Acatenango Volcano Overnight Tour (2 Days / 1 Night)
Antigua, Guatemala
Acatenango Volcano Overnight Tour (2 Days / 1 Night)
Antigua, Guatemala
- 2 days (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Though challenging, summiting Acatenango Volcano is a must while in Antigua, Guatemala. Going as part of this guided tour not only ensures your safety during the hike, but also removes the hassle of worrying about meals and equipment for the trek. Just bring personal essentials, your sense of adventure, and a camera to capture the amazing sunrise.
- Hike to the summit of Acatenango Volcano safely, with a guide to lead the way
- Small group sizes ensure a personal experience
- All equipment for an overnight included, plus meals
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Antigua adds convenience
What's Included
Meeting and Pickup
Itinerary
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 378 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Austin_C, Jul 2026
Be prepared for a tough hike, get the hiking sticks, and make sure to take altitude sickness meds...
Aastha_S, Jul 2026
Despite getting a guide and renting out necessary equipment— I was abandoned out on the mountain to die.
I began to experience severe symptoms of altitude sickness early on the mountain, including difficulty breathing and confusion, but I hadn’t realized what is happening to me. I communicated the symptoms to Miguel, my guide, and I was met with disregard when I shared my concerns with chest pain. He offered no information or guidance letting me know what I was experiencing was consistent with HAPE, which could have killed me. This is not a condition you can train for and is not an indicator of physical fitness.
It was Miguel’s job to inform me. In a state of confusion, which is one of the symptoms, I was forced to continue or be stranded.
For background, I am a physically fit woman who also took medications to help prevent altitude sickness.
At the midway point ascending, he ordered a horse to come up at my request and after a $150USD charge. Then, he completely abandoned me. I waited 3.5 hours on my own with nobody to monitor me until the horse arrived.
At that point, I had no choice but to go up because as Miguel was well aware, going back down would have left me stranded with no options in a small town I was not familiar with. Again he failed to inform me of the seriousness of my condition or offer any real empathy or options like postponing the hike.
At the camp, he threatened again to leave me stranded after descent if I did not keep up with the rest of the group, made of 18 year olds. Those boys were moving so much faster than normal that they burnt out the second guide, Jose. This was also the first time Miguel diagnosed me with altitude sickness, confirming he knew and saw the symptoms all along.
After I begged him not to abandon me after descent in an unfamiliar town, Miguel finally offered to help me descend 30 mins before everyone else, I eagerly accepted. But he did not keep the promise the next morning.
By now, I had thrown up multiple times through the night and was experiencing extreme disorientation. My fingers were starting to go cold. I could no longer contain bodily functions.
Me and my husband, who would not leave my side because of how clearly sick I was, were abandoned by Miguel on the top of Acatenango, right at camp where the descend begins. I believe he knew I could die. We had to guess the path to descent and got lost on the way as well.
These people will kill you. Do not book. It is a worthy experience if you go with someone else. Enjoy my pictures. I took them while barely being able to stand up.
Maria_E, Jun 2026
It was a rewarding experience, with the most incredible views of El Fuego once we reached camp. The morning hike was spectacular as well. I’m very grateful to our guides, Eduardo and Francisco, who were supportive throughout the trek.
Although I’m in good physical shape and have done plenty of endurance training, I still found the five-hour ascent challenging at times, especially in the rain. Make sure you come well prepared and bring extra warm clothes, as conditions can change quickly and temperatures can drop significantly.
Samuel_M, May 2026
The experience was truly unforgettable. I highly recommend not missing the morning hike to the summit. It made the entire trek so worth it. The views were incredible and it was so special to see the sunrise while also seeing an active volcano erupt.
A couple of things I will mention:
1) This hike is extremely challenging. I hike fairly often in the US and would consider myself to be in good shape. This hike was on a whole different level. It is amazing but it is very steep the entire way up, which made the altitude even more challenging. I didn’t think the altitude was a huge factor but I would definitely bring Tylenol or another over the counter pain medication. I had a little headache, which the Tylenol helped out with quite a bit.
