Acatenango 4x4 Jeep Tour from Antigua

About this tour

The Acatenango 4x4 Natural Reserve Tour offers a unique way to experience the volcano, surrounded by nature, incredible mountain views, and the beautiful landscapes of the reserve. The 4x4 ride takes you to El Tonel, where the jeep route ends. From there, enjoy an approximately 40-minute hike to the campsite at 3,600 meters above sea level.

Spend the night at a campsite with direct views of Fuego Volcano, a campfire and hot drinks. Along the way, discover the reserve’s unique flora and fauna, and keep an eye out for wildlife, although sightings are not guaranteed. The 4x4 road goes through Bosque Vivo, a private nature reserve in San Miguel Dueñas, on the way up and on the way down, and the tour includes its guided walk and environmental cleanup activity.

The tour includes 2 liters of water, 5 meals and a bag of snacks, cold-weather gear and a headlamp, a main guide who speaks English, and the national park entrance fee. Early the next morning, hike to Acatenango’s summit to watch the sunrise before returning to Antigua, where you can enjoy a shakshuka breakfast and a free shower at Zoola.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hike and camp

7:30 AMArrive at Zoola for your breakfast sandwich, water and snack bag. Leave your luggage in free storage.
8:00 AMDeparture from the meeting point. Groups of more than 4 depart directly from Zoola.
9:00 AMArrive at the office to receive your jacket, hat, gloves, headlamp and lunch.
11:30 AMArrive at El Tonel, where the jeep route ends. On the way up, the 4x4 road goes through the Bosque Vivo private nature reserve.
12:00–12:15 PMArrive at camp after an approximately 40-minute hike. Have lunch and rest.
5:00 PMAfternoon option: optional Fuego Volcano hike, approximately 4 hours round trip plus time for photos.
5:15 PMAfternoon option: 360° sunset viewpoint. Easy, flat 20-minute walk to enjoy the sunset, depending on the season. Additional cost: Q100.
AfternoonOr stay at camp: relax and enjoy the sunset and views of Fuego Volcano.
8:30 PMDinner and rest. Guides will ask who wants to hike to the summit for sunrise. Sign up if you want to go.

Day 2: Summit and return

3:00 AMWake up and get ready on your own if you are doing the summit hike. Guides will not wake you up.
3:30 AMBe ready at the kitchen with your backpack and all your belongings. You will not return to camp.
5:15 AMReach the summit after approximately 1 hour 45 minutes of hiking.
5:50 AMStart descending directly to the jeeps (approximately 45 minutes).
6:00 AMIf you are not doing the summit hike: wake up and get ready. Pack all your belongings.
6:50 AMIf you are not doing the summit hike: be ready at the jeep with all your belongings. Please be on time, as the jeeps leave at 7:00 AM.
7:00 AMJeep ride down to the farm through the Bosque Vivo private nature reserve (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes).
8:45 AMCoffee, tea or water and your pre-selected half sandwich at the farm.
9:30 AMApproximate return to Antigua.
9:45 AMShakshuka breakfast at Zoola with coffee, tea or water, plus a free shower and towel. Waiting for your shuttle? Stay at Zoola for free until 6:00 PM.

Schedules are approximate and subject to delays.

Discover. Learn. Conserve.

Bosque Vivo private nature reserve

San Miguel Dueñas, Sacatepéquez

The 4x4 road goes through Bosque Vivo on day 1, on the way up to El Tonel, and on day 2, on the way down to the farm.

Bosque Vivo is a private nature reserve with an environmental education and conservation program. Its broadleaf and conifer forests help protect soil and water.

A private nature reserve is a privately owned area dedicated to nature conservation. Its management protects ecosystems, plants and wildlife, and ensures that activities are compatible with conservation. The reserve is part of the Guatemalan System of Protected Areas.

Your visit has a purpose: discover the forest with a guide, learn how to protect it and take part in an environmental cleanup activity.

60plant species
54bird species
11mammal species
8amphibian and reptile species

Species currently recorded in the reserve.

Your visit, step by step

01
Discover the reserve
Welcome, brochure and introduction to the reserve’s natural value.
02
Explore and learn
Guided nature walk along the designated visitor route, with plant and wildlife observation.
03
Understand the forest
Learning station on biodiversity, soil, water and wildfire prevention.
04
Take action for conservation
Environmental cleanup: responsible removal and sorting of solid waste, supervised by the guide.

Recorded in the reserve

Puma Puma concolor
A mammal recorded in the reserve. Its habitat needs protection.
Highland guan Penelopina nigra
A bird recorded in the forest. Observe it quietly and from a distance.
Oak Quercus spp.
Native trees that are part of the reserve’s rich plant diversity.

