Instagram post 17983449061890786 Instagram post 17983449061890786
🌴This place was no where to be seen on my Googl 🌴This place was no where to be seen on my Google searches. I just happened to stumble across it on my walk and it was my favourite spot of all. 🧡😍

🥾So this is your sign to just start walking and exploring 

📍Reeds Bay @thunder.bay.beach.bar 

Where was you’re favourite place that you just found by chance?
9  things to NEED to do on your Barbados holiday🌴🇧🇧:

🐟 Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday Night
⚡️ Go for a drink and swim @thunder.bay.beach.bar 
🌅Watch the Sunrise
🐢Swim with Turtles
⛵️Boat cruise with @silvermoonbarbados 
🌮Sunset Dinner @seashed_barbados 
🐎Watch the racehorses at Pebbles Beach 
🌊 Walk along the Hastings Boardwalk 
🌅Watch the sunset 

Anything I’m missing from the list?
Where is your “OMG” travel destination? Where is your “OMG” travel destination?
POV: you’ve taken 100,000 pics and videos on you POV: you’ve taken 100,000 pics and videos on your 1 week holiday 😅📸

Anyone else do the same! 

(📹Reel Credit @saradavies_)
🌅🌅🌅 🌅🌅🌅
Anyone else dreaming of a Euro summer? 💭💭💭
SWIMMING PIGS 🐖🐷🐽 🌴The Bahamas, more SWIMMING PIGS 🐖🐷🐽

🌴The Bahamas, more specifically the Exumas are famous for their resident swimming pigs. 

🏴‍☠️No one really knows why they have been out here but there are a couple of stories floating around.

🥓One of them being that they were left here by sailors who had planned to come back and cook them (poor piggy’s) but never made of back. 

🐟We even got to see stingsrays too (never did I think I would need a stingray and pig side by side with each other 😅)

⛵️There are a few boat companies that will take you to see these pigs and I went with @exumawatersports. I booked the half day tour which was $175 (you can book on a full day and also swim with reef sharks and see Pablo Escobars crashed plane). ✈️

Would you want to see the swimming pigs 

For more piggy cuteness follow @theswimmingpigs 🐽🐷🐖
What’s you definition of happiness ✈️⛵️🌍
✈️🧳How to pack using handluggage only! 

💰If you hate paying the RIDICULOUS prices for checked baggage like me, then here’s how to pack with hand luggage only. 

And yes I’m talking about week long (or more) holidays 😀 

👗Pack a mix and match wardrobe- you get brand new outfits whilst using the same clothes 

👠Pack 1 statement shoe plus a pair of casual ones 

✈️Wear your bulkiest items on the plane- eg jumpers and jackets (think joey from friends). Try to wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane too.

🧼Decant toiletries  into 100ml bottles and buy the rest of what you need at the airport. In fact, do an online order and get it delivered to the airport boots and you can pick it up after security

📦Use packing cubes to compress down your clothes and create more space in your hand luggage 

🫧And remember, you can wash your clothes abroad!! 

Have I missed anything?
I can’t wait to get back to Central America and I can’t wait to get back to Central America and be surrounded my volcanoes and lakes 😄🌋

Where do you feel the most free? 🦋

📍@Atitlansunsetlodge, Guatemala 🇬🇹
I mean the UK is fun but how much better is everyw I mean the UK is fun but how much better is everywhere else 😅😅😅

Where would you move to if you had the chance? 🌎🏡
𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐎𝐍 𝐀 𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐓. 

💰Here are my top tips on how to travel often but keep the costs down. 

💙Be more flexible with you destinations and go to places that have the cheapest flights. ⬇️

My top tip for finding these is head to @skyscanner add in the dates you want to go and type in “EVERYWHERE” in to the destination box. @skyscanner will bring up the cheapest flights in ascending order. 

💙Use deal finding apps like @jacksflightclub @travelzoo_uk @secretescapes @holidaypirates @voyageprive_uk to find deals on flights, hotels and holidays. 

💙Avoid paying for checked luggage where possible. Try the clothes rolling technique, you’ll be surprised at how much you can fit in your hand luggage by doing this. 

💙Don’t splash out on fancy hotels if you don’t plan on being in the hotel much. This for example could be on a city break, chances are you will spend most of the day exploring and use your hotel litterally to sleep and shower. 

💙 If you are solo travelling, stay in a hostel. Meet people that you can do activities with , which can also help share/spread and cut costs.

💙 Get on to Google and find out the best free things to do at your destination.

