Volcanoes in Guatemala & the Acatenango Hike

Volcanoes in Guatemala & the Acatenango Hike

                Where can I climb a volcano? What is it like to climb a volcano? Why would I want to climb a volcano? Should I climb a volcano? These are all questions the filled my mind when I first heard the idea of hiking a volcano. Camping and hiking have always been a passion of mine. I love the outdoors but hiking a volcano was on another level. I know that many people reading this article might not be as excited to wake up at 8 am on a Saturday morning to start a 10-kilometer hike but I was ECSTATIC. to say the least. 😀 

                The initial hike will be up the side of Acatenango. Acatenango is a 100% active volcano but hasn’t erupted in a few decades. However, directly next to Acantenango was Volcán de Fuego. Volcán de Fuego erupts daily spewing out lava and I planned to hike both on the same day. When I was offered this chance, I was hesitant at first because it sounded a bit farfetched. Climbing an active volcano, isn’t that a bit dangerous? Sure, it is defiantly dangerous but let us be honest with each other, is not everything dangerous these days. Seeing lava spew out of a volcano while eating a s’more and drinking wine sounds like a darn good reason to flirt with danger on a Tuesday evening. 😆 Alright, let us get started answering some questions.

Where can I climb a volcano & how do I book?

                Guatemala, Guatemala, and more Guatemala. I was very surprised when learning that volcanos cover Central America. I feel like these volcanos are not talked about enough in school. The only volcanoes I remember learning about were over in Hawaii and Japan. Guatemala has 37 volcanoes according to a 2018 report done by worldvision.org. That is an awesome trivia fact to know. This article is going to mention 3 volcanos: Acatenango, Pacaya, & Volcan de Fuego. However, we are going to focus on my 2-day 19-kilometers hike up Acatenango & Volcan de Fuego in particular.  

                There are multiple places you can book your volcano trip through. Trip Advisor is always a great option, BUT… my personal recommendation is Tropicana hostel. Tropicana hostel will take care of everything including helping you gather all the right equipment and making sure that you understand exactly what you are about to do. You will be picked up in the early am hours in front of the Tropicana hostel. The hour-long van ride to the base of Acatenango is beautiful and scenic. As you get closer to base camp you begin to feel your nerves tighten and the butterflies begin fluttering in your stomach. You are about to climb a volcano! 🌋

What is it like to climb a volcano?

                You start at a basecamp area where you make sure that you have all the necessary supplies. There is a tiny shed with less minute prep stuff in case you forgot something. I bought a snickers bar and a Monster energy drink to start the hike, don’t judge.🤣 I will now admit that the energy drink choice was not the best and I should have bought a banana and more water but what is done is done ha-ha.🤣

                The beginning of the hike is not that steep so in your mind you think, I got this.  As you continue to hike and cross 2-3 kilometers of the beautiful green countryside I began to think, this is easy. However, all of that is about to change. The next 4-5 kilometers were absolutely grueling. Uneven ground with a 40-50-degree incline was thoroughly exhausting. Your feet were continuously on an incline. There are breaks as you can see in the pictures but they came and went faster than commercials during the Super Bowl.  

            This hike was very different than previous hikes because it did not get easier as I went, it only got harder and steeper. As we continued to get closer to the night camp the hike went from 40% to 60-70% incline in some parts. I’m going to be 100% honest with you, the hike only gets harder the higher you get until you reach the Acatenango campsite. This isn’t meant to detour anyone from attempting because people of all shapes and sizes complete this hike all the time.

Don’t Fall Behind or You Will Be Left Behind

            Totally Kidding! 😆 The tour guides are very good at maintaining an adequate pace. However, they do not leave anyone behind. There are numerous groups hiking the trail in hourly allotments during the early morning. All of the tour guides know each other so, if you get really tired and are holding the group back, do not worry. The guides will radio to each other, and a guide will come and hike the trail with you until you can catch up to your group. They are extremely helpful and understand that everyone is at a different physical and endurance levels. The guides do not speak a lot of English, but they understand body language and will understand what you are trying to say. Some of them do the hike multiple times in a day. They are superhuman when it comes to hiking these volcanos. 

An Interesting Decision Nearly Ruins My Experience

            The Acatenango evening base camp is a kilometer or so shy of the mountain top and has a beautiful view of Volcan de Fuego. Acatenango’s last eruption was recorded in 1972 but, who knows when it will again. Volcan de Fuego is in constant eruption and you will see lava spewing throughout the day and night. Once we reached our evening campsite the guides then ask who would like to go to the top of Volcan de Fuego to get a closer look.

            I was the only one scheduled to do this which adds another 6-8 kilometers back down the backside of Acatenango then up Volcan de Fuego then back down Volcan de Fuego then back up to Acatenango campsite. So, just to clarify, that is “Up then Down then Up then Down then back Up to the Acatenango campsite where this second hike would start.” What the heck was I thinking? It was 5 pm when we started down the backside of Acantenango and sunset was at 7:55 pm. My guide gave me 15 minutes to rest and motioned for me to drink a Powerade before we started the second hike.

                I can’t explain what I was thinking at that moment deciding to hike even more. I would encourage anyone doing the Acantenango hike to just get to the campsite and relax, eat smores, enjoy the evening lava eruptions and get ready for your early morning 1-2 kilometer hike to the top of Acatenango. The reason I suggest this is because the next 5-6 hours were horrid, exhausting, and it was 100% my fault. 😆 

               My guide was great and tried to inspire me the whole time. However, as the sun began to fall and the temperature began to drop so did my excitement. The hike down the backside of Acantenango was rather easy because I just let gravity do most of the work ha-ha. We reached the bottom of Volcan de Fuego at around 6:40 pm and I began feeling the pressure to make it up to the top of Volcan de Fuego before sunset.

