7 Best Acatenango Hike Tour Companies 2024

Ready for the challenge and exhilaration of hiking Acatenango Volcano? All you have to do now is choose which Acatenango hike tour company to book. There are a lot of them, so I’ve tried to simplify the process for you by putting together a list of the top-rated companies offering Acatenango hike tours.

Have a look below for some quick information on what each tour company includes, their price tags, and a handful of reviews for each one so you can make the most informed choice.

***This page contains some affiliate links, so if you book a tour through those links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more in my disclaimer.***

Choosing a Tour Company for the Acatenango Volcano Hike

Hiking Acatenango with a tour company (rather than hiking the volcano on your own) is by far the most popular choice and has many advantages. These typically include transportation, camping gear, guides, and meals.

Depending on your budget, needs, and expectations, you can find a cheap tour that includes the bare minimum (guide, campsite, campfire), or one that includes everything from camping gear and steak dinners to multi-lingual guides who know lots of information about the region.

The first time I went with a guide was a great experience. We had access to an INCREDIBLE camping spot on the sunrise side. Our guide also found firewood for us and made us a campfire in the evening and morning. Nothing else was included, though, so I still had to carry all my camping gear, water, and food. (Plus gear for hiking Acatenango with my dog.)

My most recent trip was with Soy Tours, and the tour included A-frame cabins to sleep in (which saved us during severe weather), three meals, and access to warm clothing, gloves, and hats at no extra charge. Rather than carrying a soul-crushing 50-pound backpack, I had a much more manageable load.

This list includes some of the best Acatenango tour companies for your perusal.

Questions to help you find the right tour company.

Here are some questions to consider as you look for the best Acatenango hike tour company for you:

• Do you need a guide who speaks your language, or is a Spanish-only guide fine?
• Are you okay with a group hike of up to 40 people, or would you rather a private tour?
• Do you want your meals provided?
• Are you okay with simple food or do you want something fancy?
• What kind of hike do you want? A night and sunrise hike? A day hike? A sunset and night hike? An overnight camping hike? (If you’re not sure, I break down the pros and cons of different hikes in a section of this post.)
• Do you want to watch the sunrise or the sunset from the summit?
• Where would you like to camp?

V-Hiking Acatenango Tour – $77

V-Hiking Tours is one of the best Acatenango Hike Tour Companies available. The company was founded by owner-operator Elvin Soy, an Inguat-certified guide. Elvin grew up in the town of San José Calderas, just two miles from the Acatenango Volcano trailhead. He started climbing when he was six years old, so he has a lifetime of experience on the mountain.

Elvin founded this company to provide work opportunities for people in his community. This way, they won’t have to emigrate to the U.S. and can provide for their families.

Book with this tour company for an awesome trekking experience. Not only that, you’ll get a cultural experience as well—eating a typical Guatemalan breakfast prepared in the home of your guide.

Still not sure? V-Hiking has 57 Trip Advisor reviews. One is “Very Good” the other 56 are “Excellent.”

I highly recommend V-Hiking tours. They are the people who formed all the Acatenango guides. They are the ones who started the mountaineering activity of the area. They have great knowledge and put safety first, unlike other tours you’ll find in the area. Elvin and his family also spend 10% of your purchase on charity activities of the Acatenango communities. They are a super committed and warm family. Enjoy your trip, you won’t regret it.

Sebson

Cost of Acatenango Tours with V-Hiking

Q600 per person for a shared cabin
Q850 per person for a private cabin

Includes:

• Private Round-trip transportation from your hotel in Antigua to the volcano
• Professional Inguat-licensed guides
• Entrance into the park
• Food:
• 2 Breakfasts (one will be a typical breakfast prepared by the mother of the guide)
• 2 Lunches
• 1 Dinner
• Snacks
• Camping Equipment: Tents, comfortable mattresses, clean sleeping bags

Does Not Include:

Guide gratuity
Additional backpacking/Hiking Supplies

What to pack and bring yourself

• Comfortable (non-cotton) or quick-drying pants and shirts
• Shoes or boots with thick soles and good traction
• Two pairs of socks (to change into in the evening)
• Sunglasses if the weather is sunny
• Warm sweater (fleece) for the evening.
• Two layers of clothing to keep warm: (thermal shirt and long sleeve shirt.) 
• Waterproof jacket or windbreaker
• Tuc or beanie cap
• Warm gloves
• Flashlight (headlamp with sufficient charge, or extra batteries)
• Bandana
• Personal medications if you have medications prescribed by your physician
• Personal hygiene kit (toilet paper roll, disinfectant gel etc.) 
• At least 3 liters of water
• Backpack that fits all the equipment on this list (35-45 liters)

