How to hike the Acatenango volcano
21.07.2023 - 07:31
/ roughguides.com
Located in the Antigua region of Guatemala, awe-inspiring Acatenango volcano offers one of the best hikes in Central America. So, if you’re looking for an adventure that takes your breath away, climbing Acatenango is a must. Though the hike to the summit is no walk in the park, it’ll leave you with memories that'll last a lifetime — we're talking breath-taking views of lava flows and explosive eruptions. To help you make the most of this exceptional hike, read on for my first-hand account of this unforgettable experience.
In short, we’re confident you won’t regret climbing Acatenango volcano. The ascent to the 3975 metre-summit was a highlight of my Guatemalan trip.
One of the highest volcanoes in the country, the view from the top is something you'll never forget.
From start to finish, the route through thick forest along a trail of volcanic ash is, quite simply, extraordinary.
While you might initially wonder, «what have I let myself in for?», hold that thought — after seeing the stunning view over the valley from the summit, all your aches, pains and sweat will become a distant memory.
From the slope of the Volcán Acatenango you can see the active Volcán de Fuego.
Visiting Acatenango and Tikal were the only things on my absolute must-do list for Guatemala. And, despite having heard horror stories about altitude sickness, bad weather conditions, and the sheer physical challenge of hiking Acatenango, I went ahead and I'm glad I did it — no regrets!
The vistas throughout the climb are utterly enchanting, and that’s no exaggeration. On the left, you’re served epic views of Agua volcano. On the right, you’ll be greeted by a vision of a lava-covered Fuego volcano.
If that wasn’t enough, the three volcanic peaks around Lake Atitlán jut up from the west, with Santa María volcano veering behind them.
If you don't climb Acatenango volcano during a trip to Guatemala, you're missing out bigtime.
Full disclosure — in all honesty, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect before tackling Acatenango’s summit. We’d heard different accounts from other travellers, but didn’t really know what awaited us.
With that in mind, here’s my overview of what to expect, and how to make the most of your own experience of hiking Acatenango, with a day-by-day overview of my own itinerary.
We’ll begin with a word of warning — day one will see you walk the greatest distance, so pace yourself and be prepared!
Tours start out from Antigua, where you’ll be picked up from your accommodation. From here, you’ll be taken to the town of La Soledad, either to the office of your tour operator, or to the home of your local guide.
In my case, the tour I opted for was with an operator that supports the local community.
After enjoying breakfast, you’ll be