Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge

I loved this adventure! I'm fairly active and this was a challenge, but so fun. I liked the pace of the whole experience, it was fairly aggressive but with adequate time to rest. Having multiple night hotel stays in between camping was helpful in feeling a little settled, getting laundry done, etc. Our guides were incredible. So friendly and enthusiastic. The food was delicious and thoughtfully prepared. Each hike was unique and absolutely worth the effort, even if the weather didn't always cooperate!

This trip was absolutely epic. The itinerary was fantastic. A good mix of challenge and down time. Bus time is what you make of it. The guides of David, Oriel and Rudy made this trip exceptional. They worked fantastically as a team and complemented each other immensely, finding the perfect balance between professional and fun. They will write legends about the driving of Edgar, simply sensational.

Wow, honestly one of the best things I've done in my life. The trip itself was incredible, really stays true to the itinerary. The hikes are not that tough, the only thing that makes some of it difficult can be the weather but no one can control that.

Guides I had were unbelievable and provided more than enough resource and information for everyone, plus kept everyone happy and safe and did so with a very positive attitude. They made the whole trip so fun.

I was also lucky to have an incredible group of people to share the experience with which of course helps enhance the great memories.

Would highly recommend this trip to anyone who is a big fan of long hikes & nature, with enough time to relax as well.

I can’t suggest this adventure enough. It is one of the best challenges I have completed so far. Amazing group! Amazing guides! Super amazing arrangements! Loved every bit of the 10 days spent in this trip. No hiccups, no second thoughts ever while on the trip. Highly recommend this!!

Well organised trip. Guatemala is beautiful and the volcanoes were stunning though challenging hikes. The local team were excellent, the guides Luis and David ensured we had a safe and fun trip, Willie made great meals even in camp and our driver had amazing skills on the challenging roads. I would fully recommend this trip.

Great trip overall

A great way to see some of the sights of Guatemala

Challenging but well paced hikes up 5 volcanoes. Felt like a real achievement to have summited all 5. Definitely needed lots of warm clothing for the two overnight climbs. Tents on Acatenango were very comfortable, Tajumulco less so but the hotels were all very nice, comfortable, good settings and breakfasts. There is a lot of time on buses but this was unavoidable as the volcanoes weren't all close together and Guatemalan roads are both busy and winding. There was at least plenty of room on the bus and four hours, with breaks, was probably the longest journey. Our guides were excellent and made the trip fun and well paced so everyone was able to finish each volcano. Not easy but if you're moderately fit and up for a challenge then definitely worth doing.

Our guides David, Rudy, Edgar, and Uriel were brilliant. Super fun and they always took good care of us.

Our co-adventurers were all brilliant people. We had such a motivation and encouraging group dynamic.

The physical challenge was hard but all the more satisfying because of it. We pushed ourselves to get up all five volcanoes and were bone tired at the end of the trip.

All the accommodation was great and Rudy’s cooking was superb.

We had the trip of a lifetime. Couldn’t recommend this enough!

Had a great time in Guatemala with Old Town Outfitters/MBA. It was a busy trip with lots of travel and volcanoes but was absolutely worth it, and it really takes you off the beaten track in Guatemala. The guides looked after us really well and were very reactive to changes to the plan/personal requirements. As always with MBA trips the group was excellent and was full of likeminded people up for a challenge!

The local hosts went above and beyond for every step of this adventure, working miracles of last-minute replanning - and also working late into the evening - to make absolutely sure that everyone on the trip had the best possible time. I don't know if we just had an unusually friendly group and unusually friendly hosts, but we'd bonded by the third day and the hosts dealt with everything thrown at them - from hail to pulled muscles - confidently and practically.

It helped that Fuego decided to be especially active while we were up on Acatenanga; the experience of watching a plume of fire rise, and bright specks of lava spatter down onto the slopes and form into brief glow-worm rivulets, simply cannot be bought. Nor can the sound of the eruptions; the dull rolling crump like thunder or artillery that repeatedly drove us to brave the chill wind to see yet another spectacular explosion so close at hand.

There was a little more driving than expected, but we were mostly tired enough to doze through it, especially towards the end of the trip, and plenty of stops for coffee, snacks and other necessities. I also felt that despite the hosts' best efforts we didn't encounter enough of Guatemalan culture, but it would be hard to remedy that without missing out volcanoes.

If only the hosts could have controlled the weather; several of the hikes felt much like hiking in Britain, with the magnificent views obscured by cloud and drizzle. Still, the sun came out when it counted, because our morning in San Juan La Laguna wouldn't have been the same in the rain.

Fast paced, structured tour that focuses on going up and getting down volcanoes. The guides are great, but I've left not knowing much about the volcanoes hiked, or the flora/fauna/culture of Guatemala. Dry season here also means wet - always take waterproofs!

