Trek to Chicabal Volcano and Lagoon near Quetzaltenango , Guatemala
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
Spend a good half day exploring the ceremonial center of the Mam Mayan culture on your visit to the Volcano and Laguna de Chicabal. View Mayan altars where ceremonies were held celebrating important dates on the Mayan calendar. Also lots of birds to see as well as local agricultural activities .
Nice and not that difficult to do with children and / or elderly people using the local 4x4 called " el torito " .
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum number of 2 persons applies. If you book for yourself, there is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Driver/guide
Round-trip shared transfer
Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
Gratuities
Entrance Fees
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Hotel Casa Quetzaltenango
10 Avenida 10 Avenida 4-15 Quetzaltenango Guatemala
Latam Hotel Plaza Pradera Quetzaltenango
Avenida Las Americas 7-04, Zona 3, Pradera Square Quetzaltenango Guatemala
What To Expect
Visit a mystical lake in the crater of a volcano which up to day is used by Mayan people to perform their sacred rituals. The majority of them are inhabitants on San Martín Sacatepéquez and belong to one of the 23 Mam groups in Guatemala. The Mam are modern Mayan people who live in southwestern Guatemala and parts of southern Mexico. At least 500 Mil live in Guatemala. For them, Laguna Chicabal is a sacred and miraculous place – the mystic perception becoming even more convincing because of its shape and the fog that shrouds the volcano. Maya priests perform traditional ceremonies on the shore using candles, flowers and holy crosses. The guide joining you at this unique tour will be a local from Quetzaltenango, or even a local guide from the Chicabal lagoon, and will explain all there is to know about Mayan religion, Mayan culture, and the local plants and animals. IMPORTANT DATES FOR MAM PEOPLE: May 3rd and 40 days after holy week of Easter. You can also camp at the lake between October and May; after and before the rain season INCLUDED IN CASE OF CAMPING: All equipment: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, food.
Options
Trek to Chicabal Volcano and Lagoon near Quetzaltenango , Guatemala
Pickup included
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great hike with a great guide
Sophie K,
Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was such an amazing experience! We loved our guide and how he made it feel like just me and my fiancé the whole time. We could walk slow or fast, and he was with us the entire time. He was also very knowledgeable about Xela and the country of Guatemala, which made for great conversation. We will do this again!
Highly recommend
427sydnies,
Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I have nothing but good things to say ! Traveling with a kid is not easy . They made my trip smooth, easy, and so much more enjoyable! I’m so glad thank you!
Lagoona Chicabal was gorgeous!
Culture49725715101,
Jul 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00This hike was incredible. The road to get to the parking lot was led astray by Waze trying to send us up a washed up dirt road where we had to do a thousand-point turn to get back to the main road. If you see the sign in the town for Lagoona Chicobal, follow the road to the left, not the right! We took the trucks up from the parking lot which were 25Q/person. Once we are at base camp, we loaded up on some chips (all of which have gluten so be careful if traveling with someone with celiac). We purchased tickets for the hike which was 50Q/person, since we were tourists. The hike is about 1.25 miles straight up. There was an option to take a truck all the way up the mountain and forego the hike altogether, but we walked. Wear sunscreen if you burn easily! Once you get to the top, there’s a place to take photos overlooking the lake and the Santa Maria Volcano. Then you trek down 466 steps to the lake itself. There is another option without the steps, but we took that back up. The lake is sacred so cannot be touched, but is beautiful to sit beside and just take in the magic of the lake. We were able to walk back down and catch a ride back to the lot for the same 25Q/person. Absolutely worth the trek!
Go to Guatemala with Adrenalina!
