Guatemala volcano hikes

Hello,

It seems that Guatemala offers many hikes up volcanic mountains.
Which one would you recommend? What mountains offer the chance to go all the way to the crater?

Thank you!

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/americas-central-america/guatemala/volcanoes-and-other-treks-in-guatemala-report

Other volcanoes I haven't done yet but can be hiked:
Around Lake Atitlan:
- Atitlan
- Toliman
Around Xela:
- Santa Maria
- Santiaguito (very active side cone of Santa Maria)
Around Antigua
- Fuego (very active, not sure if safe to climb at present)
- Agua

Fuego has been pretty active, when were were there in Jan is was a no go, lots of ash and spewing lava, even the airport closed a few times in GC due to the winds with ash...

I suggest you avoid hiking active volcanos; you´ll live longer.

I think Acatenango overnight (from Antigua) would be my first pick. Acatenango is dormant but you will be able to see Fuego erupt and that is amazing. The sunset and sunrise were spectacular as well. Tough climb.

Second pick would be Santa Maria (from Xela). You do have to leave early and you have to be lucky because clouds roll in quickly and if it is clouded when you get to the top you don't see much. If it is clear you look down on active volcano Santiaguito and you will hopefully see it erupt. The views of Xela and other volcanoes are great too. Hard climb.

Third pick: Tajumulco overnight (from Xela). The highest point in Central America and the sunrise is spectacular. Medium climb... easier than Acatenango and Santa Maria.

If you want to climb an active volcano there is Fuego (from Antigua) and Santiaguito (from Xela) but both hikes would only be offered if it is safe and even then can be a bit risky. You can't go all the way to the crater. With Fuego they take you on the narrow slope leading up to the crater. With Santiaguito they used to camp in an inactive crater 400 m or so from the active crater. Both very demanding.

If you want to look into an active crater I recommend going to Nicaragua where you can go all the way to the crater on volcano Concepcion (Ometepe Island, very tough hike), volcano Masaya (near Granada, they drive you to the crater and you can see lava), volcano Telica (very impressive crater and you can stand right on the edge, you might see lava, I recommend the overnight trip), volcano San Cristobal (also a tough climb)...

Thank you all for this great information.

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Hi Amani3,

I'd highly recommend hiking Acatenango volcano just outside Antigua. You hike and camp on the mountain and visit the crater/summit at sunrise. When I hiked up, the adjacent volcano, Fuego erupted beautiful fire red lava all night. The sounds and sights were magnificent! Highlight of the trip and I've been on the go for 7+ months.

http://adventureofalifetime.co.uk/acatenango-volcano-hike-fuego/

Hi there!
I'm trying to decide a similar thing!
Going in June - rainy season, so not super ideal for trekking but still wanting to do either Acatanengo or Pacaya...
Any thoughts?
Amani3 - what did you end up doing in the end?

Pacaya is a short hike (2 hours up). You can't go to the top any more. The views are nice and you will see old lava flows. Nice if you have not been close to an active volcano before. Acatenango is in a different league altogether. It is a tough hike. I recommend the overnight trip. You go from farmland to cloud forest to high alpine forest to volcanic scree. Looking down on the clouds, seeing volcano Agua and then at the top seeing volcano Fuego erupt is amazing. We saw lava at night. Fuego has been very active lately. The sunset and sunrise were spectacular. Make sure you are acclimatized.

I will be in Guatemala in June and July, so I haven't made up my mind yet. But people's comments here are definitely helpful in making the choice.

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