This was one of my favorite experiences of my life! Hiking to see an active volcano may just be the ultimate bucket-list item, and you can do it for a low price just outside of Antigua, Guatemala. Hike the Acatenango Volcano to sleep in a cabin at Acatenango Basecamp that overlooks Volcan de Fuego! Fuego erupts every 3-4 minutes and is a true sight to behold.
How to view an active Volcano
Acatenagno sits at 3,976 meters, and overlooks a super active volcano Fuego. Fuego spews smoke and lava every few minutes. We actually timed it and for an hour or so it never was dormant for more than 3 minutes. During the day it appears to be smoke and rock blowing out, but at night you will witness the red hot lava bursting into the night sky!
Acatenango also overlooks 8 other stratovocanos, and you can even see the ocean from basecamp. The hike to get here is not easy feat, but is also very doable. The hike took our group 4 hours 13 minutes. It is 4.2 miles, and 3,937 ft elevation gain. Yep, you’re going straight up the mountain! Some people take up to 6 hours and that is okay too. Go your own pace and a guide will stick with you. Our moving time was 2 hours 31 minutes, so we took almost 2 hours of breaks. I burned about 1,271 calories according to my all trails.
What my husband and I wore to hike so we didn’t get sweaty or stinky: Merino Wool Clothing
You’ll want to stay in Antigua, Guatemala before and after your hike, here is an amazing Airbnb (affiliate link) Beautiful Apartment in Antigua .
Hiking/Backpacking Acatenango
This trek must be done through a guide service. We chose to hike with Wicho and Charlie (not sponsored or partnered.) There are a few options, but this one was about $140 a person, and we were really excited about the A-Frame cabins available, and the really nice lounge area to watch the volcano from basecamp.
The two day adventure begins around 6:30 AM. We met the Wicho and Charlie group in Antigua at a little coffee shop. They fed us breakfast and went over the gear we would need as well as the game plan. This specific guide agency required us to carry an overnight bag with extra clothing, water, etc, but drove the bags 80% of the way to basecamp. We then just had to carry those big bags (plus our small day bags) up the last 20% which was probably the least steep part of the hike.
After we checked out some warm gear, backpacks, trekking poles, waterbottles etc, we all loaded into a bus to drive to the trailhead around 8:30AM. The bus ride took about 45 minutes. We began the hike around 10:15 AM.
The hike starts out really steep. It is a slick trail, but not technical. Just expect to be walking at a 45 degree angle on loose gravel the entire way up. Be aware that if you’re in the back of the pack you may be eating dirt. We stayed in the front to avoid this, and because we are avid hikers who were ready to take on the steep elevation. I wore my Solomon trail runners and was happy to have that grip. People with regular tennis shoes struggled. There is a sign that welcomes you to Basecamp “Bienvenido” and then you just have a bit left to walk!
*If you are not an avid hiker I recommend doing the stair stepper for 45 minutes at level 8, 3 times a week for 5-6 weeks leading to this. If you don’t have access to a stair stepper, I recommend running 3-5 miles 3 times a week for 5-6 weeks leading up. Additionally to prep for the elevation do walking lunges, jump squats, & split squats.
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Being at Acatenango Basecamp & sleeping conditions
We arrived around 2PM and enjoyed the warm sun on us! It wasn’t as cold as we expected and hung out in t-shirts for while. The clouds were taking over Fuego Volcano on and off, but we saw it erupt so much!
Volcan de Fuego Hike Optional
We were given the option to hike to Fuego Volcano, but declined. The price is Q200, and takes another 3 hours to do. You also do not get back until dark. If I went back and did this again, I would do it! In the moment though, our friends and I just wanted to watch the volcano and hang out. We did a short hike with our tour group to a sunset lookout that was really pretty. Our friends actually got engaged here, it was magical! The sunset was spectacular. Inversion and all!
SLEEPING CONDITIONS: We stayed in a 6 person A-Frame (pictured above.) There are 4 bunks in the middle, the top side by side, bottom separated by wood panels, and another bed on either side of the bunks. The mattress was thin but comfortable. There was a sleeping bag and 2 wool blankets provided. We all got hot with all of the blankets on! It was great.
TOILET: Its a pit toilet. Pretty gross, but better than digging a hole! You just deal with the smell haha. It is a 20 foot walk away from the cabins.
Will you see lava?!
YES! Stay up until the sun goes down and you WILL see the lava! We saw it at least 10 times, and probably only stayed up until 10PM. Then again the next morning! I was so tired in the moment, but I wish I would have stayed up all night watching. It is truly a phenomena!
Food Provided
They fed us every meal, and to my delight, all of the meals were vegan. It didn’t matter who you were – everyone was fed the exact same meal and all of them were vegan. I’m a vegetarian and truly couldn’t have been happier not to have to worry about skipping meat meals.
The meals they fed us were: breakfast day 1 – banana pancakes, lunch day 1 (eat while hiking) pasta salad, dinner day 1 – soya, bean & corn rice bowls, breakfast day 2 – sweet potato, potato, bean burritos, and we hiked back down before lunch. Water was not provided except hot chocolate the first night, and then tea or coffee the second morning. You are expected to carry up 3 liters a person to give 1.5 liters to the chefs. You can read everything they provide here!
Wicho and Charlies Hike Info, Gear Info & Food Menu
Is hiking Acatenango Worth it?
Yes. Hiking Acatenango is so worth the effort. If you are visiting Antigua I highly recommend making time to do this 2 day adventure. When we hiked back down on the last day we caught an uber and headed to Lake Atitlan to relax and recharge from such an incredible adventure. Full Guatemala itinerary coming soon!
Rooftop View Airbnb in Antigua (affiliate link)
Thank you so much for reading! If you’re in the market for some art for your wall, I sell my photography prints! It would mean the entire world if you considered supporting my small art business for the upcoming holidays! One of these photos could hang in your living room! https://earthtosarah.darkroom.com
Let me know if you have any questions, and find this little recap reel of hiking Acatenango Volcano on my Instagram!
Earth to Sarah 