Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge

The best and hardest trip of my life. Well organised from start to finish - brilliant local guides, incredible views, we laughed from start to finish. Could not recommend more highly!

A truly phenomenal trip of a life time, highly recommend!

We had the opportunity to summit 5 unbelievable volcanoes across Guatemala and all with their own unique offering. Different terrains, challenges and beauty, so it made for great variety.

The guides were amazing, juggling all the logistics as well keeping us safe, suitably challenged and well encouraged to step out of our comfort zones along the way.

This trip is rated a 6/7 difficulty so something to consider as everyone’s pace affects the whole group….

Also highly recommend some small gaiters as volcanoes are pretty dusty!

Wonderful food and memories for life.

Thank you!!

This was my 6th MBA trip and this was my favourite so far. This was a really fun and challenging adventure but worth every second of it. Watching an active volcano explode is an extremely cool experience. We got unlucky weather for Tajumulco, so didn't much of a view, but was still worth it. Also got lucky that we got a really fun group to hike with, a good group makes all the difference

Apart from the fun of hiking the volcanos, also had good fun exploring some of the cities we got to stay at, Guatemala is a beautiful country and the food is delicious, had some incredible meals here

Also we had 3 amazing guides, so shout out to Joel, Uriel and Diana who took such good care of us.

This hiking trip was advertised as a "challenge" but it was turned into a "race", unfortunately. We had a mix of people by both age & ability ranging from 28 to 67 & amateur hikers to an Ironwoman & experienced runners. Naturally the faster people made up a group at the front. There was then a middle group & what was described as a "slow" group in the back. This scenario wouldn't seem to be an issue, presuming you had the correct number of guides to handle the clientele. Regrettably, the lead guide made it an issue by publicly calling out the names of the slower hikers, discouraging them from participating in certain more difficult hikes or summitting the two higher volcanoes. Additionally he decided to cater to the fast group to the detriment of the others. Doing this was dead wrong & not very nice. Instead of fostering the community of hikers, he created division & awkwardness. Several hikers were negatively affected by this public humiliation. They began doubting their ability to finish some of the hikes. Why did this happen? In my opinion, there were not enough guides. The guides were also doing many jobs- cooking, portering, building & breaking down camp. . . They were overworked & the lead guide wasn't trained to handle the differences, emotions & abilities of various people. The reality is, if he had any concerns, he could have easily spoken to each person privately & made a viable plan if there was an issue with any one person. But even this concept should not have been based on someone's speed, only if there was some physical problem preventing them from doing a hike.

On a positive note, our chef/guide was an amazing cook & the mountains were incredible! The Guatemalan people are special- so very nice, accommodating & friendly! And Antigua is magical!

Finally, it must be noted that all the guides worked very hard. I think the hosts can make some simple adjustments to avoid this issue in the future.

PROs: The views from Acatenango looking at Fuego are awe-inspiring. The locals were incredibly friendly and it was great to learn more about Guatemalan and Mayan culture.

CONS: Logistics: I wonder if this trip can be extended by a day or two. Within its current time constraints, you spend a lot of time on the bus and most hikes start in the heat of the middle of the day. I understand some roads are bad/bags take time to load on the bus/ the local guides rely on local purveyors and bakeries etc. But this meant A LOT of idle time in the morning then rushing to get through the hikes during the day. I admit I was slower compared to the rest of the group, but this was exacerbated by poor logistical planning.

Hygiene: The campsites, hiking routes and hotels chosen could be cleaner. You will be covered in a lot of dust/grime and you will have to just deal with garbage everywhere. (Especially sad during the hikes). Though the hotels are supposed to be 3 stars, the linens and bathroom facilities were extremely lacking.

Preparation: There should be more clarity/transparency about the difficulty of these hikes. The lack of sleep due the campsites/ hotels, the compressed schedule/ lack of acclimatization are contributing factors to how varied the group's pace can be. There should be more guides to account for this and more information before someone books this very difficult tour.

Probably won’t book again with mba. The lead guide, curation of group and accommodations were horrible. The group consisted of elite athletes and normal people. The lead guide catered to the elites and left the couple of normal people alone on the trail. The beds and linens in the hotels were uncomfortable to say the least.

I had the most amazing time on this trip. It was challenging for sure, but doable, and as a group we stuck together and motivated each other. Huge shout out to our guides who were the absolute best: Diego, Angie, Gilberto, and Rudy.

Seeing Fuego erupt all night was a once in a lifetime special experience, and the view from Tajumulco at sunrise is something I'll never forget!

Absolutely incredible trip. The 5 volcanoes were all so varied and incredibly stunning and memorable in their own rights. Watching the sunrise over central america, and watching Fuego erupt all night from Acatenango are memories I'll never forget.

