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Smoking Fuego in the evening light, seen from base camp on Acatenango

Guatemala · Guided volcano hike · 2 days · Base camp

Acatenango: eight tours, one mountain, and Fuego erupting opposite all night

Acatenango is the most famous two-day hike in Central America: 1,600 m of ascent to base camp, a night at 3,700 m watching Fuego erupt, the summit before sunrise. Dozens of agencies in Antigua sell it for 80 to 400 dollars. We checked eight products on Viator – and the difference is almost never the trail but the night: cabin, tent or glamping, and what you have to carry yourself.

3,976mAcatenango summit at sunrise
Editorially checked on 25 September 2026Prices as of 23 September 2026Photo: Bex Walton, CC BY 4.0
2days, one night at base camp
≈ 1,600mascent from La Soledad in 5–6 hours
≈ 0°Cat night in camp at 3,700 m
8 Comparefrom USD 89 →
The decision at a glance
  • Duration2 days, 1 night at base camp at around 3,700 m – with all eight products
  • List pricesUSD 89 (Brothers) to USD 130 (Pachamama) for standard; USD 250 (Old Town, private) and USD 379 (Trek Guatemala, glamping) as a pair
  • The nightCabin with five products, tent with Brothers and Old Town, safari tent with a cot with Trek Guatemala
  • Park entranceQ100 ≈ USD 14: included by five, extra with OX, Pachamama and Brothers
  • FuegoAfternoon side trip for a fee with CA Travelers (Q200), AcateGo and Pachamama; OX excludes it
  • CancellationFive free up to 24 hours before; Trek Guatemala and Old Town up to three days; Brothers and CA Travelers non-refundable

Who the Acatenango suits

Acatenango is not a trek but a climb: 1,600 m of ascent on day one on loose volcanic sand, five to six hours with the first hour the steepest, then a cold night at 3,700 m and a summit push at four in the morning. All operators require “high fitness” – meaning: if you do not climb stairs regularly you will suffer, but you will arrive. The altitude gets to many because the day before you were at 1,500 m in Antigua; that is why the guides walk slowly.

What the mountain gives in return, nothing else on this site does: Fuego, three kilometres opposite, throwing lava every ten to thirty minutes, at night a red firework in front of your tent. That is why everyone goes up, and why the night is the real purchase decision.

First things first: the night decides, not the trail

The trail is the same for everyone (two operators use a slightly shorter private trailhead), the guides all come from the region, the food is pasta, rice and beans everywhere. The difference is where and how you sleep: OX, CA Travelers, Experience GT, Pachamama and AcateGo have wooden cabins with bunks, some with a glass front facing Fuego; Trek Guatemala puts up safari tents with cots; Brothers and Old Town sleep in tents on mats. At night the temperature drops below zero and the wind comes unchecked over the ridge – a cabin is then not a luxury but sleep.

The second question is what you have to bring yourself. Six products lend jacket, hat and gloves; Old Town expressly expects your own cold-weather clothing, Brothers excludes torch and poles. And the third: the Fuego side trip in the afternoon, three to four extra hours, with most operators for around 200 quetzales.

Three recommendations for three travel situations

Eight products, eight suppliers, one mountain. Prices as a pair; Trek Guatemala and Old Town tier by group size, all others have one price.

The most complete list

CA Travelers – all in, community guides

Entrance, 3-litre Camelbak of water, raincoat, sleeping bag to minus six, torch, winter jacket, four-person cabin, two breakfasts. Guides from the San José Calderas cooperative. In return non-refundable and manually confirmed. USD 129.

USD 129 Group · per person

Main limitation: Non-refundable, manual confirmation, booking cut-off 4 pm the day before. Fuego side trip Q200 extra. Private version with own tent and transport USD 225.

Check on Viator →
The established one

OX Expeditions – cabin with a window on Fuego

Pre-trip meeting the day before, rental gear, private transport, all meals, from age ten, free cancellation. Park entrance (USD 14) extra and no Fuego side trip. Groups of up to thirty. USD 119.

USD 119 Overnight · per person

Main limitation: Park entrance (Q100 ≈ USD 14) and Fuego side trip excluded, no hotel pickup. Pre-trip meeting the day before is mandatory (stated as 3 pm or 5 pm). Up to 30 in the group.

Check on Viator →
When the night matters

Trek Guatemala – glamping with a cot

Safari tents with cot, mattress and pillow, entrance, locker, guide also in French, children from eight. USD 379 as a pair, 259 for four – three times a standard tour, for a night in which you sleep.

USD 379 Glamping · per person for two travellers

Main limitation: Tiered price: USD 649 solo, 379 as a pair, 299 for three, 259 for four. Cancellation only up to three days before. Maximum four per booking.

