Local Antigua operator · Antigua
Private transport takes your small group from Antigua to Pacaya, where a first-aid-trained bilingual guide leads you to la Meseta, the shelf just below the smoking cone. Lunch is served up there with the view, and the park and guide fees are already in the price.
This is the all-in version. The listing includes private transport, all national park fees, all guide fees, a freshly prepared lunch and a bilingual guide trained in first aid. You don't need quetzales in your pocket at the gate, and you don't share a van with a dozen strangers.
The walk is the usual one: about 1.5 hours up to "la Meseta", the flat shelf at the foot of the cinder cone, with recent lava flows spread out below. You explore the lava fields, then sit down to eat while the crater smokes above you. Vegetarian lunches are available if you ask when booking.
It costs about four times the shared hike. You're paying for the fee, the food, a quieter group and a guide with first-aid training. Two people minimum per booking, children from 6. The listing gives 8 hours, so it fills the day. If you're travelling solo, the shared tours are your option.
Your driver collects you at a designated meeting point in town.
Private vehicle to the park entrance; the fees are already paid.
Forest trail, then open slopes to the shelf below the cinder cone.
Walk out over the recent flows, then eat a fresh lunch facing the crater.
Descend the same trail and drive back to Antigua, about 8 hours after you left.
★★★★★The uphill climb was a bit hard but I'm 68. So I got a ride up the volcano on Chocolate, the horse. A very gentle horse. Once on top the view was amazing. Walking down the other side was easy. And the lunch waiting for us was great. The guides were so friendly and informative. I highly recommend going with a tour so you get the story.
★★★★★Our tour guide Maria was wonderful and so much fun. Our local guide, Veronica, was also a wonderful addition to the hike. It was just 4 of us which made it more personable. The hike is quite steep but they were gracious to stop whenever I needed a break. There are horses if you need a ride up. We had a great lunch, great conversation, and beautiful atmosphere.
★★★★★David was a fantastic guide for us. We trekked up the mountain, enjoyed beautiful views, met the sweetest trail dogs, and had the opportunity to eat a wonderful lunch! Feugo was super active, and we were delighted to see it blow off steam about every five minutes during our picnic!!
Read next:
The flat shelf just below the active cinder cone, where most tours stop. From there you see the recent lava flows. Tours don't climb the cone itself.
Yes, a freshly prepared lunch on the mountain. Vegetarian is available if you ask when booking.
No. The listing requires at least two people per booking. Solo travellers should look at the shared hike from Antigua.
Yes. National park fees, guide fees and taxes are all in the price. See our price guide to compare with the cheaper tours.
Ready to book
Private transport from Antigua, every park fee and a fresh lunch on the lava field, from age 6.
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