Quetzaltrekkers
Quetzaltrekkers
5
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
Quetzaltrekkers is the only all non-profit, all volunteer-run trekking organization in Guatemala. Whether you're scaling a towering volcano or going from highland village to highland village, participating in our treks is a truly unique experience. 100% of our profits support a local school and dormitory for children living in Quetzaltenango.
Travelers talk about
(44 reviews)
(59 reviews)
(15 reviews)
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
558 reviews
Excellent
511
Very good
35
Average
6
Poor
4
Terrible
3
maddipetro
41 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
Had a great time on the 3 day Lago Atitlan trek! I think the views themselves weren't super special. You can get great views so many places in Guatemala it seems! But the experience was definitely worth it for me. It was my first multi-day trek. The first day was the toughest because it was so much uphill hiking, which is tough for me for some reason (but downhill I can keep up and breathe much easier).
Since I'm slow going uphill, I really appreciated that there was always a guide in the front and the back. We started with 3 guides for 15 of us, but 1 got sick and had to take a truck back to Xela day 2. So it was nice we still had 2 so I wasn't left behind in the back.
Thanks especially to Yara for sticking with me in the back of the pack. Thanks Matt for bringing everyone's energy up without trying. Thanks Stav for keeping it fun while you could, hope you feel better!
Carrying the sleeping bags and mats wasn't so bad, and at the homestays they provided us with another thick straw mat. It was a lot more comfortable than I expected! I've slept in hostel beds that were much harder than those mats. The sleeping bags you can borrow are tall size, which is great for anyone over 5'8" like me. I had lots of extra space even sleeping on my tummy, which takes up more length than if I slept on my side or back without my toes pointed.
Like another reviewer said, we got lots of good food (actually a big reason why I booked this company vs others), including a xmas dinner on xmas eve and a restaurant meal of our choice (I got amazing mushroom pizza) when we arrived at the lake on xmas. We also got to jump into the lake from the restaurant while waiting for our food, which was super fun - I jumped twice!
For Q300 or about $35 USD extra than other companies, it was worth it having the good portions of food and great guides. And the extra money goes toward a good cause helping children in Guatemala go to school, which isn't common especially for indigenous communities who start working at a young age instead.
Since I'm slow going uphill, I really appreciated that there was always a guide in the front and the back. We started with 3 guides for 15 of us, but 1 got sick and had to take a truck back to Xela day 2. So it was nice we still had 2 so I wasn't left behind in the back.
Thanks especially to Yara for sticking with me in the back of the pack. Thanks Matt for bringing everyone's energy up without trying. Thanks Stav for keeping it fun while you could, hope you feel better!
Carrying the sleeping bags and mats wasn't so bad, and at the homestays they provided us with another thick straw mat. It was a lot more comfortable than I expected! I've slept in hostel beds that were much harder than those mats. The sleeping bags you can borrow are tall size, which is great for anyone over 5'8" like me. I had lots of extra space even sleeping on my tummy, which takes up more length than if I slept on my side or back without my toes pointed.
Like another reviewer said, we got lots of good food (actually a big reason why I booked this company vs others), including a xmas dinner on xmas eve and a restaurant meal of our choice (I got amazing mushroom pizza) when we arrived at the lake on xmas. We also got to jump into the lake from the restaurant while waiting for our food, which was super fun - I jumped twice!
For Q300 or about $35 USD extra than other companies, it was worth it having the good portions of food and great guides. And the extra money goes toward a good cause helping children in Guatemala go to school, which isn't common especially for indigenous communities who start working at a young age instead.
Written February 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Florian Gansemer
Hamburg, Germany30 contributions
Jan 2023
Wow, I'm still thrilled by this amazing experience. We did a really nice 3-day hike from Xela to San Pedro Lake Atitlan. Everything was super well organized, we had amazing guides and slept with local families. We got to know a lot about Guatemala and its culture. But the best thing is, that all the money goes to a social project!! Totally recommend taking this tour.
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julia P
2 contributions
Jan 2023
I did the 3 day hike from xela to lakje atitlan and it was great!
