The camp
Facing Fuego.
User:Stan Shebs — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rick Thomas (https://imaggeo.egu.eu/user/DrRickThomas/) — CC BY 3.0 · Luisfi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · amslerPIX — CC BY 2.0
One of Central America's most famous hikes: climbing the dormant Acatenango volcano, whose twin peaks rise close to four thousand metres, and camping a night on its flank to watch its neighbour Fuego, the «volcano of fire», one of the world's most active volcanoes, spitting red lava and ash every few minutes. The climb starts in the morning from La Soledad village, through farmland, then cloud and pine forest and a steep trail of volcanic sand, five to six hours up to a camp at about 3,600 metres facing Fuego head-on. From there climbers watch glowing eruptions in the dark and climb at dawn to the summit for sunrise over the volcanoes. The two volcanoes are known together as La Horqueta. Fuego's great eruption in June 2018 killed hundreds of villagers on its slopes, so respect the place and its history. The trip is tiring and needs good fitness, and nights are bitterly cold, sometimes below freezing, so operators provide tents and warm gear. Volcano hikes are only with licensed guides; the volcanoes are active and trails close when activity rises, so check before going.
Facing Fuego.
In the dark.
Over the volcanoes.
La Soledad village near Acatenango, about an hour from Antigua
Yes, five to six hours up a steep trail and a cold night out, so it needs good fitness and a licensed guide.