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The Acatenango volcano hike is a bucket listing trek in Antigua, Guatemala the place you’ll be able to camp on high of a mountain and see frequent reside eruptions from a close-by volcano known as the ‘Volcan De Fuego’ (which suggests Volcano of Hearth)!

You are able to do the Acatenango hike with a guided group in 1, 2, or 3 days, though the commonest option to do it’s a 2 day 1 night time trek, which often provides you sufficient time to see eruptions from Volcán De Fuego through the daytime and in addition the glowing pink fireworks at night time.

Is it price it? Completely! The place else on the planet are you able to camp this near an actively erupting volcano and take footage at a secure distance? Not many locations. The Volcan De Fuego places on a spectacular present, with small eruptions each 15-Half-hour!

Guided tour costs are very cheap, and one of many nice issues about trekking Acatenango is that it’s very secure. Nevertheless, that is nonetheless a excessive elevation hike with a number of problem, distance, and elevation achieve, plus you’ll have to deal with a little bit of chilly climate and presumably a point of altitude illness.

This journey weblog will clarify tips on how to do the Acatenango volcano hike, what to carry, greatest time to hike, which trekking guides and tour firms to make use of, and all the pieces else it’s worthwhile to know earlier than you go!

The place To Keep In Antigua

 

Fast Stats*

• Distance: 14 kilometers (8.5 miles) return
• Elevation Achieve: 1,615 meters (5,300 ft)
• High Elevation: 3,976 meters (13,045 ft)
• Period: 7 – 10 hours return
• Issue: Laborious

*These stats are for mountaineering to Acatenango summit and don’t embody the additional/elective hike to Volcan De Fuego
 

 

Finest Acatenango Volcano Excursions

GetYourGuide has Acatenango trekking excursions for 1, 2, or 3 days, the place you’ll be able to camp close to the Guatemala volcano and watch the eruptions, plus a few of them embody the elective hike to Volcan De Fuego to see the eruptions even nearer.

These excursions are run by Previous City Outfitters in Antigua, Guatemala, and so they have a whole bunch of optimistic Google opinions from completely satisfied clients of all nationalities. Different excessive rated tour firms for this hike embody Wicho & Charlie’s, Soy Excursions, Tropicana, OX Expeditions, and Excursions & Actions SA.

We’ve used GetYourGuide for many excursions and actions around the globe, and so they’re nice. Extremely beneficial!

Ebook Now: Acatenango Volcano Tour 1 / 2 / 3 days

 

The place Is Acatenango & Volcan De Fuego?

The Acatenango volcano is positioned west of Guatemala Metropolis, overlooking the city of Antigua.

Most individuals base themselves in Antigua for this hike, because it has loads of accommodations and eating places, and it’s solely about 30 kilometers from the volcano (a 1.5 hour drive).
 

About Volcan De Fuego

The Volcanes De Fuego is the star of this hike. Whereas Acatenango is an inactive volcano, Fuego is extremely lively and it sits proper throughout from Acatenango, far sufficient to be secure for tenting, however shut sufficient to provide you superb views of the eruptions.

The Fuego volcano often erupts as soon as each 15 to Half-hour, though it could possibly typically do shorter or longer intervals. Throughout my 3 day hike, it was erupting each 10 minutes on the primary day. By the second day it had slowed down to each Half-hour, and on the third day it was solely erupting each hour, however every eruption was monumental.

The intervals should not fully predictable, however if you happen to spend a pair days on the mountain summit then you’ll be able to nearly make certain that you just’ll get to witness a number of eruptions.

 

Acatenango Pattern Itinerary

Right here’s a pattern itinerary for a 2 day, 1 night time Acatenango volcano hike:

• 07:00 – Meet up for briefing, making ready gear, and so on
• 08:00 – Transport by bus from Antigua to the trailhead
• 09:15 – Begin mountaineering
• 14:00 – Attain Acatenango base camp
• 15:00 – Begin the additional hike to Volcán De Fuego (elective) if climate is favorable
• 19:30 – Dinner at base camp
• 04:30 – Summit hike for dawn (elective)
• 07:00 – Breakfast at base camp
• 08:00 – Begin descending
• 10:00 – Attain the trailhead and begin driving to Antigua
• 11:15 – Arrival in Antigua

After all, that is only a pattern itinerary and your trek might not go precisely like this, however the 2 day treks usually are likely to comply with this basic sample.
 
 

Acatenango Trekking: What To Count on

 

• Beginning The Acatenango Volcano Hike

The Acatenango trek begins with a steep uphill stroll on a mud path that takes you thru Guatemalan farmlands and jungle. The grade is hard and unrelenting from the start. In actual fact, this primary part is definitely one of many hardest components of the hike!

