The Best Group Tours for Visiting Volcanoes Around the World

Arenal is Costa Rica’s best-known volcano — a towering presence in the country’s northern lowlands. Until 2010, when it entered a resting phase, it was also the most active volcano in the country, regularly spewing lava and ash into the skies. While the explosive eruptions are on pause for now, it’s still a spectacular destination, with plenty of activities in the surrounding area. Join this Culture Trip eight-day Costa Rica group trip and you’ll even get the opportunity to sleep in a luxury lodge in the small town of La Fortuna at the base of Arenal. The following day, you’ll head out on a wildlife safari through hanging bridges and the lush forests of Arenal, keeping a keen eye out for capuchin monkeys and jaguars.

Ecuador is home to some seriously impressive volcanic terrain — think the emerald-green Quilotoa crater lake and the Avenue of Volcanoes, a long stretch of landscape south of Quito that is home to towering geothermally active peaks, including the 20,565ft (6,268m) Chimborazo. Hike through this incredible landscape on this Culture Trip eight-day loop around Ecuador, which starts in Quito and heads south to the Cotopaxi National Park through the Avenue of Volcanoes before finishing up in the mountain village of Papallacta, where you can relax in natural hot springs. You’ll also get the chance to explore the Amazon and learn how natural essential oils are extracted for medicines and aromatherapy.

This five-day trip is jam-packed with exciting activities, from wandering the charming cobblestone streets of Antigua to witnessing a traditional Mayan ceremony and kayaking around Lake Atitlan, a volcanic crater lake. You’ll have the opportunity to hike to the summit of Pacaya volcano at sunset, taking in the gorgeous views of Antigua below. Enjoy a special treat of pizza and marshmallows, cooked over molten lava, as your reward for the trek to the top.