The Best Group Tours for Visiting Volcanoes Around the World
Costa Rica, the Galapagos, Mount Etna – book one of these Culture Trip adventures and join like-minded travellers on an adventure filled with adrenaline and awe.
Ever wanted to visit a volcano? These mighty forces of nature not only offer spectacular displays when active but have given rise to some of the most unusual landscapes on earth. Read on to discover our pick of the world’s best volcano tours — think spotting monkeys and jaguars in the lush jungles that surround Arenal in Costa Rica, encounters with smoking volcanoes and hot springs on Sicily’s Aeolian islands and scuba diving around an extinct volcano in the Galápagos.
Costa Rica to discover Arenal, an active volcano in Alajuela
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.
From US$2099
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
San Jose, Costa Rica
ENDS AT
Tamarindo, Provincia De Guanacaste
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
17
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Sicily to see Mount Etna, one of the world's best-known volcanoes
One of the world’s best-known volcanoes is Mount Etna, an imposing stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily that is also Europe’s most active. The seven Aeolian islands off the north coast of Sicily, however, are another volcanic hotspot worth exploring, with underwater fumaroles, spectacular active volcanoes and a crater-ridden landscape shaped by the forces of the earth. On this Culture Trip tour of Sicily, you’ll get the chance to hike on Mount Etna and lunch, at a farm that takes advantage of its fertile grounds and visit the geothermal baths of Vulcano, where you can cover yourself in mineral-rich mud.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Palermo, Italy
ENDS AT
Siracusa, Sicily
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
The Galápagos to snorkel around extinct volcano, Kicker Rock
The Galápagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador, are best-known for their diversity of animal and plant life, which inspired Charles Darwin’s writings — but there are also 21 volcanoes that form the archipelago, 13 of which are still active. On this Culture Trip group tour, you’ll not only get the chance to spot sea lions, sharks and giant tortoises but also to snorkel around Kicker Rock — an extinct volcano that towers above the Pacific — and hike along the lava trails of San Cristóbal Island where you can spot spectacular birdlife.
From US$1869
Next available from 6th Jan 2024
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
ENDS AT
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Ecuador to travel through the Avenue of Volcanoes
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.
From US$1459
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Quito, Ecuador
ENDS AT
Quito, Ecuador
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Iceland to explore black volcanic beaches
Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe — but what it lacks in population it more than makes up for in otherworldly, volcanic landscapes defined by geothermal wonders. In fact, the energy generated by Iceland’s 35 active volcanoes and geothermal vents is used to supply heating to around 85 percent of the country’s homes. From visiting black volcanic beaches and soaking in natural hot springs to exploring the famed Golden Circle — including the Geysir geothermal area — by private super-jeep, this Culture Trip five-day experience takes in all the best attractions in Iceland. You’ll even get to try geothermal baked bread.
From US$2369
Next available from 21st Oct 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Reykjavik, Iceland
ENDS AT
Reykjavik, Iceland
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Guatemala to hike to the summit of Pacaya volcano
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.
From US$934
Next available from 24th Jan 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Guatemala City, Guatemala
ENDS AT
Guatemala City, Guatemala
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Culture
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
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Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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