Acatenango Volcano Hike: An Incredible Experience in Guatemala

On the first sighting of the Fuego volcano, we saw it spewing ashes and lava rocks. That breathtaking scene made me exclaim “wow!”. And it was only first of the many “wow”s that were to follow in the next hours of our Acatenango volcano hike.

In a span of two days, we climbed up a 13,044 feet volcano (Acatenango), from a close distance, saw another active volcano (Fuego) erupt periodically with its sensational sound and light, used flashlights and walking sticks for navigating trails, toasted marshmallows on campfire and slept in a small tent at almost freezing cold night temperatures.

Hiking the Acatenango volcano in Guatemala is by far one of our most challenging travel experiences, but also one of the most memorable ones. On this journey, the rewards are well worth the pain and the efforts! If you love travel, nature and adventure, you would want to tick off Acatenango volcano hike as a bucket list worthy experience.

Night view of Fuego volcano on a starry night.
Starry night and fiery Fuego volcano.

Acatenango Volcano Hike: A Brief Introduction

Reaching an elevation of 3,976 meters (13,044 feet), Acatenango volcano is the third highest peak of not just Guatemala, but all of Central America. But the cool thing is that you can climb up this volcano, camp overnight and watch closely the eruptions and lava flows of the neighboring Fuego volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Central America.

Both Fuego and Acatenango are stratovolcanoes and are joined with each other. Together, they are called La Horqueta, meaning “the pitchfork”. Interestingly, Acatenango volcano has two peaks, named Yepocapa and Pico Mayor, the latter being the highest one.

From the town center of Antigua Guatemala, the Acetenango trailhead is about 25 km (15 miles) away, and can be reached in an hour by road. It is an arduous task to hike the Acatenango volcano, but it is one of the most exciting things to do when you are in Antigua Guatemala.

Antigua Guatemala itself is a very cool destination for spending a few days. Check out this article for the top things to do in this old colonial town, the erstwhile capital city of Guatemala.

About this post…

While doing our research for Acatenango volcano hike, the more we read travel guides and watched YouTube videos, the more questions we had. How difficult is this “difficult” hike? How unbearable is the cold? What was the experience with the chosen tour company? What is the sleeping arrangement like? And many such questions.

So, in this post, we are going to share with you our first hand experience of hiking Acatenango volcano, with all the details, starting from our pickup in Antigua Guatemala.

If you are planning to go for the Acatenango hike and have dozens of questions about it, we hope this account can help you make some important decisions and set the right expectations. And if you do not ever want to sign up for this kind of a hike, we wish you can live the experience through our words here 🙂 Either way, before you dive in, go get yourself a cup of coffee or tea. This is going to be a long read!

If you prefer video content over reading, here is the YouTube video of our Acatenango volcano hike. Check out the Fuego section of this article for more video shots of Fuego volcano eruptions. Subscribe to our channel and join our YouTube tribe.

Hiking Acatenango Volcano: Our Experience – Day 1

On the first day of the Acatenango volcano hike, we started from Antigua Guatemala to reach the trailhead and then walk all day to reach the base camp around sunset. A magical evening followed.

Day 1: Pickup from Antigua Guatemala

The tour company sent a van to pick us up from our guesthouse in Antigua. Right on time, at the scheduled time of 7:45 am, the driver knocked on the door and asked for us. Ready with our big backpacks, we boarded the van and greeted our fellow travelers. After a few more pickups, the van continued its journey for about an hour to drop us off at the meeting point, the tour office.

Day 1: Briefing at the Tour Office

The tour office was in fact the family house of the tour company owner, Gilmer. We reported at the front yard of this house, and were greeted by the hosts. There we also met up with another group who had been picked up in a different van. In total, we were 15 hikers for the trip. We all stood in a semicircle as Gilmer briefed us on the details of the hike.

The briefing may be the least exciting part of your Acatenango volcano hike, but the most important part. Whichever tour company you choose to go with, pay attention to the instructions and ask questions to clear all your doubts.