Our guides, Diego and Angie, were absolutely amazing. They were extremely helpful, incredibly knowledgeable of the area and history, and brought so much energy and positivity to everything.

The hotels were all lovely, and the camping was brilliant. Special thanks to Gilberto for his amazing food while camping, and to Rudy for the amazing camping experience.

This trip was extremely well organized. Buses, boats, meals, etc. were on time. Hotel rooms were ready when expected. Equipment, campsites, vehicles, etc were comfortable and well thought out. Sometimes logistics changed but the guides dealt with everything well, and the group was flexible and pivoted cheerfully as necessary.

Our group was amazing!!! 14 people, ranging in age from 19 to 63. Eight solo travelers; one couple; one friend pair; one mom/daughter pair. So it was a neat mix! Everyone was an avid traveler - lots of experiences all over the world.

Everyone had a great attitude and the group stayed together while hiking - nobody lagged way behind and physical abilities were well-matched across the group. This made it fun with lots of camaraderie. There were also opportunities for downtime, to be alone for a bit, and to have unstructured time together as a group.

Follow the kit list! Gaiters were very useful for keeping dust and rocks out of our shoes. We relied heavily on our trekking poles but some people didn’t use them. Leave room for a large reusable lunchbox in your daypack. Sun is no joke. Bring a good hat and sunscreen. Buff was useful for dust. Small inflatable travel pillow was useful for tents - no pillow is provided. Bring several refillable water bottles. We sometimes drank 2 liters per day. We went to some nicer restaurants so having a simple skirt or blouse is helpful.

Guides were great! Fun, organized, attentive.

Hotel accommodations were very nice! Can be noisy, bring earplugs if you are sensitive. Note there is no air conditioning.

Good food, quite a lot of variety. Lunches were creative and delicious. For dinners, the group mostly ate all together at restaurants. Nearly everywhere took credit cards. Camp meals were hearty and delicious. Vegan and vegetarian options were available and the guides and cook were very attentive to accommodating preferences as long as they know in advance!

Yes, the hiking is hard and steep. But the pace was slow, so it’s doable if you’re in decent shape. Be honest with yourself about your abilities, especially at altitude. Going DOWN some of the trails was difficult due to slick rock and gravel. Slipping was common.

There is quite a bit of time on a bus, often in heavy traffic. Bring some audiobooks and headphones, maybe a travel pillow to sleep. Roads are winding and often stop-and-go so bring medication if you are prone to motion sickness.

Some toilets are pay. Have several $5Q notes in order to use the toilet.

Fuego volcano was spectacular!!! Beyond my wildest expectations!

Note that this isn’t a wildlife viewing trip, not even birds. It’s also not a remote “go days without seeing people” trip. Volcanoes are located in quite urban areas. Some trails were very crowded. There is a lot of trash/rubbish everywhere, even on the trails. Air quality can be pretty bad. The sights are very cool and it was a great challenge, but it’s not “pristine, untouched wilderness. ” So if that’s what you’re looking for, this isn’t it. But if you’re game for a physical challenge and some neat adventures, go for it! We’re really glad we did this trip!!

Challenging indeed, but what an experience! Fantastic guides and stunning views.

Such a fantastic trip, our guides were amazing.

Pretty much as described. each volcano was quite different . trip grading perhaps a little high? All items on kit list needed. Fantastic summit views all locations. Food good. Excellent local guides ,Diego and his team were outstanding with their hospitality,professionalism and fun.

The Guatemala 5 Volcano challenge was an incredible experience that I will remember for the rest of my life! While the trekking is challenging, it is definitely doable and 100% worth it for the views and natural beauty.

I would recommend following the kit list and bringing all the specified layers. It is worth noting that the lunch provided is in a large-ish lunch box that you will need to carry with you in your day pack, so keep that in mind when packing.

If you like a challenge and spending time in nature with great people then this is the one for you!

Such an amazing trip, my guides (Diego, Rudy, and Angel) were absolute diamonds and couldn’t have asked for anything more. I’d really love to do it all again icl!!

Everything surpassed my expectations and I thought the package was well worth the value. It was an incredible experience and the itinerary was put together perfectly to balance hiking, relaxing, sightseeing, and dining. Food and accommodations were all better than I was expecting.

This is a challenging and rewarding adventure. The order of volcanoes is carefully planned and each one brings its own character. Great to go ‘off the beaten track’ on some of the hikes and not follow the regular trail. Some nice opportunities to unwind in between at lakes and hot springs too. The guides were not only helpful but also brought a lot of fun and felt like extended members of our group. Highly recommend this trip!

Guatemala is beautiful

Incredible experience throughout. You are unlikely to find a more unique trip. The hikes were challenging but well managed with organised transport between Volcanoes - not to mention the breathtaking views at the summits. Rolo was very accommodating in making sure the group remained challenged but safe during these hikes. He also shared in his depth of knowledge around the culture and landscapes around us, providing unique insights that made the trip all the more engaging. Keen to go back to Guatemala again in the future!