💙Try to cook some meals where you can. I know part of travel is trying out new foods but if you are doing it often cooking one or two meals is a great way of cutting costs. Alternatively book accommodation that offers free breakfast as part of their package. 

💙 Walk as much as you can to cut down on transport costs.

💙Alternatively if walking isn’t an option and you’re in a city, buy their local travel transport card (eg Oyster card for London). I’ve found that a lot of European cities have super cheap train/tram/bus costs and are even cheaper with one of these cards. 

💙Rent a car. Renting a car can be sometimes miles cheaper than going on a package tour or excursion. Sometimes this isn’t the case but do your research first to see what’s your best option
Places to travel to in your 30’s when you’re n Places to travel to in your 30’s when you’re not as broke as your 20’s (AKA more expensive places) ✈️🍃3️⃣0️⃣

Do you have any recommendations? 🌅🐬
TRAVEL OFTEN AROUND YOUR 9-5⬇️ 🟠 Obvious c TRAVEL OFTEN AROUND YOUR 9-5⬇️

🟠 Obvious choice but make use of the weekends. Fly out on Friday night and home Sunday evening. Really good to squeeze in a mini city break. 

🟠 For longer holidays use the same method as above. Fly out on a Friday night and home the following Sunday. You can get almost 9 days away and only have to take 5 days off work.

🟠 Make use of your bank holidays. Tag on an extra day off around a bank holiday. For example around the Easter break. 

🟠If you are flying on weekdays fly out late evening and fly home early morning so you don’t have to take those flying days off work.

🟠 Work from your holiday. Commit to working one or two mornings whilst you are away. This can help in saving up a few half days when you get to the end of the year. However this is probably not worth it on shorter trips

🟠 If you are able to travel with work. Make a holiday out of that by tagging on a few days holiday after the work trip is over.

Do you have any other tips?
Instagram post 18167693284267175 Instagram post 18167693284267175
Travel ✈️🍃🌍❤️ Travel ✈️🍃🌍❤️
Instagram post 17999465992602774 Instagram post 17999465992602774
In need of sunshine and hot temperatures 🌡️☀️

Where’s your paradise? ⛵️🌴🐚
TRAVEL OFTEN AROUND YOUR 9-5⬇️ 🟠 Obvious c TRAVEL OFTEN AROUND YOUR 9-5⬇️

🟠 Obvious choice but make use of the weekends. Fly out on Friday night and home Sunday evening. Really good to squeeze in a mini city break. 

🟠 For longer holidays use the same method as above. Fly out on a Friday night and home the following Sunday. You can get almost 9 days away and only have to take 5 days off work.

🟠 Make use of your bank holidays. Tag on an extra day off around a bank holiday. For example around the Easter break. 

🟠If you are flying on weekdays fly out late evening and fly home early morning so you don’t have to take those flying days off work.

🟠 Work from your holiday. Commit to working one or two mornings whilst you are away. This can help in saving up a few half days when you get to the end of the year. However this is probably not worth it on shorter trips

🟠 If you are able to travel with work. Make a holiday out of that by tagging on a few days holiday after the work trip is over.

Do you have any other tips?
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Central America, Hiking · January 7, 2023

Acatenango Volcano Hike – The Ultimate Guide

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You’re sat cosily around a campfire, drinking hot chocolate, whilst in awe watching orange embers of lava explode into the night sky. You’ve just completed part of the Acatenango Volcano hike, and it’s  Volcan Fuego you’re watching erupt in the background. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. 

Situated just 22km from Guatemala’s famous colonial town, Antigua, lies the Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes. These volcanoes are referred to as ‘twins’ and are some of the highest in all of Central America. Whilst Acatenango has been dormant since 1972, Fuego remains extremely active, erupting almost every 20 minutes. 

Tourists from all over the globe flock to Guatemala specifically to complete this bucket list hike, and after finishing it myself, I can totally understand why! Whilst completing the Acatenango Volcano hike is no easy feat (I would rate this as the hardest hike i’ve ever done 😅). I can promise you this will be one of the most worthwhile and rewarding experiences of your life.  

