If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Your email address will not be published. The nearby Fuego Volcano erupts as often as every 15 minutes. There is a bathroom at basecamp but it is a hole in the ground and my recommendation is just dont look. We all changed into a bit warmer clothes since the clouds were really starting to roll in. Volcano Acatenango Hike: Tips, Tour Companies + FAQs Answered In prehistoric time, Acatenango has erupted explosively to form widespread fall deposits, hot pyroclastic flows and lava flows. As long as you drink enough water, you should be fine, but everyone reacts differently so its good to be prepared. If you decide to rent boots/shoes, keep in mind you may get blisters.. The last hour of the hike towards the summit is the hardest part which is pretty steep and most gravel and ash. However, volcanoes by nature are unpredictable. Porters are available at an extra cost of Q150 one-way for a 10-kilo bag (youll pay Q200 for an overweight bag), and Q150 for the way down. Dont drink the night before the hike. I booked online and went to the hostel the day before to get some reassurance that I was going to be ok. Once we packed up, we were ready to head back down the mountain. Everyone in the group got to see it so that was really awesome! Toilet Paper Ladies, there is no TP anywhere. The two principal summits were constructed during three eruptive periods post-dating the roughly 85,000-year-old Los Chocoyos tephra from Atitln caldera. Just do yourself a favor and bring layers! Watching Fuego is magical and mesmerising. We felt like we were going slow and kept apologizing but he said he had one group that didnt get up to basecamp until 8:00 pm one night. Budget | Maya Papaya or Ojala Both hostels are run by the same family and they are fantastic. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Wicho & Charlies gives hikers 1.5L bottles you can fill in their shop before your hike. If you arent sure if you want a porter, be sure to at least have the exact change for one if you decide to. The summit of Acatenango is about 3976 meters high, and the temperatures drop the higher you climb so you need to take in account that altitude sickness is a possibility. The clouds parted and the red lava exploded from the top. Once you get in and settle down, it was incredibly warm. I didnt have enough cash for that but thankfully managed to make it to base camp on my own legs. We took far fewer breaks on the way down and the backpacks were much lighter for everyone. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Each piece of equipment, from socks to hiking poles, will cost around Q10-ish. The day before your trek begins there is a pre-trip meeting. You can rent everything you need from tour companies,outfitters or even some hostels in Antigua. Is it safe? (Photo by J.W. Would recommend to anyone! Acatenango is one of the highest stratovolcanoes in central America. Definitely allow yourself a day or two in Lake Atitlan or Antigua to acclimate to the elevation. Acatenango is joined with Volcn de Fuego and collectively the volcano complex is known as La Horqueta. And thats saying something because it was freezing up there. Its really cold and even colder with the wind whipping around like it was. Best Time to Visit Hawaii: When to Go & When to Avoid. This is common practice for hotels in Antigua and usually doesnt cost anything. You will also be paying the remainder of the fee for the trip. Read our, Incredible experience that will test your limits. Warm up a rock by the fire and put it in the bottom of your sleeping bag to keep warm overnight.Genius! Acatenango Volcano Eruptions - Eruptive History, Info I have found a tour operator that offers this service, removing the need for the overnight camping and shaving the hike time down from 8-10 hours. That gives the best chance at optimal weather, although the conditions are still not guaranteed and you never know what kind of weather youll run into when you reach the summit. What restaurants are near Acatenango Volcano? Below are some costs you should consider when planning your hike. Youll begin the hike by descending Volcan Acatenango (on the opposite side you hiked up) in very loose volcanic dirt. They had three layers but coming from warm weather, it was really rough. (and often erupting) volcanoes, inclduing Dukono, Ibu, Lokon, Soputan and Karangetang. Were Alicia & Nate, a couple that traveled full-time for 3 years straight. It is pitch black that early in the morning. Take motion sickness medication if you are prone to getting car sick. Jul 20, 2022, 10:49 AM Save I want to do the Acatenango hike and see eruptions at Volcan de Fuego. This is at no extra cost to you and helps keep us on the road! Theyve been in operation since 2004 and are widely known as Guatemalas top guiding service. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. ), Wait, you mean you werent squished like sardines into a tent, fighting over sleeping bags? All delicious. Everyone spreads out as you go because each group will have a different pace. We did the tour with Wichos and Charlie and cannot recommend them enough! Time needed: While it is possible to do this difficult trek in one day, it is recommended to do an overnight trek. If youre feeling up for the challenge, and weather and visibility permitting, you can make the additional trek to summit Volcan Fuego for sunset. We of course didnt pack one of the hotel pillows with us. They only accept cash and in our experience didnt have change so be ready for that. Unfortunately, we never did get a chance overnight to see it. The part to the summit is supposed to be the hardest part of the entire hike. Total elevation gain is 5150 feet - 1500 meters. If youre reading this article, I imagine youre a hiking enthusiast.. A geomagnetic storm is due to hit Earth late Thursday . They have some pretty cool programs where they teach them English, eco practices, as well as guiding skills to open up opportunities for them in the future. Volcan Fuego is just about 3 km (1.8 miles) from Acatenango, so theoretically, you are pretty far away from the eruptions when youre at base camp. It was really nice having their clothing as options since we travel full-time and dont have a ton of layers. And when we say predictably, we mean it Volcan Fuego erupts every 15 to 20 minutes! Crime: Since they started charging an entrance fee, crime on Acatenango has gone down and it is now considered a safe hike. From lunch, it was about an hour and a half more to base camp. The actual attraction of acatenango isnt actually acatenango itself but the adjacent fuego volcano which erupts predictably every 15-20 minutes, spewing lava and embers into the air and down its sides. That said, this is a truly remarkable experience. I would much rather have layers and not need them than not have layers and need them. The path on the way down is much steeper but cuts off quite a bit of time from the overall trip. The . We (group of 2) enjoyed a wonderul experience of hiking up the Acatenango Volcano and saw and heard the Volcn de Fuego erupting all evening and well into the night. Youll also want to make sure you bring all the warm layers you have on this part of the hike. Once you get there, you will load up your backpacks (or hand them over to a porter) and grab your hiking poles. We decided on two poles each since we didnt have proper hiking boots. We had all the proper gear and knew we were in good hands as Alonzo has hiked this path hundreds of times so we werent getting lost. Dont think you have to keep up with your group. Our entrance fee was included with Ox Expeditions so we didnt have to worry about that. . The Acatenango Volcano Hike to see Fuego in Guatemala. This beast of a volcano is worth the climb although it is extremely difficult. Our Editor, Amanda, was in Guatemala in March 2021 and did this trek with Wicho & Charlies and had a very good experience. Ox's basecamp is on the other side of the volcano from the other tour companies so it was nice and quiet with views overlooking Fuego, Volcan Agua, and other villages down below. Whilst Acatenango is still an active volcano, the last known Acatenango eruption was in 1972. Youll be so far above the cloud itll feel like youre in an airplane. WE WATCHED FUEGO VOLCANO ERUPT (Hiking Acatenango volcano in Guatemala How to hike the Acatenango Volcano, Guatemala, by yourself The first is the farmland. Acatenango Fuego erupts about every 15-20 minutes, shooting ash and fiery red hot lava into the sky in a rare and thrilling spectacle that is absolutely unmissable. Youll need peak energy levels to tackle this hike! While the altitude and the hike itself are fairly strenuous (mainly the steep downhill), the guides themselves were the ones that made it the most incredible experience. Acatenango hasn't erupted since 1972, and today volcanos are constantly monitored for any signs of activity. We all started in shorts (biker shorts for her & gym shorts for him) and thin tees or tanks. This additional hike is a quick one that takes just 45-minutes to reach the top, but it comes with a 4 a.m. wake up call! Acatenango is dormant, and the last eruption was in 1972. Acatenango Day Hike versus