Our guides- Luis, Gerry, and Gilberto, were wonderful. They were super organized, informative, and kept the many logistics running smoothly. The hikes are varied and interesting; I did the trip without poles, but at least half of it is probably much easier with poles as there is a lot of loose, rocky soil. It’s probably worth checking a bag just to bring them. The camping nights are cold! But well worth it. Our group was fun and compatible. Food was good, lots of veggie options; take extra snacks on the camping nights because there’s nowhere to restock if you get hungry. Totally recommend the trip.

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. The scenery is amazing, the organisation was excellent and I had the best time. I forgot a head torch and poles, both very much needed. On day one they took us to the company’s shop and they lent me the kit no problem

Excellent experience with awesome great tour guides Joel and Didi. Would recommend this trip to anybody with an active lifestyle. Definietly challenging, you need to consistently push yourself, super satisfying to comlete the hikes everyday. Phenomenal views at everything location, we only got clouded out occasionally in early November. I enjoyed the reasonably aggressive pace/scheudle to visit all of the cool spots. Fun group of strangers that all got along great. Fair amount of time in the bus, but I loved looking out at the Guatemalan countryside. This was my first MBA trip and can't wait to plan another.

Gear: I brought the entire recommended gear kit. Poles were super usefull for 80% of the hikes. Never used the gaiters, these probably would have been nice in a few specific spots, but alternatively you could just empty sand/rocks out of your shoes 2-3 times. Didn't use the multiple neck buffs, maybe it just wasn't cold enough for us. Motion sickness pills (non drowsy dramamine) were clutch for some of the bus rides on steep roads

A great, well organised trip! The walks were amazing, and the hotels were lovely. The guides Joel and Diana really made the trip and the two camps and sunrises were unforgettable. Can't recommend this to enough!

The trip was an amazing experience, ended up with a very fun like-minded group. Need to give a shout out to our guide Jerry from Old Town Outfitters. His knowledge and friendship really made this trip stand out compared to other tips I've taken.

This trip was superb from start to finish and far exceeded all of my expectations. I’ve made memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life and I am so thankful to the guides for making this trip so special, especially Joel who’s passion and enthusiasm for exploring his country is inspiring.

Easily one of the most challenging, yet rewarding weeks of my life.

Guatemala is a beautiful country and the hikes are stunning. Five volcanoes in a week is tough work, but every hike has its strengths and the sense of achievement is enormous once competed.

Our guides Joel and Diana were incredibly professional and friendly. Both are wonderful souls and were accommodating and positive throughout. I’ll genuinely miss them.

If you’re considering this trip - do it!

Dear Team - I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how fantastic I thought the trip was.

Jerry and the team were fantastic and I later found out that this was the first trip Jerry has been in charge of. Jerry and all the guys were magnificent.

I understand a few of the other group members were "a bit hard work" but the changes were handled, I thought brilliantly and with great professionalism.

I will have no hesitation in recommending "THE OLD TOWN OUTFITTERS and Much Better Adventures to whoever asks me !!!!!

Best Wishes

Nick Thompson

As a ‘frequent trekker’ I must congratulate yourselves and the team / Jerry / Vnny and David for a super well organised visit to Guatemala.

Despite this being a tough trek - the organisation was super smooth and everyone was well looked after. Jerry probably has the biggest smile ever seen on a guide and there is a genuine enthusiasm for guest and environment.

Well done all

Best

Mark Hodgkinson

Cannot recommend this trip enough! What a great country, culture, fantastic hikes and views all explored with an insipring bunch of people (Uno-Ocho)! Our guides: Joel, Uriel & Vinni made the trip such a special experience. Muchas gracias for looking after all of us. Vinni's laughs will stay with us forever!!! So grateful to have met You all. Vamos a la playa chicos!

The trip was truly remarkable, filled with numerous adventures and an abundance of enjoyment. Our guides, Joel, Vinny, and Uriel, meticulously organized every aspect of the journey, offering not only essential support but also their friendship. We experienced unforgettable moments while climbing volcanoes, staying in a campsite with breath taking views, and traveling between various locations.

Our group of eight thoroughly enjoyed our time together, and it would be wonderful to embark on another adventure as a team.

This was the most amazing adventure in Guatemala - made all the better by our brilliant guides Joel, Vinny and Uriel who were exceptional in every way!! They were very friendly, supportive and ensured that everyone in the group was fully catered for and supported throughout the trip but especially on the climbs! I can still hear Vinny’s infectious laughter now!! They freely shared the love they have for their beautiful country and culture and this just added to the experience of this trip!! The climbs were challenging at times but the sunrises and views from the summits were worth all the effort!!

Thankyou Joel, Vinny and Uriel for making this a trip full of memories that will last a lifetime!!

I can’t recommend this trip highly enough!! Get it booked - you won’t regret it!!

What an amazing lifetime experience. I went with a good friend in August 2024 and formed part of a group of 8 people. The group were excellent, like-minded people who I know I will keep in contact with after this trip. We worked as a team the whole time and never went off ahead or left people behind. This true team approach was instilled by the guides. The guides (Joel as the lead guide, Uriel as the equipment guide, and Vini as the cook and guide) were simply fantastic. You could tell that they have worked together often, their skills and personalities complement each other perfectly. I could not have asked for a better team of guides. I felt challenged, supported and safe in their hands at all times.