Read on below to learn all about how to prepare and what to expect from the Acatenango Volcano hike.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a verified purchase through the links in this post I will earn a small commission. This will be at no extra cost to you. Thank you 🙂

Contents show
1 Getting There
2 Who to book with
2.1 Top Tip
3 How High is the Acatenango Volcano Hike?
4 What to bring for Acatenango Volcano hike
4.1 A Medium-sized backpack
4.2 Warm Clothes
4.3 Good Walking Boots
4.4 Head torch
4.5 Snacks
4.6 Altitude sickness medication
4.7 Sunglasses
4.8 Toilet Roll
4.9 Toiletries
4.10 First aid kit
4.11 Cash
5 What to Expect on the Acatenango Volcano Hike
5.1 Before the Hike
5.2 Day 1 – Breakfast
5.3 Day 1 – Hike to Basecamp
5.4 Day 2 – The Sunrise Hike
5.5 Back Down
6 Happy Hiking

Getting There

To complete the Acatenango volcano hike, you must book with a tour company. Most of these companies are located in the town of Antigua (Guatemala’s former capital city), where your hiking journey will begin.

You can get to Antigua from most major cities/towns in Guatemala (eg Panajachel & Guatemala City) via public bus (also referred to as chicken buses), pre-booked shuttle and Uber.

TownDistanceTimePublic BusShuttleUber
Guatemala Airport / City39KM1 Hour10Q (£1.10)£21280Q (£30)
Panajachel (Lake Atitlan)80.7km2 hours35Q (£3.70)£16400Q (£42)

The easiest and most convenient way to travel to Antigua is to pre-book a shuttle bus. You can book your shuttle bus on GuateGo where you can choose from the most reputable travel companies in Guatemala. 

For more information on how to get to Antigua please click here. 

Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua,  Guatemala

Who to book with

Who you book your tour with is a super important decision. It will undoubtedly have an impact on how pleasurable your hiking experience is. During my time in Guatemala, I heard horror stories from other travellers who completed the hike and didn’t have the best time. Stories included: guides leaving their group on the volcano, guides getting too drunk, companies not providing enough food as well as collapsing tents in the middle of the night.  

In terms of the Acatenango Volcano Hike, you really do get what you pay for. The common denominator in all of these stories was travellers picking the cheapest option without much more research. 

Acatenango Volcano, Guatemala

After some extensive research of my own, I went with a company called OX Expeditions and I can’t recommend them enough. As a hiking group, we were well looked after, well fed and we all felt totally safe throughout the whole trip. It was a truly fantastic experience with OX Expeditions, not only for the hike itself but also for the energy and enthusiasm of our tour guides (a special shout out to Romeo for being AMAZING).

So what tour options do OX Expeditions offer? 

TourPriceTimeGood to know
Acatenango Day Hike$59 (£50)
Does not include the National park entrance fee ($15/£13)
12 hoursFor travellers who are short on time.
Includes a full day of hiking to the Acatenango summit and back.
Acatenango Overnight Hike$89 (£75)
Does not include National Park entrance fee 
($15/£13)
1.5 daysDay 1 includes 5/6 hours of hiking Acatenango base camp.
Day 2 includes 2 hours of hiking to Acatenango Summit and back to the base camp, followed by 3 hours of hiking back to the start.
“Double Whammy” Acatenango and Fuego$129 (£109)
Does not include National Park entrance fee ($15/£13)
1.5 Days 
(Additional hiking hours involved)
Day 1 includes 5/6 hours of hiking Acatenango base camp followed by a short break then, 3/4 hours of hiking to Fuego and back to base camp,
Day 2 includes 2 hours of hiking to Acatenango Summit and back to the base camp followed by 3 hours of hiking back to the start.
Recommended only for those in top physical condition,

Top Tip 

If you have booked the Acatenango overnight hike only, but decide you would want to do the “Double Whammy” trek once the hike has already begun, then you will be allowed to book on and can pay for the additional cost when you return back to Antigua. 

In two minds about hiking Fuego? I would highly recommend making use of this option. It can be easy to underestimate just how tired you’ll be after the initial 5/6 hours of hiking on the first day. It’s better to air on the side of caution and not waste any money if you end up changing your mind. 

Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala

Below you will find a list of other reputable tour companies to book with. Whilst I can’t personally vouch for these companies myself,  by speaking with other travellers who have completed the Acatenango volcano hike, and doing a spot of research, these companies are also highly recommended.

  • Trek Guatemala
  • Tropicana Hostel
  • Wicho & Charlie’s

NOTE Guatemala’s dry season is from November to April. This period is the best time to complete the Acatenango Volcano hike. You will have a much higher chance of getting clearer views of Volcan Fuego’s eruptions (however this is not guaranteed).

How High is the Acatenango Volcano Hike?

In this post, I’ve talked a lot about how hard this hike can be, so let’s talk numbers and discuss how high we’re actually going!  

