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Acatenango Volcano Side Quest

An optional four-day extension to hike an active volcano in Guatemala
March 8-12, 2027

For the Women Who Want a Little More Adventure

Most people admire volcanoes from a distance. What if you spent the night beside one?

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Join us March 8–12, 2027 for our Acatenango Volcano Side Quest. This five-day, small-group adventure follows the Antigua Slow Travel Retreat and is designed for the women who want to experience one of the most unforgettable hikes in the world before heading home.​ â€‹â€‹â€‹

Why Acatenango?

The Acatenango hike is widely considered one of the most incredible outdoor experiences in Central America, offering the rare opportunity to watch the highly active Volcán de Fuego erupt from a nearby mountainside camp. Over two days, you'll hike through forests, farmland, and volcanic terrain before reaching base camp, where you'll spend the evening taking in unforgettable views of lava and ash bursts lighting up the night sky. The following morning, you'll have the option to summit Acatenango for sunrise above the clouds.

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It's important to note that this is an adventure experience, not a luxury retreat. Accommodations are rustic, temperatures can be cold at elevation, and the hike is physically demanding due to the steep terrain and altitude. We strongly recommend this Side Quest for women who are generally active, comfortable with strenuous hiking, and excited by the challenge of earning one of the most rewarding views in Guatemala.

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Pricing & Booking

$2,450 per person

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​This includes the following:

  • Hotel on Night 1, pre-hike

  • Guided overnight hike + cot and sleeping bag at primitive camp

  • Hotel on Night 3 & 4, post-hike

  • All food and drink

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Secure your spot with a 40% deposit ($980).

Full balance due by December 4, 2026.

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Deposits are non-refundable.

Retreat will be confirmed once 80% of spots are filled. If minimum numbers are not met, deposits can be refunded or applied to a future trip.

It's recommended to not book your flight until the retreat has been confirmed. 

What We'll Do

Over five days, we will:

  • Spend our first day preparing for the adventure ahead, gathering gear, reviewing logistics, and getting a good night's sleep

  • Travel to the Acatenango trailhead and begin our ascent through forests, farmland, and volcanic terrain, stopping along the way for meals and incredible views

  • Spend the night at a mountainside camp overlooking Volcán de Fuego, where we'll watch one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas erupt beneath the stars

  • Wake before sunrise for the optional summit hike to the top of Acatenango, then descend the mountain and return to Antigua that afternoon

  • Enjoy a well-earned recovery day in Antigua to rest, celebrate, and swap stories before departing the following morning

 

This Side Quest is intentionally built around the Acatenango experience, one of Guatemala's most iconic adventures. We'll handle the logistics while you focus on the challenge, the views, and the unforgettable experience of watching an active volcano from a front-row seat. The hike itself is demanding, but we've built in time on both sides so you can prepare properly and recover comfortably.

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Is this Side Quest for me?

This hike is challenging. Acatenango reaches 13,045 feet (3,976 meters), and the combination of steep terrain, loose volcanic gravel, cold temperatures, and altitude makes it one of the more demanding hikes many travelers have ever completed.

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You don't need to be an elite athlete, but we do recommend this experience for women who are generally active, healthy, and comfortable with strenuous hiking. It may not be a good fit for those with mobility limitations, heart or respiratory conditions, altitude sensitivity, recent surgeries, pregnancy, or a significant fear of heights.

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The hike is tough, but the reward is extraordinary: watching Volcán de Fuego erupt from camp and witnessing sunrise above the clouds from the summit of Acatenango.

What's Included

  • Four nights of accommodations (one night in Antigua, one night at Acatenango base camp, two nights in Antigua). Sleeping bag, pillow, and sleeping cot

  • Roundtrip transportation between Antigua and the Acatenango trailhead

  • Guided Acatenango Volcano trek with local guides

  • Select rental hiking gear (i.e. hiking poles)

  • All meals during the five days

  • Slow Travel Co. host throughout the experience

  • Recovery day in Antigua after the hike

  • All planning and logistics coordination

Volcano de Fuego seen from Acatenango in Guatemala_lr.jpeg
Airplane Arrival in Costa Rica

What's Not Included

  • Flights to and from Guatemala

  • Travel insurance (recommended)

  • Porter service on the mountain

  • Additional snacks and personal purchases

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Hiking boots, jackets and personal hiking gear

  • Gratuities for local guides and drivers

  • Medical expenses or emergency evacuation costs

What to bring

  • Hiking shoes (not new)

  • Comfortable shoes for camp

  • Warm Jacket or outer shell

  • Comfortable and breathable clothes. Thermal clothing is a great idea

    • Long-sleeved shirt

    • Hiking Pants

  • Warm clothes for camp if you'd like to change

  • Hat and/or beanie

  • Snacks

  • Sunscreen

  • Water

  • Insect repellent

  • Personal medication

  • Trekking gear

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More information will be provided prior to departure

Want to join our Slow Travel Retreat prior to the hike?

Just prior to this Side Quest, we'll be in Antigua, Guatemala for a 5-day, 4-night Slow Travel Retreat where we'll explore the city's culture and food, visit Lake Atitlán, and more! 

Volcán San Pedro desde Lago Atitlán Sololá Guatemala_lr.jpeg

If hiking an active volcano has been on your list, this is your invitation to experience it with a small group of women who are up to the challenge!

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