Acatenango 4x4 Natural Reserve Adventure
Q2,250 / US$300 per person
Acatenango Hike: Premium Experience
Perfect for hikers who want extra comfort, basic English assistance from the lead guide, and more personalized support.
- Duration2 days
- Group15–25 people
- DifficultyChallenging
- DestinationAcatenango Volcano
About this tour
The Premium option is designed for travelers looking for a more comfortable experience while still enjoying the full Acatenango adventure. It includes a lead guide with basic English, smaller groups of 15 to 25 people with 1 guide for every 5 hikers, wooden cabins for 8 to 10 people, and all the essential gear you need.
One of the main advantages is the private entrance, instead of the standard entrance in La Soledad used by the Basic option. It saves about 1 hour of steep hiking, making the trek more comfortable.
Another advantage is the backpack transportation service, available from Monday to Thursday. Your backpack will be transported for most of the hike, up to approximately 40 minutes before reaching the campsite. For the final 40 minutes, you will need to carry your own backpack. This service is included in the Premium price on those days.
You will hike to the base camp, where you will spend the night with spectacular views of Fuego Volcano and the chance to witness its eruptions from a safe distance. Early the next morning, you will hike to the summit of Acatenango to enjoy an unforgettable sunrise before beginning the descent.
Itinerary
Day 1: Pick-up and ascent to the volcano
- 7:30 AMCollect your breakfast sandwich and water, and store your luggage at Zoola.
- 8:00 AMPick-up at the meeting point or at Zoola.
- 9:00 AMArrival at the office to receive meals, hat, gloves, jacket and headlamp.
- 10:30 AMStart of the hike (1 hour less of steep hiking).
- 3:00 PMArrival at base camp.
- 5:00 PMOptional hike to Fuego Volcano (approx. 4 hours).
Day 2: Summit, descent and return
- 4:00 AMSunrise hike to the summit (1 hour 30 minutes).
- 6:00 AMBreakfast, then begin the descent.
- 12:00 PMReturn to Antigua.
Schedules are approximate and subject to delays.
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.
Porter Q250–Q500
The porter service costs approximately Q250–Q500, depending on the weight of your backpack. As a reference, 25 lbs costs Q300, while 50–60 lbs may cost Q400–Q500.
The price is for one way only. If you want a porter for the way down as well, the same fee applies, depending on the backpack’s weight.
Included
- Private entrance: about 1 hour less of steep hiking
- National park entrance fee
- 4 meals per person, including a meal before departure
- 2 liters of water per person
- Hot drinks
- Jacket, hat, gloves and headlamp
- Wooden cabins for 8 to 10 people
- Sleeping bag
- Lead guide with basic English
- 1 guide for every 5 hikers
- Sunrise hike to the summit
- Free luggage storage at Zoola
- Pick-up at the meeting point or at Zoola
- Round-trip transportation from Antigua Guatemala
- Backpack transport in the 4x4 jeeps up to El Tonel, about 40 minutes before camp (Monday to Thursday)
Not included
- Wooden or professional trekking poles
- Extra hike to Fuego Volcano
- Porter service
Meals
Regular
- Breakfast
- Sandwich with lettuce, avocado, tomato and omelet
- Lunch
- Chicken with rice and cooked vegetables
- Dinner
- Pasta with tomato sauce
- Breakfast
- Pancakes
Vegetarian
Same as the regular menu, except:
- Lunch
- Rice with cooked vegetables
Things to know
- Group size
- 15 to 25 people, with 1 guide for every 5 hikers.
- Why it costs more
- Premium already includes the park entrance, a headlamp, smaller groups and backpack transport from Monday to Thursday. With Basic, the entrance and headlamp are paid separately.
What to bring
- Cash
- 2 L extra water or electrolytes
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes
- High-energy snacks
- Hiking shoes
- Warm clothing (layers)
- Sun hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Power bank
- Optional drinks
Frequently asked questions
How much weight do I need to carry during the hike?
From Friday to Sunday, you will carry your own backpack throughout the entire hike, so we recommend bringing only what you need and packing as light as possible for a more comfortable experience. From Monday to Thursday, your backpack is transported for most of the hike (see the next question).
Is my backpack carried all the way to the campsite?
Not all the way. From Monday to Thursday it is carried until about 40 minutes before camp, and you carry it yourself for that last stretch.
Photos
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Q750 per person