The Acatenango Volcano hike starts at an elevation of 2400m. Hiking to the summit will see you reach the dizzy height of 3976 meters 🌋(a total elevation gain of 1576 meters). You’ll be able to give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back after this trek.

Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala

What to bring for Acatenango Volcano hike

A Medium-sized backpack 

You’ll need a medium-sized backpack to carry extra layers of clothing, 3-4 litres of water and snacks. Also, when hiking with OX Expeditions, everyone in the group will be expected to help carry supplies needed for lunch and dinner so make sure to save some room!

Warm Clothes 

Layers, Layers, Layers! I can’t stress enough how much you’ll need layers and warm clothing for the Acatenango Volcano hike. On the walk up to base camp, you’ll most likely be a hot sweaty mess (attractive, I know 😅), however, once the sunsets the layers will come into play.  Temperatures at the base camp and at the summit can dip way below 0 degrees  Celsius (32F).

Good Walking Boots

This probably goes without saying but a sturdy pair of walking boots will stand you in good stead on this hike. If your walking boots are brand new, try to wear them before the Acatenango Volcano hike to avoid any blisters. 

Head torch

Day 2 of the Acatenango Volcano hike will start before sunrise, so head torches are needed to help guide your way up to the summit. They also come in very handy for any midnight loo breaks. 

Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala
Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala
Snacks 

Whilst main meals are provided, snacks are not. So make sure to pack extra nibbles in your bag for that additional energy boost during the hike. I’d recommend packing energy-dense foods such as granola bars, nuts and dried fruits. 

Altitude sickness medication 

If you suffer badly from altitude sickness I would recommend packing some tablets. If you’ve never been at altitude before then I would pack some just in case. I didn’t bring any with me, as I usually don’t suffer too badly, however, It hit me really hard on the sunrise hike from base camp to the summit. So, learn from my mistake and come prepared.

Sunglasses 

Not only will these protect your eyes from the sun but also the dust and dirt that’s lifted up from the track. If you are a contact lens wearer (like me) then packing a pair of sunglasses is a must! 

Toilet Roll

You won’t be shocked to hear that the toilets on the Acatenango Volcano hike are very basic (expect to do your business in a wooden hut with a long drop loo). So make sure to come armed with enough loo roll to last you.

Toiletries 

The toiletries you need to pack will be unique to your needs, but at the very least don’t forget to pack:

  • Toothbrush 
  • Toothpaste 
  • Facewipes (the volcano dirt is real) 
  • Deodorant 
  • Antibacterial Gel 
  • Antibacterial wipes 
First aid kit

Your guides will have a first aid kit on them, but this can come in handy should you need any plasters for any minor blisters or grazes you might get along the way. If you suffer from knee issues I would also bring knee supports, especially for the hike back down. 

Cash

Ensure you bring cash with you so you can pay for:

  • Walking Poles –  At the entrance of the hike you can rent walking poles for around 50p. I would highly recommend some of these. I think the hike would have taken me a lot longer without them. 
  • Porter – Should you find your bag too heavy to hike with, you can hire a porter for £20 (one way) 
  • Toilets – At the start of the hike there is a small cafe with a toilet which you must pay for
  • Entrance Fee – The entrance fee to the National park is not included in your tour fair.
  • Food – There are one or two food stalls mid-way through the hike. If your snacks aren’t satisfying enough, then pick up some Guatemalan Garnachas. 
  • Tips for guides – The guides do such an incredible job, so be sure to tip them at the end of the trip.

Should you need a backpack, extra layers or a head torch, you can borrow these for free from OX expeditions. 

What to Expect on the Acatenango Volcano Hike

The following is based on my experience with OX Expeditions so bear this in mind if you are booking with an alternative company.

So, you’ve got to Antigua, booked your tour, and you’ve packed your bags. What can you expect from the Acatenango Volcano hike itself?

Before the Hike

The day before the hike you will be required to visit the OX Expeditions booking office for a pre-trip meeting. In this meeting, you’ll learn all about what to expect on the hike. From the different types of terrain, you’ll be trekking on, to what time you can expect lunch and dinner. No stone is left unturned.

Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala

Day 1 – Breakfast

You will be asked to arrive at the OX Expeditions office at 7am sharp. At this point you can pick up any extra layers you may need. The guides will also give you the supplies they want you to carry for lunch and dinner. 

After the group has finished packing, you will all hop onto a bus that will take you to the day’s first stop, breakfast at Rainbow Cafe. You can expect a typical Guatemalan breakfast and will be given roughly an hour to eat, drink and most importantly; get acquainted with your new hiking friends. 

