Guatemala Volcano Camping & Photography Tour - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City, Transfer to Antigua & Walking Tour

Welcome to Guatemala! This Central American nation is renowned for its rich Indigenous culture, ancient Maya ruins, and stunning natural beauty. On this active adventure, you'll focus on the beauty, which involves a photo tour of one of the most famous volcanoes in the southern highlands: Acatenango. 

 

First, though, you need to get there. Upon arrival at the airport in the capital of Guatemala City, a driver will meet you for the one-hour ride west to Antigua. Once the capital of Guatemala, Antigua is known for the Spanish colonial Old Town around its main plaza, Parque Central. It's also surrounded by three volcanoes, and the contrast between these imposing mountains and the city's colorful architecture is part of the reason Antigua has earned UNESCO World Heritage status.
 
After checking in to your hotel, you'll head out and meet a local historian. The two of you will then embark on a walking tour of the city. During this excursion, you'll visit 18th-century landmarks like the Palacio del Ayuntamiento ("City Hall Palace"); Casa Santo Domingo, a former convent that is now a hotel and museum; the Palace of the Captain's General; and La Merced Church, whose canary-yellow Baroque facade is a hallmark of the city. As you stroll the Paseo de Los Museos ("Museum Path"), you'll delve into the roots of Maya archaeology and culture. 

Day 2: Acatenango Hike & Camping Day 1

In the morning, you'll meet your hiking group in Antigua, fill water bottles and stock up on gear, then hop in a 4WD vehicle for the one-hour drive up to a farm on the slope of Acatenango. The trailhead is located at about 11,482 feet (3,500 m), and from here you'll begin an easy one-hour hike up Acatenango's ridge to the campsite. The lovely route will take you up through farmland, temperate coniferous forest, and tropical dry forest. 

 

About halfway up, the group will stop at a beautiful vista overlooking the Agua volcano and the Antigua Valley, where your guide will prepare a fresh picnic lunch. After eating, continue to the storm-beaten tree line of the volcano. Your campsite is just below this tree line and offers sweeping views of the Antigua Valley and the adjacent Fuego volcano. After setting up camp, take some time to stretch out and relax while your guide prepares dinner at 12,300 feet (3,750 m). Enjoy your meal while marveling at the awe-inspiring spectacle of Fuego's eruptions.

Day 3: Acatenango Camping Day 2

Wake up at dawn to snap some great pics of the sunrise over the surrounding volcano peaks. After breakfast in camp, you can spend the remainder of the day with your guide scoping out other great photography vantage points. The guide will prepare both lunch and dinner at the campsite, and if you're lucky you'll be treated to another dramatic performance of Fuego's eruptions after dark.

Day 4: Acatenango Descent, Transfer to Lake Atitlán

Depending on weather conditions, your group will rise early for another stunning sunrise, which will afford more great photo opportunities. After an early camp breakfast, your group will embark on a one-hour trek up a gravel trail through a pine forest. This is the steepest trail yet, and it leads to the rocky, windy summit of Acatenango's peak. At the summit, rest and enjoy breathtaking views of the Guatemalan highlands stretching all the way to Mexico.

After enjoying the 360-degree views, you'll hike back down, break camp, and begin the descent. The return hike to the farm takes about an hour, and when you arrive a car will be waiting to transfer you back to Antigua. There, you'll catch a shuttle for the 2.5-hour drive west to a town on Lake Atitlán, the most famous lake in the country. Here, you'll check in to your lakeside hotel and will have the rest of the day free.

Day 5: Lake Atitlán Day Hike

You're in for a treat, as this morning you'll leave on a day trip into the mountains around Lake Atitlán. After breakfast at your hotel, you'll take a boat to San Juan la Laguna, a town on the western edge of the lake. Here you'll embark on a trailhead that zig-zags up to one of the country's most spectacular viewpoints: Rostro Maya ("Indian Nose"). The hike takes about 30-45 minutes each way, but once at the top you'll want to hang out and snap more pictures. From this vantage point you'll be treated to sweeping views of the lake plus the San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán volcanoes.

Day 6: Transfer to Antigua

In the morning, you'll hop in a car for the 2.5-hour ride from Lake Atitlán back to Antigua. Once in town, you'll check in to your hotel and will have the remainder of the day free. Take some time to stroll Antigua's cobbled streets and treat yourself to local street food like tostadas and empanadas (called dobladas in Guatemala). If you haven't seen them already, visit some of the city's historic landmarks like the Santa Catalina Arch. 

Day 7: Transfer to Guatemala City & Depart

Wake up and enjoy one last leisurely breakfast on the plaza in Antigua. Let it be your reward for conquering Acatenango. At the appropriate time, your driver will pick you up for the transfer back to Guatemala City and the airport, where you're off to the next adventure. ¡Buen viaje!

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Guatemala? Check out these other Guatemala itineraries, explore different ways to spend seven days in Guatemala, or learn about the best time to visit Guatemala.