Important V-Hiking Details

• Pickup at your hotel in Antigua is at 7 a.m.
• Book through the V-Trekking Website
• There is one guide for every 7 trekkers
• Their private camp has great views of Fuego erupting
• All the meals will be freshly prepared and hot
• Sunrise from the summit

What they say about themselves:

Elvin, the founder of V-Trekking “began offering tours to Acatenango to provide employment for his family and the people of his community so that they would not have to migrate to the United States like many others. And also to show tourists the warmth and hospitality that Guatemala has to offer.”

OX Expeditions Acatenango Hike Tour – $99

OX Expeditions was founded “by mountaineers for mountaineers” and offers one of the best Acatenango tours you can find.

This company is known for quality gear, quality food, and professional guides certified in wilderness safety.

On their Acatenango hike tour, they focus on client safety and comfort. They are also an eco-friendly company that supports Guatemalan kids by teaching them English, stewardship of the environment, and guide skills.

OX Expeditions targets adventure-seekers. They offer a range of action-packed tours such as mountain biking, kayaking, zip-lining, surfing, and of course, trekking volcanoes!

Pay the extra, it’s worth every cent. They provide ample food to keep you going from the morning to the end of the trip. They have great knowledgeable and helpful guides (Romeo & Daniel, you guys rock!), they are great at timing for sunsets and sunrises so you are first on the peaks to watch the lava show out of Fuego and get the best seats, even for sunrises on Acatengo. Plenty of rest breaks but still keep you on time. They don’t care how slow you are, they have endless patience and work really well as a team to keep you motivated and check on you when they notice you might not be doing too well.

Tammy (Read more Reviews)

Cost of the Acatenango volcano tour:

$99

Includes:

• Roundtrip transportation from Antigua
• Camping gear
• Warm clothes at no extra cost
• Breakfast before the tour, plus lunch, dinner, and breakfast on the tour, fresh coffee
• Bi-lingual professional guide
• Pre-trip meeting the day prior
• Free locker storage for luggage

Does not include:

• Entrance fee
• Snacks
• Guide gratuity

Important Info about the Acatenango hike tour:

• Book one week in advance
• Leaves Antigua at 7 AM
• Includes a crater run challenge where you have the chance to win a t-shirt
• Sunrise at the peak

What OX Expeditions say about themselves:

“We climb this volcano more than all our competition combined, rain or shine. Our professional guide team and organized procedures work hard to manage the unpredictable chaos of mother nature to provide a high-quality experience. It’s all about the details. We want each and every client to have an enjoyable time no matter where the adventure takes us. Another thing that sets us apart is we really care about the environment. Call us traditional but we pride ourselves on leaving no trace; we take all our gear up and bring everything back down. Hiking this way we protect the fragile volcanic ecosystem that we love so much.”

Wicho & Charlie’s Acatenango Hike Tour – $119+

Wicho & Charlie’s is a hostel located in Antigua Guatemala. In 2017 they branched out and started offering overnight Acatenango hike tours.

They provide plant-based food, high-quality guides, and high-quality gear. Proceeds from the hike help feed 600 dogs and 200 cats at animal sanctuaries and also helps plant 500 trees every year.

What really sets Wicho & Charlie’s apart is that instead of offering tents, they have A-frame cabins at base camp, that will keep you out of the wind and cold, and safe from eruptions.

They also summit Acatenango at sunset (usually), which I personally loved when I did my hike up the volcano. Once hikers reach base camp, they have the option to tack on the Fuego Volcano tour for an additional fee (paid upon return).

Wicho & Charlie’s is amazing!!! The guides were so kind, helpful, encouraging, and patient. They wanted everyone to have a good experience. The gear rentals were great as well! Good spot on Acatenango to see Fuego all night long. Can’t say enough good things!