Once breakfast is complete the journey to the Acatenango Volcano hike start point begins. This journey will take roughly 45-60 minutes. On arrival at Acatenango, you will have the opportunity to rent a walking pole, as well as hire a porter for your overnight back. I recommend both if you are not an experience hiker.

Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala

Day 1 – Hike to Basecamp

Now the real fun starts: The hike officially begins!

For the next 5-6 hours you will be hiking up steep hills en route to base camp. Don’t worry there are plenty of stops along the way. This  includes a trip to a cafe about 15 minutes in, a pit stop to pay the entrance fee, snack stops and lunch. Plus lots of mini breaks for those who need it. 

If you’re worried about being the slowest hiker, don’t! Take your time and remember that there will always be a guide (and fellow hikers) by your side to ensure you are not left behind.

Picture this… 

The trail is tough but you’re really enjoying yourself. You’re getting to know your fellow hikers and you are all motivating each other through it. You are in awe of the incredible views along the way! 

The time is 3 pm and after 6 hours of hiking, you have finally arrived at base camp. You throw down your bags and stare in amazement and the puffs of smoke shooting into the sky from Volcan Fuego. Whilst you sit and take it all in, your guides are setting up your tents for the night, lighting up a campfire and organising a round of hot chocolate for the team. 

Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala
Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala

Those who have decided to hike Fuego only have an hour to rest before they set off for the next 4 hours of hiking. 

The rest of you the next few hours sitting around the campfire and watch as the clouds start to roll in, annoyingly blocking your view of Fuego. You’re not too worried though. You’re still having a great time, laughing with your campmates,  eating dinner and drinking wine. 

It’s a few hours after sunset and the clouds have finally cleared. You’re watching Fuego erupt bursting orange into the sky every 20 mins. Each eruption is just as impressive as the last. Nature has put on its finest show. 

It’s time for bed, but you don’t get much sleep. It’s painfully cold and you can’t stop watching the eruptions through the door of your tent! 

Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala
Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala

Day 2 – The Sunrise Hike

Your guides have given you a delightful 3:30 am wake-up call. You’re about to begin the sunrise hike to the summit of Acatenango! For this portion of the hike, you really have to dig deep. Tiredness, altitude, darkness, the steep climb and rugged terrain are making this part of the hike a lot more challenging than the day before. 

After a gruelling 2 hours, you finally reach the summit and the sun is starting to rise. The wind is forceful and bitterly cold, but the scenery makes up for it all.  There are tears of joy, you finally made it! 

Acatenango Volcano, Guatemala 

Back Down

Once you have completed the summit hike, you will head back down to base camp to have breakfast and pack up. You’ll then make your way back to the start which will take you roughly 3 hours.

Once your group has completed the Acatenango Volcano hike, you’ll need to return any walking poles you have rented. You’ll then jump back into the van and head to Antigua, arriving back around 12pm.

Happy Hiking

I hope this guide has been helpful and that my brutal honesty hasn’t put you off. As I said earlier in this post, the reward is greater than the challenge and the sense of achievement you’ll feel at the end is unparalleled. 

If you have any more questions about this hike, please feel free to reach out!

After more hiking inspiration? Check out my guide to Steall Falls, Scotland

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Comments

  1. Kristen Valenti says

    January 11, 2023 at 9:13 pm

    beautiful pics, Christina! such good info, too.

    Reply
    • Christina Patel says

      January 15, 2023 at 8:41 am

      Thank you so much! ❤️

      Reply

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Instagram post 17983449061890786 Instagram post 17983449061890786
🌴This place was no where to be seen on my Googl 🌴This place was no where to be seen on my Google searches. I just happened to stumble across it on my walk and it was my favourite spot of all. 🧡😍

🥾So this is your sign to just start walking and exploring 

📍Reeds Bay @thunder.bay.beach.bar 

Where was you’re favourite place that you just found by chance?
9  things to NEED to do on your Barbados holiday🌴🇧🇧:

🐟 Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday Night
⚡️ Go for a drink and swim @thunder.bay.beach.bar 
🌅Watch the Sunrise
🐢Swim with Turtles
⛵️Boat cruise with @silvermoonbarbados 
🌮Sunset Dinner @seashed_barbados 
🐎Watch the racehorses at Pebbles Beach 
🌊 Walk along the Hastings Boardwalk 
🌅Watch the sunset 

Anything I’m missing from the list?
Where is your “OMG” travel destination? Where is your “OMG” travel destination?
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