Experience the awe-inspiring power of nature on this thrilling guided tour. Whether you're visiting with a small group of fellow adventurers or on your own, this unique expedition will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Until 2010, Arenal Volcano spewed enormous amounts of lava, gas and ash on a regular basis. Today, the volcano is in an indeterminate resting phase.
1. Mighty Kilauea
Despite no longer producing new lava, Kilauea continues to fascinate visitors with its fiery displays of power and ancient stories of Madame Pele. Explore its majestic beauty on a tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Hike to the top of the volcano and peer down into the crater lake for a stunning, surreal landscape. It's a tough hike - rated difficult - with a lot of rocky, muddy paths to traverse, but the views make it well worth the effort!
Alternatively, you can take a helicopter tour of the volcanic landscape for an aerial view that's just as impressive. And for those who prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of hiking tours that take you through lush rainforests or over hardened lava fields. You can even swim in natural hot springs in the area!
2. Mount Bromo
Witnessing the sunrise at Mount Bromo is a popular activity in Indonesia. It’s worth doing, but it can get quite crowded on the mountain. If you want a quieter experience, try climbing the volcano during the day and gazing into the smoldering crater.
Most tours depart from Cemoro Lawang, a small mountain village near Probolinggo. You can book a tour with a hotel in the area, but avoid staying there if you can. They may try to overcharge you.
You’ll take a jeep to the viewpoint at Mount Penanjakan, where you can look out over the Sea of Sand Crater. From there, you’ll walk over to the crater rim and peer down into the active volcano. Be sure to watch your footing; the volcanic ash is loose. When you’re done, you can head back to your hotel in the village.
3. Villarrica Volcano
The symmetrical snow-capped cone of Villarrica dominates the skyline of this part of the Andes in Chile. From the roadside, its plumes chuff like boiling kettles and it makes for a jaw-dropping photo opportunity.
The volcano is active and erupts about once every decade. However, the lava flows from the summit crater often melt glaciers and snow on its flanks which can trigger lahars.
The hike to the top of Villarrica Volcano is one of the most popular activities in Pucon and rewards you with incredible views over a textured landscape of mountains, volcanoes and lakes. You can also spot wildlife including kodkod, Andean fox, culpeos and the allusive cougar.
4. Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano may be dormant, but that doesn’t mean Costa Rica’s most famous volcano is sleepy. The Arenal Volcano National Park is home to lush rainforests and lava fields, and tours around the volcano range from leisurely hikes through rainforest to heart-pumping zip lines. Tours can be arranged year-round, but the best time to see Arenal Volcano is from mid-December to April.
Hikers can make their way to the very rim of the volcano at sunset for the chance to spot fine threads of Pele’s Hair – airborne molten lava that is wind-spun into filaments by the breeze. Those who are more adventurous can also climb to the crater lake at night to get some spectacular lava shots. The ascent is steep and challenging, but the view at the top is well worth the effort.
5. Mount Etna
There are many great volcanoes on the planet but few rival Mount Etna for its beauty and scientific importance. It is among the world's most well-studied, and its eruptive history has shaped volcanology and geophysics for centuries. It's also a popular tourist destination, with hikers able to explore its lunar landscape of lava flows and craters.
Volcanologists use a range of technology on Etna to monitor the mountain's restless activity. Helicopter flights use thermal imaging to flag moving magma, while stationary cameras watch for the sudden warming of rock surfaces, indicating new cracks where magma might be escaping. Observations are also recorded by GPS, which shows ground deformation—the bulging, stretching, or twisting of the earth’s surface. This is a key indicator of the movement of magma underground.
6. Mount Ausangate
The best way to see this volcano is on a tour with Andean Lodges. This is a community-based tourism project that supports rural development by giving local communities 20 % ownership of the company.
The tour starts by driving southeast from Cusco to Tinki (also known as Tiquina). From here, the trek begins. It’s best to wake up early for a chance of clear views as clouds tend to move in after sunrise.
In Andean spirituality, mountains are believed to have a spirit, or “apu.” Ausangate Mountain is considered sacred and belongs to the Vilcanota Range alongside 11 other apus, including Salkantay and Apu Punku Urqu. The mountain features active fumaroles that produce steam and sulphur dioxide gases. It’s also surrounded by lakes and pools with deep-colored volcanic minerals. This is a truly unforgettable walk!
7. Mount Yasur
Mount Yasur is one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes. It spews molten fire into the air from its twin calderas on Tanna Island and has done so for centuries, creating a hair-raising spectacle for those brave enough to watch it.
The guided lava tour includes safety gear and expert guides that know the terrain intimately. They will tell you the history of Yasur’s eruptions and help you navigate the steep ascent on uneven lava rocks.
You can choose between day and sunset tours. The evening tour has the advantage of seeing Yasur in darkness, but this also means it may be cold at the top and you will need to wear warm clothes. It is important to follow the advice of the Vanuatu Geo-Hazards Observatory as activity on Yasur can vary from level 0 (low) to 4 (extreme). The volcano is monitored and only tours that are safe will go ahead.
8. Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The 19 km Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a tough day hike through a volcanic landscape. The trail starts in the Mangatepopo Valley and climbs up to the Mangatepopo Saddle between Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. After a short break trekking uphill continues until you reach South Crater and the highest point of the crossing, Red Crater. This is where the smell of sulphur begins to be detected.
From here you can enjoy over the shoulder views of Ngauruhoe. Then the trail passes through the dilapidated Ketetahi Hut, where missile-like rocks ripped into cots during the February 2011 eruption. A little further on you will pass Emerald Lakes that get their brilliant color from the minerals in the surrounding rocks. The track then descends into a forest and the final part of the hike is a descent to the Ketetahi car park.
9. Volcanoes National Park
There is one reason that travellers brave the trek through the misty uplands of Volcanoes National Park – to spend an amazing 60 minutes in the company of endangered mountain gorillas. The Park hosts ten habituated groups of the creatures who live within the Virunga Massif that straddles the Rwanda, Uganda and DRC borders. Travellers also pay their respects at the Karisoke Research Centre, established by American zoologist Dian Fossey who was killed in 1985.
Besides gorillas, the Park is home to a surprisingly rich diversity of plants and animals. Those interested in volcanic geology can take the Crater Rim Drive to the Jaggar Museum to see its volcanology displays. Other highlights include the Thurston Lava Tube and trails carved out of lava. The Park is also dotted with numerous steam vents and is a hotspot for birding.
10. Fagradalsfjall
If you’ve ever gazed at a photo of red-hot magma spewing from the mouth of a volcano and dreamed about exploring it for yourself, this list is for you. We’ve compiled 10 of the world’s most exciting volcanic tours that bring you close enough to feel the power and beauty of these active volcanoes.
Einat Lev is a volcanologist and an associate research professor at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University. Her research focuses on lava flow dynamics at different volcanoes, including in Hawaii.
The eruption of Fagradalsfjall on Reykjanes came into full bloom in April 2021 when a series of new craters opened up, creating a mesmerizing lava show for the whole of the Meradalir valley. The fountains took a break in May and June but returned with a vengeance on 13 April and have continued putting on a spectacular display ever since.
