When you are visiting Antigua Guatemala, one must-do experience is hiking Acatenango. The adventure lasts 2-days in total and culminates in hiking to the summit at 3,976m above sea level.
Volcan Acatenango is a dormant volcano, which last erupted in 1972. It is adjacent to Volcan Fuego (Fire), which is still a very active volcano spewing red hot lava every 30 minutes into the sky.
You don’t need to be super fit to complete the hike, but I won’t lie, it’s tough. Saying that, our group included young and old, and differing levels of fitness and everyone completed the hike to camp.
As mentioned, hiking Acatenango is very tough, but equally rewarding. I think I’m quite fit but there were times when I wondered if the hike was worth it. When you’re boiling hot, or freezing cold, and your legs are starting to ache, and the end is not in sight, I did wish I could quit at times.
However, after reaching the camp or Fuego on day 1, or the summit on day 2; I saw the views and I realised it was all worthwhile. You will undoubtedly go through mixed emotions on the hike. However, overall, I’m ecstatic that I did it, and you will be too.
Antigua and Acatenango should be part of a larger tour of Guatemala. For the best places to visit in the country check out The Best Guatemala Travel Itinerary – 7 Amazing Destinations
How long does it take to hike Acatenango?
Hiking Acatenango: The Beginning
The tour will start in Antigua, your tour group will collect you and drive to Acatenango Volcano. The drive is about 2 hours or so, and an early start is made, usually 8-9am.
The first day’s hiking takes you to the camp site about ¾ up Acatenango. The camp site should already be set up with tents and benches or chairs waiting for the group.
The ascent takes about 4-5 hours and can be really tough as you are dealing with increased altitude as well as the physical exertion. Along the way there is some amazing clearings in the forest where you can see out across the valley. The group should stop regularly for water and to rest.
If you are in Lake Atitlan, find out how to get to Antigua here: Chicken Bus from Lake Atitlan to Antigua – How To Guide
Hiking Acatenango: Reaching Camp
You should reach camp by no later than 4pm, depending on when you start of course. At this point you have a choice to either stay at camp for the evening or do an additional hike to Volcan Fuego.
The hike to Fuego allows you to be very close (but still a safe distance way) to the erupting volcano. This is a tough hike, partly as you’ve already done 4 hours of hiking. It’s an added level of difficulty as the surface of Fuego is more like little stones that fall away as you climb.
Hiking Acatenango: Adding Fuego to the hike
I decided to do the additional hike as I thought this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. And I’m super happy that I did it. Equally, others who didn’t do the Fuego hike were also happy as they relaxed for a few hours with perfect views of Fuego erupting, albeit from slightly further away.
You don’t need to decide until you arrive at camp so wait and see how you feel at the time. The group usually stays on Fuego long enough to see one or two eruptions before returning to camp. One of the highlights of the hike is being so close to Fuego and seeing it erupt at night in the dark sky.
It’s truly amazing and a real once in a lifetime experience. The sound of the explosion is just mesmerising. Everyone is awestruck, waiting for the next eruption, trying to get it on film as best you can.
Hiking Acatenango: Dinner, sleep and eruptions
It’s then time for dinner and getting to know your group more around the campfire. If you’re planning to do the sunrise hike, I advise going to sleep as early as possible. That’s easier said than done as every time you hear Fuego erupting, you’ll want to stick your head out of the tent to see the lava spewing into the night sky.
Hiking Acatenango: Morning & the sunrise hike
The sunrise hike to the summit of Acatenango beings at 4am. It’s pitch black which is why you need a head torch or light. It will be very cold and windy so wear as many layers as you have.
The hike to the summit takes about 45 minutes and once there you await the sunrise. As the sun slowly begins to shine the colours of the sky change, the shadows change and more and more of the landscape become visible.
The views are truly stunning, and I strongly recommend you do the summit hike. I could never understand the people who wanted to sleep more and not make the final push to the top.
Hiking Acatenango: Breakfast & the descent
After sunrise it’s the hike back down to camp and time for breakfast. Finally, it’s time to make the decent back to the bottom of the volcano where your transportation will be waiting for you. You’ll then get driven back to Antigua and should be there some time in the afternoon.
