Our Ultimate Acatenango Volcano Packing List

A detailed breakdown of exactly what to pack to hike Acatenango Volcano, plus how to dress and what extra gear is worth renting.

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Packing for the Acatenango Volcano overnight hike is all about preparation – the right clothing and gear can make the difference between an unforgettable adventure and an uncomfortable experience. With its steep trails, chilly summit temperatures, and the chance to watch nearby Fuego Volcano erupt against the night sky, this epic trek is one of the best things to do in Guatemala. But conditions change quickly, and being properly equipped is key.

We did a lot of research into hiking Acatenango, as we wanted to be really prepared, and we absolutely smashed the packing situation. It’s rare that we ever don’t forget an essential item or overpack, carrying way more than we need to and not using half of it (story of our lives). But for this hike, we had exactly what we needed in the right place so we could use it at the right time, we didn’t have heavy packs making our trek more difficult, and we didn’t forget a thing! So we’re sharing our exact Acatenango Volcano packing list in this post, so you know exactly what to bring, what you can rent in Antigua, and what to leave at home, as well as what to wear at each stage of the hike to be comfortable.

Acatenango Volcano Hike Basics

Acatenango is one of the best places to visit in Guatemala, but you need to be prepared. To give you an idea of what it’s like to hike Acatenango Volcano, before you pack and regardless of your operator, we’ve popped some stats below.

Acatenango Packing List

Acatenango is one of the most important considerations when planning a trip to Guatemala. If you’re wondering what to bring on an Acatenango hike, we’ve got you covered with our complete packing list.

What to wear for an Acatenango overnight hike?

Packing the right clothes for the guided overnight Acatenango Volcano tour can make or break your experience. The weather shifts dramatically as you climb, from warm and sunny farmland at the base to icy winds and freezing temperatures at camp.

You’ll want to dress in layers that you can easily add or remove as conditions change, like moisture-wicking base layers, an insulating fleece or down jacket, and a waterproof outer shell. Sturdy hiking boots are a must, thermal leggings or walking trousers are handy, and accessories like sunglasses (the sun is strong), a cap or bandana (to reduce sunburn), and a buff (it gets quite dusty) are essential, too.

Here’s exactly what we wore and would recommend you dress in to climb Acatenango:

Can I hike Acatenango in sneakers?

Absolutely not, it’s strongly discouraged to wear sneakers or trainers to climb Acatenango. Sturdy hiking boots or shoes are essential for stability on loose volcanic ash and steep sections. Shoes with added ankle support would also be beneficial.

One guy in our group wore sneakers (trainers) and was really struggling to get any grip at all on the descent, falling over quite a bit.

We both wore our Gore-Tex Nike trail running shoes, which we found were great for good grip and splash protection. They’ve got cushioning inside, and ankle cuffs stop volcanic debris and trail rubble from kicking up inside the shoes. We’d also recommend thick walking socks to help reduce rubbing – I wore through mine in the two days, so I dread to think what my toes would have looked like in normal socks.

How big of a backpack do you need for Acatenango?

Choosing the right backpack is one of the most important parts of preparing for Acatenango. You’ll need something that’s big enough to fit your gear but not so heavy that it slows you down on the steep ascent. Since you’ll be hiking for several hours with altitude and incline working against you, comfort and balance are key.

You’ll only need two kinds of bags on the hike:

Honestly, most people way overpack for Acatenango. We managed with a 20-litre day rucksack for me, Dan had a 30-litre day rucksack, as he had space for our camera gear and jumpers when we got too hot, and one 40L backpack between us.

With Wicho & Charlie’s, you can use a 15L backpack included in the tour price (which we found too small for what we wanted to carry) and rent a premium 40L overnight backpack. This larger backpack is transported 80% of the way up the volcano for you in a 4×4, meaning you only need to carry it up the last stretch – about 30-45 minutes of walking.

With other companies, you might need to carry all your bags the whole way up. You can hire a local porter to carry your bag up, but it’s an extra service, charged at around 100-200Q (~$13-32 USD). Please don’t use horses, as it’s really unethical, and they don’t look in great condition.

What to pack for an Acatenango overnight hike?

Besides your larger backpack, you’ll take a small day rucksack (~20 litres), which you’ll use to carry the things you want to access while you’re hiking. We’d recommend packing into this:

We had one small day rucksack (~25 litres) each and one larger backpack (~30 litres) between the two of us for our overnight stuff. We’d highly recommend you try to pack as lightly as possible, because you’ll have to carry it all yourself, plus extras like your water bottles for the two days (and extra water for cooking dinner) and your lunch tupperware.

With Wicho & Charlie’s, we picked up our larger bags 80% of the way up the volcano, but with other companies, you’ll carry them the whole way up. This meant we didn’t have access to some of our warmer clothes until we reached the last stretch, but also that we didn’t need to carry unnecessary layers with us until we reached near the top.

Once you reach base camp, you’re going to want to change into your warmer clothes. You can pack these in your backpack (~40 litres). Here’s what we’d recommend bringing in your overnight backpack for the evening of Day 1:

You’ll also need to pack everything you need for the evening on Day 1 and the morning on Day 2, including:

You only spend one night on the volcano, so you don’t need to pack all your toiletries – make-up and fancy skincare really isn’t necessary – and we’d recommend leaving as much as you can in Antigua, so you have less weight to carry.

Do you need to bring everything for the Acatenango Volcano hike?

Reputable companies provide everything from high-quality tents or cabins and warm sleeping bags to freshly cooked meals and hot chocolate. Many operators also include gear in the price of their tour, so be sure to check what is and isn’t included when you book.

The price of our hike included the rental of warm clothing, including a hat, scarf, buff, winter gloves, and multiple jackets, as well as accessories like a headlamp, water bottles and a small rucksack.

While it’s most comfortable to bring your own gear, a lot of people who climb Acatenango are travelling through Central America and can’t bring all their bulky gear from home. Don’t worry, because many tour operators also offer gear rentals for anything you don’t have with you.

Acatenango Gear Rental Prices

Most Acatenango tour operators will offer a variety of clothing to rent, as well as extra equipment, with prices varying depending on who you choose.

You’ll often need to leave your ID as a deposit for this. We left our passports with Wicho & Charlie’s during our hike and picked them up again when we returned to the office.

We could also rent extras, including:

*These are items we strongly recommend you rent if you haven’t brought your own.

It’s worth checking the quality of the gear before setting off, as some equipment can be well-worn, especially from the cheaper operators.

Can you leave your luggage in storage?

Most hostels and hotels in Antigua allow you to store your main luggage while you’re hiking Acatenango. This is especially handy if you’re returning to the same accommodation afterwards to continue your Guatemala itinerary.

Many of the tour operators have lockers for you to leave your belongings in while you’re hiking the volcano, too. Simply pack a smaller bag for the hike and leave the rest securely behind.

Some places offer luggage storage services for free, while others may charge a small fee. It’s always best to confirm in advance, but you definitely don’t need to haul your suitcase up the volcano!

Hiking Acatenango with all your gear

You’ve got all the gear, but no idea how to do the Acatenango hike? Check out our travel guides below:

You’re probably going to be using Antigua as a base, so check out our comprehensive travel guides:

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