Acatenango Overnight How to prepare for the Acatenango Volcano hike What to Pack for a Day Hike to Acatenango At night, incandescence can often be observed in the base of eruption columns. The eruption photos in the present report were taken in Dec. 07 . Our guide did say the best time for the hike is from December to March. Along the way up, our guide waited for us at every break and kept us motivated the last few minutes before each break. You pay a deposit when you book the reservation and the remainder on site. You wont want to miss the nighttime views of Volcan Fuego spewing lava (its most active at night!) Also during the rainy season the weather is unpredictable so the longer you are at the top the better your chances are going to be of getting an unobstructed view. And they add a layer of protection if in the unlikely event the neighboring Volcan Fuego has an uncharacteristically large eruption and spews debris as far as base camp, the huts would be safe and keep you protected. What if the weather doesnt cooperate? We are now living in a cozy little apartment in Albania. Nothing opened up so we were not able to summit the volcano. Once we got back to the Ox offices, we unloaded our bags, returned all the gear we borrowed, and grabbed our stuff from the lockers. Dinner was a really delicious pasta with veggies and red sauce. And we were able to leave our backpacks in a locker at the offices. I would also recommend a hat (ball cap for him and ball cap for her) and sunscreen. Best thing to do is take your time and take frequent breaks. How To See a Volcano ERUPT! (ACATENANGO in GUATEMALA) Be prepared for the altitude, 13,044 ft (3,976m), and spend a few days getting acclimated in Antigua before your trek.. It got better after that first part. > Learn more about Acatenango Day Hike with Ox Expeditions ($59.00 per person). What to Expect on the Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike Arrive at the tour office - Day 1 (7 am) Breakfast before the hike (8 am) Antigua to Acatenango (9 am) The Start of the Trail (10 am) Hiking Acatenango (10:15 am to 2 pm) Arriving at Camp ( around 2 pm) Summiting Acatenango - Day 2 (4 am) I have heard that June is very wet so it would be rainy. Although many of the centres have been active contemporaneously, there is a general sequence of younger volcanism, from north to south along the trend. Eruptions are more common during the evening and night. I wouldnt suggest it. Once you reach the valley between the two volcanos, youll start the ascent to the top of Fuego. But youll be rewarded with some of the most amazing sunset views Ive ever witnessed. I went with my partner and there was one other girl on the tour and we had a great time. I was sold. On 8th January 2017, 6 Guatemalans died while doing the Acatenango Volcano overnight hike. We were the only group and stopped for 30-45 minutes. Is this possible all the time, or is the volcano only active like that if you're lucky? You can do this, its mostly a mental game and if you convince yourself that its only 6 hours of struggle, and then its over for the rest of time, it helps. I allowed myself the grace to get a porter and it was so worth it. Stratovolcano 3976 m / 13,044 ft Guatemala, 14.5N / -90.88W Eruption list: . You will need it for drinking and for your coffee in the morning and hot cocoa at night. Luckily, we had the guides and porters to set up the tents and cook all the food for us. But we also recommend brining your own snacks. Im also 67 years old. Before doing an overnight hike, it can be helpful to know what to expect when it comes to food (especially if you have allergies or dietary restrictions). Leave your comment below and well do our best to find answers for you! What a fantastic experience! Note: Many tour companies offer porters to help carry your belongings. This volcano is extremely active, erupting about every 20 minutes. A few weeks later, we met a traveler who had been hiking Acatenango on that day. I did slip once but just into some mud so not too painful. Often used for camping but exposed during storms. Be ready for this with appropriate cold weather clothing including beanie, gloves, thick jacket, etc). document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Two Wandering Soles are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Just make sure you know how to use it ahead of time so you dont mess it up and drop the camera (yes, that happened). This part was pretty straight up and sandy but since we left our packs at the camp it was not too hard. I was a solo traveler to Guatemala and booked with Tropicana tours to complete the