Acatenango Tour

The weather forecast: When it comes to the Acatenango volcano, the weather forecast is almost always wrong.

It is very difficult to predict the weather as the volcano has his own climate (Subtropical cloudy rainy forest). But what we can tell you is that at least 90% of groups that climbed the volcano can see the whole thing (Eruptions & Sunrise) that even in rainy season.

The CA Travelers supply center is also the storage room, if you hostal does not offer this service you can also take the luggage with us and after the tour you can pick it up.

Your backpack needs to be 40L at least. If you have a bigger one it is much better. Please trust us on this one! The most comfortable you are the better the experience will be for you.

We have only a couple of spare backpacks, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE, so make your reservation in advance in case you need a backpack to get one, the renting price is Q50 per backpack and you need to take care of it!

You need to follow the 3-layer rule! The 3-layer rule is a clothing system for outdoor activities that consists of three layers, each with a specific purpose:

Base layer: Wicks sweat away from the skin and regulates body temperature

Mid-layer: Insulates and retains body heat.(If you tend to feel very cold, bring another one)

Outer layer: Protects from wind and rain, while also allowing body heat and moisture to escape.(This layer is given by us. If you want you can bring your own)

Porters are available one way or roundtrip.

Each way is Q200 per backpack, carrying no more than 25 pounds or 12 kilos.

If your backpack is between 12.1 - 14 kilos is Q300 each way and if your backpack is between 14.1 -16 kilos is Q400 each way. Please keep in mind that if you hire a porter the money goes straight to his family.

We have a horse service just if the circumstances warrant its use. (Like back or knee problems.

The price each way is Q800. This service is to help the customer to ease her/his way up or down on the volcano.

It is really important that you understand that you CANNOT BE ON THE HORSE ALL THE TIME.

We do not support animal cruelty, this is why we suggest to use the horse as the last resource.

We request an ID as a deposit for the equipment, so bring your driver license or your passport. Any of these two would work for us.

Please bring a real ID, a copy does not work for us. Once the equipment is returned you get back your ID.

Our rainponcho is to cover you and your backpack from the rain.
If you have your raincoat and your cover for the backpack, then you can bring it!

The change of altitud can affect your body, you may feel nauseous, headache or dizzy. You need to start the hike really slow for the first hour for you body to adapt to it and also sip water all the time. If you get altitud sickness the guides have some pills to make you feel better.

If you are likely to be affected by altitud, is better to start taking the altitude sickness pills 2 day prior the hike (1 per day). At the pharmacy you find ACETAZOLAMIDE.

The recommended amount of water is between 3 to 4 liters of water for the whole tour. Please make sure to bring the amount of water you consider necessary for your body. There is no way to refill the camelbak at the campsite.

Also we suggest not to bring more than 5 liters of water as the weight would make the first 2 hours unbearable.

After the first hour you will find the first gate for Acatenango town and
there you need fill a form to access to the park.

The porters, the horse owners, (all payments made at the trek) need tobe in cash and quetzales. So please make sure to bring the cash you will need for the adventure.

The walking sticks are strongly recommended to help you to go up anddown the volcano. They are rented for Q10 each stick at the entrance of the volcano.

Going up is nice for you not to slide down. And coming down helps you with your knees.

These sticks are rented and you need to give them back to the owner.

Everything that we provide for the trek is optional, if you have your own equipment as jacket, liner, raincoat, headlamp, camelbak or gloves you can bring them, sometimes our customers feel more comfortable using their own stuff.

Please understand that we want to provide you everything that you need for you to have a great experience. If you destroy any of these items you will need to pay for it.

The CA Travelers Acatenango campsite is already set up for you, please take care of all the  equipment provided over there:

• Do not take out the sleeping bag, the liner, the mattress or anything else from the tent.
• Do not bring your shoes inside the tents.
• Respect the guides and their instructions.
• No music is allowed in the National Park, if you want to play music at the campsite please keep it low.

We are not responsible of items forgotten in the cabin,  campsite or at the CA Travelers supply center (storage room).

Please make sure you have everything you need to take with you before leaving the campsite.

We work with community guides of San Jose Calderas. In this community we find hard working people that are looking for a better future for their kids and themselves.

A large percentage of the population of this community illegally migrate to the United States looking for a better life for their families. Lack of education is one of the main factors why these people are not eligible for well paid jobs.

Our goal is to create enough jobs through the travel agency so these people do not need to travel to the United States and have a decent life with their families.

These villages close to the volcano has been forgotten by the goverment so sustainable tourism is our proposal to help the community prosper.

While you're at the Acatenango volcano tour some dogs may join the group and follow you for food or water. They are friendly and they are looking to survive and get some love from you.

If you would like to bring some dog treats with you to share with them, we are sure they will be more than happy.