2) Bring lots of water. This hike is no joke and it is very hot, especially at the bottom. The website suggested a certain amount of water, but I would air on the side of bringing more than was recommended. I went through roughly 8 liters and was fine, but definitely could have used more.
3) Bring a few extra layers. I brought a puffer jacket and a rain jacket as well as a pair of pants that were more water/wind resistant. I also had gloves. When packing my bag, I was considering not bringing these items because they were big, but they were completely necessary. It gets really cold and windy at night and at the summit. The cabin we stayed in was great, as it protected us from the wind, but it was still cold.
4) Bring lots of Quetzales (roughly 500). There are no shops that take credit card once you get close to the trailhead. There are many opportunities to buy snacks/drinks along the way up but they are cash only and more expensive than what you’d expect to pay in Antigua. Additionally, it costs 100Q to get into the park once you’re there (cash only). If you want to do the extra fuego hike, it costs 250Q extra (cash only). So it’s best to have some extra money in case of any emergency.
5) Bring toilet paper. There are toilets but they are definitely quite rough. There is no toilet paper unless you bring or buy your own at the very base of the trail. I didn’t use the bathroom but it’s best to have in case of an emergency.
6) Leave some extra space in your pack to also carry your lunch and dinner. The tour company does provide lunch and dinner on the first day of the trek, but you do need to carry it up the mountain. I had to consolidate a few things to fit it.
7) The weather changes extremely quickly. You may have bad visibility one minute, but the following minute, it’s perfect. However, the weather and visibility seemed to be best in the morning barring any rainstorms. It’s very worth it to wake up early to see the sunrise for the best chance at getting a clear view of the volcano.
8) As mentioned above, the hike is really challenging and you do get very dirty/sweaty over the two days you’re trekking. I’d recommend splurging a little bit if you can on the night after the hike back down. I was staying in a shared dorm room to save a few bucks, but it would have been really nice to have my own space to unpack and organize my dirty/clean clothes. (This is minor, but just a personal recommendation).
9) The guides are very helpful, but don’t expect very much historical information about the mountains or the volcanoes/ the people that lived there. It’s not that kind of tour. The guides are mostly there to chaperone your trip up to the huts at the top. It would come in handy to know more Spanish to learn more from the guides. They spoke good English, but it would have helped if I spoke more Spanish.
Alexander_B, May 2026
Non negotiable get the hiking poles and if you are a smoker from low elevation pay for the porter up. Going down wasnt bad but the elevation change kicked my butt. carlos and luis were great guides highly recommend very accommodating and informative.
Seth_M, May 2026
Fun hike. Challenging, but worth it. Brought all my own snacks and water. You can also buy at certain stations along the way.
Our guides were really nice. The accommodations were whatever, but that’s not why you book this trip. Only request id make is pack us a better lunch/dinner.
Jonathan_P, Apr 2026
An absolutely incredible life experience. It wasn’t a walk in the park, but it was fulfilling and highly enjoyable. I was in a group of great people, we all bonded really well as we worked together to all make it to the top. The tour guides were highly experienced and patient. If you are looking to hike properly, these guys will take you and look after you. Thank you!!
Nana_A, Apr 2026
It is very arduous but absolutely worth it. You’re waking up a roughly 40° angle for 4+ hours so plan accordingly. Get actual hiking shoes, you will need to have some sort of good tracking so you don’t mess up your knees especially when you’re coming down.
The views from the base camp were excellent. I don’t do the optional hike to Fuego and I’d say you don’t necessarily need to do it. It’s an additional 4+ hours of steep decent and incline. Definitely do the sunrise hike and please definitely get warm gear because it very cold up there.
Overall I’m glad I did it. I don’t think I need to do it again but will highly recommend it. Also the food was meh, so pack snacks and fruits. The guides were just okay in terms of personality but they’re very knowledgeable.
