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Cerro Quemado
Pre-dawn hike to the summit of Cerro Quemado, the most recently active lava dome of the Almolonga complex, climbing through rugged volcanic terrain to reach sunrise views over Quetzaltenango and the surrounding highlands.
Start: 12:00 AM pickup in Xela
Return: ~11:30 AM
Elevation: 3,197 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Overview

Hike Description

This challenging 3-4 hour hike takes us to the summit of Cerro Quemado, the most recently active lava dome within the Almolonga volcanic complex in the heart of Quetzaltenango. It last erupted in 1818, producing a vast lava flow on its northeastern slopes.

The route is consistently steep and physically demanding, but achievable for beginners with good fitness. We hike through a forest with massive volcanic boulders, fractured lava, warm steam vents, small caves, and cliff edges. The final approach to the summit is the most challenging section, requiring very good balance over uneven rock, narrow footing, and dangerous holes between the boulders. While the hike is not extreme, it may not be the best option for anyone with balance problems, strong fear of height, or difficulty moving carefully over rocky terrain.

From the summit, the Almolonga caldera is visible below, along with the full extent of the 1818 lava flow. Quetzaltenango spreads out to the north, with views of Santa María, Zunil, Pecul, and Siete Orejas.

We recommend starting at our default 12:00 AM departure to reach the summit in time for sunrise, as conditions are usually clear early but often cloud over by late morning, limiting views. At the summit, we prepare breakfast and hot drinks, take time to move around the summit, and rest before descending back toward Xela.

Early morning conditions are usually clear and stable, but weather in the mountains can change quickly, and visibility is not always guaranteed.

Itinerary

Schedule

12:00 AM
Pickup in Xela. We meet you at your hotel or host family, then drive toward Cerro Quemado and begin the ascent.
~4:30 AM
Arrive at the summit. Reach the top and relax while we wait for sunrise.
5:00 AM
Sunrise at the summit. Watch the sun light up Quetzaltenango and the surrounding highlands while we prepare breakfast and hot drinks.
~8:30 AM
Descent and return. We hike down and usually arrive back in Xela between 11:00 and 11:30 AM.

Historical image of Cerro Quemado

Depiction of the Cerro Quemado 1818 eruption by a witness.

Included

What’s Included

  • Professional, experienced guides
  • Round-trip transportation from Xela
  • Breakfast and hot drinks at the summit
  • Professional photos
Gear

What to Bring

Pre-dawn at 3,197 m can be extremely cold, and wind can make it even worse. You’ll need:

  • Warm jacket / winter coat
  • Spare shirt to change out of sweat after the climb
  • Gloves
  • Backpack
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Hiking shoes or boots
  • Water (2–3 liters)
  • Rain jacket (rain is rare in the morning but possible)
Bookings

Select a Date for Your Tour

350Q
per person for groups of 2 or more
500Q
for a solo tour
Booking solo? A solo tour costs 500Q, but we’ll look for more people for that date. If someone joins, your price drops to 350Q.

Choose a date to request your tour. We’ll confirm availability by WhatsApp and send the deposit payment link as soon as possible.

Confirmed tour (spaces available)
Requests open (confirmation required)
Unavailable
Click a date to continue.
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Selected date: None
Payment and cancellation details

After we confirm availability, we’ll send you a link to pay the Q100 per person deposit. This confirms your reservation and reserves your guide for the day. The remaining balance is paid on the day of the tour.

Because we set this time aside specifically for your group, the deposit is normally non-refundable if you decide to cancel. If your plans change and you let us know more than 24 hours before your tour, we’re happy to transfer your deposit to another available date.

For groups of 4 or more, if you cancel more than 24 hours before the tour and prefer not to reschedule, 50% of the deposit will be refunded.

If we need to cancel the tour due to dangerous weather or any other circumstances that prevent us from operating safely, you will receive a full refund, including your deposit.