2-Day Acatenango Hike – All You Need to Know
The Acatenango is a volcano, close to Antigua in Guatemala. On this hike you are able to see huge eruptions with lava, which is an absolutely incredible experience you will never forget! As a full time traveler I have been to 34 countries by now and I count the Acatenango hike as one of my peak travel experiences. It is mind-blowing!! To see this you have to go on a 2-day hike, which means you will stay overnight on the Acatenango volcano.
The Acatenago volcano is not active, which is the reason why all base camps are on this volcano. Right next to Acatenago you will see volcano Fuego and volcano Agua. Volcano Fuego is the active one that is erupting every 10-15 min.
On this blog post you will read about the different parts of the hike, get a packing list and all the information you need before going on this hike.
Acatenango Hike
Part 1 - Hike to base camp
Around 7-9am the shuttle bus from the tour organizer you chose will pick you up from your hostel and drive about 50 min to the starting point of the hike. In my case we had a stop on the way where I could leave all my luggage and where I got equipped with water, lunchbox, gloves, beanie and a stick for the hike.
The first part of the hike is quite exhausting, but don’t worry the hike will get easier. When we first started hiking I got a little nervous, because I was already so tired. Once you are farther up the volcano it gets easier, because the ground is less slippery and it’s colder. On the first part, until the official start of the hike, you will feel like walking in sand dunes in the sun. After the first break you are hiking in the forest, the temperature will be colder and it will be a lot easier. The total hike to base camp should take about 4-5 hours, depending on your group. I was alone with my guide and we did it in 3 hours. The bigger the group, the more time it will take you.
You will stop on the way to have a lunch break. I had rice, eggs and fresh vegetables, which was plenty of food. The part after the lunch break is really steep and therefore quite challenging as well. Luckily the last part to base camp is really easy. You will hike at the same altitude with just a little up and down for about 45 min – 1 hour. Then it’s a short, but steep way up to base camp and you have arrived!
Part 2 - Hike to Volcano Fuego
Part 2 of the Acatenango hike is optional and it actually costs extra. Before you go on the hike I would check how much your tour organizer is charging and if you have to pay for it in advance or on the hike. If you decide to do this part of the hike you will start around 3pm in the afternoon. You’re hiking from the Acatenango volcano to the Fuego volcano to see the eruptions from the closest viewpoint possible. This hike is challenging because you’re basically hiking down a part of the Acatenago volcano and up to volcano Fuego. It’s a steep up and down hike on a high altitude, but trust me it’s really worth it.
The closer you’re getting to volcano Fuego, the more you will notice the difference in landscape and temperature. It’s freezing cold on volcano Fuego, so make sure to bring a beanie, gloves and headlamp for the hike back to base camp. If you’re lucky you will see a fantastic sunset over the volcanos before you get to the viewpoint.
Once you’re higher up on volcano Fuego you will notice that everything around you is dry lava. There are no trees that are stopping the wind and it’s really cold, but once you see the eruptions you will forget about all of this.
When I first saw the eruptions with lava I was so blown away by the moment that I didn’t even grab my camera. Watching something so powerful and beautiful touched my heart deeply and I forgot about everything else. I didn’t want to miss the moment by capturing it. I didn’t want to see it through my camera instead of my own eyes. I just sat there and watched it. Because of this moment I can say that going on the Acatenango hike counts as one of my peak travel experiences in life. That’s why I would really encourage you to go on this hike when you’re in Guatemala. How many people in the world get to see huge eruptions with lava right in front of them? It is mind-blowing how beautiful this world is.
On the way back you’re hiking in the dark back to base camp. Your legs will be tired and you will be hungry, but this experience will charge your batteries so much that it won’t matter.
Once you’re back to base camp it’s time for a home cooked dinner and a bonfire from where you can watch the eruptions of the volcano. Then you will have a few hours of sleep before waking up for sunrise. Every tour has their own set up for the night. Some have cabins, some have tents. In my case it was like a little cabin, but without the ground. I was alone in my cabin, so I put three sleeping bags on top of mine and I was still cold. It won’t be the most comfortable night, but again it’s all worth it!
Part 3 - Hike to the summit of Acatenango
This part of the hike is also optional. I would highly recommend you to see the sunrise from the summit of the Acatenango, but you can also watch it from base camp. For this hike your guide will wake you up around 3-4am and you will start hiking right away. That means no time for brushing teeth, drinking coffee or waking up, you just start. The first part is a steep way up that feels like walking in sand dunes, followed by a flat hike that is pretty easy. The last part is a steep zig zag path that again, feels like walking in sand dunes. For me, this was the most difficult part of the hike, because of the ground and the altitude. Your breathing will feel heavy, but that’s completely normal. My guide kept pushing me, while I wanted to take breaks, and he literally took my hand and dragged me up the last part, so I won’t miss the sunrise.
Once we were on the summit I was so happy I got all my energy back. The view from there is priceless. You can see so many volcanoes, even the volcano Atitlan. Most importantly you can still see the eruptions from volcano Fuego, but you will only be able to see the lava until sunrise. If you would like a photo with an eruption and lava you should try to take it before sunrise. The sunrise is breathtaking and the golden sunlight will make the landscape even more beautiful.
After watching the sunrise it’s time to go back to base camp. This part is not only easy, it’s also a lot of fun! You’re basically sliding back down and then you’re walking on the same altitude. Once you’re back to base camp it’s time for a well deserved breakfast!
Part 4 - Hike back down
The last part of the hike is just going all the way back down from base camp to the point where the hike started. This part is easy, but the ground is very slippery. If you have good hiking shoes or a stick it will pay off now. After hiking the most difficult parts of the hike, this part will be a piece of cake! You will feel so achieved that nothing can stop you now.
Packing List
This is a challenging hike, so it’s very important to be well equipped! Here is a list of what you should definitely bring on the hike to have a great experience:
When I did this hike the gloves, beanie, headlamp, stick, water, all meals were included. They also offered me a jacket, but I was quite happy with mine.
Useful things to know
1. There are horses!
There are horses going up the Acatenango! You can pay for a horse to carry you up to base camp or for the horse to carry your backpack. This might be an option for you to make the hike easier. In this case I would bring another small bag or backpack, because you will need your water and lunch during the hike.
2. You can rent hiking shoes
You can rent hiking shoes in Antigua. The hike is very slippery, especially on the way back down. I personally did this hike with my runners and I was fine (because I had my hiking stick), but with shoes that have no grip it could be very difficult. The more grip your shoes have the better.
3. You can store your luggage
Most hostels and hotels have the option to store your luggage for the night where you are on the hike. Many people don’t want to pay for an extra night in their accommodation if they are sleeping on the Acatenengo. Alternatively you can leave your luggage with the tour organizer of the hike.
4. The hike is really dusty
Parts of the hike are quite dusty, so it might be useful to bring a light scarf you can use to cover your mouth and nose. It’s not necessary, but it makes the hike more enjoyable. Once you are on the hike you will notice that all of the guides have scarfs.
The Acatenango hike is one of the things you have to do when traveling to Guatemala! Like mentioned before, I count this as one of my peak travel experiences in life and would do it again anytime. I would love to hear about your experience in the comments down below!
