Overnight Hike to Zunil Volcano, Xela, Guatemala

Even though Volcán Zunil offers some of the best views you can find around Xela (Quetzaltenango) in Guatemala, it’s actually one of the lesser hiked volcanoes in the area. So, if you’re after a quieter hike, Zunil should definitely be on your list. In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the overnight hike up to Zunil Volcano.

You’ll find details on the trail length, level of difficulty, the best company to book your overnight hike with, when the best time to do it is, and what to wear and bring with you for your adventure. We’ll also provide a short breakdown of the 2 day hike, so you know what to expect before you commit to it.

If you’d also like to see us summitting this incredible volcano, definitely watch our dedicated Xela hiking video on our YouTube channel. For more Guatemala videos, make sure to watch our Guatemala series.

About Volcan Zunil

Volcan Zunil is located to the south-east of Xela, between the departments of Quetzaltenango and Sololá in Guatemala. It’s a 3,540 m / 11,600 ft tall dormant volcano and belongs to the 
oldest geological generation of volcanoes in the country. Zunil actually looks more like a mountain because its cone has eroded, so it doesn’t have a clearly visible crater.

Its name is derived from the Quiché language, with Tzu meaning ‘clay vessels’ and n’il meaning ‘noise or music’. In Spanish it means ‘Cane of Whistle’.

Practical Information Before Hiking Volcan Zunil

The Best Company to Hike Zunil Volcano with

Whilst you could probably complete this hike independently, we highly recommend joining a guided hiking tour. This way you don’t need to worry about logistics such as route planning, camping gear and food. Joining a guided tour will also give you the chance to learn a bit more about the surrounding volcanoes and Guatemala.

The best (and possibly the only) tour company that offers the 2-day Zunil hike is Quetzaltrekkers. They are a non-profit organisation led by awesome volunteer guides. They use the money raised through their treks to provide education, housing and other social support to disadvantaged children in Xela. We initially wanted to complete the 2-day Tajumulco hike with them but, because of wildfires around Tajumulco, ended up hiking Zunil instead.

We loved our experience with Quetzaltrekkers from start to finish, and actually ended up having a private tour which made our trip even more special.

Length of the Zunil Volcano Hike

The total length of the 2-day hike is about 21 km (13 mi). Below we’ll give you some additional information on the rough timings of each day, so you know how many hours you’ll be hiking at any given time.

Our first day started at 5 AM at Quetzaltrekkers’ office in Xela. After breakfast and some final arrangements to our backpacks, we walked over to the closest chicken bus stop. After a 40 minute drive we were dropped off in the small village of Cantel, just north-east of the village of Zunil.

We set off from there around 7:30 AM and had lunch around 11 AM, with a few water and snack breaks in between. By 12:30 PM we were on our way again and, after a few more short breaks, we reached our base camp just after 3 PM. Around 5 PM, we set off for the summit to watch the sunset. Just after 7 PM, we were already enjoying a hot dinner at our campsite.

After a 4:30 AM alarm call in the morning, we set off for the summit to watch the sunrise. We also had breakfast up there before descending and packing up the campsite. We left around 8:30 AM and, after a few snack breaks, we arrived at Fuentes Georginas just after 12 PM. After lunch, we were able to soak our muscles in the hot springs for a few hours before taking a transport back to Xela.

Level of Difficulty of the Zunil Volcano Hike

Hiking Volcan Zunil is considered a moderate to difficult hike depending on your level of fitness and other factors that we’ll detail below. For us it was actually easier than summitting Santa Maria Volcano. The main difficulty was probably the additional weight of the backpacks that we had to carry up. Even though we’ve done many multi-day hikes, such as the 5-day Salkantay Trek and the 2-day Ausangate Trek in Peru, the weight of the backpacks on this hike was a lot greater.

We’ll discuss below all the challenges you could possibly face on this route, so make sure to be realistic about your capabilities and don’t underestimate this hike.

Altitude

The highest point along the hike will be at the summit of Zunil at 3,540 m / 11,600 ft above sea level. This means that you can get altitude sickness if you haven’t acclimatised properly before attempting this hike. There are many symptoms of altitude sickness, including dehydration, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, heavy breathing, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. It’s good to remember that anyone can develop altitude sickness and its symptoms can be less or more severe depending on the person.

For this reason, we recommend spending at least one full day in Xela to get used to the higher elevation. We also suggest going on an acclimatisation hike to Laguna Chicabal which is only 2,712 m / 8,897 ft above sea level. Alternatively, you can also complete the Santiaguito Mirador hike where the maximum altitude is 2,790 m / 9,154 ft.

Temperatures and Weather Conditions

If the altitude and elevation gain weren’t enough to deal with, you’ll also have to be mindful of the temperatures when trekking too. The sun can be pretty intense, especially in the dry season. Luckily, there are trees that offer shade throughout most of the hike but it’s still important to wear a hat, sunglasses and sun-cream. Even though I wore SPF 50+ I still managed to get sunburnt.