Kathryn B

Costs:

• $339 – Private Cabin (price for two people)
• $134 – Stay in a 4-person cabin (price is per person)
• $129 – Stay in a 6-person shared cabin (the price is per person)
• $119 – Stay in an 8-person shared cabin (this price is per person)
• $89 – Add on the option to skip most of the hike and be taken up a 4×4 access road

Gear Rentals

• $6 for a trekking pole
• $3 for thermal base layers
• $12 for merino wool socks

What’s Included:

• Entrance Fee and Hiking Permit (approximately $15)
• Locker room where you can leave your luggage or suitcase
• We carry your bag with the warm clothes, the water and your meals up & down 80% of the way. Skip carrying the heavy bag for almost the entire way up. Subject to weather Sep-Oct (or other heavy rain days). 
• Bilingual community guide trained in first aid, mountain rescue and evac (1 guide for every 6 hikers)
• A-frame cabins at base camp, either shared (4, 6, or 8 people) or private (2 people) with -10º sleeping bags, two ponchos, 6-inch foam mattress, and pillows.
• Kitchen cabin at base camp with gas-stove and basic eating and cooking gear (minimal wood use and no single use plastics to protect the environment)
• Beach chairs at base camp
• Roundtrip transportation to trail-head in a certified and insured tourism bus
• Four Meals plus Snacks
• Gear
  • Beanie hat
  • Scarf
  • Buff
  • Quality winter gloves
  • Jacket, wind-breaker, middle layer
  • Water bottles with filtered water
  • Backpack

Does not include:

• Extra snacks
• Clothing
• Sunscreen
• Toilet Paper
• Camera
• Guide gratuity

Important Info about the Acatenango hike tour:

• Arrive at the agency at 7 am
• Storage area available
• 9 am departure from Antigua
• Once hikers reach base camp, they can choose to proceed to Fuego Volcano for an additional fee (paid upon return). This hike includes a safety helmet and masks against volcanic fumes.
• Sunset at the summit (unless weather makes this impossible, in which case it is swapped to a sunrise hike)
• Showers available at the agency for a $1-2 donation
• Be aware of their refund and cancelation policy:
  • You must cancel 18 or more hours in advance of the hike if you want a refund.
  • If Wicho & Charlie’s cancels the hike due to weather, natural disasters, or the pandemic, you will receive an 80-100% refund.
  • There are no refunds or discounts for the Fuego hike if you participate, regardless of views or weather

What they say about themselves:

“The story of Wicho & Charlie started early in the ’90s with our two dads raising us with an entrepreneurial spirit. The attitude to do things right and that there’s no higher purpose than to be of service to others.”

“We don’t use tents. We believe in safety. Our cabins are a safe shelter ready to withstand eruptions like the one in 2018 and also protect you against the possible harsh weather in Acatenango. We care about you, your experience, and your safety without compromising quality. 

“We have the only cabins on the volcano with good quality gear that is already waiting for you at camp”

Old Town Outfitters Acatenango Tour – $140+

Another great Acatenango hike tour company to consider is Old Town Outfitters. They have been in business for twenty years and has high reviews across the board. They are focused on offering unique experiences, including custom-tailored tours. They are known for high-quality guides and high-quality gear.

Old Town Outfitters also leads mountain bike tours across Guatemala and may be able to organize a custom Acatenango Mountain Bike trip. Just head to their website, get in touch through the contact form, and let them know what you’re looking for.

The great thing about Old Town Outfitters is that everything is arranged perfectly: 2 English speaking guides on 4 people, freshly made lunch with tortillas, avocado, beans, etc. instead of carrying your own box with some bread and peanut butter, top located tents in base camp, dinner, drinks,… Our guides Juan Carlos and Josias were great, professional and told us a lot on the road. We’ve seen groups of 20 people on 1 guide and we were so happy that we booked the tour with Old Town Outfitters.

Bart R.

Cost of the Tour with Old Town Outfitters:

$140 – $245 (dependent on number of people)

Includes:

• Roundtrip Transportation (from Antigua)
• Local guide
• Local bilingual guide with first aid training
• Entrance fees
• Lunch on the trail, dinner, breakfast, snacks, juice, coffee, tea
• Tents, sleeping bags and mats.
• Available for free upon request: backpacks, trekking poles, jackets
• Orientation video and pdfs

Does not include:

• Backpack
• Additonal snacks
• Water
• Clothing
• Hiking boots
• Flashlight/headlight
• Porter

Important Info: 

• The hike leaves at 7:45 and returns around noon the next day.
• Sunrise at the peak
• You can also opt to tack on their “Mountain to Sea” Tour, which will take you directly from the volcano to El Paredón Surf House, where you can relax on the beach and take a surfing lesson.

What they say about themselves:

“Go with the most-trusted operator, we have 20+ years of operating on Acatenango volcano and with our guides you will be in the best hands.”

