6-Day Private Tour: Acatenango and Pacaya Volcanoes

Two volcano climbs, a colonial city, and a lake ringed with peaks

A 6-day private hiking tour from Antigua Guatemala that centers on climbing Acatenango, the region's most active volcano, with a night at 3,600 meters and views of Fuego's eruptions. The itinerary also includes a half-day hike up Pacaya, a walking tour of Antigua's churches and plazas, and a boat excursion across Lake Atitlán to visit local artisans and sample chocolate and coffee. Private transportation, guide, hotel stays, camp gear and meals are included; the tour demands high physical fitness and is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Antigua city visit

• Visit Antigua city center
• Welcome dinner in Antigua

Day 2 — Pacaya volcano hike and city tour

• Hike Pacaya volcano
• Return to Antigua
• City tour of Antigua
• Free time in Antigua

Day 3 — Acatenango volcano hike and camp

• Breakfast at hotel
• Start Acatenango volcano hike
• Lunch during ascent
• Arrive at camp
• Optional walk near camp
• Dinner at camp
• Optional night hike to summit
• Breakfast at camp
• Descend from volcano

Day 4 — Return to Antigua and rest

• Return to hotel in Antigua
• Free time to rest or explore

Day 5 — Lake Atitlán boat tour and visits

• Travel to Panajachel
• Boat tour to nature reserve
• Swim or jump from trampoline
• Boat tour to lakeside towns
• Visit umbrella street and shops
• Learn about local crafts and chocolate
• Honey products and artisan visits
• Coffee tasting
• Return to Antigua

Day 6 — Tour end and airport transfer

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to airport or final destination

The Experience

The climb to Acatenango is the centerpiece. You start in the morning, break for lunch on the trail, and arrive at camp in the afternoon at 3,600 meters elevation. From there, if weather permits, you can watch Fuego volcano erupt across the valley at night and choose an optional 3 a.m. push to Acatenango's summit to catch the sunrise before descending the next morning. The camp provides sleeping bags, shelter and dinner cooked on-site.

Before the big climb, you acclimatize with a half-day hike up Pacaya volcano, an easier trail where you can see hot rocks and lava if conditions are clear. After returning from Acatenango, you spend a day walking Antigua's center—its colonial churches, the arch of Santa Catalina, the Capuchinas convent—with free time to browse the shops. On day five, you travel to Lake Atitlán and board a private boat to a nature reserve where swimmers can jump from a trampoline or float in the water, then visit small towns along the shore. You stop at a fabric workshop to watch traditional weaving, taste locally made chocolate and honey products, see local paintings, and end with coffee before returning to Antigua for your last night.

The tour runs six days with a private guide who speaks English or Spanish, private transportation throughout, and all breakfasts at your hotel. You'll need your own hiking clothes and gear; the operator provides the camp equipment, sleeping bags and meals during the volcano nights. Children are welcome from age 18.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the 6 days.
• private guide in English or Spanish.
• lodging at Hotel Casa Mia in Antigua with breakfast each morning.
• camp accommodation with sleeping bag and shelter on Acatenango.
• all meals during the volcano climb.
• private boat tour across Lake Atitlán.
• entry to the nature reserve and visits to local workshops and artisan sites.

Good to know

Demanding physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by DoTicoTours

Is this one for you?Six days is the span that holds the full climb—two nights on the mountain, acclimatization on Pacaya, and time in Antigua and at the lake—without rushing any of it. If you have less time, a 4-day version skips either the lake or one of the volcano hikes; if you want a slower pace with more rest days, an 8-day option spreads the same route across more nights.

Top questions

What is Acatenango volcano like when you reach the camp at 3,600 meters?

Acatenango sits across from Fuego volcano, and on clear nights you can watch Fuego erupt from the camp. The optional 3 a.m. hike to Acatenango's summit lets you see the sunrise before you descend.

How difficult is the Pacaya hike compared to Acatenango?

Pacaya is an easy trail meant to help you acclimatize before the two-day Acatenango climb. On Pacaya you can see hot rocks and lava from the volcano if the weather is clear.

What happens on the Lake Atitlán day?

You travel to Panajachel, board a private boat to a nature reserve where you can swim or jump from a trampoline, then visit local towns where you watch artisans make textiles, chocolate and honey, see paintings, and taste local coffee.

Does the tour include lodging and meals?

Yes. You stay at Hotel Casa Mia in Antigua for four nights, with breakfasts included each morning. On the Acatenango climb, you sleep at the camp and the operator provides dinner and breakfast there.

What should I bring for the hikes?

Bring your own hiking clothes and footwear. The operator supplies the camp tent, sleeping bag, awning and rest area on Acatenango; you do not need to bring those.

Is this tour suitable for someone with limited hiking experience?

The tour requires a high level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, poor cardiovascular health, altitude sickness or poor physical condition.