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Antigua · Sacatepéquez · Guatemala
10 Day Ring of Fire Tour
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From $3,264.68 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
This is a unique opportunity to take in a huge cross-section of the Guatemalan highlands, her active volcanoes and experience its lively Mayan culture along the way. Guatemala’s landscape is dominated by the 33 volcanoes that make up the Pacific Coast Ring of Fire. This chain stretches from the tip of North America all the way to the furthest reaches of South America. We will focus on four of the most scenic volcanoes of Guatemala Ring of Fire: active new-comer Pacaya volcano, who on the right day might give you a spectacular lava show. Guatemala’s 3rd largest and Antigua valley resident Acatenango volcano, whose neighboring Fuego volcano touts the most continuously active volcano in the world. Central America’s highest point Tajumulco volcano and Zunil volcano with her beautiful ridgeline approach and stunning campsite views of the entire chain and much of Guatemala.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Hike 4 volcanos (1 active) in 10 days
- Watch and hear explosions while camping beside Volcán de Fuego
- Hike Central America’s highest mountain, Volcán Tajumulco
- Experience stunning sunrises from above the clouds
- Enjoy relaxing on stunning Lake Atitlan
- Spend time in the beautiful cobblestone city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Antigua
We spend the day walking off the jetlag and exploring the cobblestone colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala. This former Spanish capital still boasts a bustling center of culture and markets and is decorated by numerous 17th and 18th-century ruins to explore. On the Eastern edge of the valley lies the majestic Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes, the third and fifth highest peaks in Central America.
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Antigua
Stay at Hotel El Carmen Suites, Antigua.
Day 2
Antigua
In the morning we’ll drive out of the Panchoy Valley and through the lowlands of Guatemala’s Pacific slope. An hour’s drive will take us to the base of Pacaya Volcano, where we will begin our warm-up hike for the rest of the volcanoes to follow.
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Guatemala City
Hiking at Pacaya Volcano. Pacaya has been one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes since its recorded history began. It has erupted over 20 times since the Spanish arrived, and has a constantly smoking crater. Arriving below the crater, we will be able to explore the vast dried lava fields and lunar-like landscape. We’ll even toast marshmallows in active heat vents! Returning back to Antigua you will have the evening free to stroll through the streets and enjoy the many markets, cafes, restaurants and bars that make Antigua such a great fun city.
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Antigua
Stay at Hotel El Carmen Suites, Antigua
Day 3
Antigua
Our morning begins with a scenic transport up Acatenango’s slopes, and into the small, sleepy mountain village of La Soledad (2390m).
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Antigua
Hiking at Fuego Volcano. Our five-hour hike takes us through a myriad of changing microclimates and provides many scenic views of the surrounding countryside. We will spend the night at our private campsite, bench cut into the side of Acatenango and overlooking the nearby Fuego Volcano, just 4km away. Fuego is the most constantly erupting volcano in recorded history, and during our night in camp, we will have plenty of time to appreciate the incredible sights and sounds of its eruptions.
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Antigua
Stay at the Acatenango campsite.
Day 4
Antigua
Hiking at Acatenango Volcano. After an early rise to enjoy the sunrise over the Antigua Valley, we will start our last push to Acatenango’s summit (3,975m). We ascend on the sand and gravel scree- trail dotted with dwarf pines, taking in incredible views the whole way up. Atop the impressively large summit, we enjoy unparalleled 360-degree views of the entirety of the Guatemalan Highlands, including the peaks that make up the volcanic spine of Guatemala, stretching all the way to Mexico.
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Antigua
After our 3.5hours descent, we make our 3.5hr drive to Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala’s second largest city. Arriving at Xela by late afternoon there will time to explore the city and beautiful parquet central before we head off to dinner.
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Antigua
Stay at Hotel Modelo, Xela
Day 5
Antigua
To get to our next hike, we will take a 3-hour transfer heading West even further up into the Mayan heartland of the Guatemalan Highlands. After passing by many local towns and farms, we arrive at the town of Tuichan (3030m) where we will begin our ascent of Tajumulco.