Check on Viator →

Affiliate links to Viator: if you book, we earn a commission and the price stays the same. Converted at Viator's rate on 23 September 2026; Viator converts at the day's rate at checkout.

Night-time eruption of Fuego with glowing lava on the slope
Every twenty minutes. You see it before you hear it.Photo: Bex Walton, CC BY 4.0

Inclusions compared: entrance, cabin, gear, water, Fuego

Twelve inclusions on which the offers differ. The most striking columns: the park entrance of 100 quetzales, which three products charge extra; water, which only two operators provide (budget three to four litres for the ascent); and gear, where Old Town expects you to bring everything and Brothers the torch. “Open” means: not in the list, ask the operator if in doubt.

Show me only offers with
InclusionOX Expeditions · cabin with a windowOX Expeditions, S.A. · 2 daysCA Travelers · all in, community guidesCA Travelers · 2 daysExperience GT · Camp Ixcanul, private trailExperience GT · 2 daysBrothers Expeditions · lowest priceBrothers Expeditions · 2 daysPachamama · comfort cabins, short trailPachamama Tours · 2 daysAcateGo · on foot or by 4×4AcateGo GT · 2 days · With reservationsTrek Guatemala · glampingTrek Guatemala · 2 daysOld Town Outfitters · private, own campOLD TOWN OUTFITTERS · 2 days
Options and list pricesOvernightUSD 119GroupUSD 129Private from 2USD 225HikeUSD 120OvernightUSD 89ComfortUSD 130On footUSD 1294×4 up to 6USD 255GlampingUSD 379for twoPrivateUSD 250for two
days / nights2 / 12 / 12 / 12 / 12 / 12 / 12 / 12 / 1
StartOX office, Antigua (pre-trip meeting the day before)CA Travelers office, Antigua, 7:15 am breakfastExperience GT office, AntiguaBrothers Expeditions office, Antigua, 7 amPachamama office, Candelaria, Antigua, 7:30 amAntigua (meeting points for hike and 4×4 tour)Trek Guatemala office behind the cathedral, AntiguaOld Town Outfitters shop, Antigua, 8 am (pickup included)
Park entrance (Q100 ≈ USD 14)✕not included
Show detailsPark entrance Q100 or USD 14 excluded.
✓included
Show detailsAdmission fees included.
✓included
Show detailsVolcano entrance and all fees included.
✕not included
Show detailsPark entrance excluded.
✕not included
Show details“Government fees” excluded.
✓included
Show detailsPark entrance fees included.
✓included
Show detailsEntrance fees included.
✓included
Show detailsAdmission fees included.
Guide, English✓included
Show detailsBilingual professional guide.
✓included
Show detailsGuides from the CAT cooperative of San José Calderas; English and Spanish.
✓included
Show detailsGuide, English and Spanish.
?unclear
Show detailsNot in the list; English per the platform.
✓included
Show detailsLocal guide; platform lists Spanish only.
✓included
Show detailsGuide, English and Spanish.
✓included
Show detailsEnglish, Spanish, French.
✓included
Show detailsGuide, English and Spanish.
Cabin, tent or glamping✓included
Show detailsCabins with windows facing Fuego per the itinerary.
✓included
Show detailsFour-person cabin with 12 cm mattress, pillow, blanket.
✓included
Show detailsCamp Ixcanul wooden cabins with three-tier bunks, mattress, blanket.
?unclear
Show details“Camping on the slopes” per the description, mats and sleeping bags listed; tent not mentioned.
✓included
Show detailsNew insulated wooden cabins with sleeping bag and glass door.
✓included
Show detailsShared cabins.
✓included
Show detailsSafari tents with cot, mattress, pillow.
✓included
Show detailsThree-person tent, −6 °C sleeping bag and pad, private camp.
Lunch, dinner, breakfast✓included
Show detailsLunch, dinner, two breakfasts; vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free possible.
✓included
Show detailsLunch, dinner, two breakfasts (one at the office).
✓included
Show detailsLunch, dinner, breakfast; four menus (regular, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free).
?unclear
Show detailsOnly breakfast, tea and coffee listed.
✓included
Show detailsLunch, dinner, breakfast; snacks for a fee.
✓included
Show detailsThree meals and snacks; chocolate, coffee, tea.
✓included
Show detailsLunch, dinner, breakfast.
✓included
Show detailsLunch, dinner, breakfast freshly cooked.
Jacket, hat, gloves on loan✓included
Show detailsWarm clothes, headtorch, liner free on loan.
✓included
Show detailsWinter jacket, gloves, buff, raincoat.
✓included
Show detailsGloves, hat, jacket, stick, wet towels.
✓included
Show detailsSweaters and gloves.
✓included
Show detailsJacket, beanie, gloves.
✓included
Show detailsJacket, hat, gloves, extra jacket.
?unclear
Show detailsPoles mentioned; jacket and gloves not.
✕not included
