One of the most challenging treks in Guatemala is the Acatenago volcano 2 day trek. Acatenango is the third highest volcano summit in Guatemala at an elevation of 13,000ft, and it sits directly adjacent to Volcan Fuego, which is one of the world mosts consistently erupting volcanos.

Picking A Tour Company

Going on a trek on your backpacking trip has two major benefits. The first is an experience of a lifetime, and the second is an opportunity to make some really great friendships with other backpackers from all over the world.

I try to do my treks at the beginning of my trips so that if I do make some great friends, we can spend time together after in town, or if it works out even travel to some other places together. In Antigua you can find multiple tour companies that arrange guided treks to the top, and hostels also can arrange this for you.

I prefer to find a local company on my own. This can sometimes save you money, but also the experience can be a tad more unique and or intimate to what everyone else from the hostels are doing in large groups. I did research on tour companies before leaving the US. After emails to a few companies with questions regarding rain, gear, and storage I went with OX Expeditions.

I signed up for the two day tour, that provides you with a guide for the trek up to the campsite that sits just below the summit. Once at the campsite you will set up camp, enjoy some traditional Guatemalan food and wine, and with some luck a firework show from Volcan Fuego.

OX Expeditions provided lockers at basecamp in Antigua, where you can store items you did not want to carry in your pack. Most people used the same backpack they are traveling with, but left behind a lot of items in the locker to make rooms for warm clothes, water, and food.

Globetrot Serot Travel Blog: Best Multi Day Hikes In Central America- 2 Day Trek of Volcan Acatenango In Guatemala.jpg

The Trek

As the sun rises you meet with your group and pile into vans that will be taking you to the start of the trek. The night before you can go to the local grocery store to get supplied with water (you need a lot) snacks, and if you are good at planning grab your breakfast for the next morning.

When you arrive at the trail head you can get some last minute water, snacks, hats, and walking sticks from a very cute shack ran by a local family and their dogs. Here you can also arrange for a porter to help carry your gear.

It was time to begin our five to six hour trek to the campsite. The trail winds its way through four distinct ecosystems, starting with a lush and fertile agriculture fields where farmers are harvesting corn flowers, and peas.

As you climb the trail ascends into a tropical cloud forest that is home to many diverse flora and fauna, and is a key location for shade and comfort before the steep slope push to the top.

Along the way there is many places to rest and purchase drinks and snacks from vendors who setup along the trail. After some rest and a small lunch you make the final push into the volcanic terrain.

Overall the trek itself is very challenging. Almost the entire time you are gaining elevation and going up hill. You should have some experience hiking and or trekking before trying this trek. Walking sticks are a very good idea as well as hiking boots.

Camping

The view from the campsite is mind bending and breath taking. You have sweeping views of the Antigua Valley, and truly are living above the clouds. If that was not enough, Volcan Fuego sits just a few kilometers away, and every few minutes erupts in a crashing cloud of dust, smoke and fury. From the safe distance of your campsite, its one of the most incredible sites I have ever seen.

At night we sat by the fire and enjoyed a fresh cooked meal by our guide and a glass of wine as the stars shined bright overhead and Fuego erupted now in red and yellow sparks into the air.

One word of advice, don’t drink more than a beer or one glass of wine. The elevation and a hangover is something you don’t want to experience. Trust me!

The Summit

Summiting Acatengao is a major feeling of accomplishment, happiness, and freedom, and will be a memory you will cherish forever.

Just off the edge of the volcano you will take in views of clouds, colored white, yellow, and red. Fuego stuck out in the distance and began to again erupt on command. Everyone would stop and watch as the eruption again blasted a huge cloud of dust into the air, and made a thunderous crack across the Volcano crater valley.