acatenango climb. Home Blog Guatemala Volcan Acatenango Hike: What to Know + Insider Tips. You will also need to some cash to tip your guide. We were in Lake Atitlan at 1,562 m (5,125 ft) before and were just fine. Some girls in our group were freezing the entire time and were really not prepared for how cold it was. We were offered as many portions as we preferred, but most people were satisfied with just a single bowl. This is where your hiking poles will really come in handy as well as a Buff or face covering to keep the dust out of your lungs. One was a two-person tent and one was a four-person tent. In terms of the hike I must emphasise that it is very challenging. Our guide told us he would wake us up if the clouds cleared and we got a better view of the volcano. Volcan Acatenango Hike: Your Ultimate Guide | Pina Travels You can hear every eruption and there were a couple of larger eruptions where you could even feel! Elevation at summit: 13,044 feet (3,976 meters), Elevation gain: 5,253 feet (1,600 meters), Distance covered: 8.6 miles (13.8 km) + an optional hike to Volcan Fuego (explained later), Cost: There is a park entrance fee of Q110, plus the cost of your tour. The staff at the hostel were lovely, and the breakfast on the morning of the hike was nice. Are you planning 2 weeks in Philippines and wondering how much it might cost? This page may contain affiliate links. In terms of the tours I think there is nearly a dozen companies offering it. Basecamp gets very cold at night (it can get down to the single digits thats -14 C at its coldest!) We really got to know the other couple on the trip, so we ended up sharing the four-person tent with them. It departs from Antigua at 2 am, and you are back in town by 12 noon. But most likely you will will not have any problems with the weather. . For one, our guides didnt give us much of any information on anything not on the schedule, the volcano, nothing! Acatenango's first historic eruption was in 1924. We receive a commission on purchases made through links on this page. We both opted for hot cocoa as it was starting to get chilly. The first one, Volcn de Pacaya, last erupted in 2014, which meant that unfortunately we could not hike to the peak because the top is still too hot for human activity. Its not like I was expecting a 5-course meal or anything special when it came to food. We just had to set up our sleeping mats and bags. We were lucky and got to see one really good one. The views from camp are amazing. The skies cleared up and we had views of Fuego erupting all night which was spectacular. It is entirely possibly to do the hike in a single day (I did the entire round trip to the summit and back in 5 hours). You use so many different muscles going downhill and my body was not used to it. QUESTION: Does anyone want to hike Acetenango on Sunday, 4/17 with a private 4 x 4 car? (ACATENANGO in GUATEMALA) Kevin & Lyss 432 subscribers Subscribe 467 views 2 weeks ago Finally, it was time to check off the bucket list item that brought us to. You will want to have some change on you for the hike. Hiked Acatenango twice in October with ASOAVA, the local guiding association in San Jos Calderas. I could have easily stayed up there all day. . Take aspirin tablets to relieve the symptoms. But we got very lucky, it was entirely possible we didnt see anything the whole time. We left our luggage with our hotel in Antigua to pick back up once we were done. The hike up Volcan Fuego will take you to the ridge that sticks out to the right in this photo, just above the tree coverage and 500 meters from the active crater. Booking with a prepared and reputable company, like Ox Expeditions is extremely important. It has small eruptions every 15 to 20 minutes and are more frequent during the night. It is also important to note that the maximum height achieved is 3975m. Two other eruptions occurred in 1924-1927 and 1972. A lot of tour companies operate from the city of Antigua, and the prices range from anywhere around $30 to $100, with the quality of the tour and equipment varying significantly. By hiking Volcano Acatenango, you can do just that. We had a great time on our overnight hike to Acatenango with our guides Alonso and Rolando. When to Hike: The best time to hike Acatenango is between December and February when temperatures . Another couple in our group had one and it looked so much easier than pulling out our giant water bottles every time. Acatenango hike | All you need to know Id get a porter. We love our Canon EOS M50 since it is lightweight and of great quality. Louis and another guide that I cant spell his