Ahsan_B, Apr 2026
This hike is a great experience but I would try to do it with another company if you can. The biggest red flag is how disorganized and how not seamless everything is. For example, after the hike when we were all very tired and hungry and needed a shower, they had a one hour delay on the shuttle return to Antigua. If you know what time the hike ends and you know how many people are on the hike, why would you not have a shuttle/bus ready to go? I've done similar trips all over Latin America from Peru to Costa Rica to Chile and never had such an experience and at the end of a long hike and overnight camping experience, you just want to get home. Another example was that I had booked a porter (based on reviews that said you will need it and won't regret it) but before the hike there was A LOT of back and forth between the guide and the porter and me. They told me this guy is your porter, then changed it, then said you'll have to wait, then said "why don't you start the hike and the porter will catch up in half an hour" which would defeat the entire purpose of the porter because my water bottles were in my bag. The porter who was assigned to me was literally trying to run away from me lol. It was all so confusing when it really shouldn't have been because they had known well in advance that I had booked a porter. Also I also got a glimpse of the food and coffee options that other companies gave their hikers and it was way better than what we got. Obviously you don't climb a volcano for the food and coffee but it was just another example of them giving a worse experience than their competitors. Overall I would say go with another company if you can.
Victoria_H, Apr 2026
I don’t like hiking and it was very challenging but I never felt that I couldn’t do it also because the guides were very patient and supportive. The nature was truly incredible but make sure to bring warm clothes and rent poles.
Lauren_M, Apr 2026
The guides were helpful and professional. They set a good pace and accommodated the different levels of our group. They keep the groups small which is nice. Accommodations are modest, but I don’t think the type of cabin you stay in on Acentenango makes much of a difference at the end of the day. We got a sleeping bag and small pillow. Lunch was chicken, rice, and vegetables, dinner was pasta with meat sauce, and breakfast was pancakes with oatmeal. They also had hot chocolate, tea, and marshmallows. I would recommend this company.
Milton_B, Apr 2026
Guides were amazing and didn’t leave us behind. Could ask and talk to them about anything and our group was just as great!
Caroline_B, Apr 2026
We were overcharged for entrance fees, and experienced poor guiding quality with limited communication. Equipment and facilities were damaged and unclean, dietary restrictions were not accommodated despite prior notice, and there were serious environmental concerns related to waste management. Overall, the service did not match what was promised or paid for.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear customer,
Thank you for your feedback.
Regarding the entrance fee, we would like to clarify that it is not included in the booking, and this is clearly stated in our tour description and shared materials prior to the hike.
We also create a WhatsApp group for each departure to maintain clear and efficient communication. Through this channel, we provide important information such as recommendations, rules, schedules, and general guidelines before the tour.
Please note that this is a public national park, where multiple operators are present. Environmental management is not solely under our control, although we always encourage responsible practices among our team and guests.
Additionally, we clearly mention in our documentation that this tour is not a luxury experience, but rather an adventure in a natural environment with basic conditions.
That said, we take your comments seriously and will continue working to improve our service and communication.
Best regards,
Tours & Activities SA
Charles_V, Apr 2026
The guides who led us on the hike were amazing. They made the experience safe, fun and energetic. The tour company has optional things to rent when you start the hike that you can purchase before (backpacks, hiking sticks, etc). They give you a lunch that you will have to have room in your bag to bring up yourself.
My girlfriend said this was the most difficult physical thing she's ever done, but she made it through. I also found it challenging. If you think you may need it, be sure to bring altitude medication. I got sick at the top and started throwing up and had a lingering upset stomach for a few days. there are a few shops along the way where you can buy drinks and snacks at reasonable prices.
Jack_P, Apr 2026
A very disappointing and dangerous experience.
Firstly our guide completely disappeared on the ascent which meant we had to self-guide and climb the second half of the ascent on our own to base camp. This being the first dangerous behaviour from the guides.