“Every Old Town Outfitters’ product is committed to honoring our sustainable tourism philosophy:

• Work to support the local communities in all of the areas we visit
• Respect the cultures, beliefs and traditions in all of the areas we visit
• Respect the environment, work to utilize resources sustainably, and minimize our impact”

Trek Guatemala Acatenango Hike Tour – $149+

One reason to choose Trek Guatemala to lead your Acatenango hike tour is because this company leads trekking expeditions all over Guatemala. They focus on culture, service, and sustainability. One of their selling points is that a place is all about the people. They want their clients to experience Guatemalan culture by meeting local people.

Based on reviews of other walking/hiking tours organized by Trek Guatemala, they can accommodate special diets and allergies.

Trek Guatemala was prepared with a great guide who spoke Spanish, English, and French. The provided equipment, and rental gear if needed, was all new and of very good quality. The food was very good and our guide prepared lunch, dinner, and breakfast that other hiking groups were jealous of… Our tents were set up when we arrived and a nice touch was the thermarest chair made out of the sleeping pad…

Hadfun2018

Cost of Acatenango hike with Trek Guatemala:

Prices vary depending on whether you choose their glamping or adventure camping options.

Tip: Joining a confirmed tour will save you money! Check their Upcoming Tours Calendar to join an existing group and find coupon codes that you can use during checkout to lower your tour price based on the number of guests in the group.

Adventure Camping Prices:

• 2 guests: $229 per guest
• 3 guests: $189 per guest
• 4-5 guests: $169 per guest
• 6+ guests: $149 per guest

Acatenango Glamping Prices

This option include a spacious safari-style canvas tent, comfortable cots & bedside table, pillows & pillow cases, trekking poles & camp chairs.

• 2 guests: $309 per guest
• 3 guests: $249 per guest
• 4 guests: $209 per guest

You can upgrade both the adventure camping and glamping options to a private tour. Check the website for more details.

Includes:

• Pre-departure packing list and trip briefing
• Multi-lingual trekking guide with certified first-aid training
• Roundtrip transportation from Antigua to the Acatenango trailhead
• Park entrance fees
• Day 1 meals: lunch, dinner + snacks
• Day 2 meals: breakfast + snacks
• High-quality tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and trekking poles

Does not include:

• Large capacity backpack (50L) +/ – available for rental at additional cost
• Flashlight/headlamp – available for rental at additional cost
• Cold-weather clothing – available for rental at additional cost
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Raincoat (May through October)
• 4-6L of water
• Guide gratuity

Important Info:

• Leaves Antigua at 8 AM
• Morning at the peak after an early breakfast

What they say about themselves:

“The summit of Acatenango is an extreme environment where things can, and have, gone wrong for hikers who are ill-prepared for the conditions. Tales of fly-by-night operators with leaky tents and unwashed sleeping bags leaving slower hikers behind are common from visitors deceived by their lower prices.”

“With nearly 20 years managing adventure travel in Guatemala, you can trust our team to keep you safe, satisfied and smiling.”

Tropicana Tours Acatenango Hike – $85

If you want to hike Acatenango with a company that has lots of experience, Tropicana Hostel may be the choice for you. They have led over 10,000 tours up Acatenango volcano. They offer hikes every Saturday, throw in a free breakfast, and offer vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-intolerant options for their meals. All meals are vegetarian/plant-based.

Tropicana helps support the local community in La Soledad by hiring local guides, enabling them to stay in their communities instead of traveling to the city for work. They pay they above average and also equip them with good boots and cold-weather gear.

Another bonus with Tropicana is that they now have wooden cabins which will keep you out of the wind and cold. Their base camp is located on the western slope (sunset side), making it ideal for watching the sunset on your first night. It’s a quieter side of the volcano with fewer tour companies.

Their guides are not bilingual, however. If that is important to you, you may wish to choose a different company.

This trip was totally amazing, the hike was spectacular, I went with my kids and Tropicana made everything so easy, the food, the gear, the guides, the wooden cabins (that btw were just perfect for this kind of overnight), we definitely recommend it for all ages.

