#Best Time Of Year To Hike Acatenango

Hiking Volcan Acatenango in Guatemala is easily and undoubtedly the CRAZIEST thing I’ve EVER done

Standing 200 meters from an erupting volcano is exactly as insane as it sounds 🌋 The Acatenango overnight hike in Guatemala is one of those experiences that you MUST experience for yourself! Videos and pictures will never do it justice Sunrises, sunsets, lava, eruptions, volcanoes (both active and dormant), and the constant booms followed by the ground literally shaking under me. INSANE! 🙌🏼 Just published my complete guide to the hike with my recap and all the important details if you’re looking to do this too! Link is on my profile 🇬🇹 #acatenango #guatemala #volcanohike #adventuretravel #teamnosleep

Some hikes test your legs. This one tests your mind. Hiking Acatenango in Guatemala isn’t a casual “let’s go for a walk” type of adventure. You’re climbing to about 13,045 feet above sea level. The air gets thin. Every step feels heavier. And the incline? Relentless. Long, steep stretches that don’t really care how strong you think you are. It starts warm and humid down low. Sweat dripping. Heart pounding. Then as you climb, the temperature drops fast. By the time you’re near base camp, you’re in cold mountain air, layered up, watching your breath in the wind. And then… Fuego. Across the saddle sits Volcán de Fuego, one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. Every 15–30 minutes, it reminds you who’s in charge. A deep rumble. Then lava exploding into the night sky. No filter. No edit. Just raw power. The climb was hard. Steep switchbacks. Loose volcanic gravel that makes you question every step. Your calves burn. Your lungs work overtime. There were moments I thought, “Why am I doing this?” You’re standing above the world. Feeling small in the best way possible. It was one of the hardest hikes I’ve done — physically and mentally. But 100% worth it. Guatemala, you’re built different. #hiking #guatemala #Acatenango #nature

Let’s hike Volcano Fuego and Acatenango with Wicho and Charlies 🌋 #Guatemala #Fuego #acatenango #hiking #Travel

GUATEMALA’S FAMOUS VOLCANO HIKE🇬🇹🌋 Volcan Acatenango is a dormant volcano located about 50 minutes outside of Antigua, Guatemala. It overlooks Volcan Fuego, one of the most active volcanos in Central America... it erupts every 10 minutes! We did a 24 hour overnight hike up to the summit of Acatenango with @wichoandcharlies and LOVED IT. Here’s your packing list to prep: 🧥layers, layers, layers! 🥾 hiking poles + boots 🧦 good socks 🎧 headphones (the music will keep you going) 💦 tons of water 🎒hiking bag (you can rent with @wichoandcharlies and also hire a porter through them!) 💊 altitude medication 🍌 snacks (the company will provide your meals) 🚿 any toiletries you’ll need to feel “clean” — there’s no running water at base camp This hike was the most challenging but also the most rewarding experience of my life. Add it to your bucket list! 📌 SAVE this post for travel inspo & 💻 READ the full blog post (linked in bio!) #guatemalatravel #volcanacatenango #antiguaguatemala Hiking Volcan Acatenango | Guatemala travel | Antigua, Guatemala itinerary | Bucketlist hikes | volcano hike Guatemala

Volcán de Acatenango hike 🌋 The hike took us 5 ish hours. The ascent is extremely difficult and straight up a lot of the way. Hiking boots and trekking poles are an absolute must. I brought these myself but I rented a headlamp, coat, pants, gloves, and scarf from the Soy Tours hiking agency office at the beginning. 3L of water just for the way up is necessary and lots of snacks along with the lunch that the company provides you. We went with Soy tours and they provided either chicken rice and veggies or vegetarian substitute beans. I hired a porter to carry my backpack up and I am SO THANKFUL I did. They stay with you the whole hike so they’re accessible for water and snack breaks as needed. The hike is quite the challenge and not for inactive people but if you take it slow and steady you can do it! I came across multiple people really suffering from altitude sickness. Theres also an optional extra hike towards Volcan de Fuego that’s around 4 hours more and an extra fee but I def opted out of this as I was exhausted!!

Still thinking about this incredible hike 🌋 #travelreel #guatemala #acatenango #hike #adventure

Avoid these common mistakes when hiking the Acatenango Volcano in Guatemala 🌋 🇬🇹 👇 1. Adjust to the altitude. You need to give your body time to acclimate to the higher altitude. If you don’t, you may be more likely to get altitude sickness 2. Bring snacks and eat a big healthy meal the night before. Your body needs the fuel and the supplemental snack on the hike will act as a power up. You will be given food with your tour, but for me it wasn’t enough on its own. 3. Take your time. People of varying skill levels climb this volcano. Worst comes to worst, a horse can bring you up and down 4. Pack ibuprofen. This will help with any headaches or body sorness 5. Rent the poles. They reduce the stress on your legs by up to 40%. It’s well worth the price and especially help going down. Everyone who didn’t have them wanted them. 6. Bring your own headlamp. Some people’s didn’t last the whole night and depended on others light. I brought my own and the quality was much better and was much brighter. 7. Wear all your layers to bed. It may be Guatemala, but your on a mountain and it gets cold at night. 8. Bring toilet paper. Did I miss anything else? #Hiking #volcano #guatemala #acatenango #travel