The hike was definitely a highlight of my two week trip to guatemala. The hike was beautiful, challenging, and very well organized. There was plenty of food and included activities for the price. My guide was Yara and Felix and both were amazing. There were so many fun surprises and goodies along the way that made the hike all worth it. Definitely worth the while if you love to hike and want to go to the Lake!
The hike was definitely a highlight of my two week trip to guatemala. The hike was beautiful, challenging, and very well organized. There was plenty of food and included activities for the price. My guide was Yara and Felix and both were amazing. There were so many fun surprises and goodies along the way that made the hike all worth it. Definitely worth the while if you love to hike and want to go to the Lake!
Written January 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Narayanpr
Phoenix, AZ68 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
I did two hikes with Quetzal trekkers during the weekends in between my Spanish classes. One hike was to Santa Maria volcano & the other to Tajamulco. It was amazing to say the least. All the three guides (Yara, Steff & Brian) were super amicable, helpful and fun. It was my first overnight hike carrying 15kg on my back to Tajamulco, they helped me push through and cooked at the base camp. They had an extensive medical kit on hand to treat any symptoms as we hiked in the higher altitudes. The guides, who are volunteers at this org, did a fantastic job. It was so much better than the other paid tours / hikes I have taken all over the world. The guides were a wealth of information about the volcanoes and the history/ politics / geography of the region. Further, more than 1/2 of my tour expense went towards education of kids on the streets (la escuela de la Calle). All in all, the hikes were spectacular and is something I’d cherish about my time in Xela
Written January 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rosalie
4 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Great experience, would definitely recommend! Three days hiking from Xela to atitlan was amazing. Good food, good people, great views and a great local experience
Written January 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tamar F
6 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
I did the 3 day Xela-Lago hike and it was one of the highlights of my time in Guatemala. The scenery was beautiful, the guides Yara and Brian were friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and fun. The food was amazing (way better than I had expected!).
Quetzatrekkers lend you everything you might need to hike. My advice would be to pack a raincoat and a backpack cover, even in the middle of the dry season it can rain a little!
Highlight was definitely watching the sunrise over the lake (see photo), absolutely magical - plus getting to know all the other people on the hike, which as a solo traveler was an unexpected bonus.
Quetzatrekkers lend you everything you might need to hike. My advice would be to pack a raincoat and a backpack cover, even in the middle of the dry season it can rain a little!
Highlight was definitely watching the sunrise over the lake (see photo), absolutely magical - plus getting to know all the other people on the hike, which as a solo traveler was an unexpected bonus.
Written January 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
yalluri
London, UK4 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
I did the 3 day hike from Xela to San Pedro and can say it was a highlight of my trip in Guatemala. All the guides and support staff involved in putting together the trek were amazing.
The guides were very professional and knowledgeable about the local traditions, people and landscapes we walked through.
But more importantly at the end of the trip they were more friends than just guides providing a service.
The trek itself is amazing and so shouldn't be missed.
The guides were very professional and knowledgeable about the local traditions, people and landscapes we walked through.
But more importantly at the end of the trip they were more friends than just guides providing a service.
The trek itself is amazing and so shouldn't be missed.
Written January 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Talia S
2 contributions
Dec 2022
One of the best experiences of my life and the main highlight from my solo trip to Guatemala. As a 19-year-old female solo-traveler, Queztaltrekkers made me feel right at home. The places we saw, the FOOD the volunteer guides carried for us, the temezcal, the little villages, absolutely everything was so amazing and surprising in the best way. My expectations were blown out of the water. Yara and Jackie were the best, most supportive and motivating guides who always had smiles on their faces. When obstacles arose (such as one member getting food poisoning) they handled the situation flawlessly. Amazing people, an amazing organization. DO IT. You will not regret going on any of their treks.
Written December 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
teresa
Germany6 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
The hike was an amazing experience. The two volunteers who joined were the best! Included food was super good and huge portions. All gear could be rented for no extra fee. It was a great experience sleeping at the locals homes. The volunteers also shared a lot of interesting information about Guatemala. I would definitely recommend to book with quetzaltrekkers for a great trip - and even supporting EDELAC with it.