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San Marcos
Hiking at Tajumulco Volcano. With a relatively easy approach, we have a nice day of trekking through beautiful forest trails and wide-open landscapes. As we come toward the cone of Tajumulco, we make our way to our camp just below the false summit of Punta Conception. We will enjoy another warm campfire at high altitude (4000 m), and prepare for an early morning summit.
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Antigua
Stay at the Tajumulco campsite
Day 6
San Marcos
Hiking at Tajumulco Volcano. We will roll out of camp with our headlamps on in order to catch a spectacular sunrise as we make our final ascent up Tajumulco. On the summit, the highest in Central America (4220m.), we will enjoy incredible and breathtaking views over the countryside and above the clouds, looking eastward over the entire volcanic chain of Guatemala.
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Antigua
After a 3 hour decent, we will take our transport back across the highlands, arriving back to Quetzaltenango, and rest up for our last hike along the Zunil Ridge.
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Antigua
Stay at Hotel Modelo, Xela
Day 7
Antigua
After breakfast, we’ll ride out to Xecam at the base of the Zunil Ridge.
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Solola
Hiking at Zunil Volcano. We will start our hike on these dirt roads, crossing through an area where a major battle took place between the Maya and Spanish Conquistadors. Once up at about 3000m an area locally known as “Alaska”, we join onto the historic Seven Crosses trail, walking atop this vertically s-curved ridge. As we hike toward our campsite on this ridge, we will see a series of crosses along the trail, marking memorials for certain deaths from the Mayan Genocide. This ridge is steeped in history from the Guatemalan Civil War, and also an important religious point for the local Maya. We will make camp for the night on this ridge, with incredible views from the central backbone of the spine of volcanoes in Guatemala, all the way back across Lake Atitlan and to Antigua, and up to Mexico.
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Antigua
Stay at Zunil ridge campsite.
Day 8
Solola
Hiking at Zunil Volcano. After sunrise and breakfast, we will hike down 3 hours to the town of Zunil, where a transport will meet us and drive us up to local hot springs.
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Antigua
This drive up the slopes of Volcan Zunil highlights some of the lushest farms in the country, as we get a picture of local farming life in Guatemala. Once at the hot-springs, we will rejuvenate our legs and can rest and relax until early afternoon. From here we take a 1.5-hour drive to Lake Atitlan. At the lake, we will be staying in a beautiful cliff-side hotel, isolated and only accessible by footpaths and boats. Lake Atitlan, with 3 towering volcanoes rising from its shores, is about as picturesque as it comes.
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Antigua
Stay at Hotel Casa del Mundo, Lake Atitlan
Day 9
Antigua
We will spend our last full day relaxing on Lake Atitlan. The lake itself, the deepest in Central America, formed in the caldera of a former volcanic formation after the lava had been almost completely omitted in an eruption 84,000 years ago. Your guides will help facilitate if you would like to rent kayaks, explore other villages, shop, or you may simply want to relax in a hammock. In the late afternoon, we’ll make our final 2.5hr drive back to Antigua where we’ll celebrate an amazing trip with a Guatemalan feast!
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Antigua
Stay at Hotel El Carmen Suites, Antigua
Day 10
Antigua
Transfer to airport from Antigua
Planning Details
Before you go
What to Bring
GENERAL PACKING LIST: • Boots • Camp shoes or athletic shoes • 3 pairs hiking socks • Synthetic trekking/hiking trousers • Rain pants • Underwear • Base-layer shirts • Fleece jacket or warm jumper • Rain jacket • Sun hat • Warm hat/beanie • Sunglasses • Warm gloves • 50L Hiking pack • Large dry-bag or pack liner • Headlamp and spare batteries • Sunscreen • 2 1L water bottles/Camelback • Toiletries • Swimwear for the hot springs • Small towel • Basic First Aid Kit
Meeting & Pickup
Hotel pickup available within Antigua area or meet us at Old Town Outfitters Shop (Our storefront is located on the corner of 5a Avenida and 6a Calle, one block south of Central Park).
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
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