Gilmer explained us the route of the hike, the plan for the day and the next, the time estimates and the weather conditions. He also introduced us to the guides for our overnight tour, Ronny, Wilmer and Carlos. He informed us that the inclusion of 3 guides for a group of 15 people was to maintain a recommended average of 1 guide per 5 hikers.

Day 1: Gear Rental at the Tour Office

After the tour briefing, Gilmer showed us to a room from where we could pick up whatever winter clothes we needed. Rental of jacket, pants with fleece, beanie cap, gloves were all included in the price of the tour. Since Indranil and I had carried most of our own winter clothes, each of us just picked up a pair of fleece gloves.

There were other items for rent (not included), like blankets, flashlights with batteries, walking sticks, backpacks. We rented walking sticks and flashlights (essential for the Acatenango hike!).

We were allowed sufficient time for everyone to choose, try and pack his/her gear. Gilmer also personally checked with the group, if each of us had appropriate clothing to survive the forthcoming cold night.

Gilmer’s family handed us boxes of home cooked lunch.

After settling the payments of the tour, it was time for us to set out for the Acatenango volcano hike.

Day 1: Hike Up to Base Camp

The trailhead of Acatenango hike is just a few steps away from the tour office. So, we walked down the road, reached the trailhead in a few minutes and started walking on the trail.

The mission was to reach the base camp.

The trail starts at an altitude of 2,300 meters (7,546 feet) and the base camp is situated at an altitude of 3,756 meters (12,323 feet). So, for covering that altitude in just a few hours, what we had before us was a very steep trail, sometimes with more than 40 degrees incline!

The walk was long and steep. However, we got a small break about every half an hour, when we could put our backpacks down and catch our breaths.

After hiking for about 3 hours, we had a longer break for lunch. It was nice to put our backpacks down and stretch our legs for a bit longer while eating a delicious home cooked lunch. The lunch box contained chicken, white rice and steamed vegetables. The box was complemented with a tetra pack fruit juice, a banana and a chocolate bar.

We had read on some blogs and heard on some vlogs that the hike after lunch is not too steep, nor too long. That set a totally wrong expectation for us. After lunch, we continued our hike for another 3 hours, and the entire stretch was steep uphill!

At the end of the 6 hour long hike, we reached base camp. In a nutshell, the hike was grueling!

Selfie of a couple sitting on a ground, on the Acatenango hiking trail.
One of the early rest stops.

Views on the Acatenango Hiking Trail

Although the Acatenango volcano hike trail is challenging, the views are nice. The trail took us through 4 different zones with changing sceneries.

As we ascended, it started with nice views of the surrounding farmlands, but we had sun over our heads. So, walking under the sun felt even more exhausting.

Gradually we walked into the cloud forest zone. The vegetation grew thicker here, and we got more shade than sun.

The next zone was the coniferous forest region, where the temperatures started cooling down. The sight of the soft feathers of pines and ferns being caressed by the breeze soothed our tired minds.

The last zone is the volcanic sand and rocks zone, a narrow path which finally led us to the base camp. During this last stretch, the wind became really chilly and we had to put our gloves on.

Along the coniferous stretch of the hiking trail, there are some viewpoints from where you get excellent views of the valley below and the assortment of Guatemalan volcanoes in the horizon. During our onward hike to the base camp, although the weather was bright and sunny, a giant white cloud had obstructed some of these views. However, we were able to see those the next day during the descend from the base camp.

Top Left to Right: (1) Farmlands zone, (2) Cloudforest zone. Bottom Left to Right: (3) Coniferous forest zone, (4) Volcanic zone.

Day 1: Sunset from Base Camp & Fuego Volcano

By the time we arrived at base camp, our tents had already been pitched. Our guides were starting a campfire in the common area facing the Fuego volcano. So we left our backpacks and walking sticks at our tent, and walked out to the common area.