Show detailsCold-weather clothing, rain jacket, backpack bring yourself.
Sleeping bag and mat?unclear
Show detailsNot expressly mentioned (liner yes).
✓included
Show details−6 °C sleeping bag with liner.
✓included
Show detailsSleeping bag in the cabin.
✓included
Show detailsSleeping bag and mat.
✓included
Show detailsIn the cabin.
✓included
Show detailsSleeping bag named in the 4×4 option.
✓included
Show detailsSleeping bag and mattress.
✓included
Show details−6 °C sleeping bag and pad.
Headtorch✓included
Show detailsHeadtorch on loan.
✓included
Show detailsFlashlight included.
✓included
Show detailsFlashlight.
✕not included
Show detailsFlashlights excluded.
✓included
Show detailsHeadtorch.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
✕not included
Show detailsBring your own torch.
Drinking water?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
✓included
Show details3-litre Camelbak with water.
✓included
Show detailsTwo litres; bring one or two more yourself.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
✕not included
Show detailsNot included; one litre per group for the guide.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
?unclear
Show detailsFill bottles at the shop; not mentioned on the trail.
Transport Antigua ↔ La Soledad✓included
Show detailsPrivate vehicle from and to the office.
✓included
Show detailsShuttle from the office, drop-off at your hostel.
✓included
Show detailsPrivate transport from the office.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned; starts at the office at 7 am.
✓included
Show detailsPrivate minibus from the office.
✓included
Show detailsAir-conditioned vehicle.
✓included
Show detailsTransport from Antigua per the description.
✓included
Show detailsPrivate transport, pickup included.
Fuego side trip in the afternoon✕not included
Show detailsHike to Fuego expressly excluded.
◐depends on option
Show detailsHike to Fuego Q200 extra.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
◐depends on option
Show detailsHike to Fuego for a fee on site.
◐depends on option
Show detailsHike to Fuego extra, price by season.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
Porter available?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
◐depends on option
Show detailsPorters for a fee.
◐depends on option
Show detailsPorters extra by weight.
?unclear
Show detailsNot mentioned.
◐depends on option
Show detailsPorter for more than 40 lb of gear at extra cost.
Price drops with group size✕not included
Show detailsOne price, USD 119.
✕not included
Show detailsOne price per option.
✕not included
Show detailsOne price, USD 120.
✕not included
Show detailsOne price, USD 89.
✕not included
Show detailsOne price, USD 130.
✕not included
Show detailsOne price per option.
✓included
Show detailsUSD 649 solo, 379 as a pair, 299 for three, 259 for four.
✓included
Show detailsUSD 390 solo, 250 as a pair, 160 from four, 150 from seven.
Groupmax. 30 per bookingmax. 30 per bookingmax. 24 per bookingmax. 15 per bookingmax. 14 per bookingmax. 6 per bookingmax. 16 per bookingmax. 15 per booking
Tour languageEnglish, SpanishEnglish, SpanishEnglish, SpanishEnglishSpanishEnglish, SpanishEnglish, Spanish, FrenchEnglish, Spanish
AgeAges 10 to 70from age 14Ages 12 to 60Ages 13–15 and 18–50 per the platformAges 18 to 60Ages 8 to 68from age 8, up to 70Ages 18 to 80
CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before start.Non-refundable. Manual confirmation.Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start.Non-refundable.Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start.Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start.Free up to three days before start.Free up to three days before start. Manual confirmation.
Rating★ 4.7 (401 reviews)★ 4.8 (319 reviews)★ 4.8 (200 reviews)★ 4.8 (472 reviews)★ 4.6 (55 reviews)★ 4.5 (39 reviews)★ 4.9 (54 reviews)★ 4.9 (11 reviews)
ProductCheck on Viator →
Viator 73776P1		Check on Viator →
Viator 125769P3		Check on Viator →
Viator 484625P4		Check on Viator →
Viator 465355P1		Check on Viator →
Viator 5557255P1		Check on Viator →
Viator 5563484P1		Check on Viator →
Viator 210767P4		Check on Viator →
Viator 55287P9

How to read this: “included” and “not included” come from the operator's inclusion and exclusion lists on Viator. “Depends on option” means only certain bookable variants. “Unclear” means neither promised nor excluded – ask before booking. Unclear is not zero dollars.

Platform ratings signal demand and trust, not safety. Operator data as of 23 September 2026. Converted at Viator's rate on 23 September 2026; Viator converts at the day's rate at checkout.

