Acatenango Volcano 2-Day Hike from Antigua

Antigua Guatemala, base for the volcano hikes

Antigua Guatemala is the former colonial capital of Central America, a city of cobbled streets, pastel facades and ruined baroque churches in a green valley ringed by three volcanoes: Agua to the south, and Acatenango and Fuego side by side to the west. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, it was abandoned as a capital after the earthquakes of 1773, which is why so many of its convents still stand as romantic ruins.

The city is the starting point for every Acatenango volcano tour. Our driver collects you from your hotel area at 08:00 for the drive of about an hour to the trailhead, and you can leave your large luggage in storage while you hike. Spend at least a night in Antigua before the climb: at 1,500 metres, it helps your body adjust to the altitude before you go much higher.

From La Soledad through farmland and cloud forest

The hike usually starts near the village of La Soledad, at about 2,400 metres on the lower slopes of the volcano, where you pay the entrance fee on site and meet the group. The first section is the steepest: a trail of loose volcanic soil climbing between small fields of maize, beans and potatoes, with Antigua and the Panchoy valley opening up behind you.

Higher up, the path enters a cloud forest of oaks hung with moss, bromeliads and orchids, often wrapped in mist, before giving way to high pine forest. Your Spanish-speaking guide sets a steady pace with regular breaks, and lunch is served on the way. Expect five to six hours of walking with about 1,200 metres of climbing on day 1. Walking poles and good boots make a real difference on the loose ash.

The dome camp facing Fuego Volcano

The camp sits at about 3,600 metres on the flank of Acatenango, directly facing the cone of Volcán de Fuego, which means 'volcano of fire'. Fuego is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and on most days it erupts every few minutes, throwing ash into the sky and, after dark, glowing red fountains of lava down its slopes. Watching it from the camp is the heart of this two-day volcano trek in Guatemala.

You sleep in a dome tent with a sleeping bag and mat, and dinner and hot chocolate are served at camp. Nights are cold, often close to freezing, so the gloves, hat and jacket loaned by the team are welcome, but bring your own warm layers too. The extra hike towards Fuego offered at camp is optional and not included.

Sunrise on the summit of Acatenango

At around 04:00 on day 2, those who wish set off by headlamp for the final climb to the summit, about an hour and a half up a steep slope of loose cinder. The top of Acatenango, at 3,976 metres, is the third-highest point in Guatemala, and from the crater rim you watch the sky turn orange behind the line of volcanoes stretching east and west.

On a clear morning you can see Fuego steaming just below you, Agua towering over Antigua, Pacaya smoking in the distance and the volcanoes around Lake Atitlan on the horizon. The best time to visit Acatenango is the dry season from November to April, when the views are most often clear. After sunrise you return to camp for breakfast before the descent.

The descent and return to Antigua

After breakfast the group packs up and walks back down the same trail through the pine and cloud forest. The descent takes about two to three hours and is hard on the knees on the loose volcanic soil, so take your time and use poles if you have them. On the way down, the guide points out the plants and birds of the forest, and Antigua slowly reappears below.

Back at the trailhead, our vehicle drives you to your hotel area in Antigua Guatemala, usually in the early afternoon of day 2. Many travellers combine the Acatenango overnight hike from Antigua with a slower day in the city afterwards. Plan a rest day before any long bus journey, and remember to collect any luggage you left in storage.