Within a few seconds, we heard a roaring sound and saw a cloud of ashes and lava rocks coming out from the tip of the cone before us. Fuego volcano had just erupted. This was the first time we saw the volcano erupt. First of the dozens to follow in the next few hours!

Our campsite was located in an exclusive spot facing the sunset side of the volcano. We had arrived at the camp before sunset. With the last sun rays of the day, the valley, the vegetation and the volcanoes were bathed in a resplendent glow.

Indranil and I sat on a wooden plank, mesmerized by the periodically erupting Fuego volcano in that golden hour. It was such a spellbinding experience that it did not even occur to us that we could have taken a photo of ourselves with this spectacular view in the background! Yes, you read that right. We forgot to take a photo of ourselves in that moment with perfect lighting conditions!

From Top to Bottom: (1) Sunset from base camp – can you see Indranil?, (2) Erupting Fuego volcano during sunset.

Day 1: Dinner & Fuego Volcano

After sunset, we went inside the tent to put on our additional layers of winter clothes so that we are prepared for the cold night. The moment we unzipped the tent and peeked outside, we saw another eruption of the Fuego volcano. But this time, instead of cloud of ashes, it was orange fireworks on display! In the darkness of the night, we saw lava spewing from the Fuego volcano and slowly trickling down its slope. This magnificent show continued for the rest of the night. As the night progressed, the starlit sky created for a captivating canvas to display the Fuego fireworks.

We joined our group at the common area. The campfire had already made the place warm. Unlike most other base camps on Acatenango volcano, we had a roof-cover over our campfire area, shielding us from the cold.

Our guides prepared dinner on the campfire. It felt great to get to eat a freshly prepared dinner at a campsite at 3,756 meters altitude on a chilly night.

All the tour participants and the guides spent the evening, eating, drinking, laughing and chatting with each other, while occasionally being distracted by the Fuego eruptions all evening long. It was a memorable evening, with a lot of shared comfort and warmth.

Dinner Menu

Dinner was 2 big corn toasts, stir-fried noodles with veggies, mashes potatoes, mashed beans, followed by a pack of chips. After dinner, we drank hot chocolate. Then our guides offered to make us Guatemalan punch, a traditional Guatemalan drink, with or without alcohol. We chose the without alcohol version as we did not want to surprise our body at that altitude, particularly when a lot of hiking was still left.

Just when we thought that this long dinner had now concluded, we were handed marshmallows. We happily toasted those marshmallows on the campfire before eating them.

As you can guess, the dinner was quite filling and included a lot of fluids, important for staying hydrated.

With full bellies and happy hearts, we called it a night and went to our tent.

Hot chocolate in the making, on campfire, at Acatenango base camp.
Hot chocolate in the making, on campfire.

Day 1: Sleeping in a Tent

The sleeping arrangement was a combination of 2-person or 4-person tents set up inside a covered area with wooden walls, wooden floor and asbestos roof. We were assigned a 2-person tent that marginally fit the two of us.

It gets really cold at night at Acatenango, sometimes the temperature dropping to below freezing point. Our tour company provided good quality sleeping bags and 6-inches high density foam sleeping mattresses, all in great condition. The outer covered wooden structure that housed the tents, also helped to keep some cold at bay.

Indranil and I each had on ourselves 4 layers of clothings, double socks, bandanas and caps, hats and gloves. Wrapped in all those layers, guided by our flashlights, we placed ourselves inside our respective sleeping bags and zipped them up. Even with all those covers to keep us warm, we felt the chill of the night.

Our thoughts still immersed in the sights we saw all day long, we reflected on the phenomenal experiences of the day and anticipated the challenges of the next morning. We switched off our flashlights and prepared to slide into sleep. Time check: 8:43 pm.

Selfie of a couple inside a tent at night, at Acatenango base camp.
December 31, 2021. Timestamp: 8:43 pm. Ready for sleep!

Hiking Acatenango Volcano: Our Experience – Day 2

On the second day of the volcano hike, we hiked up to the Acatenango volcano summit to watch the sun rise, and then after coming back to base camp, started the descend to the hike starting point.

Day 2: Hike to Acatenango Summit

One of the guides called us from outside our tent at 4:00 am, asking us to get ready if we wanted to go for the sunrise hike. Of course, we wanted! But little did we know what that entailed.

We put on our shoes and grabbed our walking sticks. It was going to be a one hour walk up to the summit. But as we were hiking to go see the sunrise, it was still dark outside. The flashlights on our heads were the only sources of light guiding us on the trail.

When I say trail, it means finding a barely existent path through big rough rocks, up and up the mountain, until we could see the summit. There were moments where we had to stand or walk on narrow stretches of the trail with steep rocky slopes dropping next to it.

I felt, the sunrise hike to the summit was the most difficult part of our Acatenango volcano hike, particularly due to the night time navigation on a technical trail. [Here is a confession: I (Pubali) would have really struggled to complete this part of the hike, if I did not have the constant support of our guide Ronny.]

From Left to Right: (1) Acatenango summit at dawn, (2) Rough trail but beautiful view on the way from Acatenango summit to base camp.

Day 2: Sunrise at Acatenango Summit

The hard work on the Acatenango summit trail had a motivating reward at the end. We reached the summit and waited for the sun to rise. The summit has a surface of loose volcanic sand. We navigated through that to reach a vantage point. From the Acatenango summit, you get a 360 degrees view of the surrounding valleys that present an assortment of Guatemalan volcanoes adorning the horizon.

Gradually dawn broke and piercing through the floating white clouds, the sun emerged for the day and showered our earth with its golden light. On the other hand, Acatenango’s immediate neighbor, Volcan de Fuego had kept us entertained by erupting every now and then. The views from the summit in all directions looked gorgeous under the morning sun. We hung out here at the summit till a bit after the sunrise.

You would think that this would have been a pretty relaxing part of the overall Acatenango hike experience. Could be, but not without challenges. The early morning temperatures were near freezing. On top of that, a wave of chilly wind swept the summit. Even with all those layers, we were shivering. Our fingers went numb for the few seconds whenever we had to take our gloves out for taking photos.

From Left to Right: (1) As seen from Acatenango volcano summit, sunrise with Agua volcano in the foreground, (2) Us, braving the cold and the wind at Acatenango summit, with view of Fuego volcano in the background.

Day 2: Back to Base Camp & Breakfast

The trail from summit to base camp had to be treaded carefully because of downhill slopes. By the time we arrived at the base camp, breakfast awaited us. We were offered the options of tea or coffee to get the day started. For the mains, we were given pancakes with syrup, an apple and a granola bar.

Preparing for the return hike from Acatenango, we quickly peeled off a few layers of warm clothing and packed our backpacks. We then finished our breakfast and took a few last glances at the magnificent view of the Fuego volcano from base camp.

Day 2: Hike Down to Acatenango Trailhead

I was a little skeptical about the hike down from the base camp to the trailhead. During the onward hike, I had noticed how steep the trail was. So, hiking down such steep slopes could be challenging. But in reality, it was easier than I had anticipated. The downhill hike does involve a few hikers falling on the trail, but nothing that cannot be recovered from.

We reached the trailhead in about 3.5 hours. Along the way, we were able to enjoy the views which were obstructed by the big white cloud the day before.

View from Acatenango volcano hike trail - seen in the horizon, other famous volcanoes of Guatemala: Atitlan, Toliman, San Pedro and Tajumulco.
View from Acatenango volcano hike trail – other famous volcanoes of Guatemala: Atitlan, Toliman, San Pedro and Tajumulco.

Day 2: Concluding the Hike

One by one, each of us collected ourselves at the front yard of Gilmer’s home / tour office. Some tubs were placed at the center for us to drop the used winter gear and to keep our empty lunch boxes. We emptied the remaining trash into the trash bins (yes, you bring that down yourself – keep the volcano trash free).

We sat on chairs and were offered a celebratory bottle of beer each (included in tour price) to conclude our successful mission of Acatenango volcano overnight hike.

Day 2: Return to Antigua Guatemala

The pickup van dropped us to our hotel in Antigua Guatemala. On the ride back to the hotel, all of us were dead tired, but it was still interesting to chat with some of our fellow travelers, about travel and life, and learnings from those.

Fuego Volcano: The Best Part of the Acatenango Volcano Hike

Hiking up a volcano sure sounds exciting. But for Acatenango hike, as you may have gauged by now, the most thrilling part is to get to see up close Fuego Volcano. It is one of the most active volcanoes of Central America.

On this hike, we got to see the Fuego volcano before sunset, during sunset, at night, at dawn, at sunrise, in the morning light and during the day. But we never got tired of its imposing views. In fact, every time we discovered Fuego in a different mood. Sometimes standing quiet, sometimes sending clouds of ashes into the sky and at other times, exhibiting fireworks of spewing lava, the Fuego volcano enthralled us every moment.

Check out our YouTube video capturing the Fuego volcano in different moods.

Can You Hike Fuego Volcano?

On your Acatenango hike, it is possible to purchase an add-on of Fuego hike. Walking on the famous knife ridge of Fuego, this hike takes you as close to all the volcanic activity as is safely possible. You can either book this in advance, or decide to opt for it after reaching the base camp and assessing how your body feels. We recommend the latter.

From our base camp in Acatenango, it would be a 5 hours round trip hike, starting at around 5:30 pm. So, the entire evening would have been spent navigating the trails with flashlights and exploring Fuego in the dark. That is why, we chose to stay at camp for dinner while enjoying the Fuego fireworks from a distance.

Only 2 people from our group of 15 went for the Fuego hike, and they returned not too excited about the night time visibility, neither the extreme difficulty level of the terrain. So, we concluded that Fuego hike would probably be a better experience if the major part of that hike is done in daylight. So, for our next time, we are planning to take that into consideration while choosing the tour. Oh yes, some crazy people like the two of us, plan for doing Acatenango hike again, right after completing this brutal hike!

From Left to Right: Eruptions of Fuego volcano (1) in the afternoon, (2) at night, (3) after sunrise.

Acatenango Hike Difficulty Level

Hiking Actenango volcano is no easy task. In fact, there are several factors at play, like slope, altitude, terrain, and temperature, that make this hike a fairly difficult one.

Steep Slopes

It is a very steep uphill hike for hours at a stretch, and the steep part begins from Hour 0:00:00. Despite the regular breaks during the hike, you would need good stamina and strong legs for this hike. The next day, it is a continuous downhill hike for hours, which exerts tremendous pressure on the knees. By the end of the hike, your legs may be begging for some rest.

Altitude

From trailhead to base camp, you will gain almost 5,000 feet in elevation in a matter of just a few hours. The higher you go, the lower the oxygen level. This raises the risk of altitude sickness which may tamper with how you generally feel. Symptoms may vary from mild headache to shortness of breath.

In our group of hikers, there were some people who faced strong symptoms of altitude sickness and had to either miss out on the sunset gathering or sunrise summit or both. If you sense altitude sickness during the hike or at base camp, inform your guides immediately so that they can advise you on the best ways to combat the situation.

As for us, after reaching base camp, Indranil had a mild headache which subsided after a bit of sleep, and I did not experience any altitude sickness symptoms.

Terrain

Due to the volcanic terrain, there are many stretches on the trail where there are loose sand or gravel, raising the odds of a fall or four. You may skid or slide every now and then, or find yourself on your bum on some occasions.

Temperatures

The hike takes you through 4 different ecosystems, and thus constantly varying temperatures. At the beginning of the hike, you may be walking under the sun with warm temperatures. As you transcend from the cloud forest zone to the coniferous forest zone, the air become chillier and at the top, the weather is cold, very cold!

At night, the temperatures can be between 5 to – 5 degrees Celsius (23-41 degrees Fahrenheit). Sleeping in a tent at the base camp on such a cold night does not allow you the comforting uninterrupted rest that your body might have needed after such a long day of hike.

Can Anyone Do the Acatenango Hike?

Having said all that, I agree with what most Acatenango hike tour guides will tell you. That it is not just about pushing your physical limits, but it requires a great deal of mental strength too to finish the Acatenango volcano hike.

We think, with the right planning and preparation, a fairly good fitness level and an unflinching determination, anyone can do the Acatenango hike.

First bit of Acatenango hiking trail - steep right from the starting point.
Steep trail right from the starting point.

Did We Question Ourselves Why We Are Doing This?

It is important to note that at no point during the hike did we think about quitting. But did we ever question ourselves why we signed up for something like this? The answers are different for Indranil and me.

Indranil: No.

Pubali: I woke up in the middle of the night as I needed to pee. But the situation was a bit more complicated than it sounds. There were a few steps I had to follow to make this happen. I had to wake Indranil up so that I could get out of the tent, unzip myself from the sleeping bag, put on the flashlight, wear my hiking boots, take the walking stick and make a little hike up a winding trail to reach the campsite bathroom in the darkness of that cold night.

Just thinking about the process, I thought let it be! Anyway it is probably almost time for our 4:00 am wakeup call for the sunrise summit hike. But then, a few minutes later, I could neither fall asleep nor lie comfortable. It was exactly at this moment, I asked myself why did I sign up for this if the experience does not even allow me a comforting night’s sleep?

What happened next? I finally did wake Indranil up and followed all those steps for the night hike to the bathroom. On the way, we also got to see few more eruptions of Fuego.

And that feeling of why I am doing this? It passed right after I finished my business in the bathroom :-). We returned to the tent and curled up in our sleeping bags for a more peaceful sleep. Oh, and guess what time was it? It was 23:13! Good I did not hold it until our 4:00 am wakeup call!

Is Acatenango Volcano Hike Safe?

Acatenango volcano has been dormant since the late 20th century. It last erupted in 1972. So, from a volcanic activity standpoint, it is safe to hike Acatenango volcano.

However, the main purpose of hiking Acatenango volcano is to get a close view of Fuego volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Of course being in the vicinity of a constantly erupting active volcano comes with its own risks. After all, it was not too long ago that Fuego volcano had its most devastating eruption in 2018, with its pyroclastic flow killing scores of people and affecting thousands others in the villages on the slopes of Fuego.

Also, you need to prepare really well for the Acatenango hike to be able to do this safely, and follow the weather alerts. In January 2017, following a cold blast, six hikers had died on Acatnenago volcano due to hypothermia. It was a one-off incident but one that we should learn lessons from.

The good part is that the tour companies offering the Acatenango hiking tours, are sincere about the safety standards of their processes and equipment. Also, most companies have guides trained in emergency response, rescue and assistance. So, going with a trusted company, you should be in safe hands.

Best Time for Hiking Acatenango Volcano

Similar to Costa Rica, Guatemala has two distinct seasons, dry and rainy. Rainy season is from May through October, whereas the dry season runs from November to April, when the chances of rain are very thin.

Technically, you can go for the Acatenango volcano hike any time of the year. But the packing and preparation need to be different for the two seasons. You will need rain gear for the rainy season and more warm layers for the dry season. The scenery also may change from wet season to dry season. On rainy and overcast days, the surroundings will appear more misty and visibility may be lower. During the drier months, the visibility may be clearer but the night temperatures may be colder.

We went for the Acatenango hike on the last day of December. Despite a rain forecast between 3-4 pm, we got clear sunny weather on both the days. We were able to enjoy the colors of both sunset and sunrise, but the night temperatures and early morning temperatures were really harsh.

Most tour companies offer this hike year round, with some even operating every day of the year.

Paradise Catchers, at La Peña, a rock formation, on the Acatenango hiking trail.
Us, at La Peña. Clear weather, but a huge white cloud cover over the valley.

Acatenango Overnight Hike: What to Wear & What to Pack

The magic word for packing for Acatenango overnight hiking tour is ‘layers’. In a single day, you will be traversing from temperatures in the 20s (C) / 70s (F) to near freezing.

Hiking boots are must for the Acatenango hike. You may be best friends with your sneakers or running shoes, but you need to ditch them for this hike. You will need shoes with strong grip and great ankle support.

Carry 3-4 liters of drinking water per person, and put some snacks in your backpack.

Do not forget walking sticks/trekking poles and flashlights.

We feel packing is a critical aspect of how safely and comfortably you can enjoy the Acatenango overnight tour. So, we put together a detailed packing guide for Acatenango hike, listing every item that you need to carry, rent or buy.

Check out this article for a comprehensive packing guide for Acatenango volcano hike. We have also included a free checklist that you may refer to when packing for your own Acatenango adventure.

Woman wearing jackets, gloves and caps, standing next to the campfire at Acatenango base camp in Guatemala.
Pubali, armed with layers of clothings.

Cost of Hiking Acatenango Volcano

We found this part to be funny because the cost of hiking Acatenango volcano varies greatly from one tour company to another. The companies claim that the difference in prices is due to the quality of equipment, type of food included and the overall experience. But during our research, we found conflicting price points even for comparable experiences and inclusions.

We came across tour prices ranging between 60 USD to 149 USD per person for overnight group tours of Acatenango volcano hike. The tour price usually includes roundtrip transportation from Antigua, certified guides, 3-4 meals, sleeping arrangement (tent/cabin, sleeping bag, sleeping mat etc.). Some companies include the rental of the winter clothing items in the tour price whereas others charge separately for the same.

For our us, it cost us 480 Quetzals (~63 USD) in total, per person, with the following cost breakup.

  • Acatenango Overnight Tour: 450 Quetzals
  • Flashlight with extra batteries (rental): 25 Quetzals
  • Walking stick (rental): 5 Quetzals

Tour Companies Offering Guided Acatenango Hike

There are quite a few Antigua Guatemala based tour companies that offer the Acatenango hike, among other volcano hikes of the region. We did extensive research comparing some of these companies before we shortlisted the one we finally went with.

If you are going to go for the Acatenango overnight hike, a good place to start your research is by comparing the tour features of the following companies.

We went with Soy Tours and were happy with the whole experience. They are a local company in Chimaltenango, with their tour office located just steps away from the trailhead of Acatenango volcano.

Instead of going with a tour company, you can also hire the independent services of a local guide. But we would say, go for this option only if you have very strong recommendations from someone you personally know and has done this tour with the guide.

Final Thoughts

We chose to do the Acatenango volcano hike on 31st December 2021. Far from the madding crowd, on the top of a volcano, under starry night sky and with views of volcanic lava eruptions. We could not think of a better way of bidding bye to the year and ushering in 2022.

As we cruised into the new year, this Acatenango hike experience reinforced in us two important life lessons.

  1. Immense belief in your mental strength can take you places and make you accomplish things that you otherwise would not even have imagined.
  2. Acknowledgement of our humble mortal existence in the towering presence of mighty and magnificent nature, makes us appreciate our planet and value our lives even more.

It has been more than a week since we hiked the Acatenango volcano. But not a single day has passed when we did not look back on that amazing experience. The sights we saw and the experiences we collected, all still feel like a dream. What next? Signing off to scan the world for discovering more new and unique experiences!


Enjoy volcanoes? Check out our travel guides about other volcanoes and volcanic activities:

  • Arenal Volcano National Park: With its perfectly conical peak, Arenal volcano stands tall as a majestic backdrop of La Fortuna, the popular tourist town of Costa Rica.
  • Rio Negro Hot Springs: The geothermal activities fed hot springs near Rincon de la Viejo volcano in Costa Rica.

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Paradise Catchers

We are Pubali and Indranil, an Indian couple living in Costa Rica and slow traveling Latin America and Caribbean.

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