Must-do activity in Guatemala; Hiking Volcan Acatenango

Hiking one of the highest volcanoes of Guatemala to have a spectacular view of highly active volcano Fuego is a once in a lifetime experience. This two-day hike is considered one of the most beautiful hikes of Central-America. Besides the lava, ash and stone that Fuego erupts every few minutes, it is also possible to see volcanoes Agua and Pacaya from a different perspective. This hike is definitely a must-do activity when visiting Guatemala.

​There are many tour agencies that offer the Acatenango two-day hike. However, they all charge very different prices. This is due to the amount of people you are going to hike with, the quality of the tents and the inclusion of food. The less expensive hikes are around 60 dollars and include meals, a tent, sleeping bag and warm clothes. It takes around 5 hours to get to the base camp and 3 hours to get back down the next day. The weather at the top is usually cold and breezy, hence why it is important to bring warm clothes. Keep in mind that you will be at almost 4000 meters height!

​Day 1
The first day you will start around 9 AM. The tour agency will pick you up with a shuttle and drive to their location where they will give you the meals and warm clothes, which you will have to carry yourself. It is also possible to rent a backpack or other facilities that you didn't bring. The temperature at the top decreases significantly and you will definitely need these clothes to keep you warm. It is also recommended to take at least 4 litres of water, but I only took two because I never drink that much of water and for me that was enough. After getting everything you need, the shuttle will take you to the base of Acatenango where the hike will start. The first part of the hike requires you to walk through gravel and is also considered the most difficult part. After about an hour the landscape changes and the hike will continue through the forest. The higher you go, the flatter the path will get until you reach the base camp after about five hours of hiking. Here, you will stay overnight and have an amazing view on the Fuego volcano.

​Arriving at the base camp there will be an option to hike another one to two hours to get closer to the top of the Fuego volcano for a small extra fee. Even though this seemed like a valuable experience, I was too exhausted and wanted to rest. Every base camp is different due to the choice of tour companies, but our base camp already had the tents and sleeping bags set up. The tour guide started making a fire while everyone was taking in the breath-taking views. As the night fell, the eruptions of lava became more visible and louder. The night was cold and every few minutes you could hear rumbling from the volcano, which made sleeping difficult and also not really desired. At 4 am the next morning we got up and continued the hike to the top of the Acatenango.

​Day 2
The hike to the top of the Acatenango takes around 1 to 2 hours and is difficult because of the darkness and the loose sand you have to walk through. It is therefore important that you bring a light. I used the flashlight on my phone which worked well for me, but many others were struggling. One benefit is that you don’t have to bring a heavy backpack because you will return to basecamp after hiking to the top. It is important for the group to stay together because getting lost is easy. At every turn we had to wait for the people that were struggling, which made us miss the sunrise at the top. Even though the sun was already rising when we were still hiking, it turned out to be for the better as the top was completely covered in clouds. Once you reach the top, you will get some time to celebrate your victory in freezing temperatures and with lots of wind.

​The descent from the top to the base camp is easy and you have the possibility to enjoy more of the amazing eruptions of Fuego. The loose sand allows you to let yourself slide down of the hill, which makes descending a lot quicker. When you reach base camp, you will get to enjoy breakfast and after that, the three-hour descent will start. Even though it seems like the descent is the easy part, don’t underestimate the effect that it has on your knees. Once you get all the way down, the shuttle will take you to the hotel that you're staying in.

Some additional tips for hiking Acatenango:

• The hike takes you about 1500 meters up in a couple of hours. If you are susceptible for elevation changes, make sure to spend a couple of days in Antigua prior to the hike to get acclimatized. If necessary, take medicine to avoid getting sick.
• Acatenango can only be hiked when the weather allows it. The best times of the year to hike Acatenango are from November to April, when it's dry-season. And even during these months the weather can cause bad views. Also take into consideration that it can be rainy so make sure to bring dry clothes and an extra pair of shoes if rain is predicted.
• It is possible to buy water and snacks before you begin the hike. Four litres of water is recommended but if you feel like you need more, take more with you. Also, buy some snacks with lots of sugar in it or take bananas with you in case you start feeling ill. It is also possible to rent a wooden stick, which can be very helpful when doing steep parts of the hike.