2 days, 13,000ft, and a night watching Fuego erupt 🌋 Acatenango was physically demanding, but standing above the clouds while the earth literally shakes beneath you is an experience I can't put into words. Guatemala, you were incredible 🇬🇹😍 Would you add a volcano hike to your bucket list? #acatenango #volcandefuego #hiking #guatemala #travel

Alright I can offfically report that hiking Acatenango in Guatemala is absolutely worth it 🌋🥾✨ THE STATS: • 3,976 m / 13,044 ft at the summit • ~8–12 miles round trip (with the additional Fuego hike) • 5,000+ ft elevation gain • 2 days, 1 night (for most tours) • 6–8 hrs up, 2.5-3 hours down unless you run down the whole way like we did and made it in 2:03 lol • Shared cabins are common and you typically get a sleeping bag and pillow • Lunch, Dinner, and a Breakfast are included PACKING LIST: • Hiking boots/trail runners (traction will be your friend it’s slippery) • 2-3 layers, I recommend three for top and 2 for bottom • Beanie + gloves (you can rent gloves like I did) • Hand warmers • Buff (for ash and dirt, you will get COVERED) • 3-5L water • Snacks/electrolytes (but there are stands on the way up you can buy from) • Sunscreen + SPF lip balm • Power bank / cameras • Ibuprofen / medicine for altitude sickness (can pick up in Antigua) WHAT TO EXPECT: • DUST. No one talks about this??? But you get covered in dust and ash and it’s just a part of it Immediate incline. No warm up. • Lots of forest switchbacks • Thin air above 10,000 ft, my ears popped about halfway up • 20-30 degree Fahrenheit nights at basecamp • 7-8 hours of hiking if you do Fuego hike and then a 4:30 AM wake up if you want to do the sunrise summit to Acatenango • Windy cold temps on the ridge of Fuego • The best view of your life watching the volcano erupt almost every ten minutes TOP TOUR COMPANIES: ***truly I don’t think you can go wrong, all of the basecamps are near each other and they all offer relatively the same thing. So if your first choice books up, don’t worry like I did lol • Wicho & Charlie’s • OX Expeditions • Pachamama Tours • V-Hiking Tours • Soy Tours Antigua • Old Town Outfitters • Mine: T&ASA If Acatenango isn’t on your bucket list yet, seriously add it now. And if you’re a last minute planner like me, book your tour through @getyourguide! You can get 5% off your booking with code LIVOUTTHERE5 :) Save this for your Guatemala trip!!! #travelguatemala #guatemala #acatenango #solotravel #solotrip

First of all, I was able to do this hike again on my second trip to Guatemala 🇬🇹 and I got clear skies and a front-row seat to Volcán Fuego doing its thing, so don’t feel too sorry for me 😂 👉🏼 if Acatenango is on your Guatemala bucket list, here are a few things to know before you go: 🌋 The best months to visit tend to be during the dry season, ideally between December and March, when your chances of good visibility are much higher. ⛺️ always book with a locally owned, responsibly run company (i went with @catravelers both times and loved the experience) 🥑 Don’t forget to request your vegan meals in advance! most local operators are happy to accommodate if they know ahead of time. 📆 the tour takes two days so make sure to double check with your hostel/hotel in Antigua if they can safely store your belongings. 🥶 don’t let the heat in town fool you, it gets cold up there. Pack extra layers, and choose a company like the one I mentioned that lends you a winter jacket for the trip Is Guatemala on your bucket list? Have you ever heard of this volcano hike before?

🌋This is the Acatenango hike in Guatemala 👉🏽 Here’s the truth and our tips: Follow @travelloef for travel inspiration and tips 🌎 👉🏽It’s really hard & challenging 👉🏽The way to the top is steep, No flat parts 👉🏽Very very cold at the top and at night BUT, it’s totally WORTH doing the Acatenango Hike in Guatemala 🇬🇹 😍 We loved every part of it! It was a real challenge, but with the right mindset: you accept it & face it! 🥾Some more info about the hike: You’ll hike for about 5-6 hours the first day, camp overnight near the summit in a cabin (with insane views of the Fuego Volcano), and wake up early around 4:00 to hike the summit before sunrise above the clouds. ⛅️ 📌Save these tips for the hike: 🧤Pack warm layers, an hat, gloves, thermo and warm socks. 🏕️Go with a good tour company. We preferred small groups with @akt.tours.guate ✨ They provide food and their campsite in on the West side (good for sunset). They also take a private road, so the first part is quiet. 🥾Take at least one trekking pole! The way down is very slippery and you’ll need it! 💧Be ready for altitude, take it very slow and drink a lot. (3,976 m / 13,045 ft). 🍪Bring snacks, water and wet wipes. You can buy drinks along the way such as Electrolit. So for us 2 liters of water was enough. 📷 Bring your gear! The views are so worth it! 🥰 Don’t forget to stop and enjoy the journey up! Are you ready to do this hike? With the right mindset and an average level of fitness, you can do it 🤙🏽 Follow @travelloef for more travel inspiration and tips 🌎 #Acatenango #Guatemala #VolcanoHike #AdventureTravel #FuegoVolcano