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As an avid hiker, I’ve hiked many a trail, but none has compared to the absolutely magical experience of the Acatenango overnight hike in Guatemala. Having summited Acatenango twice, I’ve written this complete guide to show you everything you need to know to prepare for your own Acatenango hike.

Imagine standing on the edge of a volcano, the sky painted in hues of pink and orange as the sun rises over the peaks of Guatemala. The adventure of hiking Acatenango volcano is one that’s not just about reaching the summit but experiencing the breathtaking landscapes and challenging yourself along the way.

From camping with a view of Acatenango’s neighbor Fuego Volcano erupting all night to summiting for sunrise, this trek is one of the most unique hikes you’ll experience in the world.

Things to Know Before Your Acatenango Hike

Guatemala is the best destination in Central America for hiking. The higher elevation means the temperatures are not as hot as in many other Central American destinations, and seeing active volcanoes offers an incredibly unique experience. 

Hiking Acatenango fits in perfectly into a one week Guatemala itinerary.

When planning a challenging hike like this, preparation is key. One important detail to note is the Acatenango Volcano hike is an overnight hike. 

While there are some companies that offer this experience as a day hike, you will miss out on the magic of seeing nearby active volcano Fuego erupting throughout the night.  Because of this, I highly recommend instead opting for the Acatenango volcano overnight hike. 

From the best time to hike to understanding the difficulty level of the Acatenango volcano hike, here’s what you need to know:

Best Time of Year to Hike Acatenango

The time of year and weather conditions can have a huge impact on your hiking experience.

The best time to hike Acatenango is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. During this period, you are more likely to experience clear skies which is crucial for being able to view Fuego Volcano.

While the wet season from May to October doesn’t make hiking impossible, it does present challenges such as muddy trails and reduced visibility due to clouds. If you visit during the rainy season, you may not have great visibility of Fuego.

Weather on Acatenango

Weather on Acatenango can be unpredictable, especially as you ascend. Daytime temperatures at lower altitudes will be warm, but it gets significantly colder as you climb.

At night, temperatures can drop below freezing, so packing appropriately is essential. Always be prepared for sudden changes in weather, including rain or high winds.

Acatenango Hike Difficulty

Just how hard is the Acatenango Volcano hike? The trail is steep and physically demanding, requiring a good fitness level. You should be in good physical shape and exercise regularly to complete this hike.

Overall you will hike 8.5 miles with 5269 feet of elevation gain. The trail begins at an elevation of 7965 feet and the summit reaches about 13,000 feet in elevation.

Depending on your speed, you can expect to hike between 5-7 hours to camp on day 1.

If you opt to add on an additional hike out to the Fuego viewpoint to get a closer view of Fuego Volcano erupting, expect to hike an additional 2-3 hours on day 1.

I opted for the additional Fuego hike the second time I climbed Acatenango and I was absolutely exhausted and too tired to get up for the Acatenango summit hike in the morning.

The second day, you’ll wake up early before sunrise (wake up time is about 4 am) to make your way up to the summit of Acatenango. Depending on your speed and fitness level this can take about 1-2 hours.

I found this part of the hike to be the most challenging as the terrain at the summit is very loose volcanic gravel. With every step up I took, my feet slid a few inches back down, so it took a lot of effort to make it up to the top.

However, the views at sunrise from the top of Acatenango make all that hard work worth it.

Choosing a Tour Company for the Acatenango Hike

Picking the right tour operator can make a significant difference in your Acatenango hike experience. There are several operators to choose from in Antigua, and it’s important to find one that aligns best with your budget, needs, and preferences.

While there are some very low-budget tour operators that offer the Acatenango volcano hike, be sure to do your research into the type of gear they provide. With temperatures dropping down potentially below freezing, you want to be sure you are hiking with a reputable company that uses the proper, quality gear to ensure your safety during the trek.

For your comfort and safety, this is not the time to try and find the cheapest option.

Here are a few of the top-rated tour operators that offer the Acatenango Volcano hike:

Wicho and Charlie

For budget-conscious travelers, Wicho and Charlie offer an incredibly comfortable and affordable experience. For the overnight accommodations, they use cabins rather than tents. Also, they provide warm hiking clothes if needed, making it a great choice for those lacking gear. You can borrow fleece jackets, puffy coats, gloves, backpacks, hiking poles…. Pretty much anything you need for this trek, they offer for you to rent or borrow. Much of the hiking gear they offer is included in the price of your tour.

They are also a great option for solo travelers as there is a big group typically that you will join.

The meals and snacks provided are entirely plant-based, vegan foods making Wicho and Charlie a great choice for vegetarians as well. Your meals include: breakfast at their office during check in, as many snacks as you choose to pack, lunch and dinner for day 1, and breakfast for day 2.

I hiked with Wicho and Charlie for my second ascent of Acatenango and I really loved that they offered the additional Fuego viewpoint hike as an add on once you got to the base camp. If you are considering this additional hike, you can make the decision after seeing how you feel once you’ve hiked up to the base camp.

