Hiking Acatenango and Fuego: A Guide to Your Adventure in Guatemala
Updated: Aug 16
If you're seeking adventure, look no further! Hiking Acatenango and Fuego in the beautiful country of Guatemala offers an unforgettable experience. This trek can be quite strenuous, so I wanted to share my insights on hiking these volcanoes. There’s so much to consider before you embark on this journey! Here are my tips on what I wish I knew before hitting the trails.
Picking a Tour Company
Choosing the right tour company is crucial. We wanted a company with great reviews, tasty food options, comfortable accommodations, and the chance to hike Fuego. After some research, we found GT Experience. I would absolutely choose them again if I had to do it all over!
What to Expect
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect on your hike:
A 5-mile hike to the Base Camp (13,045 feet (3,976 meters) above sea level)
A 5-mile hike to Fuego from the Base Camp
A 4-mile hike to the top of Acatenango for sunrise
A 5-mile hike back from Base Camp to the bus drop-off
That’s a total of 20 miles of hiking in just a day and a half! Should you train for this? While it’s doable without training, I recommend being active for at least 30 minutes a day leading up to the hike. It’ll help you feel less stiff and give you the stamina you need!
What to Bring
Here’s a packing list to get you started:
Thermal Clothes: Nights at camp can be extremely cold, and the sleeping bags are thin. If you choose GT Experience, you can rent warm clothes like gloves and jackets, but I suggest bringing your own for extra warmth. If you can try to find warm but thin clothes that will be easy to pack in your bags.
Hiking Sticks: If you have your own, bring them! You can rent a stick, but many trails are not well-maintained, making them tricky to navigate. For safety, I recommend using your own.
Water: You’ll need to carry 4 liters of water—two for drinking and two for the guides. They need at least 2 liters to prepare your food and hot chocolate. If you think you’ll need more, feel free to bring extra. Four liters worked perfectly for us!
Extras: Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, bug spray, earplugs (if you’re a light sleeper), wireless chargers, and sunblock.
Snacks: GT Experience provides plenty of food, but if you’re a snacker like me, pack some extra treats!
Motion Sickness Pills: These aren’t available over the counter, so check with your doctor beforehand. Luckily, I did not have any issues with the elevation, but everyone's body works differently.
My Experience on the Hike
On our first day, we arrived at GT Experience. This is where we met our guides, who went over the plan. They mentioned that the bus would save us an hour off the original hike. We were expected to carry our water, any rented items (thermal clothes, headlamps, sticks), and our lunch boxes. Make sure to test your headlamp beforehand to avoid dim light issues!
If you want to hire a porter, it costs about 250 Quetzals (around 32 US dollars), depending on your bag's weight. Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay for the porter even if you decide not to use them, and payment is in cash.
Once we gathered our gear, we loaded up in the van. The vans are quite interesting, with seats that might not seem legal! Most have Korean names, as many vehicles in Guatemala were donated by Korea.
After arriving at the meeting point, we met more guides and had the chance to pay for restroom use and rent actual hiking sticks. Once everyone had a chance to prepare, we began our journey.
The ascent to the campsite is 5 miles and takes about 5 hours, depending on your group size and pace. The first couple of hours can be tough. Initially, there are bamboo railings to help you up. It’s steep at first, but you’ll get the hang of it! The guides stop every 40 minutes or so, providing a great opportunity to apply sunblock or sip some water. You’ll also have a chance to eat lunch about an hour before reaching camp.
Once you arrive at camp, you’ll split into groups of 5-6. You’ll have about an hour to rest and choose your bunks before heading out to hike Fuego. Remember to only eat the snacks in your lunchbox, as they’ll call out food items at specific times!
The hike to Fuego is about 4-5 hours round trip, covering an additional 4 miles. You’ll start as the sun begins to set, meaning you’ll hike down Fuego and up Acatenango in the dark. This is why it takes longer, even for a shorter distance.
When you reach Fuego, you’ll witness the volcano erupting and have time to take pictures. It can get crowded, but trust me, it’s worth it! Fuego erupts every 20 minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the view and capture the sunset. This was definitely the highlight of my trip!
After leaving Fuego, you’ll hike back in the dark. Use your headlamps and take your time to see as much as you can. It took us about 2 hours to return to camp. Once back, we enjoyed dinner and had the option to do the sunrise hike to Acatenango at 3 or 4 AM. My group wasn’t in great shape, so we opted out and watched the sunrise from camp instead, which was still amazing!
The group typically returns around 7 AM. After breakfast, you’ll head out shortly after. If you do the sunrise hike, you’ll have less than an hour to rest before hiking down for another 4 hours. On the way down, you should arrive back in Antigua around 1 PM.
Conclusion
Hiking Acatenango and Fuego is an adventure of a lifetime! With the right preparation and mindset, you can create unforgettable memories. Whether you’re watching Fuego erupt or soaking in the sunrise from camp, this journey is sure to inspire you. So, lace up those hiking boots and get ready for an adventure you won’t forget!
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