Written December 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marian V
3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We went on the 3-day trek to Lake Atitlan. It was a wonderfull experience! Our guides were great, the food was so good and all profits go to a great case. Would recommend to anyone!
Written December 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stay516950
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Hi there, can i hire a sleeping bag and liner? I'm interested in doing the 3 day trek to lake atitlan on tues 16 april pls but dont have my bag with me (i sent it home!😲). Many thanks.
Stay516950
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Hi i was wondering if i could hire a sleeping bag? I was also wondering how to get in touch without a phone? Do you have email or whatsapp? I can't see facebook messenger option? Interested in doing 3 day trek to lake Atitlan please.
Thank you!
Jaime R
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada10 contributions
Many people have mentioned borrowing their packs, sleeping mat and bag, etc. Does Queztaltrekkers store the rest of your personal luggage at their headquarters while you are on the multi-day hikes?
Quetzaltrekkers X
Quetzaltenango
Hi Jaime,
You're welcome to store your personal items in our locked store room for the duration of the trek at no extra cost. If you are interested in our Xela - Lake Atitlan trek, we also offer a luggage transport service where we send the items you do not need for trekking to meet us in San Pedro on Day 3 so you can continue on with your travels instead of returning to Xela to collect them.
Cheers,
Kendall
Quetzaltrekkers
Cheyenne B
Toronto, Canada68 contributions
Hey, looking to do this hike in February (Xela to Lake Atitalan) and wanted advice about how cold it gets. Some photos show people in light winter jackets it looks like and want to figure out if some thermals / sweater are enough or if a jacket is needed?
Thanks!
Clayton S
Dallas, TX4 contributions
I recently did the Xela to make Atitlan hike (highly recommend btw) and along the way we stayed a night in Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan at the town center. Early in the morning there is a song that the church plays through out the town to wake everyone up. Does anyone know what that song is called or how I can find out? If you've stayed a night there you'll know which song I'm talking about.
Hi there,
I'm looking at doing this trip and am a bit concerned about the altitude. Did you find yourself or any of your peers impacted by elevation sickness? How did it feel at night while sleeping at altitude? Were the guides equipped to manage these symptoms? What if someone has to go back down? Finally, do they have oxygen with them?
David60898
Atlanta, GA121 contributions
We were a group of 12 no one had any issues with altitude. 1 person had dehydration issue and they handled it well.
I don’t believe they carried oxygen. We were never too far from a town. Best thing you could do is arrive early in Xela and spend some time getting acclimated.
It’s a good question. I would send them an email re: your concern.
Clayton S
Dallas, TX4 contributions
Hello,
I'm planning to visit Guatemala for a total of 9 days after a 6 day visit to Mexico city. While I'm Guatemala I want to do the 3 day Queztzaltrekkers lago atitlan hike. However, I normally use a 45L Tortuga Outbreaker backpack. Does anyone have any suggestions on a backpack for this hike? I love my tortuga backpack and have used it all through Europe but it's not meant for hiking. Any ideas?
Also, do I need to bring a sleeping bag and and tent?
kpgreynomads
King's Lynn, UK174 contributions
We borrowed their bags and roll mats, nit small so take up space in the pack . Also everyone carries a share of food/equipment. Plus own toiletries, clitges and drinks. Our rucksacks are 65L but you could strap bags on outside. Personally I like to carry a pack I am familiar with but they do loan rucksacks too.
It’s an awesome trek enjoy!!
Carmen K
2 contributions
Hello,
I am part of an expedition club at my university and we are planning on connecting with your organization to do the nejab to todos santos trek. We love your plan and would like to ask if you are willing to customize it slightly providing that we of course pay extra money. Please let me know if you are willing to consider some of our extra plans which we wish to include with the trip!
Thank you.
Cual es su numero de telefono?
Quetzaltrekkers X
Quetzaltenango
Nuestro numero es 77655895.