Fuego is active – really. In June 2018 a pyroclastic flow from Fuego killed several hundred people in villages on its southern flank; the Acatenango trail and the camps on the north side were not affected, but are closed when activity rises. The volcano agency INSIVUMEH publishes daily bulletins; operators cancel when the authority closes access. The Fuego side trip goes up to the ridge below the crater – routine in calm periods, the first item cut when activity increases. Cold: at night in camp around or below zero, at the summit in the wind well below. The operators' loan jackets are enough if you wear three layers underneath.

Booking terms: two non-refundable, two with a three-day deadline

On a tour that depends on weather and volcanic activity, cancellation deadlines are no side issue. Five products can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before (OX, Experience GT, Pachamama, AcateGo – AcateGo with a booking cut-off two days before). Trek Guatemala and Old Town require three days. Brothers Expeditions and CA Travelers refund nothing – with CA Travelers, the product with the best list, that is the price of the price. Confirmation: CA Travelers and Old Town confirm manually; Brothers and Experience GT instantly with a check within one to three hours. Age: OX from 10, Experience GT from 12, AcateGo and Trek Guatemala from 8, Pachamama and Old Town from 18; Brothers has a gap at 16–17 and an upper limit of 50.

Questions before booking

How hard is Acatenango?

Harder than the duration suggests. 1,600 m of ascent in one day on sand and ash is more than any stage of the Inca Trail, plus altitude without acclimatisation. If you are fit you need five hours; if not, seven. The last 300 m to the summit are “two steps up, one back”. More on the route page.

Cabin or tent?

Cabin if you want to sleep; tent if you want to save or would not sleep anyway. The cabins are basic (bunks, thin mattresses, no stove) but out of the wind. Details on the page about the night.

Do I have to go to the summit?

No. With every product the 4 am summit push is optional; if you stay at camp you watch the sunrise from there with Fuego in the foreground – for many the better view. With Pachamama the summit only happens if at least half the group joins.

Is the Fuego side trip worth it?

For anyone with energy to spare: the ridge brings you closer to the eruptions than any other spot. Three to four extra hours, return in the dark, with four products for around 200 quetzales, not possible with OX. Afterwards most people skip the summit the next morning.

Can I do it by 4×4?

AcateGo offers the drive up to camp by 4×4 for USD 255; Experience GT lists a private 4×4 version whose platform price of USD 1,300 per person is probably a group price. An option for knees and children; you miss the four vegetation zones.

How much should I tip?

For guide and assistant guides together around 50 to 100 quetzales per person, on day two in Antigua. Old Town expressly lists tips as an exclusion.

About this route

Route and stages

La Soledad, four vegetation zones, base camp, summit at six: altitudes, walking times, best season.

Read more →

Cost and inclusions

List prices, entrance, Fuego add-on, water, tips – the bill for one person.

Read more →

Cabin, tent or glamping?

What the night at 3,700 m looks like, what the gear does, and when the Fuego side trip makes sense.

Read more →

Ten questions before any booking

The checklist we read every offer with.

Read more →

Sources and check status

Show 11 sources
  1. www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Acatenango-Overnight/d4599-73776P1 – OX Expeditions: inclusions, exclusions, itinerary, terms (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
  2. www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Acatenango-Overnight-Hike/d4599-125769P3 – CA Travelers: inclusions, timed itinerary, options (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
  3. www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Immerse-yourself-in-the-Ixcanul-adventure – Experience GT: inclusions, private trail, Camp Ixcanul (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
  4. www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Hike-to-the-Acatenango-Volcano/d4599-4653 – Brothers Expeditions: inclusions, exclusions, terms (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
  5. www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Antigua-2-Day-Acatenango-Volcano-Hike-w-L – Pachamama Tours: inclusions, summit rule, cabins (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
  6. www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Acatenango-and-Fire-Volcanoes-Adventure-i – AcateGo GT: inclusions, 4×4 option (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
  7. www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Acatenango-Volcano-Overnight-Hike-with-Co – Trek Guatemala: inclusions, tiered prices, itinerary (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
  8. www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Acatenango-Volcano-Overnight-Hike/d4599-5 – Old Town Outfitters: inclusions, exclusions, tiered prices (Viator Partner API) (accessed 25 September 2026)
  9. docs.viator.com/partner-api/ – Viator Partner API: list prices per option and group size (availability/schedules) (accessed 25 September 2026)
  10. www.insivumeh.gob.gt/ – INSIVUMEH, Guatemala's volcano agency: activity bulletins for Fuego (accessed 25 September 2026)
  11. www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guatemala/safety-and-security – UK Foreign Office: volcano hikes in Guatemala, safety (accessed 25 September 2026)
8 offers from USD 89per person · Prices as of 23 September 2026
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