Acatenango Sunrise Hike from Antigua: Watch Fuego Erupt

Climb to the summit in darkness, then watch two volcanoes from above the clouds

The Acatenango Sunrise Hike from Antigua is an overnight volcano trek that starts in the evening, camps at the volcano's mid-slope, and summits before dawn to catch the sunrise above the clouds while witnessing Fuego's active eruptions. The hike takes 16 hours total, includes a professional guide, all meals, and technical gear. Minimum group size is two people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Acatenango Volcano Sunrise Hike

• Meet at CA Travelers Office
• Dinner at CA Travelers Office
• Ride to Miratenango
• Start trekking Acatenango Volcano
• Arrive at campsite, observe eruptions
• Hike to summit
• Return to campsite
• Breakfast at campsite
• Descend Acatenango Volcano
• Ride back to Antigua Guatemala
• Return equipment at CA Travelers Office

The experience

You meet at the CA Travelers office in Antigua at 6 pm, collect your equipment (headlamp, winter jacket, gloves, rain poncho, and a 3-liter water pack), and eat dinner before the van ride to Miratenango, the volcano's entrance. The guide meets you there and the trek begins at 8:30 pm, climbing through darkness with your headlamp the only light. By 12:30 am you reach the campsite partway up the volcano, where you can already see Fuego's eruptions lighting up the night sky from the fire camp area.

At 3:45 am the real push starts: you leave the campsite and climb the final stretch to Acatenango's summit. The ascent is steep and the air gets thinner, but you're moving toward the sunrise. By 6:15 am you're standing at the top as the sun breaks the horizon and the clouds below you catch fire with color. Fuego, the active volcano across the valley, is erupting in real time. You watch the ash and smoke rise from the crater while you're standing above the cloud layer. After soaking in the view, you descend back to the campsite for breakfast at 7 am, then make the full descent to the base by 10:30 am and return to Antigua by 11:30 am.

The guides are local and speak English or Spanish. They manage the pace and handle the logistics so you focus on the climb and the moment. The route is physically demanding (high altitude, steep terrain, and an early wake-up), but the operator provides everything you need to do it safely: professional instruction, meals at both ends of the day, all technical gear, and the headlamp so you can see the trail in the dark.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish.
• entrance fee.
• dinner and breakfast.
• headlamp, winter jacket, ski gloves, rain poncho, and 3-liter water pack.
• van transport from Antigua to Miratenango and back.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 18:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on siteUS$ 22

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by CA Travelers

Is this one for you?This 16-hour commitment means you leave Antigua at 6 pm and return by late morning the next day, which works if your schedule allows an evening departure and a mid-morning return but rules out a full second day of sightseeing in town. The overnight camp and pre-dawn summit are what make the sunrise and Fuego's eruptions visible from above the clouds. You can't see either on a day hike.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What time do we actually start hiking up Acatenango?

You meet at 6 pm in Antigua for equipment and dinner, ride to the volcano entrance, and begin trekking at 8:30 pm. The final push to the summit starts at 3:45 am from the campsite.

Can I see Fuego Volcano erupting on this hike?

Yes. Fuego is active and visible from the campsite starting around 12:30 am when you arrive, and you watch its eruptions throughout the night and especially from Acatenango's summit at sunrise.

Do we sleep at the volcano or come back to Antigua the same night?

You camp overnight at the mid-slope campsite from 12:30 am to 3:45 am, then descend and return to Antigua by 11:30 am the same day. No overnight stay in town.

What gear and clothing do I need to bring myself?

Bring an original ID, comfortable hiking boots, and layers for cold mountain weather. The operator provides the winter jacket, gloves, rain poncho, headlamp, water pack, and all other technical equipment.

How physically hard is this hike?

Acatenango is a challenging high-altitude trek with steep terrain and a 3:45 am wake-up. The operator recommends a high level of physical fitness and notes it is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

What's included in the price?

The hike includes a professional guide, entrance fee to the volcano, all technical gear, dinner before the trek, breakfast at the campsite, and the van ride from Antigua to the trailhead and back.