Pacaya from Antigua: the Plateau, the Steam Vents and Three Volcanoes in View

The drive from your hotel to Pacaya Volcano National Park takes an hour and a half to an hour and three quarters, and there is time to stretch and use the bathroom before the walk starts. The ascent goes up through a wide wooded stretch with a local, authorised guide, then out onto the volcanic ground where the trail crosses solidified lava. From the plateau, the main crater is seen at a distance rather than from the rim. What is close at hand is the heat: steam vents worked by the volcano, and marshmallows roasted on the hot ground. The views from up there take in Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. The descent goes back to the base, and the bus takes an hour and a half to Antigua. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.