The principle path is rarely harmful when it comes to cliffs or drop-offs, it’s only a grueling exercise. For a lot of the hike, you’ll even be scorching and sweaty, and attempting to shed each layer attainable.

When you attain the jungle, the grade is a little more manageable and you’ve got some nicer views, plus extra shade from the solar. You’ll move a few makeshift drink stands alongside the way in which, the place you should buy snacks and drinks if you happen to assume you may want extra.

 

• Acatenango Base Camp

After awhile, you’ll attain Acatenango base camp and witness your first eruptions from Volcan De Fuego within the distance! You’ll more than likely hear it earlier than you see it.

The dimensions and facilities of your camp will depend upon which trekking firm you ebook with, and a few are increased high quality than others. A heat campfire is a given. Some firms even have little cabins, whereas others have tents.

This doesn’t make an enormous distinction since most individuals will solely be staying one night time anyway, and if we’re being trustworthy you in all probability gained’t get an incredible sleep no matter how good your camp is.

The vital factor about base camp is that it has a direct view of the eruptions at Fuego — you are feeling like you’ll be able to attain out and contact it!

 

• Volcan De Fuego Saddle Hike

After you attain Acatenango base camp, your trekking firm will often provide you with an choice to hike over to Volcan De Fuego and see the eruptions up shut! This was the spotlight of the entire journey for me. Roughly half of the trekkers in our group went on this expedition, and we had been all so glad we did.

For this journey, you’ll quickly go away the consolation of your camp and hike down the steep and sandy slopes of Acatenango, cross the saddle between these two Guatemala volcanoes, after which climb up the aspect of the Fuego volcano till you’re standing on a flat ridge lower than 1 kilometer from the eruptions.

At this distance, the eruptions sound like bombs going off, and you’ll really feel the Earth rumbling below your ft. In case you go within the night, you may as well see the pink lava rocks exploding on the aspect of the mountain.

It’s unattainable to explain how superb that is, however it requires good health. You don’t want any technical expertise for this a part of the hike, however it’s nonetheless going to be very onerous for anybody since you’re already exhausted from mountaineering to Acatenango base camp earlier within the day.

In case you nonetheless have loads of vitality left over whenever you attain base camp, I’d HIGHLY suggest doing the additional hike to Fuego. It’s top-of-the-line issues I’ve ever seen in my travels around the globe.

That is one a part of the hike the place you’ll need to carry layers of clothes. It might get very chilly on the Fuego saddle, particularly within the night if there’s a robust wind and the solar goes down. Come ready!

 

• Acatenango Summit Dawn

Final, however not least, there’s the additional hike to the summit of Acatenango, which most trekking firms do at dawn. Which means a wakeup name at round 4:30 AM. This hike shouldn’t be close to as onerous because the Fuego hike, however it’s nonetheless a superb exercise with loads of slippery sand.

The dawn on high of Acatenango is extremely stunning, with a sea of puffy clouds and nice views of Volcan De Fuego erupting, plus you’ll be able to often spot Volcan De Agua within the distance.

If you’d like an image of your self (or your group) with the eruption behind you, the summit is likely one of the greatest locations to do it! It’s very busy within the morning, however there’s greater than sufficient room for everybody to face and take their footage.

The Acatenango summit can also be one of many coldest components of the hike. We even noticed some icicles up there in December. There’s a variety of wind on the summit, however you’ll be able to duck into the crater for shelter when you await dawn, so it’s manageable.

 

• Acatenango Hike Issue: How Laborious Is It?

The Acatenango hike is tough. Very onerous. The general mixture of excessive altitude, a really steep grade, unfastened rocks that sink below your ft like sand, and chilly climate all come collectively to make this a very powerful one.

Nevertheless, even if you happen to solely make it to base camp, the hike continues to be price it. You may see superb views of the eruptions from the camp web site, so it’s not likely essential to do the additional hike to Fuego or to the Acatenango summit until you continue to have vitality and need to see the motion even higher.

You don’t should be tremendous match to make it to Acatenango base camp. The guides provide you with loads of breaks alongside the way in which, so you’ll be able to go at your individual tempo. We had a number of folks in our group who had been undoubtedly out of form, and so they nonetheless made it to base camp simply advantageous.

One other manner you may make the hike simpler is to rent a neighborhood porter to assist carry your stuff. The worth for that is round 150 Quetzales ($20 USD) relying on the burden of your bag, and they’re going to carry as much as 13 kilos (30 kilos) for you up the mountain.

