Finca In The Clouds · Pacaya
Finca In The Clouds puts you on a horse with your own cowboy guide and rides you over the lava to the foot of Pacaya, facing three other volcanoes. At sunset a lava chef bakes your pizza on the hot rock, and you roast s'mores with Guatemalan chocolate.
This is the luxury way up Pacaya, and you don't walk. Finca In The Clouds is a private ranch that works with Soul Shine Horse Rescue, and the listing describes three guides: a private cowboy with your horse, an English speaker, and a guide who explains the volcano. You ride over lava rock to the base of the active cone, with Agua, Fuego and Acatenango across the valley.
Up there it's a picnic on bright Guatemalan fabrics. Chips and salsa, a tasting of Guatemalan chocolate, s'mores roasted on the lava, and a pizza dinner cooked by a private lava chef, served with wine while the sun goes down. According to the ranch's own site, no riding experience is needed, sunset rides run in the dry season (November to April) and morning rides in the rainy months, and you ride back under the stars.
Two things to know. The price is high: $335 per person against $35 for a shared hike. And the listing doesn't say whether the Q100 park entrance is covered, so ask the ranch before you go. It's still the best Pacaya pick for anyone who can't or won't hike two hours uphill.
Transport is included; the ranch's site gives about an hour from Antigua and a 14:00 start for dry-season sunset rides.
Your cowboy guide fits you to a horse and gives a short lesson. Beginners are fine.
Up through forest and across lava rock towards the cone, with three volcanoes in view.
Chips and salsa, chocolate tasting, s'mores and pizza from the lava chef, with wine.
Down on horseback under the stars, then the drive back. The ranch's site gives about 20:30 for the end of a sunset tour.
★★★★★Wonderful experience! My twin and I booked the early 8:30am tour and were greeted at our hotel by David. The ride over was stunning and the experience as a whole was a once and a lifetime adventure. The whole process was smooth and the ride up was very smooth and stress free, even for beginners. We ate pizza wine at the top which added to the fun. 10/10 recommend!
★★★★★AMAZING! A once in a lifetime type of experience. Easy communication in regards to transportation, horses where treated very well, an overall unique experience. Highly recommend!
★★★★★Lori and her team picked me up from my hotel promptly and were very friendly. The horses were well trained and the landscapes were other-wordly
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No. The ranch says no experience is needed, and every rider has a cowboy guide. The listing rates it suitable for all fitness levels.
Yes. A private lava chef cooks your dinner on the hot rock. On most other tours Pizza Pacaya is a separate purchase.
You see steam and feel the heat in the rock, which is what the chef cooks on. Flowing lava hasn't been visible since 2021. See can you see lava at Pacaya.
The ranch's own site welcomes riders aged 4 to 100, and the listing allows infants on an adult's lap during transport. Ask about your child's age when booking.
Ready to book
Ride a horse up Pacaya at sunset, then eat pizza cooked on the lava. No hiking needed.
Pacaya Morning Hike with LunchPrivate transport from Antigua, all park fees paid and a fresh lunch at la Meseta below the cone. Ages 6 and up.★ 4.9 · 8 hours · from $138
Pacaya ATV AdventureDrive your own quad on village trails and a private plantation's lava fields. Outside the national park; licence needed.★ 4.9 · 8 hours · from $125
Pacaya Volcano Hike from AntiguaThe classic: shared shuttle from Antigua at 06:00 or 14:00, 1.5 hours up to the lava field. Park fee extra, in cash.★ 4.5 · 6 hours · from $35