Horseback Riding on Pacaya Volcano: Lava Chef Dinner

You cook your dinner on lava while sitting in the volcano's shadow.

Horseback riding on Pacaya Volcano near Antigua pairs a private ride through coffee plantations and lava beds with a meal prepared by a lava chef at the volcano's base. You gallop or walk at your own pace with an English-speaking cowboy guide, then feast on lava-cooked pizza, chips and salsa, and marshmallows roasted in the lava itself, overlooking three other volcanoes. The experience supports Soul Shine Horse Rescue, which cares for 125 horses.

The experience

You arrive in Antigua with a free afternoon and no riding experience required: the ride starts with a one-hour pickup from your hotel, then heads straight to the volcano. The cowboy guides handle all the details: they lead you through coffee plantations and villages, across lava beds, and directly onto the active volcano itself. You choose between a fast gallop or a leisurely stroll, and the pace stays yours alone. No other tourists share the route, and the guides focus on your safety and comfort the whole way.

At the base of the volcano, a lava chef has prepared your meal on the hot lava itself. You sit on colorful cushions while the cowboy who guided your ride becomes your waiter, serving lava-cooked pizza or chorizo with traditional salsas, chips and fresh cheese bread on arrival, and gourmet Guatemalan chocolates. The marshmallows come last. You roast them directly in the lava to make s'mores while you eat, with wine available if you request it. The whole meal happens surrounded by the volcano and three others visible from where you sit.

The return ride takes 45 minutes back to the park, then an hour back to Antigua. The full day runs about six hours from pickup to drop-off. Every booking supports Soul Shine Horse Rescue. The profits go directly to caring for the 125 horses that make these rides possible. Groups stay under 30 people, and solo travelers can reach out to arrange integration into a group.

What’s included

• Horse and private cowboy guide for each rider.
• lava-cooked pizza or chorizo with traditional salsas.
• chips and fresh cheese bread on arrival.
• three gourmet Guatemalan chocolates and marshmallows roasted in the lava.
• transportation from and to Antigua.
• all volcano park fees.
• English-speaking guide and volcano guide.

Options for this experience

3 options

Pacaya Volcano horseback fast ride through lava beds and coffee plantationsGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30 and 14:00Pickup is included

Horseback ride at a fast gallopGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30 and 14:00Horseback ride at a fast trot or gallop, or at a walking pace, through coffee and lava beds; pickup is included

Fast Horseride GallopGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30 and 14:00Fast horseback ride: aimed at experienced riders or adventurers, with trotting and galloping on parts of the route; the horses are calm and safe. Slow walking horseback ride: walk through coffee plantations, villages and lava beds. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 14:00

AgesAdult (10 to 75 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Finca In The Clouds

Is this one for you?Pick the fast gallop to cover more terrain before sunset, or the walk to linger with the volcano views and your private lava chef's cooking demonstrations.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the fast gallop and the leisurely stroll on Pacaya?

Both routes cover the same ground (coffee plantations, villages, and lava beds leading to the volcano), but you set the pace. The fast gallop is an exhilarating ride for those who want speed. The leisurely stroll lets you take in the landscape and the volcano at a walk. Your cowboy guide adjusts to whichever you choose.

Can I ride if I've never been on a horse before?

No riding experience is required. The cowboy guides are trained to work with all levels, and they focus on your safety and comfort throughout the ride. You'll be paired with a horse suited to your experience and the pace you choose.

Is the meal really cooked on the lava?

Yes. The lava chef cooks the pizza, chorizo, and other dishes directly on the hot lava at the base of the volcano. You roast your marshmallows in the lava as well to make s'mores, and you eat everything while sitting on colorful cushions overlooking the volcano and three others in the distance.

What time does the ride start and end?

Pickup from Antigua takes one hour, then the ride to the volcano takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace. You spend about two and a half hours at the volcano for the meal and exploration, then ride back for 45 minutes and return to Antigua in an hour. The full experience is about six hours from hotel pickup to drop-off.

Does this experience help the horses?

Yes. Soul Shine Horse Rescue operates the ride, and all profits go to the care of 125 horses at the rescue. Booking directly supports their work.