546mihaelar,
Jan 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Went to Guatemala with a friend in November 2023. We did a big tour, from Guatemala City, to Antigua, Sumpango, Pacaya volcano, then to Copan Ruinas in Honduras, Rio Dulce, Livingston, Tikal, Yaxha, Xela, Chichicastenango, Logo Atitlan... A beautiful colorful country, beautiful landscapes, nice people, beautiful traditions. Highly recommended. We had a great experience with Adrenalina Tours who provided us with lots of practical tips even before departure. The transfers booked through Adrenalina (from/to the airport, to the various destinations) were on time and safe. Communication along the way went perfectly, Patrick and his team were always there, well into the night, available for additional information and advice and very helpful. Thank you for the professional approach and guidance! Partly thanks to your valuable advice, we still enjoy this wonderful experience in our minds. I would like to recommend Patrick and Adrenalina tours to anyone planning to go to Guatemala. Doing!
WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE ✨
cristinadD8380GE,
Aug 31, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a great experience with Adrenalina Tours. • Transfers always on time and safe • Professional people always available and helpful My experience: I did the hiking to Acatenango and was so amazing!!! 2 guides always kind and available to help the people of the group. Another great experience I recommend is the opportunity to stay in a local family in San Juan La Laguna for aknots 2 days, everything coordinated by Adrenalina. The experience has been one of the best of my life. Coming into contact with the family, the local culture and traditions have been ones of the wonderful souvenirs I’ll bring at home with me. A special thanks goes to Elias of Adrenalina Tours, the contact who coordinated everything for me. Thank you for everything
VOLCAN.CHICABAL AND FUENTES GERGINAS
KeithlynTours,
May 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Visit Chicabal volcano and then relax at the Georginas fountains in Quetzaltenango Xela. We spent the night in an ARBNB to Q160 a block from the park, paid Q150 towards Chicabal un.volcan resistance level 4 of 10 Ideal for beginners, you pay Q 20 entrance there is a shop if you want water, sodas, and prepare instant soups, you do not need guidance and you can pay a 4x4a to take you to the viewpoint. We walk. It's a sacred lagoon, which you can't swim in. Very good experience. In the afternoon we travel to.Fountains Georginas and Pay 35 entrance dishes from Q35 onwards according to your tastes at 5 close the restaurant. GOOD EXPERIENCE AT.XELA.
2 weeks private Guatemala tour
Edobrez,
Apr 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We contacted Patrick of Adrenalina in 2020 after a friend’s referral. The pandemic forced us to cancel a trip already well planned. Come 2023 and we did it. Adrenalina organised drivers and guides and booked a good number of hotels. I booked other stays myself with their excellent recommendations (I was looking for traditional locally owned places). We visited Antigua, Chichi, Xela, Nabaj, Semuc and Tikal. Adrenalina also organised our transfer to the Belize border and with their partners up to Caye Caulker. Excellent staff and communication via whatsapp. Recommended - though you should do your own research and know what you want to do and see to get the best out of a tour like ours.
Very relaxed excursion
Z9075MUolgap,
Jan 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The lake in the volcano near Xela is easy to reach and up there it is quiet, relaxed and very meditative. The nature around the lake is beautiful. Unfortunately, the way there is only by road. Even without a guided tour, the visit can be organized well. Don't forget sunscreen:)
Not moderate
Nina B,
Jul 15, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00I signed up for this our because it said it was a moderate hike. It was not. The hike was four hours of diffulcult uphill and downhill on rocks, a very difficult down staircase. It also said we would be guided around the lagoon with the guide to see the Mayan sacrifice areas. When we got to the lagoon the guide said we had thirty minutes to walk around the lagoon and see the Mayan areas but he was not accompanying us. Not as advertised. Very beautiful area but i was exhausted and was unprepared for the level of difficulty. Maybe for more experienced hikers this is moderate but not for me.
An amazing trip. My guide Eddie was...
Douglas R,
Apr 10, 2018
- Review from Viator
5.00An amazing trip. My guide Eddie was a fantastic guide. The walk up to the top of the volcano was not as difficult as I had imagined. The trip down to me was more difficult.
Chicabal Volcano and Lagoon are incredibly beautiful. I definitely recommend this trip.
From US$100.00
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