Beth Smith

Cost:

$85 per person to join the Saturday group hike

Gear Rentals Available including:

• Jackets
• Sweaters
• Scarveds
• Gloves
• Hats
• Backpacks
• Headlamps

Tropicana Acatengango hike Includes:

• Entrance Fee
• Sleeping bag, mat, and wooden cabins with views of Fuego
• Local Community Guide
• Meals:
  • Breakfast before the hike
  • 3 vegetarian meals (vegan, gluten-free, lactose intolerant options available upon request)
  • Snacks
  • Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.
  • Marshmallows to roast at the campfire.
• Roundtrip Transportation to and from the trailhead
• Free storage at the hostel
• Free shower and towel at the hostel after the trek, at no extra cost.

Does not include:

• Guide gratuity
• Some warm weather gear
• Backpacks
• Shoes
• Headlamps

Important Info:

• Non-English-speaking Guides
• Tropicana leads hikes every Saturday, but may have hikes on other days (inquire)
• Sunrise at the peak
• Arrive at the hostel at 8am for the free breakfast
• Shuttle departs at 9am
• Campfire and marshmallow roast included
• Pet friendly
• Family friendly

What they say about themselves:

“To make your excursion unforgettable, we will send you a packing list, conduct a pre-trip in-person briefing, serve you delicious meals, and make sure you are safe and satisfied.”

Soy Tours Acatenango Hike – $77

Soy Tours is another local Acatenango tour company with good ratings. They offer tasty food, friendly Spanish-speaking guides, and plenty of warm weather gear.

In my opinion, they are one of the best Acatenango tours available, considering what’s included, the cost, and the fact that they are fully local. (Plus, the owner has a hilarious showman-style speaking manner that adds points for entertainment)

Their base camp is on the western face (sunset side) of Acatenango, offering spectacular views of Fuego and Lake Atitlán (and its surrounding volcanoes). In the evening, they have a bonfire with hot food, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and the option to take a swig or two of Quetzaltenca.

Since their office is in La Soledad, they will pick you up right from your hostel in Antigua (as long as it’s in central Antigua).

My experience hiking with Soy Tours

I hiked with Soy Tours in June 2024. They were very friendly, knowledgeably, and got us up to base camp and back safely despite extremely adverse weather conditions caused by a tropical storm.

Although we were unable to summit (due to that tropical storm), the A-frame cabins saved us from being blown or swept off the mountain. They accomodated my gluten-free diet as well. When some of the people on the tour complained that they weren’t able to summit, Soy Tours offered a refund of all but the entrance ticket price, which I thought quite impressive.

I definitely recommend them!

Plus, the food looked better than what Tropicana had (we ended up eating lunch in the same spot).

Cost of hiking Acatenango with Soy Tours:

$77

Includes:

• Roundtrip transportation from central Antigua to the Trailhead
• Gear:
  • Jacket
  • Gloves
  • Hat
  • Walking stick
• Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, and a bonus evening snack at the campfire, plus Quetzaleteca, hot chocolate, and a beer once you get back to the office.
• Stay in a four-season camping dome with a thick foam pad, sleeping bag, and minimalist pillow.
• Compost toilet

Does not include:

• Water
• Guide Gratuity
• Snacks during the hike
• Flashlight
• Boots
• Backpacks (limited quantity available for rent)

Important Info about Soy Tours Acatenango hike:

• 7:30-8am Shuttle Pickup at hostels in central Antigua
• Sunrise at the Peak

What they say about themselves:

We want to elevate Guatemala by delivering the best service to our clients so that they have the greatest experience conquering Acatenango, while supporting local guides and communities.

Our team is the heart of our agency. All our guides are certified by INGUAT, to guarantee your safety and security.
What’s more, we are united by our passion for creating personalized experiences and adventures.

Our agency takes pride in being local, providing employment and opportunities for our community to continue to grow, while providing our clients with excellent service.

Conclusion: Best Acatenango Hike Tour Companies

This isn’t a complete list, but it covers the best-known Acatengango hike tour operators out of Antigua.

Other companies in Xela and Panajachel also offer excursions to Acatenango, so there are plenty of options if you want a tour based out of another location. If there’s enough interest, I may expand this list to include more tour companies, including more budget options such as Guate Valley and Chuchito Tours.

Don’t miss my other posts on Acatenango, including how difficult the Acatenango hike is. If you want information on the trails, routes, day versus overnight hikes, and what to pack, check out the relevant sections of my post on hiking Acatenango on your own. If you’d like to hike with your furry friend, check out my post on hiking volcanoes with a dog.

Looking for more volcanoes to climb? Check out my post on climbing San Pedro Volcano in Lake Atitlán, or choose one of these awesome Pacaya Volcano tours from Antigua.