If you’re here in the wet season, then you need to be mindful of the amount of rain that’s fallen before attempting this trail.

Trail Conditions

The trail consists of narrow paths dotted with rocks and tree-roots, dusty sections and a few steep switchbacks. In addition, descending on the second day can be pretty slippery because of all the loose rocks and steep sections. It’s so easy to make a wrong step and twist your ankle, so we recommend having hiking poles for extra support.

Weight of Backpack

Since we had to carry all our camping gear, food and water, we each needed a 60L backpack. It weighed over 15kg (35 lbs), although some of our guides’ backpacks weighed around 20 kg (44 lbs). Even though we’ve completed multi-day hikes before, like the 3-day Colca Canyon trek in Peru, this was the first time we had to carry everything on our backs which made the hike more physically demanding for us.

Luckily, our backpacks got lighter and lighter as we drank water and by the second day it felt like an average sized day-pack.

Best Time to Hike Zunil Volcano

You can technically hike up to Zunil Volcano all year round. Of course, the best time would be during the dry season, which in Guatemala is from November to April. This doesn’t mean that you can’t hike in the rainy season, but make sure to check the forecast. Normally, the mornings are fine with heavy rain arriving in the afternoon.

What to Wear and Pack for the Overnight Hike to Zunil Volcano

Let’s talk about what to pack for the 2-day Zunil Volcano trek. You’ll have to carry a 60L backpack that fits everything you’ll need for one night including your camping gear, food, water and clothing items.

Quetzaltrekkers provided us with these backpacks which we then had to fill up with the non-negotiable essentials such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, food and water. You’ll carry about 5L of water each and then split the food for the group evenly. Note that you’ll have to share some of your water for cooking meals.

Since all of that takes up quite a lot of room, you’ll have limited space for personal items.

Clothing Items

In terms of a hiking outfit, we recommend packing for both cold and hot temperatures. We started ‘cold’ in the morning, meaning that we wore shorts on the bottom and a fleece on top. By mid-morning though, it was shorts and t-shirt weather.

However, you’ll definitely need long trousers, a fleece, hat and gloves on this hike for the evenings and at night. Generally speaking the temperatures change a lot during the day, so wear layers. Make sure to also pack waterproofs, such as a rain jacket.

In terms of footwear, it’s important to wear hiking boots or shoes that have good grip and support. Pack some flip-flops or slides that you can change into after your hike, when you’re at the campsite and the hot springs.

For Fuentes Georginas, don’t forget to also pack a bathing suit and a quick dry towel.

Obviously make sure to pack everything you’ll need for a night, such as pyjamas and a few basic toiletries.

Electronics

In terms of electronics, don’t forget to pack your phone and camera gear. Note that you won’t be able to charge your devices, so we recommend taking a portable charger.

Bring a torch or headlamp! They will be essential when hiking back down to the campsite after sunset, when moving around the campsite in the dark and in the morning when you hike up to watch the sunrise.

Accessories and Other Items

In terms of accessories for the hike, we recommend taking sun-cream, a hat or cap and sunglasses for protection. Hiking poles are also recommended, which you can hire for an additional cost at the Quetzaltrekker’s office.

Since you won’t have access to running water, we highly recommend packing some hand sanitiser and wipes.

Have enough cash on you to pay for anything extra, such as drinks and snacks at Fuentes Georginas. Although your guides will have one, we still suggest putting together a basic first-aid kit containing some painkillers, band-aids and any prescribed medications.

Make sure to have your ID card or passport with you in a waterproof case.

All in all, try to pack as lightly as you can because the camping gear, food and water will already be heavy enough and, unlike with the Salkantay Trek we did in Peru, you’ll have to carry everything up and down.

Accommodation and Facilities Along the Trek

The 2-day Zunil Volcano hike involves camping under the stars just below the summit of the volcano. We had to carry everything we needed for the two days with us such as a tent, sleeping bag and mat. You’ll be able to borrow these items from Quetzaltrekkers. The night might get a bit chilly, so you’ll want to have something warm to wear.

In terms of toilet facilities, you can of course use the one at Quetzaltrekkers’ office in the morning but you won’t have access to a toilet or shower until you get to Fuentes Georginas the next day. Make sure to be responsible and Leave No Trace.

Food and Water Options Along the Trek

Quetzaltrekkers provided us with a delicious breakfast and hot drinks on the morning of our hike. Before we set off, we also had the chance to fill up our empty water bottles with filtered water. You’ll need around 5L to drink and to use for cooking your meals. We also had to carry dry and fresh food with us.

We enjoyed a simple but filling lunch of tostadas, refried beans and vegetables with some gorgeous volcano views. During the breaks, our guides treated us with the most delicious trail mix we’ve ever had. We actually ended up buying some more of it from them at the end. For dinner, we had hot ramen and then in the morning we had porridge for breakfast with coffee and tea. There was even some banana bread from Xelapan. We finished the trek by eating lunch at the restaurant at Fuentes Georginas. Overall, the food was great and filling.

