Guatemalan Highlands & Volcanoes, Guatemala Trekking Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 9 reviews.

Emma Riddle

GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS & VOLCANOES

Written March 2013
Volcanoes, beautiful scenery, incredible guides, wonderful local people, a great group and fantastic times - one of the best trips I have ever been on! I would recommend this holiday to anyone.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
A few too many to mention: reaching the tops of the many volcanoes, swimming in Lake Atitlan, partying the night away with our guides, doing an Italian Job impression in a Bob Marley tuk tuk (you had to be there), boats, pick-ups and camping out in the highlands. Sunrise over Lake Atitlan was probably one the real highlights, together with seeing Fuego erupting. This trip really has something for everyone and only the most petty-minded could find anything to fault in it.
What did you think of your group leader?
Leadership on this holiday was outstanding. We had two main guides: Pedro and Esteban, who were committed and fantastic company. They made the holiday. Also Miguelito, our local guide for a week of the trip was brilliant, not to mention hilarious - we even went to his house for dinner and met his family. Some of the best guides I have ever come across. They made guiding look easy, which it certainly isn't, and everything worked like clockwork. Brilliant.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Understand the flight arrangements - we flew back trhough Miami which was horrendous - I would suggest ensuring your flight goes through a different airport! Also, I wish I had known that your things are never carried by animals/people so it is OK to pack that extra pair of shoes and a couple of extra items of clothing, unlike other trips I have been on.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Key to enjoying this trip is going with the flow - it was a very lively, fun group and we had a wonderful time with the guides - if you like a quiet solitary walk this might annoy you but we loved it! Do all the optional activities. Guatemala is an amazing country and this is a fantastic holiday.
J Ball

GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS & VOLCANOES

Written March 2013
Very impressive trip: stunning scenery, fabulous hiking, and a fascinating insight into Mayan history and Guatemalan life. We had a great group, and a lot of fun.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
A real highlight was seeing two erupting volcanoes, and watching the sun rise over Lake Atitlan. I really enjoyed getting off the beaten track, and experiencing local hospitality.
What did you think of your group leader?
Leaders, Pedro and Esteban, were excellent. Their enthusiasm, professionalism and insight made our trip great fun and extremely rewarding. They worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly -- and to offer us a range of interesting options during our time in Antigua and Lake Atitlan. A special mention too for our local guide, Miguel, who made us so welcome, and helped make our trip so sociable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Unquestionably a serious hiking trip. A fabulous choice if, like me, you want some challenging mountain trekking. Expect the itinerary to vary slightly, to meet changing conditions. Enjoy going with the flow -- the tour leaders never failed to deliver!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Keen walkers, who want something different, will love this trip. I enjoyed everything from the food, to the fun, to the fabulous views. I've been given a fascinating insight into Guatemala's history, culture, and coffee production. The saunas and hot springs were pretty good too. A great experience all round. Many thanks.
Emma Dawson

GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS & VOLCANOES

Written October 2012
A true trip of discovery and adventure. Made exceptional by the quality of the guides, welcome of local people and beautiful, varied scenery of the volcano hikes. Not to mention the opportunity to visit unspoilt, isolated regions in this beautiful country.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Difficult to chose but the most memorable time was when the guides organised a suprise dinner cooked by a house in the local village. They were able to russle up a dinner for 15 at short notice and produced some authentic dishes we helped to cook. All the moments that we were able to spend with the locals were the most inspirational parts of the trip whether it be the football game with the kids in the highlands or the shaman ceremony for our safe travels. Getting to the top of Volcan Feugo after 7 hrs was also a great sense of achievement.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our two group guides made the trip truly special. Almost every day there was a suprise added onto our itinerary that often involved visits with local villagers providing insights into local life which we would never have been able to find ourselves. Guides who obviously cared about their country and wanted to share it rather than just doing their job. Very knowledgeable on history and local culture. They always took extra care to ensure the group was happy, no matter what time of day and put the groups needs before their own.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The hikes are definetely challenging as mentioned in the itinerary. A bit of training before going is a must. It can get cold up in the highlands so a mix of warm and cool clothes necessary. I wish I'd read more about Mayan culture and the countries history before since it would have made some of the visits more fascinating.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Do go on this trip. I really can't fault it. The hiking is very challenging at times and adventurous. The guides so lovely we found it hard to say goodbye to them. Guatemala is really one of those rare unspoilt countries and we didn't feel it was remotely dangerous during our visit given the support of the guides.
This was my first Exodus trip but having spoken to others I think its probably a real find since the way the tour is run gives you real insights and opportunities to see the local culture as well as have fantastic hikies.
Kate Wills

GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS & VOLCANOES

Written October 2012
Action packed 2 weeks. Enthusiastic, dedicated and highly professional group leaders, awesome scenery, well planned route, fabulous food plus lots of nice surprises thrown in by the group leaders.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Dinner with a Sharman and her family before starting the trek.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leaders were suberb. They were both very enthusiastic, professional and highly knowledgable. They worked extremely hard to show us the best their country has to offer and without them the trip would not have been half as good!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you have time it is worth extending your trip and heading up to Tikal. If you have more time still, it is worth heading to Belize to chill out (and let the blisters heal) before returning home.
Shaun Claridge

GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS & VOLCANOES

Written March 2012
A great trip - It was AMAZING when we heard, felt and saw Santiaguito Volcano erupt and saw the rust cloud bellow up high into the sky!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Joan-Carlos (of Restaurant Sabe Rico, Antigua) was our cook for the time of our camping – His passion, enthusiasm, support to locals and presentation of the food was far beyond any expectation - Something I will always remember – He was a true gentleman and inspirational ambassador of Guatemala and all things good!!
What did you think of your group leader?
FAB - Guides (Pedro and Pablo) were very passionate about and proud of their country! So much so that sometimes you felt it was their holiday and not yours - they spent lots of time searching out birds and photographing!
On a few of the evenings one of the guides would down-load his pictures of the day and we would have a slide show – And also some local music!!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I'd say taking walking sticks is a must - a help on the way up and great support on the way down.
Also if you go around March time, it's the end of the dry season so the paths are VERY dusty, take trousers you' re willing to be damaged or throw away after!! Also you could consider taking some protection for your mouth for breathing in the dust (like a light scarf).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Good that only 8 in the group as meant trek never spread out too much.
Dont' get me wrong this is an excellent trip!... but to improve
1. The main reason for me picking this tour was to see molten lava, and I didn’t. The trip notes use the word ‘molten’ on the day-2 activities, and there’s a picture in the trip notes of someone stood next to molten lava. The word molten and the picture need to be removed from the trip notes, so others are not disappointed like me. If not I will consider contacting Trading Standards in approximately one month. (But d
2. Disappointed in the excess polystyrene packaging used for the packed lunch of day-12 (Georginas Hot Springs). Considering we were in the most agricultural area of the trip, very poor breakfast (white bread, ketchup and processed cheese sandwich) of day-13 (Georginas Hot Springs). Nothing can compare to Joan-Carlos' breakfats!!!
3. Suggest guides turn off their mobile phones while on trek/walks. They had walkie-talkies so mobiles not necessarily needed.
4. For the last two nights the group was split across two hotels, which was disappointing - Appreciate this would not generally be the aim.
Exodus Response
Dear Shaun,
Many thanks for your feedback on the Guatemalan Highlands and Volcanoes trip - it sounds like you had a wonderful trip! The lava flow on Pacaya does shift regularly, but I have reviewed our Trip Notes and updated the description and images to most accurately reflect the latest situation on the volcano. I am also speaking with Georginas Hot Springs to see what we can do to minimise packaging and improve the breakfast offered during this excursion. It's great to hear that you found the breakfasts made by Juan Carlos to be a highlight!
With kind regards
Vicky Boughton (Trip Manager)

- Exodus Staff
Katia Soland

GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS & VOLCANOES

Written December 2011
A great trek in a wonderful landscape setting with comfortable tents, good food and very nice people (guides and group members).
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing Lake Atitlan was very inspiring. Thanks to the different walks we did, we got to see the same lake in different dispositions. But also the hot springs and the Mayan saunas after the long walking days were just great!
What did you think of your group leader?
We had two group leaders, both very young but competent and caring.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Enjoy!
Kevin Wallace

GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS & VOLCANOES

Written March 2011
An excellent trip to an "obscure" country, for me at least. But full of surprises (pleasant ones)! The interaction with the indigenous Mayan people was a highlight. Also the erupting volcanoes.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The night climb up the 3800m Santa Maria Volcano. Starting at 1 am we made reasonable progress up the decent. Looking outwards the stars in the sky were matched by the lights of the nearby city of Quetzeltenango (second city in Guatemala).
From just below the summit the lightening sky brought to view the cloud sea in the north towards Mexico. But the highlight was watching (twice in three hours) the nearby 2500m volcano Santiagato, below us, erupt great plumes of smoke hundreds of metres into the air.
What did you think of your group leader?
Pablo was very good and was able to communicate his pride and love for the Mayan culture. Always helpful.
The local mountain guides Umberto and Edwin were also excellent.
I have no complaints about all the Guatemalan staff we met.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't take brand new footwear on a walking trip. One of the group bitterly regretted doing this!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Be prepared to be impressed by this lovely little country!