Camp & Hike Volcan Acatenango & Fuego
There’s a spot in Guatemala where it is possible to hike two volcanoes in one day and then camp on the third tallest volcano (Acatenango) in Central America. All you need to do is travel the city of Antigua. Found in the highlands of Guatemala, the city is surrounded by three volcanoes, Acatenango, Agua, and Fuego. Each one of these immense peaks can be summited.
It’s possible to combine Acatenango and Fuego for a single day adventure, a feat that is incredibly gratifying. Acatenango has 1,601 meters (5,253 feet) of elevation gain, making for one arduous 13.8 kilometer (8.57 mile) out and back trail. A trail that is incredibly difficult and is rated as such on All Trails. Acatenango stands at an impressive 3,976 meters (13,045 feet).
There are several tour companies throughout Antigua that are happy to sign anyone up for the trip. However, I’d highly recommend the company I went with, Soy Tours. Soy Tours charges a competitive price with other companies. I looked around for the best tour prices and found a range between $55 to $85. Soy Tours lands directly in the lower bracket, charging 450 Quetzals ($60 USD) with an additional 200 Quetzals ($26 USD) to add Fuego.
The company is locally owned, and the money helps support conservation of the area. Soy tours even provides everything a person needs for the experience. The only things they do not provide are water, a backpack, any extra clothes deemed necessary, plus a side of stamina and courage to make the trip.
Hiking Acatenango, and Fuego, are not for the faint of heart. This is a hike that is incredibly strenuous and will challenge just about any hiker. However, it’s also one of the most rewarding adventures in Central America. Every person I met enroute to Antigua continuously asked, “Are you going to hike Acatenango?” After the third time of being energetically told about how challenging the rewarding experience was, I knew I had to do it. This is one of those once in a lifetime experience’s that did not disappoint.
Soy Tours Provides Everything
Soy Tours did an incredible job organizing the trip. We had around 30 people in our group. They provided the majority of what we needed upon arrival, lunch, snacks, warm clothes (i.e. jackets, hats, and gloves), along with help tying things to our backpacks that couldn’t fit inside. We had to provide our own water, and I’d recommend taking five liters. Bring one gallon for the extra four liters to refill a smaller bottle along the way.
Every hiker and tourist should be fully aware that they could get hurt at any time. If an injury occurs, you will be on the side of a mountain quite far away from immediate medical treatment. This is important to note because there were several people in my group that had never experienced high elevation. This left them with no idea about the signs or symptoms of elevation sickness and how to treat it.
This is an incredibly dangerous practice for inexperienced hikers. There were several people in our group that struggled the entire way to the summit. Luckily nothing bad happened. At any point, a wrong step can be incredibly dangerous especially with the effects of elevation sickness. A twisted ankle could have to be walked on for several kilometers/miles before getting any transportation or treatment.
The first several hours are incredibly difficult. The trail is nothing but loose gravel and sand. After about an hour it feels very similar to taking one step forward with three steps back. The trail winds in and out of three different types of ecosystems, Oak Forest, Cloud Forest, and the Pine and Subalpine Forest. Each of these ecosystems offer a different experience and separate levels of moisture. Each time the ecosystem changed, so did the views, and elevation along with it.
We stopped for lunch after about 3 hours of hiking. Soy Tours provided both meat and vegetarian options. The meal for meat eaters was chicken, rice, a couple veggies, an apple, a banana, and a chocolate granola bar. The difference between the meat and vegetarian option was the chicken and the portion size of steamed veggies. Both came in a plastic Tupperware that was tied to our belongings for transportation up the mountain.
It took another two hours to climb to base camp and most of the climb was relentlessly uphill. We were extremely exhausted, but the views made everything worth it. Fuego loomed over Antigua in a clouded veil, creating the perfect picture. The sense of accomplishment was second to none.
We were quickly assigned tent buddies, with each sleeping space consisting of 6-inch memory foam pad and sleeping bag. We were packed in 3 to 4 people per tent. However, couples were given their own smaller 2-person tents. This made for a tight squeeze, but everyone was so tired that it didn’t make a difference.
