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Volcanoes by day, Maya villages by night. Guatemala on foot.
Hike Pacaya Volcano at sunset, wander the cobblestone streets of Antigua, and spend a night on Acatenango Volcano at nearly 3,700 m, watching Fuego Volcano erupt in front of you after dark.
Then head to the western highlands: catch sunrise from El Picacho over the active Santiaguito dome and soak in the natural hot springs of Fuentes Georginas.
The heart of the trip is a 3-day trek from Xela to Lake Atitlán through mountain trails and Maya communities. You’ll share meals and a traditional temazcal sauna with local families, sleep in their villages, catch dawn at the Rostro Maya, and finish by exploring San Juan, Santiago and San Pedro on the shores of Lake Atitlán.
Small group. Local guides. Real Guatemala.
👥 Group savings: 5% off when you book 4+ travelers, 10% off for 6+.
⚠️ Good to know: Please arrive in Guatemala City before 2:00 pm on Day 1, or the day before. International flights are not included. This trip involves several days of moderate-to-demanding hiking. Volcano summits depend on weather conditions and are only attempted when it is safe to do so.
This trip is for active travelers with a good fitness level who enjoy hiking several days in a row. The Acatenango hike is demanding: around 4–5 hours uphill on steep volcanic terrain, a night in a basic mountain shelter with temperatures that can drop near freezing, and an optional 3:00 am summit push.
The 3-day trek from Xela to Lake Atitlán follows mountain trails between Maya villages, with simple community lodging along the way. Expect some very early starts for sunrises at El Picacho and the Rostro Maya. If you hike regularly at home, you’ll be fine.
We stay in comfortable, locally owned hotels with private bathrooms, chosen for their location and character: in the heart of colonial Antigua, in the historic center of Quetzaltenango (Xela), and on the shores of Lake Atitlán in Panajachel.
On Acatenango we spend one night at a mountain shelter with sleeping gear and the best view of Fuego Volcano.
During the 3-day trek we stay in Maya communities: a family home in Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, a local guesthouse in Santa Clara La Laguna and a rural homestay in San Juan La Laguna. Lodging is simple and shared, the experience is unforgettable.
Hotels: 3 to 4-star, double, twin or triple sharing.
Single rooms available in hotels with a supplement, on request.
Please respect local communities, sacred sites and nature: no littering, no drones in protected areas without a permit, and ask before photographing people.
⚠️ Payments accepted by credit/debit card. Departures are confirmed with a minimum of 2 travelers; if a date doesn’t reach the minimum, we’ll offer you another date or a full refund.
La Aurora International Airport (GUA), Guatemala City.
Our team will meet you at the arrivals exit holding an XploraGt sign. Please share your flight details when booking.
Arriving the day before? We can book your hotel near the airport and pick you up there on Day 1.
We pick you up at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City and drive you to Antigua (about 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic). Just send us your flight details when you book. On the last day, we take you back to the airport.
US, Canadian, UK and EU citizens don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
The local currency is the quetzal (GTQ). Bring some US dollars in small bills, and withdraw quetzales at ATMs in Antigua, Xela and Panajachel. Cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants, but during the 3-day trek and in the Maya villages you’ll need cash.
As a guide: US$5–10 per day for your tour leader and US$3–5 per day for drivers.
No. Drink only bottled or filtered water. Most hotels offer free refills, so bring a reusable bottle (2 L for Acatenango and the trek days).
Guatemala has two seasons: dry season (November to April) with sunny days, and rainy season (May to October), usually with sunny mornings and afternoon showers. Days are mild, 18–25 °C (64–77 °F), but nights in the highlands are cool, and on Acatenango and El Picacho temperatures can drop near freezing.
You should be comfortable hiking 4–6 hours a day, several days in a row. The toughest day is Acatenango: about 4–5 hours uphill on steep volcanic terrain to nearly 3,700 m. The 3-day trek is moderate, with ups and downs on mountain trails. If you hike regularly at home, you’ll be fine. The summit pushes on Acatenango are optional.
Yes. It must cover medical emergencies and hiking up to 4,000 m.
One medium suitcase or travel bag per person, plus a daypack (20–30 L) for hikes. During the Acatenango overnight and the 3-day trek, you only carry your daypack with the essentials. Your main luggage travels with our vehicle and meets you at the next hotel.
The places we visit are popular, well-traveled destinations. You’ll be with our local team the whole time, and we follow standard precautions.