What clothes should you wear when hiking Acatenango
Whatever time of year you are hiking Acatenango the weather conditions will change throughout the day. At times there is no sunshade, and you are in the midday sun. At other times, it’s dark, and freezing cold. Therefore, the key to comfort is layers, as many as you can wear and carry.
The hike starts early in the morning, and you’ll likely want to be wearing long pants and a jacket to begin with. Within an hour and as you start to work up a sweat, you’ll lose layers and want to be in shorts and t-shirt.
Bring a thick pair of socks (or two), a woolly hat, gloves, and layers! I would also recommend your warmest jumper and a pair of leggings if you have them to wear under your hiking pants. I understand you are unlikely to be travelling Central America with all these warm clothes. Worry not, as most of the winter clothes you can rent or borrow from the agency – see the section below.
Needless to say, a good pair of hiking boots are important or at the very least closed trainers. Don’t wear any type of open shoe as parts of the path have loose stones so you’ll be forever emptying them.
What else should you pack?
You will need to take a backpack with you on the hike, most agencies recommend 30-40l in size. Also, it’s really important to bring a head torch with you as you will be hiking in the dark if you do Fuego and the sunrise summit hike. Your phone could be used as a last resort but not ideal.
There is no power at the camp site so bring a battery pack to charge your phone and/or camera. Also remember to bring toilet paper and hand sanitiser. The toilet at camp is a long drop, and there is no sink or facilities.
Most importantly you will need to bring enough water to last the whole 2-day hike. The recommended amount from most agencies is 3 litres. I drank only 1.5l, but I don’t generally drink much water anyway. I think 3l is right on average.
Lastly, bring snacks, and lots of them as the meals that are provided will not be enough. Consider items like cereal bars, fruit, sandwiches, biscuits and nuts.
Which agency should you use?
One of the toughest and most important decisions to make is choosing what agency you want to use. I asked other travellers in Antigua who had already been on the hike to get up to date information and recommendations and you should do the same too as things may change over time.
Prices can vary quite a lot from about Q300 – Q600+. Ask the agency questions such as what meals will be provided and what do they consist of. Check that you don’t have to carry the tents or any of the camping gear. Find out what equipment they supply or how much they charge to rent equipment and ask to see the equipment so you can assess the quality.
I went with an agency called Asoava Tours as they were recommended, and they are a local agency. One of the main advantages of going with this agency is that they offer cheap accommodation. We stayed at the family home close to Acatenango the night before the hike so we were closer and can start earlier the next day. The accommodation is also only Q20 as part of the deal so very so very cheap.
Overall, I was happy with them, but I wasn’t too impressed with the meals as they were very basic. On top of that, some of the winter jackets they offered were old and not in great condition. They did supply hats, gloves, and jackets for free and we didn’t have to take any of the camping gear with us.
Other agencies I heard good things about are Wicho and Charlies, Tropicana Tours and CA Travelers. All of the agencies have offices in Antigua so you can speak to them and ask them your questions. dapibus leo.
How much does the hike cost?
The tour can cost anywhere from Q300 to Q600 and this includes the Q110 entry fee to Acatenango. The higher the price doesn’t necessarily mean better quality so make sure to ask the right questions as above.
If you want to do the additional hike to Fuego this will cost Q200 and you need to pay in cash on the mountain, so take some cash with you. Other costs may include any gear rental if it’s not included. Some people like hiking sticks, and these can be rented for Q10 at the foot of the volcano when you start.
Lastly, most agencies will offer a porter service to carry your bags for you if you wish. These prices can arrange from Q200 to Q400 so again its worth shopping around.
Best time to hike Acatenango
The best time to hike Acatenango will be during the dry season running from December to March. It is less likely to be so cold during this time and less chance of heavy rain. Even more important is that it’s a clear day, you want to avoid clouds at all costs.
I have friends who hiked and when they got to camp and to the summit, they could barely see anything due to clouds. It was also very windy, and they really didn’t enjoy the tour. Because the weather is unpredictable, I would only book the tour 2-3 days in advance if the weather forecast says it will be clear.
The weather can of course change in 2-3 days but give yourself the best chance. 2-3 days is also usually required to reserve your spot with an agency.