The trip itself was a perfect way to switch off from reality back home. The volcano hikes were equally challenging and rewarding; the bus and boat transfers were a great way to see the country and how different each area feels; the restaurants and bars the guides recommended were perfect for after a day's hiking. All in all, time vanished and I was on the flight back home before I knew it. Was the trip what I expected - yes and more! Would I recommend Much Better Adventures and the Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge - without a doubt!

Thank you Joel, Uriel, and Vini! Vamos a la playa!

This is an exciting and active way to spend some time in Guatemala. All the scenery was spectacular and two of the volcanoes really stood out. The campsites were beautiful, and the hikes were brilliant. It is quite challenging though, so be prepared for that. The guides were lovely, and very caring, and the atmosphere was light hearted and fun. We had a fantastic group, and it is definitely a trip I will remember.

There are a few things to consider, not negatives, but simply considerations and things I had wished I had known before going:

Hidden costs - a lot of meals are not included and there are a lot of people to tip. Guatemala is also quite an expensive country, so the cost of the trip as a whole starts to add up. The itinerary - a huge amount of time in the bus! The guides were lovely, but they were not all ware of walking at altitude. There was inconsistency with the guides with this, so be prepared to hold your ground with going slower when up high. Food - If you have any form of food allergies, bring food with you, and I would recommend bringing snacks etc regardless, more so than you would usually, because the food provided for lunch was not sufficient. There was a lot of reliance on crisps and oreos.

A really great trip made even more special by our Guides Luis and David. The hikes were tough but very rewarding. I wouldn’t recommend for people not used to hiking. We bought some hiking poles the day before setting off which were really helpful. Out of our couple, one of us had boots, one had sturdy trail shoes. The boots were better, but it is doable in good trail shoes/trainers. The volcanoes are stunning. Pleased we got to travel around Guatemala and different parts of the country. I’d recommend adding a day or two extra in Antigua before or after, as it’s a really cool city. The local tour company were brilliant (old town outfitters). I would advise against this trip if you’re really scared of dogs, there’s lots of strays everywhere, pretty harmless and nobody got attacked, but just to note there’s a lot just hanging around! The least impressive part was probably the thermal baths, it seemed a long drive for an average experience, we’d have maybe preferred just a few hours to explore Xela city. I think a head torch was on the “recommended” part of the kit list but it is 100% essential! The hotels were all nice and were comfortable, and the sleeping bags were warm for the two camping nights. You should expect to tip the local porters at each volcano and then the main local guides who are with you all week, so factor this into the total cost of the trip (they did a great job so was thoroughly deserved!). A couple of people in our group suffered mild to moderate altitude sickness on the 2 highest volcanoes, if you think you’re at risk of this definitely get some Diamox tablets, and drink electrolytes to ensure you’re fully hydrated. The symptoms improved rapidly as soon as we descended. If possible, arrive in Antigua a couple of days early to acclimatise and explore!

This was quite the epic and memorable adventure with sights and natural phenomena unlike anywhere in the world. The beauty of Guatemala was unsurpassed, silent — due to the off the beaten path nature of it — and powerful — because VOLCANOES. Fuego was a sight to behold and one that should not be overlooked.

The hikes were challenging, the terrain so new and exciting to experience! I did all hikes in trailer runners and low gaiters. If you normally hike in trail runners, then you will be fine. My gaiters ended up being my most invaluable gear; they were helpful in keeping out the scree of my shoes during the exhilarating slides down the face of the volcano! In addition, I didn’t bring poles originally and was eternally grateful to the local guide company for providing my friend and I one each. They ended up being so helpful as well!

The group was a fine team and such great company. Guides Diego and Vini were the dream team. They each had such an infectious, positive energy that radiated throughout the group. Most importantly though, they ensured our safety when it came to AMS; they stressed the signs and symptoms constantly and made sure the group speed was ideal for optimal acclimatization. I also felt secure especially on San Pedro when two police officers joined our crew to keep the banditos away.

This was my first time in Central America and it was a great first venture into the region. And I can say with confidence that it will not be my last!

This was such an incredible trip! Guatemala is amazing and getting to see several parts of the country was great. The volcanoes were absolutely stunning. The hiking was difficult but doable and the guides were great about accommodating the different speeds of our group. I definitely recommend preparing for the altitude as much as possible and/or take medication. We had a great group and the guides (Vini and Diego) were phenomenal! Overall highly recommend this trip, definitely one of the coolest trips I’ve taken.

Everything was great! From guides to logistics to team. Top 10 travel experience because of Acate and Fuego. The guides, Diego and Vini were very vocal about AMS sickness and always concerned about you. You always felt like you were in good hands. Local tips and insights were especially helpful.