Secondly, we weren’t provided the dinner that we paid for and was included in the tour package. After hiking for over 10 hours at altitude and completely depleted of all nutrients we had to go to bed with an empty stomach and then the following day wake up and do a sunrise hike at 4:30am. This was not only cruel but also extremely dangerous considering that we were at over 3500m
The guides were hostile when we requested the dinner that we had paid for and the following morning continued to be on the ascent for the sunrise. They aggressively pushed us physically trying to break us knowing that we had nothing in our stomachs and were completely exhausted. I had to stand my ground to not be bullied by them. They were trying to break our spirits so we had to turn around and go back to base and miss the sunrise.
It was extremely dangerous behaviour by them considering that we were at over 3500m on empty stomachs.
I’ve contacted Viator directly and I hope that this can be sorted out. very disappointed
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear customer,
Thank you for your message.
We take situations like this very seriously and have conducted a full internal investigation, including reviewing reports, timelines, and evidence from our guides and staff.
After carefully evaluating all information, we found that the events did not occur as described in your claim. There are important details and context missing from your version, which significantly change the understanding of what happened.
According to our records:
• The hike to Volcán de Fuego is not included in our tour and is clearly explained as restricted and not permitted due to safety regulations.
• Despite this, you and your group chose to proceed independently, without following the guide’s instructions and without the required authorization.
• By doing so, you left the group and base camp voluntarily, assuming full responsibility for your actions and safety, as clearly stated in our policies.
Regarding the meal service:
• Dinner is scheduled and served at a specific time (6:30 PM) at base camp.
• Your group returned significantly later, after the scheduled service time, due to the independent activity mentioned above.
• Despite this, our team still made efforts to assist you upon your return.
We are also concerned about reports from our staff regarding inappropriate behavior toward guides and failure to follow safety rules, which are essential in a high-altitude environment.
Based on the full review of both sides and the supporting evidence, we have made a final decision to deny the refund request, as the situation resulted from actions taken outside of the agreed service and guidelines.
We remain committed to providing safe and responsible experiences and appreciate your understanding of the importance of following instructions in environments such as this.
Best regards,
Tours & Activities SA
Tamara_B, Apr 2026
The hike was beautiful and well worth the challenge. The tour guides were kind, and the ratio of guides to guidees was good. Overall the logistics and organization was inadequate. Some of the rented gear was broken in our group. There was not great communication on the schedule and everyone in our camp missed the sunrise hike. Tip: bring lots of snacks! The food provided while tasty and had lots of vegetables, was very low in caloric value.
Karson_C, Apr 2026
Amazing experience from start to finish and amazing guides in top of that. They clearly care about their job as well as your experience.
Inaki_B, Apr 2026
Best experience with smaller group and hilarious guides that made the hike feel much shorter. Would do it again for sure!
Pierre_L, Apr 2026
Original expérience for people. Nice view, not too difficult. No problem of security. I warmly recommend this hiking..
Angie_B, Apr 2026
Amazing experience, Santos and Alex went above and beyond for us to feel comfortable and they made sure we got there safely. They shared tips and safety measures in order to enjoy this experience. I had terrible altitude sickness and struggled a bit during the hike but they were incredibly patient with me and encouraged me to keep going. I am incredibly grateful for them. Amazing experience, would do it again.
Ronald_J, Apr 2026
Rent hiking shoes and sticks. I recommend the headlamp as well if you plan to go to fuego or do the morning summit. There’s the $15 entrance fee than additional $250 Q per person to do fuego. Bring lots of snacks and water!
Gus_G, Apr 2026
The group sizes are not small as advertised. We had ~40 people total and 10 sleeping in each cabin. They said we were in different "groups" but we all left together, stayed in the same camp, and slept in the same cabins. The food was crappy and small portions. The guides were nice and fun, but were very unorganized and not helpful.
The cabins in the photos are much much nicer than what is actually offered. They crammed 10 people in a dirty cabin with a door that only had latches, no doorknob, so we couldn't close it from the inside without locking others out.
The experience wasn't bad, but I would never book with these people again. You can book a much better experience for much less money in person in Antigua.
Franco_R, Apr 2026
An unforgettable experience full of adventure and great company. Tour guides Miguel and Carlos were super kind and very honest about what we should expect of the journey (knowing it was physically demanding from the very beginning helped us be prepared). Views at the base camp were great and all meals were provided as described.