Amazing trip!! Watching Fuego erupt sat around a campfire is a memory I’ll remember forever!

Well organised trip, good guides (special mention to David), many memories and new friends made! Book it!

Fantastic hikes and views! Well organised and fun

Had an incredible time with some amazing people. The hikes were a good challenge and it was always very rewarding to reach the summit - seeing Fuego light up was truly beautiful! The guides were fantastic and made the trip a great time and happy to have met all the people who came on the trip who made it a perfect experience.

First much better adventure challenge and it wont be the last, what a experience i will never forget with a great group. Not sure how i will be able to top sitting round a camp fire watching a volcano erupt! Many thanks to the guides rolo, Giannina and rudy for making this happen!

This is a one in a lifetime experience. The itinerary is put together very cleverly and I think impossible to achieve on your own. It’s a very powerful group experience with the local guides supporting every step of the way. Rolo (main guide), Rudy (food) and Giannina (equipment) made it the most smooth experience possible on every level. I couldn’t recommend going on this adventure any more!

The 5 Volcano challenge lives up to its name! A great adventure and definitely a challenge at times but nothing great guides and a great team couldn't pull us through. Don't be fooled when they say it's cold camping, ITS FREEZING! Pack your thermals and then some more! It was the best way to kick start my year. Thank you Rolo, Rudi and Giannina. You guys are incredible!

Nothing beats sipping a hot choccy or rum at altitude & skipping down volcanoes with my group last week. Rolo, Rudy and Giannina were super fun and always helpful. The speedboat across Lake Atitlan and back-of-truck trips were unique and added a different texture to the daily bus journeys from A to B. The hot springs and swim in Lake Atitalin were refreshing and most welcome after a long day of walking. The order of volcanoes made a lot of sense and allowed for sufficient recovery in between. It’s full on but made for an experience I won’t forget. Other highlights were the Acatenango descent (soft and dusty) but Tajumulco was my favourite - a quiet summit with a big sense of accomplishment. San Pedro had beachy, boho vibes to finish with. Book the trip and bring quetzales!

I had a wonderful time climbing the volcanoes. What a beautiful experience with stunning scenery and great people. I will cherish those moments forever.

I'm an experienced hiker and I went into this thinking it wasn't going to be as challenging as rated because I've done many longer hikes and higher peaks. However, the challenge of doing five volcanoes in less than two weeks almost did me in. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment and bonding with my group mates. I definitely recommend training before this experience.

I honestly can’t rate this trip highly enough. From beginning to end, it was just a great experience. The itinerary flowed perfectly, and our guides Diago, Angel, and Christa were fantastic. They were professional, genuinely friendly, and full of enthusiasm, which made the whole trip feel easy and enjoyable. I had a small injury on my foot from hiking and Diago's first aid skills meant i could contine without a problem. The food deserves its own mention: the meals Angel cooked for us using local recepees were actually better than what we had in restaurants. You definitely won’t go hungry on this trip. Book it!!!

I must say it was absolutely incredible! The hikes were not only challenging but also immensely rewarding once we reached the base camps or summits. The views were nothing short of remarkable, offering breathtaking landscapes that made every step worth it.

The local team was exceptional in their hospitality and support, making sure all the tourists had a fantastic experience. Their dedication and enthusiasm truly enhanced the whole journey. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to anyone seeking adventure and natural beauty.

My husband and I had an amazing time with our guides Rolo, David and Diana as we completed this full-on, challenging trek through five very different volcano hikes. The order and pacing of the five hikes worked well, with Chicabal providing an easier hike between the two biggest hikes, as well as some spiritual restoration at the lagoon in its crater. The guiding team worked incredibly hard throughout, went out of their way to accommodate requests from the group, and made certain we hiked safely, camped securely and ate really well. ‘Challenging’ seems the right level for this trip. The hiking can be steep and tough but is not technically demanding. We had near perfect weather throughout so the challenge on that front was not great and wet weather would make the trip more mentally and physically demanding. Come prepared for all weathers and with LOTS of layers for camping. As well as the hiking, the trip provides time to experience Antigua, Lake Atitlan and Xela and to be led by two indigenous hikers at Pacaya and Tajmulco. The hotels were fine and where there were issues our guiding team sorted them quickly. We had a real one-off, magical experience on this trek and it was our guides who really made it work. They were such lovely people and were on it all the time making sure we were all OK and enjoying the experience. There’s tens of guides who will take you up Acatenango but we saw some sorry looking groups as we went but despite it being very hard work we were all still smiling (just about!) and appreciating the hike. I can’t thank Rolo, David and Diana enough and would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone looking for an ultimate adventure!