name were great leaders on January 27-28. It cost Q10 each ($1.29)and was super hot. Guides should be prepared with how to handle these situations and be able to communicate the proper guidelines to you. They have come in very handy! A few weeks after our own Acatenango hike, there was a massive eruption (on June 3, 2018) that killed at least 69 people, most of whom were locals living in the village just below the volcano. We came back down to camp where there was coffee, hot chocolate, bagels with avocado, homemade banana bread with Nutella, yum! There are many tour companies that offer overnight treks to spend the night in their base camp on Acatenango where youll have incredible views of lava-spewing Fuego all night long. The hike up to basecamp will take anywhere from about 3.5 to 6.5 hours depending on your pace. A hydration pack, like a Camelbak, will make carrying the water much more comfortable. Just make sure you keep your TP in a plastic bag so it doesnt get wet! Copyright 2023 All rights Reserved. Volcan Fuego erupts very frequently and consistently. I had to hire some gloves and a beanie from them because its genuinely freezing up at base camp. Volcn del Fuego. They were amazing and the whole OX experience was top notch. The trek to Litli-Hrutur is long, so make sure you have sturdy hiking boots with . What's the best way to see Acatenango Volcano? The volcano has two peaks, Pico Mayor (Highest Peak) and Yepocapa (3,880 m) which is also known as Tres Hermanas (Three Sisters). Bring or rent all the warm clothes you possibly can and make sure you have all these layers with you when you climb Volcan Fuego., The tour companies typically provide warm clothes for rent at a small additional fee. We have a passion for exploring new places and trying new foods. Take small sips, dont chug, but be sure that you are drinking some water. He said that everyone had to run down the mountain as ash filled the sky. ULTIMATE Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike, Guatemala You may sleep a couple of hours, and then wake up to unzip the tent to witness the magic of this giant. Since this is very much an active volcano, youll be climbing to the ridge about 500m from the actual crater. There is a small structure where they place the fire and where dinner and hot cocoa are served. Rental equipment: Depending on what you need, youll have to pay extra for rental equipment that isnt covered in the cost of the tour. They drive you 75% of the way up and then it's 1.5 hours of hiking, arriving in time for views of the volcano in darkness and then watching the sunrise. This was the toughest thing we have ever done, but also one of the most amazing experiences too. Plus, we didnt understand why people kept talking about Volcan Acatenango wasnt it Volcan Fuego that erupts? Volcano Acatenango Trek: Everything You Need to Know Bring or rent a Buff to protect your lungs from the dust. From the base camp of Volcano Acatenango, they'd spent all night watching Volcan Fuego erupting, which is Guatemala's most active stratovolcano. Good news! >Must Read:The Ultimate Travel Essentials List. at an elevation of 13,000 ft. One of the best parts about hiking Acatenango is its proximity to Volcn de Fuego, which is right next door and has been actively erupting . "This series of events on Jan. 15 led to an extreme version of volcanic lightning . Heres a list of the items wed recommend bringing. Home Acatenango Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/30/2010 - 10:48 Main volcanoes of the Central American arc in Guatemala. The best times for photos are sunrise and sunset, as this is when the lava starts becoming visible in the twilight. This includes what to bring and what happens on each leg of the journey. Explore different ways to experience this place. We all woke up in the tent around 1:00 am because of a huge eruption. To do the Acatenango overnight hike without a guide, you will need a tent, winter sleeping bag (it can feel -5 to -15 degrees C after windchill), food, and 4-5 liters of water. Top ways to experience Acatenango Volcano, Overnight Volcano Acatenango Hiking Adventure, Pacaya Volcano Day Trip from Guatemala City, Acatenango Volcano: Visit Its Summit On a 4WD Vehicle in 1 Day + Meal at the Top, Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure from Guatemala City, Guatemala: See & Experience it ALL in 8 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours, Half-Day Volcano Loop on a Classic Motorcycle, Overnight Adventure !
Jackson Obituaries Recent,
Commercial Mortgage Advantages And Disadvantages,
Escapees Rv Club Florida,
Articles H