 

• Acatenango Distance & Time

The a technique mountaineering distance from the trailhead to Acatenango base camp is about 4 miles, and it usually takes 4 or 5 hours relying in your tempo.

In case you determine to go from base camp to the summit for dawn, that takes one other 1 to 1.5 hours. Going again down from base camp to the car parking zone is rather a lot faster and simpler, and solely takes 2 or 3 hours.

In case you determine to do the additional hike from Acatenango base camp to the Volcan De Fuego saddle to see the eruptions up shut, that provides one other 3 miles (roundtrip), which takes about 4 hours complete. It’s powerful. All of us struggled with it.

All in all, if you happen to do your entire hike to the Acatenango base camp, summit, and Volcan De Fuego saddle, you’re taking a look at 10 to 13 hours of complete mountaineering. That’s no joke. Nevertheless, if you happen to solely go to Acatenango base camp and skip the opposite sections, it’s fairly a bit simpler.

The excellent news is that you just don’t should make any form of reserving for the additional hikes. You may wait and determine if you wish to do them after you attain base camp. In case you’re not feeling it, you’ll be able to relaxation on the camp as an alternative and benefit from the Guatemala volcano views.

 

• Acatenango Elevation/Peak

The Acatenango summit has an elevation of three,976 meters (13,045 ft) above sea degree, and the Volcan De Fuego has a barely decrease elevation of three,768 meters (12,362 ft). Base camp is round 3,500 meters (11,000 ft).

Which means there’s much less oxygen, and whenever you’re mountaineering, you’ll be huffing and puffing to catch your breath with every step. It undoubtedly provides an additional layer of problem to the hike.

The elevation at Acatenango is excessive sufficient to trigger altitude illness (AMS) for some folks, so that you may run into at the very least a point of complications, crappy sleep, and so on. In case your signs get too extreme, you could have to descend and return to a decrease altitude.

I haven’t heard of individuals getting dangerously sick with AMS on the Acatenango volcano hike, though I wouldn’t fully rule it out. We had one younger man in our trekking group who was throwing up rather a lot, however he improved immediately after we descended the subsequent day. Have in mind, your chance of getting AMS shouldn’t be affected by age or bodily health. You may be younger and completely match, and nonetheless get altitude illness.

In case you’re coming from sea degree, it’s beneficial that you just spend at the very least 48 hours in Antigua earlier than the hike that can assist you acclimatize to altitude. The city of Antigua is 1,545 meters (5,069 ft) above sea degree, and Guatemala Metropolis is about the identical, so being in a type of locations provides your physique an opportunity to regulate somewhat bit.

With that mentioned, I’ve heard of many individuals doing the Acatenango hike with out a lot acclimatizing in any respect, and so they had been nonetheless advantageous. I did the hike with two totally different teams of 20 folks, and most of us had solely minor AMS signs. Plus, if you happen to do a day hike at Acatenango as an alternative of in a single day tenting, then it’s not likely a priority anyway. You’ll be on the way in which again down earlier than you even begin to really feel the results.

Staying hydrated is meant to assist with altitude illness. You’ll need to drink a number of water earlier than and through the hike. You’ll additionally need to keep away from alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, and sleeping drugs as a result of they will make the signs worse.

When you have spare time earlier than the Acatenango hike, an ideal warmup hike to do for acclimatizing is the Pacaya volcano trek, which is one other one close to Antigua. It’s not as spectacular as Fuego and you’ll’t often see lively eruptions, however it’s nonetheless a enjoyable option to prepare.

The Pacaya hike is less complicated, shorter, and cheaper than the Acatenango volcano hike, however it nonetheless has a excessive sufficient elevation to assist alter your physique to altitude. Pacaya’s summit is 2,552 meters (8,373 ft), though most excursions don’t go all the way in which to the summit. You may ebook the Pacaya trek on-line right here.

 

• Acatenango Elevation Achieve

The vertical elevation achieve on the hike to Acatenango base camp is about 1,110 meters (3,650 ft). In case you embody the summit push, it’s a whopping complete of 1,615 meters (5,300 ft). Greater than a mile straight up!

In case you do the additional hike to the Volcán De Fuego saddle, that provides one other 480 meters (1,600 ft) roundtrip, since you’re going downhill and uphill each methods whenever you stroll between the 2 volcanoes.

In complete, if you happen to do your entire hike to Acatenango summit plus the Fuego saddle detour, you’re taking a look at a grueling elevation achieve of virtually 2,100 meters (7,000 ft)! Insane!
 

• Acatenango Climate

The daytime temperatures at Acatenango base camp are nice and even heat if the solar is shining. Nevertheless, the temperatures in a single day can get fairly a bit colder than in Antigua or the remainder of Guatemala.

