LOCATION
DIFFICULTY
ACTIVITY
LENGTH
6 hours ascend
3 hours descend
+3 hours Fuego
AV. COST
50 - 150 euro p.p.
In Guatemala you have the chance to see lava getting spewed out of mountains (on Acatenango, Pacaya or Santiaguito), overcoming great heights, and being immersed in nature all at once. The hike up Acatenango is one of the toughest in the world but you will feel a great sense of achievement as soon as you reach your camp. Starting in farmland and loose sandy trails, you will move up the steepest part of the trek right away. After this, you are led through a tropical rainforest, an alpine forest and finally the most amazing volcanic grounds. The views are unforgettable and seeing the sunset and sunrise on top of this mountain is a once in a lifetime experience. For many the sights are so jaw-dropping good that the next trip is planned that same evening while sitting around the fire in their camp - a lot of people come back to see the volcanoes again.
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Walking into your camp you are high-fived by the rest of your group and you can drop your bags while the rumbling and the eruptions on the mountain on the other side of the valley start. A sight you will not forget. If you have enough energy some of the guides will guide you to the next stage of this trek: the night trek up Fuego. If you manage to get there you will see Volcano Agua turn into hues of blue, purple and pink, while you sit atop the volcano ridge waiting for the sun to go down in a sea of clouds. As soon as the sky turns black you will be able to see a show of fire and lava so close to you you can feel the warmth.
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If you have the chance to hike up these mountains, you should.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
TRANSPORT
Almost all tours start from and return to Antigua.
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Exact address:
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TRAVEL TIPS
The Acatenango hike
The hike up Acatenango is known as one of the toughest in the world and requires some level of fitness. While the trek does not require a certain level of experience, those attempting the trek with a severe cold or covid (or smokers) have a lot more difficulties than people in average health. Here are some important tips and advice that can help make your experience best:
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You can train yourself by walking up and down stairs, breathing through your nose and drinking more water than regularly the days before the hike. The night before it's advised to not drink alcohol or smoke either.
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Try to stay as many days as possible in Antigua before attempting the hike up these volcanoes. Your body needs to acclimate to the area and the height to lessen the chances of getting altitude sickness. When this sickness occurs, it usually happens after 24 hours and because you will be staying the night on top of Acatenango, there is a change you do not feel so good when you wake up. Communicate to your guide when you feel sick and make sure you rest and go down some meters so that your body can adjust. Do not continue right away, listen to your body.
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Bring hiking poles with you or rent some in Antigua. We saw many people either without poles or with wooden sticks and were very happy with the support our hiking poles gave us. It is really something you should not save on, as it will help you up and down the mountain with less pain and less effort.
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Bring layers, and layers, and layers of clothes. During the hike you will experience many different types of weather and especially if you continue up the Fuego volcano you will need to prepare for freezing degrees below zero (Celcius). At night you will stay either in a cabin or a tent, and there you will need all you can get as well. Do not underestimate the weather at these heights.
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If you travel to Guatemala during Semana Santa, prepare for your hike months in advance. Next to the accomodations being booked out completely, these tours tend to fill up rapidly as well. Less tours are sent up the mountains and more people flock to Antigua than in the rest of the year.
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Go at your own pace and drink enough water. The hike is no competition and going faster than your body can handle will only make it harder for you. I did not see my boyfriend for 80% of the hike as he could go way faster, that did not mean anything bad for our experiences.
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Clean up after yourself and follow the 7 principles of Leave no trace.
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Don't bring a back pack larger than 50-55 liters. The higher you get, the heavier everything you carry will feel.
The volcano is the third highest in all of Guatemala at 3974 meters heigth. While this stratovolcano has been dormant since the 1970s, one of the main goals people hike up the Acatenango volcano is to see the not-so-dormant, really active Fuego Volcano that lies next to it.
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The Fuego hike
Depending on where your camp is this will add about 3-5 hours on top of your ascend up Acatenango. If your guide tells you they think you cannot handle it: believe them. They have seen you go up Acatenango all day and they know who can or cannot handle Fuego. It's tougher and it will be in the dark and on top of that the way back is hard to find which means one of the guides has to walk you all the way back before coming back to help the rest of the group out again.
The packing list
Most companies offer some parts of this list as rentals, but you should check with them to be certain beforehand. If you booked with Wicho's and Charlie's, then you can rent everything there.
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Layers (hiking socks, hiking shorts, hiking pants, shirts, thermal layers, scarfs, fleece or sweater, hat, windjacket)
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At least 1 layer that is water proof. We were lucky to have a dry trek, but it can rain for hours on end especially during rainy season.
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Gloves - on top of Fuego it will freeze
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Something to cover your mouth - the loose volcanic sands (during dry season) will fly around you as you maneuver up and down Fuego and breathing this air is not healthy and difficult. Get a scarf or a mask to cover your face. You will need your hands for the poles, so get something that stays in place.
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A headlight and/or a flashlight/torch. The latter makes it more difficult to use your hike poles. Most companies offer a few torches per group but having your own is recommended.
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Good hiking shoes, with grip on the soles. Especially the way down you will need this as otherwise you will slip and fall and your ankles/knees will start to hurt after a while.
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At least 4 liters of water. There are no water sources along the whole hike and due to the altitude you will need more than you are used to. Wicho's and Charlies offered free additional (1L) water bottles which you could fill up there as well before stepping into the van.
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A first aid kit (paracetamol, bandages, blister plasters)
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Additional batteries for your camera - due to the cold your accu will be drained way faster than you are used to
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Toilet paper
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Sunscreen and sunglasses. You will need protection against the strong rays of UV.
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Some proteine bars, nuts, chocolate or raisins to give you extra energy.
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Especially if you go without an agency, bring a powerbank and download maps.me. Your phone's battery will, just like the camera's, be drained very quickly due to the cold.
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Waterproof bags, dry bags or a cover for your backpack.
The hike back down
The way back is a lot easier than the way up, depending on your knees' ability. If you have bad knees, this will be a very tough part. Most people run down, curving left and right to make the pressure on their knees less heavy and also to break their speed. You can go back to the start of the hike in about 3 hours if your group comes along in about the same speed as you do.
WHERE TO STAY
I will only promote hotels/hostels in which I or my friends have actually stayed. That way I try to keep my recommendations as honest as possible! When you click on one of these links & finish a booking, I earn a small amount from Booking.com.
One of the best hostels we've stayed in. They offer dorm beds and private rooms, a kitchen and a very cozy garden & bar
Rooms starting at €40 / night
Beds starting at €19 / night
Antigua
A calm, romantic hotel (with a few dorm options) in the middle of busy Antigua. Including a garden in which you can relax.
Rooms starting at €59 / night
Beds starting at €25 / night
Antigua
A hostel in the hearth of Antigua, with small but comfortable rooms
Rooms starting at €20 / night
Beds starting at €11 / night
Antigua
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