This popular Pacaya Volcano day trip from Guatemala City is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the country’s most active volcano. Follow your expert local guide to the top of this fiery mountain and look out over stunning views of Guatemala countryside. It’s a memorable way to experience the natural beauty of this incredible country and is perfect for novice hikers.

Full-day adventure to the Pacaya Volcano from Guatemala City
Hike to the top of Pacaya with your expert guide and admire close-up views of the active volcano
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

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Horseback ride

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

07:00 am

Pickup details

Pick up time will be within 15 minutes of the established departure time in your confirmation.

What To Expect

Experience the natural beauty of Guatemala’s most active volcano on this full-day trip to Pacaya from Guatemala City. You’ll hike 8,000 feet above sea level with your expert local guide as you navigate the trails of the country’s most active volcano.

The 2.5-hour hike to the top of Pacaya is easy enough for the novice trekker and still challenging enough to feel like a workout. Viewpoints along the way offer up incredible panoramic landscapes that include nearby Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes. Your guide will share stories and history about this incredible volcano as you make your way to the top, pointing out vegetation and wildlife as you hike.

Once you reach the top you’ll be able to marvel at incredible views and take an up close look at red-hot lava flowing in the volcano’s crater. You’ll have some time to relax in the rocky terrain before making your way back to the volcano’s base with your guide. Complimentary round-trip hotel transport is included in this tour.

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 a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Featured review

seversonjudym

I thought that I could hike the Pacaya Volcano but quickly found out that the horse would be so much easier. I enjoyed viewing the scenery and Volcano from the top of a horse. Great views of the Volcano and lava fields. I enjoyed the roasted marshmallows cooked from the Volcanic embers. I would highly recommend this trip.

Reviews

5.0

31 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 31 reviews

Horseback Riding to Pacaya Volcano

seversonjudym, Apr 2023

Great experience

Faith_A, July 2022

Wonderful experience. The hike is very difficult, but worth it. Beautiful views, guide is very nice, Lava Store is so unique and impressive. If you don’t do the volcano you didn’t experience all of Guatemala.

Wonderful!

Laura_D, Mar 2022

Wonderful tour. Our guide was fun. Although we couldn't go to the summit (since it's an active volcano), the walk up was beautiful. The stopping point was near the top and involved walking on a volcanic rock field to a place where we were able to roast marshmallows from the heat of the volcano. Such a fun experience. Also one final note, if the hike became too much, horses were available to rent for a small fee.

Volcano sightseeing

Ritchy_J, June 2021

It's a really great experience to have if you ever visit Guatemala. My guide Davis was exceptional in showing me Pacaya Volcano and its surroundings.

Very good experience

Lizhen_S, June 2020

The tourist guide （ I forgot his name) come to hotel on time at 8:00AM on 3/8/20 . There are only our two person on this tour and spend 7 hrs . We are very enjoy this trip.

Overall, this was a great experience...

Mark B, Feb 2018

Overall, this was a great experience however, you should be aware that this trip does not include a guided hike to the rim of the crater. If you are going to the rim, you will have to pay an additional 200 qtz per person. We didn't know that until we got to the volcano that's why I rate this 4 stars instead of 5. You will start at an elevation of 6200ft and climb to around 8500ft if you go to the rim otherwise, I think you only go to about 7500ft. The first part is fairly easy with plenty of rest stops, but the ascent to the crater is difficult and you cannot take a horse to the rim. There is a lot of loose cinder rock, and it is like climbing the face of a sand dune - slipping and sliding, 2 steps up and 1 sliding back down 2 hiking sticks recommended. All that said, it was well worth the climb and we were able to witness some small eruptions at the top. Near the rim you will see steam rising from the ground and you can feel the heat and smell the sulfur and hear the rumblings of the volcano, which was very impressive! It was much easier coming down than going up!

For me, the main attractions were...

Sandor B, Nov 2017

For me, the main attractions were the view from Pacaya that included the Fuego Volcano producing a small eruption roughly about every half an hour, the Laguna de Calderas, and Guatemala City.

If you are looking for a fun but...

AbelBryan_D, Oct 2017

If you are looking for a fun but active experience this is the experience for you. The guides are friendly and informative. Our 9 year old son was able to walk in and the guides were accommodating. If you find the initial hike too strenuous feel free to purchase a walking stick or ride one of the horses. We never felt pressured to purchase either but they will continue to walk with you just in case you change your mind.

The guide picked up us on time. We...

Maria A, Sept 2017

The guide picked up us on time. We felt safe and very happy during our 7-hour tour because the guide was always offering more information, and had a lively conversation with every person we encounter. I highly recommend this tour.

This was a amazing trip, I was on a...

Herman Y, July 2017

This was a amazing trip, I was on a business trip alone and was I little concerned about going on a tour not speaking spanish. But my drive was named Nicth and the guide was a lady named Clara who I had not problem communicate with. I would highly recommend the both of them.

Excellent!!!! Nice long hike up and...

Russel T, June 2017

Excellent!!!! Nice long hike up and around the volcano, but you have the option of horseback riding at the start as the locals really try to encourage using a horse. Toast marshmallows on the lava and stop by a small stand during your tour. Views and experience were amazing!!

We loved every part of the tour...

