‘The Road goes ever on and on down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, and I must follow, if I can’ – Bilbo Baggins
Ask us for more information and we will help you organize your hike through our local, certified partners!
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Volcán Santa María (our local gem)
Difficulty: Medium to Difficult
Summit: 3772m
Duration: 5am - 2pm (can also be done as a sunrise hike; Midnight - 9am)
Cost: 2pax 250Q/pp - 3pax+ 200Q/pp
Includes: Private transport, entrance fee and guide
The trailhead starts at 2500m and the hike up is pretty steep all the way; 3 hours. At the top you will have an amazing view of Xela, but on a clear day you will also see 16 different volcanoes, including a birdsbird's eye view of the active volcano Santiaguito just below. You can also see Lake Atitlan with surrounding volcanoes and the Pacific coastline.
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Santiaguito Mirador | An easier hike with maximum reward
Difficulty: Easy
Summit: -
Duration: 6am - 11am
Cost: 2pax 250Q/pp - 3pax+ 200Q/pp
Includes: Private transport, entrance fee and guide.
You walk half way up Volcan Santa Maria and then through plantations and grass plateaus along the side of the volcano until you reach the back, where you have the Santiaguito volcano in front of you. Santiaguito is one of the most active volcanoes in Guatemala, spewing ash and smoke on a regular basis and occasionally shooting plumes kilometers up in the air.
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Chicabal Lake
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Summit: 2172m
Duration: 6am - 12am
Cost: 2pax 275Q/pp - 3pax+ 225Q/pp
Includes: Private transport, entrance fee and guide
A volcanic crater lake that is sacred to the Mayans, meaning you are likely to witness some Mayan ceremonies, animal sacrifice, flower installations and lots of crying and chanting. It’s a 2 hour pretty steep hike and then around 600 steps down to the lake. You also have a mirador at the top, where you look at the lagoon from above, you can see the farming landscapes around the area and Santa Maria and Santiaguito next to one another in the distance.
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Cerro Quemado | La Muela | Lava flow landscapes and Mayan Rituals
Difficulty: Easy
Summit: -
Duration: 7am - 12pm
Cost: 2pax 175Q/pp - 3pax+ 125Q/pp
Includes: Private transport and guide
An interesting hike where you can see landscapes where the lava flowed from the 1820s massive eruptions. Excellent views of Xela and the surrounding countryside, Mayan ceremonial sites and steam vents.
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Around Xela
The Yellow Church in San Andres Xecul
A small village, San Andres Xecul is home to a brightly painted Catholic Church adorned with a fascinating array of Mayan, Christian and agricultural images.
Los Vahos
Just a short hike south of town are the rough-and-ready sauna/steam baths at Los Vahos (the Vapors). These natural saunas are dark stone rooms - occasionally the vents are carpeted with eucalyptus leaves, giving the steam a herbal quality. The baths are a 2km (1.2mi) uphill walk away, with a great view of the city. Cost 20 Quetzals per hour
Tip: ask for the Saunas not in his house, but below outside
La Ermita de la Concepcion (La Conquistadora) | The Oldest Church in Central America
(In Salcaja)
Founded in 1524, which was the first church built in Central America. After 490 years and several earthquakes, the building still is in relatively good condition. The church is open to the public. Visitors are now welcomed at the adjoined museum most mornings.
The City Cemetery
Yeah it’s a cemetery, a bit morbid perhaps, but a pretty cool place to visit. On the way there you walk down old cobblestoned streets, surrounded by colorful dilapidated buildings. We recommend that you go in the early afternoon and then grab a pupusa at the best pupusería in town, just across Calvario Park (where they used to hang people back in the day).