Hike An Active Volcano – RY Marketplace

Skip to content

-Hiking an easy to moderate active volcano in the region-Walking around a Mars like atmosphere on the rivers of petrified lava-Being in nature-Eating a small slice of Volcanic cooked pizza and doing s’mores from the heat vents-Walking down a loose gravel rock path for about 10mins is like surfing a volcano

Description 

Did you ever think you’d be able to walk up an active volcano? Here is your once in a lifetime chance…Timed so that we are able to maximise opportunity to see petrified lava rivers, sunset (dry season) or early morning in rainy season.

We will be departing around 12pm (dry season) or 8:00am (rainy season), from our designated meet point (details on hub event) onwards to the Pacaya basin for about an hour and a half. Once at the volcano base, it’s a 60-90 min hike all the way up! And no, there’s no ski-lift or helicopter for this one but there is a horse power option! Should this option appeal to you, local horses can be hired when there for Q.100-150 per person each way. That said, it’s not a difficult hike either. Except for a few small stretches, this climb can be taken at leisure, so you’ve time to admire the views and we’ll make the most of two designated look out points also. Keep in mind you will have an option to enjoy a Volcanic cooked pizza, when you reach the top, having a pizza cooked in a small vent chamber of a volcano is something for the bucket list! We do include a pizza cut in small slices for everyone to enjoy, but if you would like extra you can purchase a personal pizza for Q250 up to Q400, something to consider as some really like this detail, but its not the aim of the hike.

Pacaya Volcano is one of those rare chances to be up really close (but safely) to petrified rivers of lava that now are solid rock formations like walking around Mars, and experience the heat and energy of one of mother nature’s most powerful monuments. And let’s not forget you’ll see the contrast in colours of the scenery when we start our descent, if you do the early version its probably due to rainy season and safer due to mud, the decent takes the same time as the climb. When we descend we go down through a gravel loose rock slope, this could be really fun but, we suggest good hiking boots for this journey. If you are not an experienced hiker this is your volcano climb in Guatemala, as other volcanoes have more of a risk to them.

Who this experience is good for

-Hikers and not so experienced ones-Nature lovers

Meet our local host

We have a team of general guides for the whole country and local community guides from San Vicente Pacaya the nearby town to escort the group on this hike. If you stay behind we have the local guide to escort you, and also you will probably be greeted by all the ‘chuchos’, local saying for stray dogs along the way. Arriving to mid-summit you will meet David, he is the brilliant mind behind the idea of cooking the pizzas in the heat vents of the petrified lava rivers! And las but not least the horsemen with their local horse taxis are part of the experience.

 Itinerary

Meeting at designated meet point (details on hub event) we depart Antigua with our general guide, onwards to the Pacaya volcano basin. This is about an hour and a half to get there, and this is where you will be greeted by the local guide to commence the hike.You will have some stops along the way to enjoy the views and rest up a bit, and then you arrive to mid-summit at the petrified lava rivers, where you will meet David he is the mastermind of Pizza Pacaya. This is where you will have your brake to enjoy your pizza cut in small slices for everyone to enjoy, have your snacks provided, and also last but not least have the opportunity to do some volcanic cooked s’mores. If you would like to purchase an extra pizza consider taking some cash to purchase a personal pizza Q250 up to Q400 depending on the size, as we do include a small piece for all but the aim is not the pizza.  Some folks really like this detail so its good to consider.

After the brake you continue onwards to the old caldera summit (as the new one is active) and there is where you can observe an amazing panoramic view of the surrounding areas. After you start the decent through the loose gravel rock for about 10mins, then onto the same pathway you came up, arriving to the parking lot where you can use restrooms and then onwards to Antigua’s Central Plaza where you are dropped off.

What’s Included

– Local Guide and general guide 
– Walking Tour – Hiking up a volcano, easy to moderate hike
– Entrance Fee / Tickets All tickets and entrance fees
– Transportation – Round Trip – From designated meeting point
– Food -Small snack – Trail mix, bottle of water, juice and fruit.
– Volcanic cooked pizza – Small slice for each participant (extra up to you)

What’s Not Included

– Extra Food – Not typically needed but if you are prone to hunger bring extra snacks

– Drinks – Alcoholic beverages, and extra water

– Tips for vendors, guides and drivers

– Horseback, sometimes there are horses that take people to the lookout points. This extra cost is not included. Q100 – Q150 per ride.-Extra Pizza (up to you to purchase if you would like more)

Know before you go

– Weather dependent – Could be rescheduled due to volcanic activity or rainy season
– Difficulty Level –  Easy to Medium – not tough but moderate difficulty
– Special clothing required – Will get dirty – specially your socks
– Special clothing required – Athletic – bring hiking gear if you have, a good pair of shoes. If you wear shorts be careful as volcanic rocks are sharp!
– Bring personal water bottle so you can refill from the bottle provided
– This is not a rigorous hike but sometimes you can rent a hiking stick Q10 per stick
– Sometimes we can’t get all the way to the top as it becomes a little dangerous
– We will be hiking Pacaya Volcano
– This is a Private RY experience
– A once in a lifetime experience as also eating a slice of volcanic cooked Pizza is a unique one!-Minimum to operate: 10 people-Maximum Capacity: 30 people

-Deadline to Book: 3 days prior or subject to Program Calendar

What is the refund policy?

For questions concerning refunds, please email [email protected]. Please note most bookings made within 24 hours are fully refundable. Bookings made outside the 24 hour policy are not eligible for a refund. Please keep in mind, we will automatically refund bookings that are disrupted by extreme weather conditions, last minute cancellations from our suppliers or the minimum number is not met by the booking deadline.

What happens if my booking is changed/cancelled due to weather?

We’ll control the weather. Just kidding! Remote Year can’t control the weather or many other factors that go into planning events. In the event of a change due to weather, the City Manager will do their best to provide a make-up option. Due to last minute changes and busy monthly schedules, we cannot guarantee it works for everyone but we’ll do our best! If you are not able to attend the make-up date(s), we will fully refund your booking.

I have a discount or gift code, can I use it to complete my purchase?

Yes, once you add your item to your cart and check out, you will be able to input the code before completing the purchase. If you need help finding your code, please double check your inbox. You received an email from Marketplace with the code.

Can I book for a friend / family member?

Yes! We welcome your friends and family coming to visit you while you travel the world. Please refer to our Friends and Family policy: Friends & Family (visitors of active Remotes and active Citizens) may be granted access to private Remote Year events, Local Experiences, Side Trips, Community Events, Local Amenity and Services at an extra cost determined by the Marketplace or City Team. Remote Year reserves the right to deny access to Friends / Family who are over using Remote Year services. To avoid abuse of services, non-active Citizens, op-out Remotes, or Remotes who have left a Program can not use services as Friends & Family of Active Remotes or Active Citizens.

I haven’t received a booking confirmation email, can you help? If I cannot attend, can I transfer my ticket to someone else?

Yes, you may transfer your ticket to another Remote, Citizen or Family/Friend. Please notify the City Manager as soon as possible to confirm the change. Please note, in the case of special dietary requirements, we might not be able to accommodate special requests on last minute changes. Any bookings that require advanced ticketing linked to an individual’s ID might not be approved.

I’m not currently an active Remote Year participant, can I still book?

As a non-active Remote or Citizen, you forego access to any private Remote Year events including Core Experiences, Local Experiences, Community Events, Local Amenity and Services through the Marketplace. Exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the City Manager.