Within the day time whenever you first begin the hike from Antigua, it might be a pleasant heat 21 °C (70 °F), however by night time time at base camp it could possibly drop beneath 0 °C (32 °F), and in some instances may even get as little as -5 °C (23 °F). It may also be very windy, particularly on the summit for dawn.

On January 8, 2017, six Guatemalan vacationers died of hypothermia on the Acatenango volcano hike after they got here unprepared and bought caught in a extreme chilly snap. I don’t need to scare you by mentioning that, and the trek is lots secure so long as you’re ready, however don’t underestimate the chilly!

Most tour firms will give you loads of heat climate gear to borrow, hire, or purchase for the Acatenango hike, so that you’ll undoubtedly need to benefit from that. You may additionally need to keep watch over any uncommon climate warnings for the day you hike, though it’s uncommon and your guides will in all probability keep on high of that for you.

You may test a climate forecast for the Acatenango mountain summit right here, together with elements like wind, rain, clouds, and temperatures. This ought to be a bit extra correct than the common climate report, though it’s nonetheless not excellent, so hold that in thoughts.

       
 
 

What To Carry

• Layers: Carry a superb jacket and further layers for the Acatenango hike. I had a t-shirt, two sweatshirts, and a light-weight down jacket. Nevertheless, you’ll need to begin the hike in a t-shirt and put on the layers later.
• Headwear: You’ll need a heat beanie hat that covers your ears.
• Gloves: I wore fingerless gloves so I might work my digicam whereas nonetheless staying fairly heat. My fingers had been the coldest a part of my physique on this hike.
• Footwear: Mountain climbing footwear with good grip are perfect for the Acatenango volcano hike. You’ll be strolling on slippery gravel and steep inclines or declines at occasions.
• Poncho: In case you climb Acatenango or the Fuego volcano through the wet season (particularly June by means of September), you’ll undoubtedly need to carry a rain jacket simply in case.
• Water: There’s no potable water supply on the mountain. Carry extra water than you assume you’ll want. Guides will advise you to carry at the very least 4 liters of water for the Acatenango hike, and one other 500 mL if you happen to plan to do the additional Volcan De Fuego hike to the saddle.
• Snacks: Once more, regardless that most excursions embody free meals, the standard varies and you should still be hungry after such a whopper hike. I introduced snack bars and beef jerky from the U.S. so I’d have one thing additional. I ate all of it and wished for extra. YMMV.
• Headlight: Tour firms will present cheapo lights, however it’s higher to carry your individual. A headlight is completely required for the Fuego saddle hike and in addition the Acatenango summit, since you might get harm if you happen to’re strolling at the hours of darkness. I like this headlight from Bushnell or this one from Streamlight.
• Powerbank: In case you plan to make use of your cellphone for taking footage or as a flashlight, then you definitely may need to carry a small energy financial institution. I like Anker, they’re powerful and top quality.
• Digital camera: Any digicam with a little bit of zoom is good, so you’ll be able to take nice footage of the Volcan De Fuego eruptions from Acatenango base camp. Most of my pics on this web page had been taken with a equipment lens. In case you do the additional hike over to the Fuego saddle to see the eruptions up shut, then you definitely’ll in all probability need to change to a large angle lens for that.

 

Finest Time To Hike Acatenango

The very best time to hike Acatenango is through the dry season in Guatemala, which runs from November to April. It’s clearer and fewer more likely to rain throughout these months, so total it’s a good time for mountain trekking.

The wet season in Guatemala runs from Could to October, and there may be fairly a bit extra rainfall, however it tends to return within the afternoon. Mornings and evenings are often clear, even within the wet months. This season is probably not preferrred for trekking Acatenango, however you’ll be able to undoubtedly do it. You’re simply extra more likely to get moist.

As all the time, because you’re coping with a mountain, the climate isn’t fully predictable at any time of 12 months, and you may have dangerous climate within the dry season or good climate within the wet season.

In case you’re frightened about clouds blocking your view of the Fuego eruptions, I’d ebook an extended Acatenango journey so you’ve got extra time on the summit and extra probabilities to see the fireworks.

In conclusion, dry season is greatest for trekking Acatenango in case you have a alternative, however it may be hiked at any time of 12 months, and the small eruptions are taking place at Volcan De Fuego all 12 months spherical besides for infrequent temporary pauses.

 

Acatenango Deaths & Security

The security document on the Acatenango volcano hike is fairly spotless to date. I don’t know of any deaths or accidents from the volcano within the a few years it’s been open for trekking.