Caring for the reserve

Follow your guide and stay on the designated route.
Do not remove plants or feed wildlife.
Avoid noise and campfires.
Take your waste with you.
Wear gloves during the cleanup, and tell your guide if you find glass, sharp objects or hazardous waste.

Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Activities are subject to the reserve’s management and safety requirements.

Optional extras

Optional hike to Fuego Volcano +approx. Q250

Starts around 5:00 PM (sunset), approx. 4 hours round trip plus time for photos

The Fuego extra hike is optional and has an additional cost of approximately Q250 per person, paid directly to the local guide in cash (not included in the tour price).

The hike starts around sunset and takes approximately 4 hours round trip (4–5 km), plus additional time for taking photos and observing eruptions. It reaches a ridge at about 3,675 m, around 500 m from Fuego’s crater. This is a physically demanding hike and cannot be done without a guide.

If, due to weather, safety conditions, or physical ability, the guide determines that a participant should not continue, this decision will be communicated and must be respected. If you are unable to complete the hike due to fatigue or physical limitations, you must return with a guide, as returning alone is not permitted. Any additional costs related to the guide or return logistics will be the participant’s responsibility.

360° sunset viewpoint +Q100

5:15 PM, easy 20-minute walk

An easy, flat 20-minute walk to watch the sunset, depending on the season.

Included

Pick-up from the meeting point at Tanque La Unión or Zoola
Round-trip transportation from Antigua Guatemala to Acatenango Volcano
5 meals and a bag of snacks: breakfast sandwich, lunch, dinner, a pre-selected half sandwich at the farm, and shakshuka breakfast at Zoola after the trip
2 liters of water per person
National park entrance fee
Hot drinks at the campsite
Campfire
Jacket, hat, gloves and headlamp
Sleeping bag and sleeping mats
Sunrise hike to the summit
Visit to the Bosque Vivo private nature reserve: guided walk, learning station and environmental cleanup
Free luggage storage, and a free shower at Zoola after the hike
Main guide speaks English (other guides may speak Spanish only)

Not included

Wooden or professional trekking poles
Extra hike to Fuego Volcano (approx. Q250)
360° sunset viewpoint (Q100)

Meals

Regular

Breakfast: Sandwich with lettuce, avocado, tomato and omelet
Lunch: Chicken, vegetables, rice and tomato sauce
Dinner: Pasta with tomato sauce
Breakfast at the farm: Your pre-selected half sandwich
Breakfast at Zoola: Shakshuka

Vegetarian

Same as the regular menu, except:

Lunch: Double portion of vegetables with rice

Things to know

Days: This tour operates Monday to Thursday.
4x4 journey: Approximately 2.5 hours from Antigua to the end of the volcano road.
Hike to base camp: Approximately 40 minutes from the end of the road.
Schedule: All times are approximate and may vary due to delays, weather or trail conditions.
Weather: Temperatures can drop significantly at night. Bring extra water and any additional drinks you may need.
Personal belongings: Carry all your belongings and provided equipment in your backpack. You must take everything when leaving camp.
English-speaking guide: The main guide speaks English; the other guides may speak Spanish only.
Physical difficulty: The hike involves uneven terrain, steep sections, and high altitude.

What to bring

Cash
2 L extra water or electrolytes
Toilet paper
Wet wipes
Hiking shoes
Warm clothing (layers)
Sun hat or cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Power bank
Optional drinks

Frequently asked questions

How many people go in each jeep?

Each jeep carries 6 people.

How big are the tour groups?

The tour operates with a maximum of 4 to 6 jeeps per day, keeping groups organized and ensuring a better experience for participants.

How many people stay in each cabin?

The cabins are shared and have an approximate capacity of 8 to 10 people.

Is the sunrise hike to the summit mandatory?

No. The sunrise hike is optional. You can stay and rest at the campsite if you prefer.

How cold does it get at night?

Temperatures can drop significantly at night, especially during the dry season, so it is recommended to bring additional thermal clothing.

Is this tour suitable for people with little hiking experience?

Yes. This tour is ideal for those who want to experience Acatenango without doing the long traditional hike.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In case of extreme weather conditions, the itinerary may be adjusted, rescheduled, or modified for safety reasons. These decisions are made based on official alerts or recommendations issued by Guatemala’s national authorities, such as Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) and Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres (CONRED). If these institutions determine that conditions are unsafe, changes will be implemented accordingly. Such situations are beyond our control and are handled strictly in accordance with official safety guidelines.

Acatenango 4x4 Natural Reserve Adventure