Volcan Acatenango — Attraction in Chimaltenango

I went up during a storm and it was a little rough. The clouds only parted enough for us to see the volcano explode twice. That was totally awesome when it happened though.

I went with guilmer and soy and they did a wonderful job. Food was great and they even gave us some nice extras like hot chocolate made from chocolate bars. Would definitely go with them again. Guides didn't speak the best English but very friendly and some of the group spoke spanish which they translated for us gringos.

The hike to the summit was a little anticlimactic. Gale force winds with no explosion. You couldn't peak over and watch the sun rise with out freezing your ass off. If it would of exploded while we were at the top it would of totally been worth it.

The only thing I didn't like was the organization of everyone when we were summiting at 3 in the morning. Probably 150 people doing it at once all stuck in a line on a small path. Everybody trying to pass everybody. It's dark so easy to get separated from your group. The only suggestion for guilmer and soy is somehow try to make that a little more organized. Also they do have a slight trash problem around the base camps. Maybe try to use less disposable plates?

Hike is super hard and you will get very dirty and everything you take will smell like smoke etc. I stunk up my dorm room on my arrival back. Glad it's over but definitely...

Such an awesome trip! Challenging but totally worth it! I reccomend using the local guides via the smaller travel agencies you can find in Antigua. We paid 150Q for our trip meanwhile OX costs $89 and Old Town Outditters costs $125, which is an absurd price. Our guide, Prundencio, and his son, Enmer, were very friendly treated is very well. The food was simple but sufficient and the guides bring coffee and hot chocolate. The gear shows its use but did the job. Btw, prudencio is 60 and can cruise up and down the volcano so the faster hikers stayed with him while enmer was there for the slower people, which is actually a nice option to have. Again, this trip is a must do for the adventurous sorts. Getting to see the el fuego explode night and day is awesome and the view of the cities, other volcanos and ocean is...

One of the best hikes and views I've had. Quick recommendations if you are going to fuego volcano after: Take cash. And take extra bc probably someone will not take theirs and it will be easier if someone lends the money that to convince guides that they will pay at their retur to antigua. Take a good kn95 covid mask. The road there is full of ash/dust/dirt and it's super uncomfortable to walk while inhaling that. The usual, take many layers for the freezing cold at the top. (but do not wear them while hiking. Terrible mistake bc you will sweat and then, when you stop, the sweat gets super cold.) If you have it, take a small tripod for pictures. The cold makes you shiver and makes it hard to take a...