              We rushed to the top of Volcan de Fuego and we reached the top at around 7:50 pm right before sunset. I could barely stand but was surprisingly happy for about 59 seconds and then the fog came in. We could NOT see anything! I can’t explain the amount of disappointment I felt. This was a real heartbreaking moment after hiking for 3 additional hours to only reach the top and not be able to see anything. My guide found a rock for us to lay under and try to wait out the fog, but the temperature started falling rapidly. After an hour of waiting, we decided to head back down Volcan de Fuego and back up Acatenango. I’m sure you could imagine the amount of excitement I was feeling at this moment.

This is Where it Gets Truly Difficult

                As we headed back down Volcan de Fuego the night had fallen upon us and it was pitch black. There were no lights or markers or signs anywhere to be seen. All we had was our flashlights and the guide’s knowledge of the mountains. As we reached the bottom of Volcan de Fuego I really just wanted to collapse and just fall asleep next to a tree. The darkness was not only a bit scary but the intimidation factor was incredible. You could hear animal noises all around you and you couldn’t see 10 feet in front of you.

               The only thing I had was my guide. As we were trekking up the side of Acantenango in the dark for the second time today, the guide kept running back and forth from tree to tree. I was a bit confused about what he was doing but way too tired to ask any questions. It turns out that he had made markings on the tree and tied small ribbons while we were going down the mountain a few hours before. “He was marking our path back knowing it would be pitch black, this was some real-life ultimate survival/MaGyver stuff, ha-ha.” 😆 

I Can See the Acatenango Hike Camp Lights in the Distance

                The final kilometer was the toughest for sure. It was not hiking anymore but an actual climb up the side of a mountain. The embankment was roughly 50-60 degrees most of the time and a full 90 degrees at the end. My guide would climb a tree to get to the top of the next rock and then put his hand down to pull me up. I can visually recall this hike like it was yesterday. When an experience pushes you to this level your brain does a good jump not letting you forget it ha-ha.

                 Finally, around 11:55 pm we arrived back at Acatenango campsite. I was basically crawling to the campsite at this point with an arm around my guide and the other on a walking stick we made halfway through the 2nd hike. My guide was incredible and was basically caring me up the final kilometer and I still have no idea how he was able to do it so effortlessly. 

                After catching my breath, the other guides brought me some soup they had saved for me and a cup of hot chocolate. I can still taste how delicious the hot chocolate was and happy I was to be done with this hike for the day. I have done hikes all over the world and have done many military competition hikes and still, this was among the top 3 hardest hikes for myself. Some of my hikes have been further and steeper but the fact you go up to go down to go back up (see nothing due to fog) to go back down to finally go back up was not only physically demanding but emotionally and mentally demanding.

Rise & Shine its Morning Time

                The following day the body was in pain but surprisingly still able to move and I had no problems with the hike down. It is sometimes a surprise what our bodies can truly do when pushed to the limit. The hike down is easier for some and harder for others. Some people’s knees work better going up rather than going down. Going down was much easier for me and we actually ran most of it and arrived at the bottom in under two hours. There was even a stop on the way down where a local native had a little stand with some beers. As you reach the bottom a sense of joy begins to arise and a huge smile on your face can be seen for miles.

Why would I want to climb a volcano 

                A person should only climb a volcano if it is what they want to do. Do not allow people to talk you into it. This is not like jumping off the diving board at the local pool. This hike is tiring and may push you to your physical limit. However, the hike is worth every minute and every penny in my opinion. On the other hand, do not allow anyone to talk you out of it because they think you cannot complete it either. That is not an excuse that should be used for not attempting the hike. If you want to make it then you will. The guides will stay along your side the whole way if needed. An individual’s desire and determination can carry anyone through the Acatenango hike. The decision is now in your hands.

Should I climb a volcano?

                Yes, yes, and some more yes. This is only my opinion and you will have to make your decision once you have arrived in Antigua Guatemala. Even though my hike had my emotions all over the place and my body was physically exhausted, the hike was an amazing experience. It is not every day you get to hike a volcano and watch it erupt over and over again. All while eating a s’more and drinking wine out of a canteen. This hike may push you to your limit but when you reach the top of Acatenango and see the view I’m 99.9% positive that you will not have a single regret in your mind. I have to say 99.9% because there’s always one rotten egg ha-ha.

Wrapping Up Volcano Life & Acatenango Hike

                When I first started this journey up Acatenango I did not anticipate all of the events that would occur along the way. I thought it would be a normal tough hike that would allow for some great pictures. I got all of that and more and it gave me a newfound love of hiking and true respect for all avid hikers. Hiking is like any other skill set and you will get better with practice. Hiking a volcano was a true Central American adventure and should be on every traveler’s adventure bucket list.

                 Also, a huge shoutout to every single guide that takes tours up Acantenango! We appreciate your time and effort to fulfill our volcano hiking desires. Remember to check out Tropicana Hostel to organize EVERYTHING for your next Volcano adventure.

😊 BTW – 0.62 miles = 1 kilometer (Just to clarify – Americans/Rest of the World) 😊 😊

Next Up…🌋Volcano Boarding!!!! Yes, imagine snowboarding down a VOLCANO🌋

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