After getting settled into our camp we got an extra 20 mins rest with the opportunity to use the camp bathroom. Anyone that wanted to join, could hike Fuego during the evening or hang out at camp and soak up the unimpeded views. We arrived at camp around 430 pm and didn’t get back until nearly 830 pm. The only complaint I had was that we should have eaten something before departure.
Our climb back to camp was one of the hardest and hungriest hikes I’ve had on a mountain. Most of the hike would have been in the dark had we eaten first, either way it was a difficult decision for the company. I just wish the guides would have stressed the need to bring snacks, not person in our group brought more than a handful of seeds or nuts.
Dinner couldn’t have been any more gratifying. They cooked the group a delicious meal of beans with mashed potatoes that included a vegetable lo mein. Everything was fantastic. There was enough food for seconds, and even thirds for those that could stomach it. The food couldn’t have been any more rewarding after the intense day of climbing and hiking.
The next morning, we summited Acatenango with another 1 hour climb to the top. Once again, the summit was enveloped in clouds, obstructing the view. However, our sense of accomplishment was incredible. There wasn’t a single unhappy person around. As the sun broke the horizon the cloud cover began to lift to offer a lovely view of part of the valley. Unfortunately, we still couldn’t see the neighboring Fuego and its magical eruptions.
Is Climbing the 2nd Volcano Worth the Money?
It’s difficult to say whether adding Fuego was worth it or not. The camp views are unimpeded and offer the perfect perspective of Fuego’s eruptions. We could even see the lava from our campsite. Only an hour after climbing Fuego, we witnessed a larger eruption that caused lava to rain directly where we had been standing.In retrospect, I’m not sure I would have wanted to run from that. I must admit I’m quite happy it didn’t erupt while we were up there. We were all cheering and waiting in anticipation, but it’s probably for the best that it never happened.
Expectations of summit views need to be limited. The views really depend on mother nature and the weather she provides. Unfortunately for our group, we saw nothing but clouds at either summit. Both Fuego and Acatenango were completely shrouded.
Both times we got below the summits of Fuego and Acatenango, the view cleared up for unimpeded panoramic scenes that left us speechless. Even though we weren’t on the top, the views were incredibly worth every moment of the grueling hike. Every bit of stress from the climb melted away as the scene stretched out for miles. Lake Atitlan and its three volcanoes was the cherry on top.
It is highly recommended to do this hike without a hungover. Especially if you’re not used to high elevation. Elevation sickness centers around dehydration along with a lack of proteins in the body. Both affect the ability for a brain to properly function in high altitude. It’s possible to experience a brain fog that is incredibly dangerous on the side of a mountain. Without the proper nutrients a hiker can experience blurred vision and slowed thinking which can be detrimental in high elevations.
I was incredibly lucky to be gifted a ticket that allowed me to hike Fuego by someone that arrived unprepared and hungover. My friends were staying for their last couple of nights in Guatemala and decided to celebrate the night before hiking Acatenango. He looked like hell the entire way up the mountain. He even mentioned that it took every piece will power to get to camp.
My friend had prepaid for Fuego, but by the time we needed to depart from camp, he had decided it was in his best interest to cancel. This was by far the best choice for safety and the rest of the group’s ascent. By the time we got back, a nap and some food had him feeling normal once again. Although unfortunately, he had to miss out on his prepaid experience.
This is one of the best hikes, and adventures, I’ve had in Central America. It is without a doubt the best one experiences in Guatemala. It’s one that I will remember for the rest of my life. The thrill of finally seeing lava blast out of the top of a volcano made me feel like a 12-year-old in science class.
With this kind of a shining review, I’m sure it is no surprise that I highly recommend that anyone who wants to hike a volcano, and see another erupt, needs to make the trip to out to Antigua. It is worth every penny, especially when remembering to keep safety and hydration in mind.
Quick Notes:
- Recommended tour group: Soy Tours
- Price to camp/hike Acatenango: 450 Q ($60 USD)
- Price to add Fuego: 200 Q ($26 USD)
- Total distance for Acatenango: 13.8 km (8.57 mile) out and back trail
- Total distance with Fuego: 17.46 km (10.84 miles)