Jon_C, Sept 2016

We loved every part of the tour- completely exceeded our expectations. El Captain tour drive and Roberto tour guide were first class and so very knowledgeable about the area. It was a gorgeous day and perfect weather too. Roberto took us on the longer trail which allowed us to walk on side of the volcano crater and truly experience the magnificent beauty of the area. I recommend this tour group and ask for both El Captain and Roberto. You won't be disappointed!!

Awesome tour! Our tour guide Winston...

Diane B, June 2016

Awesome tour! Our tour guide Winston was very informative. He picked us up from our hotel in Guatemala city and shared information all the way to Antigua. His van was clean and safe. Great experience!

This was an incredible trip. The...

Jim B, June 2015

This was an incredible trip. The hike is challenging if you're not in shape, but it's doable. And the views are simply amazing. This one is well worth your time.

Great hike. It is not easy but well...

Mayesha A, Feb 2015

Great hike. It is not easy but well worth the effort.

Very professional and for Volcano...

Vjsarma, Sept 2014

Very professional and for Volcano enthusiasts it a must see! Hike is a little challenging in the beginning but if you power through no need for the horse(Even though you get asked a million times to take the horse!). I love that the tours are so professional in every country conducted by partners of Viator. Winston was a treat and he was on time to pick us up and get us back safely! Highly recommended!

Short version: Incredible trip with...

Dan G., Apr 2013

Short version: Incredible trip with breathtaking scenery and even better hospitality from driver and guide. Out of shape travelers NOT encouraged! Long Version: Let me start this off by saying my wife is a native Spanish speaker and it went a LONG way in Guatemala as a whole since tourism is slowly coming back after decades of civil war. That aside, this was truly an experience unlike anything my wife and I have every done before. We were picked up right at our hotel at 7:30AM after breakfast. The driver, Henry, was INCREDIBLY nice and hospitable(we actually used him again the next day to set up a private cab to Antigua). Upon getting there, we were introduced to our guide who would take us up the mountain. The only slightly annoying part was right in the beginning as they try to convince you to rent a walking stick or take a horse up the mountain, but this is expected in tourist areas. After respectfully declining (about a dozen times!), we were off on our adventure. As we went up the mountain we would stop frequently to take in wild life and learn the different uses of the local plants by the natives to cure anything from headaches and stomachaches to wiping the sweat from your brow! As we reached the peak of our ascent, we stopped at a place called the oven. It was basically just two rocks jutting out and inside the rocks were temps of over 400 degrees! Our guide had gotten us sticks so we could roast marshmallows from the heat. It was a tasty treat and good half way point before the descent. The descent was a little hairy as the ground is not really set due to the activity of the volcano. Just go slow and you will be fine! When we got to the bottom of the mountain we got back in the van with Henry and were dropped off back at our hotel by early afternoon with plenty of time before dinner to shower off the adventure. Awesome trip and a MUST if you are visiting Guatemala!

This was a great trip! Our driver...

Russell C, Mar 2013

This was a great trip! Our driver and guide were both fantastic resources. The hike was amazing, walking through different ecosystems as we ascended and finally ending up in the baran wasteland where lava had flowed just two years before. A great way to spend a day!

Pacaya!

Enid_G, May 2023

Una experiencia unica, una gran aventura ! Tienes la oportunidad de estar en contacto con la naturaleza y ver la belleza del volcan

Sensacional experiencia volcánica 🌋

David_C, Oct 2021

Esta experiencia fue sensacional!! Nuestros guías David y Luis son conocedores experimentados. Recomendamos el alquiler de caballos por 200Q y de palos 10Q para el tramo de caminata en terreno de lava seca. Hay baños limpios al comenzar la experiencia y dónde volverán al terminar. Los caballos Chocolate y Palomo son mansos y sus dueños los llevan agarrados de una soga todo el tiempo. Pueden alimentarlos de las tortillas de bolsa del puesto antes de regreso de la la caminata hacia la falda del volcán 🌋 y tomarse fotos. La sensación de sus hocicos en la palma de su mano es otra experiencia que no se debe perder. Lleve dinero para comprar refresco, agua y tortillas de bolsa (riquísimas). Si le gustan los perritos, hay varios en el puesto que podrá alimentar también de la mano ( son mansos ) y tomarse fotos con ellos. Tuvimos la grata experiencia de llegar a un cráter secundario que ni los guías habían visto todavía porque el acceso todavía no había sido marcado y permitido. Es una experiencia única sentir el calor de la lava y ver la profundidad increíble. Hay un hombre que vende “pizza” hechas con el calor del volcán pero pretende venderlas a $50. Entendimos que era un precio exagerado por una mini plantilla con salsa y queso rallado. En cambio el tour incluye asar y comer marshmallows al calor del volcán. Traté de que el caballero bajara su precio porque éramos mi esposo y yo, pero no hubo forma. Si va un grupo, se pueden dividir entre todos y probar la supuesta pizza más cara del mundo 👎. No olvide darle propina a los guías por tan excelente y profesional experiencia. Cuidan de usted todo el tiempo y le explican con mucho detalle todo. David y Luis son los mejores guías que hemos conocido. Nosotros hemos viajado a muchos lugares y siempre hemos confiado en Viator para comprar nuestras excursiones. Nunca nos ha fallado.