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Journalism of Courage
Imagine looking into the heart of a giant volcano and witnessing firsthand what happens inside these fiery wells. Or walking on solidified lava, which could have engulfed you whole just a day before. Volcano tourism certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Tourists have reported a range of emotions, including awe, fear, pride, fear, vulnerability, and even anger. What makes this even more special is that, depending on the volcano, you might see steam vents, blue sulfur fumes at night, boiling mud, or even molten lava flows, if you’re lucky.
If you too are ready to risk it all, hop into your travel gear and set off to these countries, where you can walk on a literal volcano.
Iceland is home to more than 100 volcanoes, of which 30 are part of active volcanic systems. Here, tourists can trek on the volcano slopes, explore lava fields, walk on volcanic craters, and witness steaming fissures and black sand deserts. Mount Hekla & Fagradalsfjall are the most popular ones, with the former having the notorious reputation of “Gateway to Hell” in medieval times due to its explosive eruptions. Interestingly, most Icelandic volcanoes erupt beneath glacial surfaces, which can lead to sudden floods known as jökulhlaups.
Tour Cost: ₹15,800 – ₹25,200 per person, depending on tour duration and inclusions.
Have you ever enjoyed a pizza made over volcanic lava? Italy seems to have perfected this art. This gorgeous country boasts the highest number of active volcanoes in Europe, with Mount Vesuvius, Mount Etna, and Stromboli being the most famous. Of these, Stromboli has been erupting almost continuously for over 2,000 years, earning it the nickname “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.” In Italy, tourists can actually witness lava erupting from a volcano from a safe distance, thanks to its slow speed. Some guided tours also allow people to hike to the crater rim and peek inside.
Tour Cost: ₹2,900 – ₹6,700 per person, with options for private tours or group hikes.
Around 10% of the world’s active volcanoes are found in Japan alone, which harbours more than 400 in total. It is also home to Mount Aso, which has one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas, stretching approximately 25 km. Another popular UNESCO World Heritage site is Mount Fuji, an important symbol in Japanese culture and also the tallest volcano in Japan.
What makes the volcanoes in this Asian country unique is that they are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where multiple tectonic plates (Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American) collide. Here, you can trek to craters, blue crater lakes, and steaming valleys, and even witness nighttime eruptions. A popular local tradition is to boil eggs black in sulfuric hot springs.
Tour Cost: ₹9,400 – ₹16,400 per person, depending on tour length and inclusions.
If you are bent on witnessing lava flows, Guatemala is a good option with three big active ones out of the 30 — Pacaya, Fuego, and Santiaguito. Here, tourists can not only watch the lava flow but also walk up to the glowing streams and steaming vents. Interestingly, Fuego has been erupting almost continuously since 2002, making it a popular tourist attraction.
Another fascinating feature here is Guatemalan coffee, which is rich in flavours and has distinct chocolatey and nutty notes. The credit goes to the volcanic ash-rich soil, which provides a rich nutrient pool for the coffee beans to thrive on.
Tour Cost: ₹2,900 – ₹14,700 per person, depending on group size and amenities.
Indonesia is the only country in the world with 130 active volcanoes — the highest number for any nation. The Asian country is situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” which is home to nearly 400 volcanoes. Here, tourists can hike to craters, walk across ash plains, and even camp overnight on volcanic slopes.
Another popular activity is watching miners extract sulfur as glowing blue flames illuminate the crater. Locals are also known to cook eggs and bananas in volcanic steam vents. Every year, during the Yadnya Kasada festival, offerings are thrown into Mount Bromo’s crater to honour the mountain gods. The fertile volcanic soil supports coffee, rice, and spice plantations.
Tour Cost: ₹24,000 – ₹36,100 per person, depending on tour package and inclusions.
