, May 2023

I really enjoyed seeing Pacaya and the area around it. Unfortunately my guide didn't speak English as advertised, so I missed out of most of the guide talk. Thankfully, there were some English speaking people on the tour as well that managed to translate for me some things he was explaining :)

Great experience with toddler

Soumya_G, May 2023

Diego and Ruby were fantastic guides and really took the time to make sure everyone in the group was feeling comfortable and having fun. We were traveling with our 14 months old son so we had our hands full but enjoyed the experience!

Absolutely amazing, best day of our trip

Perry_U, Mar 2023

Absolutely amazing trip for our family of 7. Three adults and four kids ages 3-12. Our guide Josué spoke beautiful English and was the most helpful, kind and patient person with our group. They picked us up from the house in Antigua and we drove 1.5 hours to the volcano. There we met with a local guide Luis and he accompanied us up the mountain as well. We ended up getting three horses for the kids to really enjoy the whole experience. This was extra and paid directly to the local guide Luis at the end. It’s the main source of income for the people who live in the town and we were happy to pay them extra. Wear long pants, layers and hats. The UV rays get stronger the higher you go and even our tan Floridian skin got quite burnt! The best part of the experience was the pizza cooked by the volcano at the top! It was also an extra cost but so worth it! Daniel the pizza maker was so amazing and made the best pizza I’ve had with fresh ingredients at the top of the volcano. It was truly one of the most spectacular experiences our traveling family has had. By far the best day of the whole trip. The kindness and thoughtfulness of Josué and his driver Ernesto truly made the trip above and beyond.

Fun at Pacaya

Karen_S, Mar 2023

My children and I were the only people in our group for the day so we got a private guide! From the ride to the climb…everything was amazing. They were so kind and informative. The kids had an incredible time. We ended up getting a horse that my daughter and I traded off for for fun. There’s a small souvenir shop near the end with lava made items so make sure you have enough for the shop and the tips! The guides certainly deserve it. Will return!

Had a really fun time on...

Ulysses_Y, Mar 2023

Had a really fun time on the hike - the view is beautiful. The only thing was there were a lot of people pressuring us into buying horses/sticks on the hike, and the guide didn’t do a lot to prevent that. Also, the cost was a bit high considering that we mainly received a few marshmallows and one water bottle.

Lovely day trip

jay, Mar 2023

Nice trip. Not too strenuous and beautiful views await. Dusty on trail. Bring waters and snacks. Horse ride option available

Beautiful views, short(ish) hike.

Geoffrey_P, Feb 2023

The transportation was easy, the driver picks you up at your hotel and takes you directly to the National Park. Once you get there, a guide is waiting for you and will hike with you and show you the trail. The trail itself was about 3 and a 1/2 miles (5.5km), you climb up around the base of the Volcano, over a ridge, and then back down. You do not summit the Volcano. Make sure to bring your own water and snacks because there are limited options at the visitor center. Our guide was friendly, but spoke pretty much only in Spanish. Even though it was advertised as an English tour. On the hike you see incredible views of other volcanoes in the surrounding area, and you also get to roast marshmallows in a volcanic vent. In general it is a good time. Something to note: the drive out to the park was nearly an hour and a 1/2 both ways. I wish the hike would've been a little longer than just 3.5 miles (5.5km)to make the drive more worth it, but l understand it has to be possible for all activity levels.

Pacaya Trip

M_S, Dec 2022

Hike to see molten lava flow

Madelyne_S, Oct 2022

We enjoyed the trip and had a good driver, clever, on time, fluent in English. Then the local guide walked with us, but didn't say much at all. He wasn't very comfortable in English. With trip cost, tips, walking sticks, crummy exchange rate etc, we paid about $200 for the two of us get driven to a spot to take a 3 hour hike. It just seemed expensive.

Great day, decent hike and great views!

Haley_H, July 2022

We had a great trip to the volcano! It's a decent hike up with amazing views at the top! Easy transport with water provided. Make sure to bring your own snacks. Davis was a great guide! Would recommend.

Once in a lifetime outsanding experience

evan_a, June 2022

Miguel was extremely knowledgable about Guatemala, Mayan history, and the volcanos. He was early to meet us at our pick up location and even had great suggestions for lunch after our trip. He was very pleasent and helpful on our tour and offered plenty. I highly recommend this tour. Miguel you are awesome! And so was Luis!

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