After all, there may be all the time going to be some threat concerned in mountaineering close to an lively volcano, however the camp is positioned nicely away from the eruptions, so that you’re not likely within the line of fireside even when there was some form of main eruption.

If you wish to be tremendous cautious, you may skip the additional hike to Fuego and simply watch the eruptions from base camp as an alternative. I’ve by no means heard of anybody getting harm on the Fuego hike, however that might in all probability be the more than likely place for one thing to occur.

The opposite query is theft. As you may know, Guatemala shouldn’t be the most secure nation on the planet, and there was a rash of armed robberies on the Acatenango hike again in 2007-2009. Nevertheless, it looks as if security has improved on the hike ever since they began charging an entrance charge, and I haven’t heard of any crimes like that occuring right here in at the very least a decade.

This mountain is offering a variety of earnings for the native communities in Guatemala these days (simply thousands and thousands of US {dollars} whenever you add up all of the trekking firms and entrance charges), so it’s in everybody’s greatest curiosity for them to let vacationers hike in peace and never do something to disturb the money cow.

If you’d like some additional peace of thoughts, you may additionally carry a hidden journey belt (like this one on Amazon) and put a few of your valuables in it. That’s what I did. In the course of the first a part of the hike, the views are fairly boring so I stowed my cellphone, money, and bank card in a hidden belt to be additional secure.

With that mentioned, it was an ideal hike and we didn’t have any crime points in any respect. Regardless that Guatemala doesn’t have an excellent repute on security, I believe it’s improved rather a lot within the final 20 years, and nonetheless appears to be getting higher.

 

Different Suggestions For The Acatenango Hike

• Bugs: We didn’t have any issues with mosquitoes or different bugs on the Acatenango hike. The elevation is just too excessive for mosquitoes so it’s not one thing to fret about. I didn’t even carry spray.
• Cell Service: I had somewhat little bit of cell service/cellphone reception at Acatenango base camp with Claro and Tigo through my T-Cellular roaming package deal, and occasional spotty reception on the mountaineering path itself. It was ok to ship occasional texts to my household and allow them to know I used to be okay, however it wasn’t something very dependable. I’m certain this additionally will depend on the place your base camp is positioned on the mountain, so some treks might not have any reception on the camp.
• Drones: You may fly drones at Acatenango, and there aren’t any restrictions that I do know of. I noticed a number of vacationers doing it. Nevertheless, it may be a bit tough with the wind, so that you’ll need to hold that in thoughts. Plus there are many different folks tenting on the mountain, so that you’ll need to be thoughtful and hold a long way.
• Entrance Payment: The present entrance charge for trekking Acatenango is 110 Quetzales ($14 USD) per particular person. You pay this at a Guatemalan authorities sales space partway by means of the hike. Nevertheless, your trekking firm might already embody this charge within the complete worth of the hike, in order that’s one thing you’ll be able to test.

 

Mountain climbing Acatenango With out A Information

For the common hiker, there are numerous causes I wouldn’t suggest mountaineering Acatenango with no information: navigation, logistics, comfort, security, and so on. You’ll have a significantly better and extra pleasurable expertise if you happen to ebook a guided tour and go along with a bunch of enjoyable likeminded folks.

With that mentioned, it’s definitely attainable to hike Acatenango with no information if you happen to’re decided and have prior expertise with the route. One of many challenges might be discovering a great place to camp, since I’ve heard the trekking firms are fairly territorial about area on the mountainside.
 

Is The Acatenango Hike Value It?

Sure, the Acatenango volcano hike is completely price it! It’s bucket listing materials. Really a as soon as in a lifetime expertise.

Regardless that the hike to Acatenango and Fuego is likely one of the hardest hikes I’ve finished, the payoffs match the problem. For my part, there isn’t any query that this is likely one of the high 10 greatest hikes on the planet. It would even be within the high 5 for me.

To face subsequent to an erupting volcano, really feel the rumbling within the floor, and watch the exploding lava rocks is simply priceless. Exterior of Guatemala and Indonesia, I’m undecided if I do know of any locations on the planet the place you are able to do that.
 

Is Acatenango Open / Closed?

Sure, Acatenango is at the moment open to vacationers! I’ll replace this journey information if something adjustments.

The mountain isn’t closed to the general public, and that might usually solely occur quickly if there’s some form of extraordinarily uncommon volcanic exercise or different security considerations.

Pleased travels!
 

Antigua Accommodations

 

Extra Guatemala Journey Suggestions

Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this volcano trekking information for the Acatenango hike and Volcan De Fuego in Guatemala.

Don’t neglect to take a look at my information for Tikal Nationwide Park in Guatemala earlier than you go!

Pleased travels!