Destinations

Acatenango Volcano Tours: Experience Guatemala’s Premier Volcano Hiking Experience

The Acatenango Volcano hike is the top hiking experience for outdoor adventure seekers in Guatemala, and we’re proud to have been offering guided Acatenango tours for international visitors and locals for over 20 years - longer than any other tour operator in the country.

At the summit of Acatenango, experience unparalleled 360-degree views of the entirety of the Guatemalan highlands – all the way to the border of Mexico. Plus, experience the Fuego Volcano, the world’s most consistently erupting volcano. With a little luck, you’ll witness a high-altitude firework show!

Available Tours

About Volcan de Acatenango

Acatenango Volcano, known locally as Volan de Acatenango, is a stratovolcano, which means it was formed by layers of ash and hardened lava and has the classic conical profile. The Acatenango summit measures in at a whopping 3,976 m (13,041 ft) making it the third highest volcano in Guatemala and all of Central America.

Acatenango is joined with the Fuego Volcano, Volcán de Fuego in Spanish, and collectively the volcano complex is known as La Horqueta. The popularity of Acatenango as a hiking destination is directly related to its proximity to the Fuego Volcano, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Additionally, Acatenango is known for its climate ecological diversity. Hikers will experience four distinct microclimates ranging from a high-alpine cloud forest to a tropical dry forest.

Acatenango Hiking Tours and Adventure Packages

We offer six unique Acatenango Volcano experiences. We have tours for all skill levels from beginners to the most avid adventurers looking for the ultimate Acatenango Volcano experience.

The overnight Acatenango hike is our most popular tour and is highly recommended! We also offer a single-day hiking tour as well as a single-day or overnight 4x4 and hiking combos. For the most adventurous, consider the multi-day epic tours and summit Acatenango plus several additional volcanos. Ask about our add-on trip extension to the beach for surfing.

Acatenango Volcano Hikes Highlights:

  • Summit Guatemala’s 3rd highest Volcano
  • Enjoy breathtaking 360° views of all that Guatemala has to offer
  • Spend time watching nearby Volcan Fuego erupt (4km away)
  • Spend a night under the stars in a beautiful, private campsite overlooking the active Volcan Fuego
  • You’ll walk through a maze of corn, old-growth forests, and a barren summit of scree as you experience four distinct microclimates: Farmland, Temperate coniferous forest, high-alpine forest, and tropical dry forest.
  • An incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna
  • Wildlife including the Quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird known for its vibrant iridescent green colors.
  • The views! Including other highland volcanoes: Atitlan, Toliman, San Pedro, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, and Tajamulco, along with glimpses of the Cuchumatanes mountain chain.
  • Incredible sunrise over Guatemala

We had the most incredible time with Mario and Juan Pablo with Old Town Outfitters! The hike was crazy hard, but the views were so worth it! Watching Fuego erupt all night - FANTASTIC! And these guys, they took such good care of us. Great personalities, very professional, and so encouraging. Loved every part of our experience!

– Kristi C. Tripadvisor

FAQs

While Acatenango is active, the last time Acatenango erupted was back in 1972.

Acatenango can be hiked all year round. The dry season is from November to April and can lead to colder nights, which means temperatures overnight on the summit can hover around freezing. The wet season is from May to October.

Acatenango is a challenging hike, but well worth it. If you are in reasonably good shape, the hike will be worth the effort! We promise. Expect to hike up hill for several hours.