Note. The food will be vegetarian / vegan friendly, but make sure to let them know if you have any specific food allergies.

Overnight Hike to Zunil Volcano Itinerary

Day 0. Briefing in Xela

The 2-day Zunil Volcano hike actually starts the evening before your first hiking day. Normally, you’ll visit the company’s office in Xela where you’ll meet with your fellow hikers and guides.

During this briefing your guides will break the trek down and tell you a bit more about the logistics and what to expect. This is also your chance to ask them any last minute questions. You’ll have to bring your passport and any remaining payment in cash to this meeting.

At the end of the meeting we had the chance to pick up a backpack, warm layers and hiking poles if we needed them. They gave us our sleeping bags and dried food. Note that the next morning we still had to fit in all the water, fresh food and tents.

Day 1. Xela – Zunil Volcano

Morning

Be ready for an early start on the first day as you’ll need to meet at Quetzaltrekkers’ office at 5AM. After we arrived, we were given some of the fresh food which we had to add to our backpacks. We also filled up a few water bottles with filtered water. After a filling breakfast, we set off to the closest bus stop where we hopped onto one of the chicken buses heading to the small village of Cantel.

After a 30-40 minute ride we found ourselves waving goodbye to the bus driver. From there, we put our heavy backpacks on and started hiking. The first short section of the trail led us through some farms before we found ourselves hiking through the cloud forest. It was steep but thankfully it wasn’t super hot yet.

After climbing uphill for a while, we finally reached our lunch spot for the day. From this lookout point you can normally see all the way to Lake Atitlan. Our view was a bit covered in clouds but it didn’t take away from the beauty of our surroundings.

Afternoon / Evening

After lunch it was time to start hiking along the ridge towards Zunil. Soon we could see Santa Maria Volcano, which we’d climbed only a few days before. At this point the temperatures were pretty hot but thankfully the path wasn’t as steep as it was in the morning. Just when we thought we couldn’t hike any further, we reached our campsite for the night about 100m below the summit of Zunil.

After unpacking and pitching our tents we had a bit of a rest, drank some hot chocolate and chatted with our guides. Just before sunset, we set off up to the summit of Zunil. The views from the top were absolutely incredible and worth every drop of sweat to get up there. We could see many volcanoes in the area, from Santa Maria in the near distance to Acatenango and Fuego all the way over in Antigua.

Mother Nature treated us to a stunning sunset before it was time to head back to our campsite and cook a well-deserved dinner.

Day 2. Zunil Volcano – Fuentes Georginas – Xela

Morning

The next morning our alarm went off early again. After gathering the essentials, such as warm clothing and breakfast items, we headed for the summit in the dark. Once again, Mother Nature provided and we witnessed a stunning sunrise sitting atop the volcano. We could see Fuego erupting in the distance as well as Santiaguito going off right next to Santa Maria.

Our guides surprised us with some delicious banana bread and also made us some well needed coffee and porridge for breakfast. Once it was time to head back to base camp, we took the tents down, packed our backpacks and began hiking down the volcano.

The first section of the hike was nice and gradual but the path soon became pretty steep and slippery. Take care and watch your footing here as it can be treacherous. Regardless, hiking through the misty cloud forest made us feel like we were in an enchanted forest. It wasn’t long before we could hear people in the distance, indicating that we were pretty close to the hot springs.

Afternoon

The hiking trail literally finishes at Fuentes Georginas hot springs. These volcanic hot springs were discovered back in 1902 and have nearly been destroyed by hurricanes and tropical storms over the years. Fuentes Georginas were actually named after an ex-Guatemalan dictator’s wife.

Both locals and tourists enjoy a visit to soak their muscles in the springs. The best part is that Quetzaltrekkers gets access to the private pool area that you normally need to pay extra for. These pools are much better though, so we definitely would’ve paid the extra cash even if they weren’t included.

The hot springs also have a restaurant, where we ate a filling lunch before changing into our swimming gear and immersing our bodies in the hot water.

After a few hours of relaxation, we got picked up by a truck and rode all the way back to Xela, where we said our goodbyes and headed back to our accommodation.

Final Thoughts on Overnight Hike to Zunil Volcano

As we’ve mentioned already, hiking Volcan Zunil wasn’t in our initial plans so we didn’t do an awful lot of research into it prior to our trek. However, we were absolutely blown away by the beauty of this dormant volcano and the incredible views it treated us to from the summit. Not to mention the fact that we didn’t meet a single other hiker on this trail in two days, unlike some other popular hikes in Guatemala such as Acatenango, which can be very busy.

Whilst the hike was demanding, we think it was definitely worth every drop of sweat getting to the top. Of course, we also couldn’t imagine a better way to finish an overnight hike than soaking our tired muscles in the hot springs surrounded by lush vegetation.

Have you ever hiked Zunil Volcano before? If so, what was your experience like? If not, would you add this lesser known volcano to your Xela itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.