Things that would make the experience even better:
• A better toilet - even having sawdust for after every use would help.
• Better residue and trash management at base camp, as well as more frequent cleaning service for cabins (mattresses, sleeping bags, etc).
• Improved logistics for renting/picking up equipment
Beyond that, all people involved in the tour was thoughtful and took care of the group's needs very diligently.
Cj_M, Mar 2026
Amazing experience. It’s a steep climb, prepare mentally and physically, but not impossible. Our guides Luis and Javier were fantastic. They made sure we made it up in good timing while being mindful of rest. Don’t be afraid to take a break when you need at stops.
Try to pack lightly if not you can rent gear or a porter. It gets colder at night but not insane cold, some good layering should do the trick. The meals were just what we needed to have energy but bring extra snacks and electrolytes. Yes you can buy more on the way. Base camp is real camping style nothing fancy don’t expect luxury. I had a great time Luis and Javier made sure everyone was comfortable and fed at night including a campfire. I recommend for adventurist this group just be prepared for a challenging but not the worst 24 hours. The views at night base camp are incredible. I don’t recommend the optional hike to fuego but you can do it if weather is nice and you really feel like it. The summit hike in the morning is cooler but tougher especially that early. All in all great experience just temper expectations.
Sebastian_C, Mar 2026
An amazing experience hiking up Acatenango! Alex and Eduardo were amazing guides and treated us to a great dinner, breakfast and traditional Guatemalan hot chocolate at the end of our hike once at the base camp. They were extremely patient with us as novice hikers and took regular breaks, whilst still making it to base camp in good time.
We were extremely lucky weather wise, as understand people who had done the same hike the day before barely saw anything and were hiking in heavy rain for hours. Fuego put on a show for us, erupting every few minutes and creating the most spectacular views! Definitely a bucket list item!
Tije_M, Mar 2026
Eduardo and Alex are the best tour guides, they made sure we had the best experience by avoiding the masses, having a good pace and making sure we're OK.
Would definitely recommend
Cathy_H, Mar 2026
The guides were brilliant. The hike and views are amazing and worth it! Thee food and sleep conditions are not great and apart from the cabin you sleep in there is no shelter outside when it rains. Other campsites do have shelter.
Alex_V, Mar 2026
Great communication, made sure no one was left behind, very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Highly recommended!
Alena_E, Mar 2026
Save yourself a headache and book with another company. They will not accommodate you under any circumstances. My luggage got lost, and I asked to refund the hike since I don’t have the gear and they didn’t carry the appropriate sizes of gear either. They didn’t care. No extenuating circumstances will make this company care for their customers.
Melissa_L, Mar 2026
The actual hike is a must do, but this operator is one of the worst tour companies I have ever used anywhere in the world (second place behind a company I used for an overnight volcano hike in another country). Rental gear is not as advertised (‘warm coat’ is more of a shell - bring your own so you’re not freezing) and some people could not find things in the right size. Folks had to fight with the tour company to get refunds when this happened. The operator created a WhatsApp group for everyone on the tour the day before, which caused a big of chaos because they wanted everyone to send their passport info to the public group and weren’t accepting private messages. Many people were uncomfortable with this.
Once we were on the hike, there was virtually no communication from the guides about what the gameplan was (mealtimes, how far we were from the camp, etc.). Break frequency was good. Operator tried to make everyone pay an additional 10Q to use the ‘private’ route instead of the ‘public’ route because it would be less crowded. Not sure if this was a real thing - no one paid it.
Didn’t do Fuego, but the group that did didn’t see anything because the conditions were bad. Before they left, guides said the chances of seeing Fuego were ‘50/50’. Would recommend using your own judgement because I didn’t get the sense that they were providing honest odds.
Finally, the sunrise hike happened at like 4 am. But this was never communicated to the whole group once we got to camp so I missed it.
Overall, just a bad tour company. Would absolutely recommend doing the hike, just not with this group.
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