Backpacking in Guatemala: Hiking the Active Pacaya Volcano
July 14 2021 | Tagged: Guatemala
Volcán De Pacaya, one of 3 active volcanoes in Guatemala and just this week, I went hiking to this very volcano!
Guatemala is home to 37 official volcanoes with three of them classed as being 'constantly active' - Santiaguito, Fuego and Pacaya.
Santiaguito is near Quetzaltenango, Fuego is just 16km from Antigua and clearly visible from town.
Pacaya Volcano/Volcán de Pacaya is southwest of Guatemala City and about 50km by road from Antigua where I am right now.
Santiaguito is near Quetzaltenango, Fuego is just 16km from Antigua and clearly visible from town.
Pacaya Volcano/Volcán de Pacaya is southwest of Guatemala City and about 50km by road from Antigua where I am right now.
Volcán de Pacaya | Guatemala
After being dormant for over 70 years, Pacaya began erupting vigorously in 1961 and has been erupting on a regular basis since then, with what scientists refer to as strombolian activity – short-lived, explosive outbursts of lava, shooting rocks and spewing plumes of ash into the air.
Volcán de Pacaya lies at an altitude of 2552m or 8,373ft.
Volcán de Pacaya lies at an altitude of 2552m or 8,373ft.
Have been feeling unsure about many things recently, doing the hike was a spur of the moment type thing.
I was on my daily hike to Cerro de La Cruz and I thought, 'fuck it, I will go today'.
I already knew the tours left at 2 pm. So I hurried back to town, to the tour agency, where the lady there called the tour organiser and confirmed my place.
Back at the Hospedaje El Viajero, the cheapest hostel in Antigua, I made some sandwiches to eat on the bus, filled up my water bottles, taped up my failing shoes and rushed back to the agency to await pick up.
I was on my daily hike to Cerro de La Cruz and I thought, 'fuck it, I will go today'.
I already knew the tours left at 2 pm. So I hurried back to town, to the tour agency, where the lady there called the tour organiser and confirmed my place.
Back at the Hospedaje El Viajero, the cheapest hostel in Antigua, I made some sandwiches to eat on the bus, filled up my water bottles, taped up my failing shoes and rushed back to the agency to await pick up.
Above: The rain comes down. Note the guide suitable attired for the rainy season, caped-up and with umbrella.
Below: View of Acatenango
Below: View of Acatenango
The lava field extends 5km down the mountain as seen through the rain:
Hiking Pacaya Volcano - Is it Difficult?
The very short 3km hike has been rated as 'moderate'. I would say that this is a fair rating. Bloggers (and fellow my hikers all half my age) have reported the hike as 'hard' which is complete bollocks. The difficulty arises when people arrive in Antigua from much lower altitudes and attempt to go hiking at 2500m asl without any time for adjustment.
Image below shows very well the gradient and surface underfoot:
Image below shows very well the gradient and surface underfoot:
Hiking Pacaya Volcano - Logistics
The price of a tour is 100Q/13 USD. This is the transport fee and mandatory guide fee.
The entrance fee to the Pacaya National Park is 50Q, which you pay en route near San Vincent Pacaya.
Getting there under your own steam is very long-winded and time-consuming, think multiple chicken buses and endless waits.
The entrance fee to the Pacaya National Park is 50Q, which you pay en route near San Vincent Pacaya.
Getting there under your own steam is very long-winded and time-consuming, think multiple chicken buses and endless waits.
Enjoying the 'marshmellow' session despite the rain:
Hiking Pacaya Volcano - Tips
Wear suitable footwear. Boots if you have, are a good idea, trekking shoes if you don't. Most definitely do not wear hiking sandals.
If you go in the rainy season, like me, be prepared to get wet and no views.
Take some marshmallows though the guide does bring some, as well as sticks to help you toast them.
If you go in the rainy season, like me, be prepared to get wet and no views.
Take some marshmallows though the guide does bring some, as well as sticks to help you toast them.
View from the lookout:
