Volcan Acatenango Hike: The Only Guide You Need (2024)

If you are heading to Guatemala, or, more specifically Antigua, then hiking Acatenango Volcano is something that should be high on your list of things to do!

Hiking the Acatenango Volcano is a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list experience. Sleeping on the top of a mountain, drinking hot chocolate by candlelight and seeing Volcan de Acatenango spew lava as the sunrises is an experience that you will never forget. The overnight trek to the summit of Acatenango Volcano, a staggering 3,976 meters, is one of the most popular hikes in Guatemala. It is also the hardest thing we have ever done in our lives.

This guide covers everything you need to know for the Volcan Acatenango overnight hike, including how to book the hike, Acatenango trekking difficulty, and what to pack for your Acatenango trekking.

Why hike Volcan Acatenango, Guatemala?

To put it simply; it’s an incredibly unique experience! Acatenango Volcano is connected to the famous Volcan de Fuego, an active stratovolcano in Guatemala that can be seen erupting throughout the day and night. It is Central America‘s historically most active Volcano.

Sitting opposite is Guatemala Acatenango which has been dormant since the early 20th century, it is, therefore, safe to hike and the perfect spot to watch the Fuego spew lava from.

Where is Acatenango Guatemala located?

Acatenango is a stratovolcano in Guatemala in Central America, it can be found around 18 miles (29 km) from the beautiful UNESCO town of Antigua Guatemala. It forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and is also part of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

Acatenango Volcano is joined to Volcán de Fuego – the two volcanoes collectively are known as La Horqueta.

When is the best time to go hiking Acatenango Volcano?

The dry season runs from November to April and is considered the best time to hike Acatenango. During this time yo have a far better chance of having not only dry weather but, also the best views.

Of course, this isn’t a guarantee. We hiked Volcan de Acatenango in November and didn’t have any views the whole way up. So, with anything that relies on Mother Nature, whatever time of year you visit, it’s a risk.

Things to know before you embark on the Acatenango Volcano Hike

The number one thing to note before deciding if you are going to embark on hiking Acatenango Volcano is that it’s hard! One person in our group had to turn back, I cried, as did many other people.

This might sound dramatic, but, it really is the hardest thing that I have ever done and it wasn’t made any better by the fact that we had no views the whole way up due to the cloud. I really believe that if we had, had incredible views (as we did on the way down) then this would have made the whole thing a lot easier.

It’s steep and you have to keep up with your group at all times. But, it’s made even harder because of the altitude change, I found myself struggling to breathe at various points (hence the tears). But, if you have perseverance then you will be able to complete the hike.

Another thing to note is that the hike is only accessible with a tour guide. You can’t hike Acatenango without one.

Volcan Acatenango hike difficulty: How fit do you need to be?

It is certainly not an easy hike, but with the right group, sheer determination and a ‘decent’ level of fitness you’ll be able to complete it.

As we’ve said, it was one of the hardest things that we have ever done fitness-wise.

It’s steep in parts, you’re with a group so there’s a certain pressure to keep up, it’s a long hike, and the temperatures can be hot one minute and cold the next. Plus, the altitude can make it hard to breathe and potentially cause you to be sick. It’s worth noting that the first 10-20 minutes of the Volcano Acatenango trek are the hardest. This is when your body is getting used to the quick assent and the potential altitude sickness.

However, with all of the negativity aside Acatenango trekking is hard, but, it is certainly doable. As long as you go into it having done some walking and short hikes previously take your time hiking up. You’ll be fine. 

What are the best tour companies for the Acatenango Volcano overnight hike?

When searching for the best tour companies to hike Acatenango Volcano you’ll find there’s a lot to choose between! Generally, all Acatenango tours are quite similar with the largest difference being the price, where you sleep (which is the biggest contributing factor in our eyes), the location of their camp (resulting in the view of Fuego that you get) and the food.

Tropicana Hostel

We visited with Tropicana Hostel. We opted for them as they mentioned vegetarian food (and as 2 veggies this was important to us) and they were also cost-effective (but, still with good reviews). We recommend them, however, they are known for attracting more of a party crowd (which isn’t us anymore). They lived up to this vibe at the top with a group of our tour getting quite drunk and even sending the guides all the way back down to the bottom to bring back up more beer (they were more than happy to do this and were compensated for this). However, it did mean that they were very noisy late at night when the rest of us were trying to sleep and they also did not enjoy the hike on the way back down due to their hangovers.

Of course, this depends on the group that you are with but, it is something worth noting when deciding which tour company to go with.

They also include the hire of a jacket, gloves and hat, 4 litres of water and storage of your bags. The accommodation that you sleep in at the top of the volcano is also very good, you sleep in little huts and all bundle in together. It’s certainly not the most luxurious sleeping arrangement however, it’s better than what some of the other tour companies provide.

We also opted to stay here the night before – which we wouldn’t overly recommend unless you are good at hiking a volcano on very little sleep.

Other tour companies offering guided Acatenango Volcano Hike

When deciding which tour to hike Volcan Acatenango with there are also some options to hike up and down in one day. If you opt for this then remember it will be a VERY full-on day but, you will be able to sleep in a proper bed that night. However, you also won’t have the option of hiking Fuego the next morning, so if this is something that you want to do then a 1day hike won’t be for you.

Another option is OX Expeditions. We haven’t personally hiked Volcan Acatenango with OX Expeditions, however, we have heard very good things about them from other travellers and bloggers. Their huts are some of the best on the volcano with windows directly facing Fuego Volcano!

If you are looking for a Luxury Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike then Old Town Outfitters is your best bet. With over 20 years of experience, they pride themselves on making Acatenango trekking as easy as possible for you and provide some of the best views from their base camp. You will be sleeping in tents (compared to some of the others where you’ll be sleeping in huts). This might mean that you will be more open to the elements, however, you will also have more space and privacy than in the huts (where you can share with about 10 other people).

Other tour companies that you can hike Volcan Acatenango with include:

-OX Expeditions

-Wicho & Charlie’s

-Soy Tours

-Balam Tours

Several companies offer the hike as a day tour as well. This is a less popular option because you will miss out on watching the sunrise over Fuego Volcano at sunrise. It is also, a long day that will involve a lot of hiking without many breaks. Consider a day trip if you are worried about how cold it will get at night or you prefer to sleep in a bed at night.

How much does it cost to hike a volcano in Guatemala?

This really depends on the volcano that you are hiking. However, to hike Acatenango Guatemala tours start from £30. However, we don’t advise using these tour companies as the guides might not be as knowledgeable (or fairly paid). You will also have to carry up your own tent, sleeping bag etc. which only adds to how hard the hike is.

Volcan Acatenango overnight hike what to wear and what to pack

When hiking Guatemala Acatenango remember that you’ll be staying at the top overnight and that it will be COLD. So pack accordingly, here is our Acatenango packing list:

• Comfortable and sturdy shoes – Remember you’ll be hiking for around 10 hours on uneven ground so, it’s important to have comfortable and sturdy shoes (that being said, we both hiked it in running trainers and whilst these probably weren’t the most practical they were absolutely fine)
• Warm hat and gloves – No matter what time of year you visit it is cold all year round in the upper parts of Volcan Acatenango so layers, hats and gloves will be your best friend. Especially late at night.
• Layers – As we said it is cold up there throughout the year. But, as you’re hiking up you can also get hot so wearing light layers will help you stay warm in the cooler temperatures and also, allow you to take them off as needed.
• Rain jacket – The weather can turn easily and there’s nothing worse than being caught in a shower, your clothes getting soaked and there being nothing that you can do about it. Bring a lightweight rain jacket with you in case of a sudden downpour!
• A torch or headlamp – You’ll be up late waiting for Fuego to erupt and (funnily enough) there are no streetlamps at the top of Acatenango so it will be very dark. Bring a torch or headlamp so that you can see around camp at night or in the evening.
• Warm clothes – We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, it is cold at the top of Volcan Acatenango especially once the sun goes down, there’s nothing worse than being cold at night so pack some warm clothes (think a jumper, joggers or warm leggings) either to sleep in or to put on in the evening/ early morning.
• Water and snacks – All of the tours to Acatenango Volcano include food. However, after a long day of hiking, you might want more snacks than they provide. There is also nowhere to get water from on the way up, so ensure you pack enough.
• Hiking Poles – These are optional but, can be extremely helpful, especially at some of the steepest parts of the Volcan Acatenango hike. You can also ‘hire’ some large sticks which have been made into hiking poles before starting the hike.

That all being said most tour companies for Volcan Acatenango will have clothes/ torches etc. that you can hire. They might not be the most attractive but, they’ll do the job and 

How long does the hiking Acatenango Volcano take?

Hiking to the summit of Acatenango takes between 6 to 8 hours, depending on your pace and the pace of the group that you are with. The trip back down takes a lot less time, between 2 to 3 hours. The total distance of the Acatenango trekking, and return trip down, is around 18 kilometres. Hiking Acatenango Volcano is usually done over two days. Hiking up on the first day and down on the second.

Is Acatenango Volcano Hike Safe?

Of course, with any big hike, there’s some risk. The largest risk to hiking Volcan Acatenango is that it is opposite the active Fuego.

Volcan Acatenango has not erupted since 1925 but its neighbour Volcan Fuego is constantly erupting with the last major eruption being on June 4th 2018 tragically killing hundreds of people in some of the villages on the volcano’s lower slopes. However, these aren’t common and shouldn’t deter you from hiking Volcan Acatenango.

Like any hike, you also have to be careful when hiking. Accidents can happen so ensure you have proper shoes and have done some hikes before so that you know what to expect. Also, stay with your tour as they know the way – don’t wander off by yourself.

What food is included on the Volcan Acatenango hike?

Most tours will include breakfast either in the hostel or at a nearby restaurant on the day of your tour. They will then also include a snack once you get to the top (ours was of instant noodles), dinner and breakfast the next day. Plus, Coffee/ Tea and marshmallows for roasting over the fire. Each tour company caters for vegetarians however, if you are gluten-free or vegan then double-check with the tour company on how they cater for this. The food was tasty and filling, certainly not Michelin star but, it is cooked on the top of a volcano!

You’ll also be asked to bring 3 litres of water with you, 1 of which is not optional. 2 are to drink yourself, and one is to donate to the group to cook your dinner, make your hot chocolate, and your breakfast at base camp. (3 litres is pretty standard, but check with your tour operator before you go). 

Volcano Acatenango hike itinerary

The exact Volcan Acatenango hike itinerary will depend on which tour company you opt for. However, here is a rough guide.

Most Acatenango Overnight tours will have a pre-trip meeting around 5 PM the day before the tour, this will be to go over what to bring, volcanic activity, the route and what to expect etc. It’s not usually mandatory but it is advised so that there are not any surprises along the way.

On the day of hiking Acatenango Volcano, you’ll be collected from either your hostel/ hotel between 6-9 am. If you opt for one such as Tropicana then it will also include breakfast at the hostel so you will enjoy that and then set off together from the hostel. From here you’ll drive to the starting point, there’s a little stand here that sells last-minute snacks and supplies – we brought a head torch from here. It also has a toilet that you can use for a small fee.

Once everyone is ready you’ll set off for your hike. You will generally be hiking for around 6 to 8 hours, this will include around 3 stops. However, this will depend on your group. If your group needs it then you will stop more to give everyone a chance to catch up or have a break. There are a few toilets on the way these are long drop-style toilets. You’ll also need to bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser for these.

Day 1

8-9 am Hotel pickup by company bus or meet up at your company’s office

9-10 am Bus ride to the park is about an hour

10-11 am Start hiking

1-2 pm Stop for lunch 30-45 mins

3-4 pm Arrive at base camp after 6 to 8 hours of hiking

5-6 pm If you are also hiking Fuego then you will hike it here, you will return around 8-9 pm and have a late dinner

(If you’re not hiking Fuego you can chat with the others, watch eruptions, and rest after your mammoth hike)

7 pm Dinner time

Bedtime

Day 2

4 am Wake up call

4:30 am Begin the sunrise hike up to the Acatenango summit (1-1.5 hrs)

5:30-6:30 am Enjoy the sunrise and watch Volcán de Fuego erupt from above

(You can also opt to stay at base camp and relax with a coffee and watch the eruptions from Fuego from here)

7 am Return to camp for breakfast and to pack up

8 am Hike Acatenango Volcano back down to the bottom

11am Bus back to Antigua

12 pm Arrive back into Antigua, shower (this is included with some tours like Tropicana) and return your rental gear

Camping at Base Camp

After hiking Acatenango Volcano, you’ll reach base camp! Most tours aim to arrive here between 2-4 pm. Once you arrive they will make you a snack (we had instant noodles and coffee). These were very much needed after the tough hike and cold temperatures at the top.

Setting up camp at base camp on the volcano  

Depending on which tour you opt for you might need to set up your camp at base camp. Each tour has its own designated space where they have pre-setup tents, and huts, or where you have to set up your own tents. If this is the case then you will either have had to carry your tents to the top or your guides will have carried them all.

However, we recommend going with a company that has huts to sleep in or pre-setup tents as these are usually more stable and warm. Plus, you won’t have to set them up.

What to bring for camping overnight  

You’re on the top of a volcano, so be prepared for it to be cold! Bring extra layers to sleep in plus, woolly socks, a hat and gloves. We had sleeping bags and an extra blanket (that were supplied by Tropicana). We were surprisingly toasty. There’s nowhere to shower or no running water so just bring the basics – a toothbrush and maybe some baby wipes, but, that’s all you’ll need.

Summiting Volcan de Fuego

For those who are looking for an extra thrill, you can also opt to add on hiking Volcan de Fuego. This is generally done on the day that you arrive at base camp. If you opt to hike Fuego then one of the tour guides will take you and the rest of the group off to hike it. You can decide whether you have the energy and mental ability on the day of your trek after arriving at base camp. If the weather looks like it will be good and you feel you have it in you, go for it! (For us, we didn’t and we’re ok with that). It will take around 3 additional hours (after hiking around 6 hours on the Volcan Acatenango hike). Ensure that you are physically and mentally able before agreeing to do it. 

Early morning ascent to reach the summit of Acatenango Guatemala before sunrise  

You also have the option to hike to the summit of Guatemala Acatenango. If you opt for this then you will be woken up at 4 am and will hike to the summit in the day. Again, we didn’t do this (reaching base camp was enough for us). But, it looks absolutely amazing to do. You’ll watch the sunrise over a cloud forest with the volcanos peeking through and the rest of Guatemala in the distance.

To get to the top your muscles will ache from the day before and you’ll have to scramble up small rocks to get to the top all from the light on your headtorch.

The final descent back down Acatenango Volcano

It takes around 3 hours to walk down from base camp. By the time we descended down the clouds from the previous day had cleared and the views were amazing – a taster of what we should have had the day before. As you get lower the warmer it gets, so be prepared to shed some layers. Many people run down the trail at the end. But, don’t feel like you have to do that. Pace yourself. Your knees will thank you later. Enjoy the walk down and the views before heading back to Antigua.

Conclusion on Volcan Acatenango and Fuego hike

There you have it. Everything that you need to know about hiking Acatenango Volcano. It’s hard, cold and challenging. But, it’s also rewarding and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Volcan Acatenango trekking should be something that should be on everyone’s bucket list, especially if you are visiting Central America. Whilst there might be other volcano hikes that you can do in Guatemala and even Antigua Guatemala, if you’re looking for the most impressive Guatemala volcano hike then this is it!