santa maria volcano

This hike was probably one of the most extreme I did. But also with the nicest view. It is advisable to find a local to go with you up, so that you don't have to pay an exorbant amount to tour operators. It is a pretty straight forward climb, with only 1 moment where you can go wrong. You do need to have some preservering, as it is a long, long, long way up (4-5 hours is not an exception). But the view is totally worth it!

We did the Full Moon hike with Quetzaltrekkers. This was a tough adventure, but worth every step to be at the top for sunrise!

A challenging hike for me that was fairly steep but the views make it worth it. It was hard to breathe the last 2 hours up and I consider myself to be in fairly good shape. It was one of the more challenging hikes I've done because of the breathing challenges. Some people weren't having issues though. We went on a Saturday and the locals hike up for church at the top. Nothing will make you feel more out of shape then older women carrying children hiking in flip flops and passing you. If you can, bring a walking stick as going down is muddy (it's cold in the AM and the frost turns the dirt into mud). I fell probably 3 times as I was hiking with running shoes - boots would have been better. About 3.5-4 hrs up, 2-3 hrs down, we left at 5am. It's not that much faster down due to mud. As others have said dress in layers and bring water and a snack. We ran into what our guide thought was bandits at the beginning when it was dark. Fortunately a group that had a police escort walked up behind us and we joined them. The police escorts were as good as guides - super nice, helpful, spoke English pretty well and knew the trail (which is fairly easy to follow, it would be hard to get lost). You can contact the tourism office to book them.

Took 7 hour hike backpacking with full equipment (tent, sleeping bag, etc) to spend the night on the summit, traveled with K'ashem a mountaineering school based in Guatemala City, they have the best guides and most experience when it comes to extreme adventures.

We did this hike with Monte Verde Tours (Ask for Carlos to be your guide! He's amazing!!). The hike was meant to run from 5am - 1pm. The hike itself, is not hard, but is challenging. We had a small group which was good as one of us wasn't feeling well so we took our time to the top. I highly recommend that you hike up at a slow pace, if you want to break a record, go right ahead, but I think the climb should go slower so you can enjoy some of the views one the way up as well as the amazing views from the top. As we took our time heading up and down, we didn't return until 2:30.

Bring rain ponchos and walking sticks , lots of water and good hiking boots. The view is often obscured by clouds.

It took us about 1h30 to climb.. the volcano was erupting but no lava. a lifetime experience. don't get fooled a volcano yes, but it's very cold once in the top so grab some jackets even if it's a sunny day

I knew this would be a challenge, since I'm 65 and sometimes wake up with tired legs, knees and hips, but it was worth every step I took. Watching the sun come up on a beautifully clear sky, surrounded on all sides by magnificent views, was a highlight of my trip. This was a great place to sit and quietly meditate on the the same beauty that has been enjoyed by mankind over the ages.

You have to get up at an time which we deem unsuitable for Holliday: 5 am :-) but it was worth it.A beautiful hike. Not too hard but it will strain your muscles. We walked in a beautiful surrounding. The kids loved the climb.The view of the volcano is stunning. The rumbling of the wart, smoke and the eruption were fun and exiting to watch

I can't speak highly enough of this volcano. The views of santiaguito, the surrounding landscape, and xela are incredible. Going at night has the added incentive of seeing the orange glow of lava and the sparkling lights of the city below. I would recommend going with Quetzaltrekkers, perhaps on their monthly full moon hike. For those less athletic, rather than the summit you can go to the santiaguito mirador which is a very easy hike compared to the full Santa Maria climb.

I went with Quetzal Tours (not trekkers) that have local guides and local knowledge. To the lookout that is a must to be able to see anything before it gets cloudy, at least was that my experience since the next four groups came too late.

Wow. first trek a volcano ever. Did the full moon hike with Quetzal Trekkers. Did this way way back in 2008, but just got around to being on tripadvisor now. The trek up is rough if you're out of shape but doable. Hiking shoes are a big plus! Saw a beautiful sunrise!

We went up with a small police escorte due to security issues, but I'm sure that you'd be fine on your own as well. Police does it for a small tip and it's part of their job, so might just as well bring them if you feel unsafe.Trek up is around 3-4 hours and when you reach the top you'll have great views of surrounding volcanoes (as far as Antigua), you'll see all of Xela, you can look directly into a volcano that erupts every 20 minutes and if it's a clear day you can also see the ocean.All up definitely worth the hike. It can be done without a guide, but if you do bring a guide, don't pay more than 200Q.

We went with Quetzal tours. First time I have been on a hike with police accompaniment.Amazing views of all the volcanoes in the vicinity.

A tough hike but well worth it. I did the full moon hike with Quetzaltrekkers and it was sweet. A few people suffered from the altitude and it being an all nighter, but this was almost forgotten with the sunrise and the eruptions from Santiaguito. Do it!