Old Town Outfitters

For smaller group experiences or private bookings, Old Town Outfitters is an excellent option. You can opt for a private tour, or you can join a small group if you’re traveling solo.

This tour operator uses tents rather than cabins. When I hiked Acatenango the first time, I went with Old Town Outfitters, and I found the tents and sleeping bags provided were very high quality and protected well from the cold and wind at camp.

A big perk of hiking Acatenango with Old Town Outfitters is that they have a compost toilet at their camp which makes using the bathroom much more comfortable as with many other operators, there is no toilet at camp. Instead you have a shovel to dig a hole.

They provide high-quality camping gear, and you can choose to hire a porter to carry your gear if you prefer.

All meals were included: lunch and dinner on day 1 of the trek and breakfast after the summit on day 2. Our guide David prepared an absolutely delicious dinner of chicken pasta. I was very impressed by the food prepared for us. While Old Town Outfitters does offer meat-based meals, if you are vegetarian they can of course accommodate for that as well.

Ox Expeditions

With a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trip Advisor, Ox Expeditions is another popular choice for many hikers. This company uses cabins for accommodations, and they do offer hiking gear and clothing to rent or borrow as well. While I have not hiked with Ox Expeditions personally, they have very good reviews and come highly recommended.

What to Expect When Hiking Acatenango

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure. Here’s a rundown of what your hiking itinerary might look like over your Acatenengo overnight hiking experience.

Acatenango Hike Itinerary

Day 1

Your adventure begins early in the morning in Antigua, where you’ll meet up with your group and guide. Typically you’ll meet at your tour operator’s office, get your gear, and ride from Antigua to the trail head.

Today you’ll be hiking up to the campsite. This hike should take about 5-7 hours depending on your fitness and hiking speed. It’s an uphill walk the entire way.

Once you reach the camp you’ll have some time to relax. Hopefully, the clouds will move away, and you’ll have a beautiful view of Acatenango’s neighbor, Fuego Volcano.

If you’re feeling up for it, you may be able to hike to a viewpoint closer to Fuego as well. This hike will take another 2-3 hours.

Once the hikers who have opted to hike out to the Fuego viewpoint have returned, the group will have dinner by the campfire before turning in to your tent or cabin for a good night’s sleep. 

If you’re lucky, you’ll have views of Fuego erupting throughout the night. The view of the active volcano erupting with lava is one of the most magical experiences I’ve had in my life.

Day 2

Day two kicks off with a pre-dawn wake-up call. You’ll start your final ascent to the summit under the stars, aiming to reach the top just in time for sunrise.

This part of the hike was the most difficult for me. It is a very steep climb. The terrain is mostly loose volcanic gravel, and I was very grateful for my hiking poles.

The last stretch is challenging, but the 360-degree views from the summit make every step worth it.

After soaking in the view, you’ll descend back to camp for breakfast before making your way down the volcano, arriving back in Antigua by early afternoon.

What to Pack for Hiking Acatenango

When packing for your Acatenango hike, you want to pack light but still be prepared for any type of weather.

I took a 45L size backpack and had plenty of extra room in my pack even with all my extra layers, water, and food.

Here are some essentials to include:

• Clothing: Layering is key here as you’ll be walking through 3 different micro-climates on this trek. Here’s what I brought:
  • Tank top or t-shirt layer for the start of the hike
  • Thermal base layers
  • Fleece jacket
  • Warm outer layer like a down puffer jacket
  • Waterproof outerwear (even during the dry season, weather on Acatenango can be unpredictable, and you always want to be prepared in case of an unexpected rain shower.)
  • Gloves
  • A warm hat
  • High quality hiking boots (I’ve had these ones from Columbia for years and absolutely love them!)
  • Merino wool socks
  • Sunglasses
  • Change of underwear/socks (While I wore the same shirt and leggings I wore on the hike up, it felt so nice to have clean undies and socks to change into after making it to camp.)
• Other Essentials:
  • Headlamp (You’ll need this as you’ll start the hike to summit in the dark.)
  • Refillable water bottle and/or water bladder (You’ll need to carry all of your water for both days. 3-4 liters at minimum is recommended.)
  • Personal hygiene wipes (These come in handy for using the toilet and freshening up before bed.)
  • Trekking poles: I highly recommend trekking poles and would not complete this hike without them. If you don’t have any, most tour companies have these for you to rent.
  • Power bank for keeping your phone, smartwatch, and camera charged up
  • Sunscreen
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste

Conclusion

Hiking Acatenango Volcano is an incredible experience. Having the opportunity to camp with a view of neighboring Fuego erupting in the distance was so magical, and I hope this guide helps you to plan your own adventure and experience this unforgettable hike.

Remember to pack light and be prepared for the changing weather, but most importantly, take in every moment and enjoy the breathtaking views along the way.

If you have more time in Guatemala, consider relaxing in Lake Atitlan after your trek, exploring more things to do in Antigua, or seeing the ruins of Tikal.