Breathtaking Acatenango: Overnight Volcano Eruption Camp

Great activity for solo traveling.. plenty of solo travelers from all over the world. Definitely not the easiest hike but it’s well worth it.

It was fantastic. The tour was super organised they supplied all the gear I needed at no added cost. The food was great and included in the tour cost. Our guide was super professional but also good fun. We were lucky enough to see some amazing eruptions. I would 100 percent recommend this to anyone considering doing the trip

The hike to base camp is hard but totally worth it. Once we got to the base camp, the view was blocked by clouds but weather changes so fast and could see and hear the volcano. It is so impressive! The hike to Fuego is even harder and you will come back at night, but what an experience! It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I didn’t go to the summit in the morning because I was too tired. The service itself was incredible. Axel, Leo, Lily and 2 other local guides were very careful, kind and professional. Such a good team. We felt safe and cared for at all times. They cooked for us and organized everything so well. Definitely take the free gear they have to climb and rent hiking sticks. Oh, and loooots of dogs to pet on the way 😍 Muchas gracias, it will stick with me my whole life.

Me and my partner did this tour and absolutely loved it! Henry our head guide was amazing throughout and gave us our pre departure briefing. OX provided all the gear we required (which was all of it as we were in the middle of a 6 week trip across multiple countries). All the food we had was delicious and perfectly portioned given how physical the hike is! All the guides were amazing and super encouraging the whole way up! While it is a demanding hike it is really worth the effort when you get to base camp, just make sure you have comfy shoes with decent grip! I wore Nike runners and didn’t have any issues!! We did the Fuego hike as well and it was absolutely incredible, one of the best things I have ever done!!! Well worth the extra money which is payable on return to OX expeditions office. The Cabins had an incredible view of the volcano and we loved the guys we roomed with! OX were professional, efficient and a pleasure to deal with. 100% recommend!

I will try to cover the most important experiences since a lot happened: - I recommend good water resistant or better yet waterproof hiking clothing and shoes. It's a wet and muddy climb up. - Have a light but decent quality rain poncho. It's very windy and a thin poncho will rip easily. Keeping dry is a priority on a cold volcano top. - Have a rain guard for your backpack - an absolute must to keep everything inside your pack dry! - Be honest with your physical shape (I'm 59 years old in good health) as it's a strenuous climb up at a fair pace. Carrying a 40lb back pack with water, food and clothes pushed me to my limit. I ended up paying "extra" to have a porter carry my stuff half the way up otherwise I would not have made it (have cash on hand). Also, I'm new to hiking so I didn't pack well. Coming down with my pack was fine. Hiking sticks you can rent really help. - You will be soaked not only from the environment but also from your own sweat. This really surprised me. Having wicking undergarments is a must. Also good water proof gloves and a warm beanie should be on hand. - No guarantees you will see an eruption. Unfortunately, we had a small storm that created a lot of cloud cover. I also made the mistake of sleeping in the following morning. Had I gotten up by 5AM the cloud cover was thinner and I could have seen an eruption like others did. Oh well. - Be prepared for the cold and wind chill on the top when you're not moving. Bring light and dry clothes to change into for bed as everything you wore will be wet. - Have FUN! It was an amazing experience and would not hesitate to do it again! Our guide and the porters were fantastic!

Challenging hike but well worth it! Demands above average level of fitness. If you aren't in the best shape, consider hiring a porter. That 40lb backpack (you care your gear plus communal food) makes a huge difference on steep climbs. Accommodation at the base camp was satisfactory, but the toilet situation could use improvement. Guides were good, however the group was a bit too big (25+) so even the good guides had hard time managing it. At one point we had several people going the wrong way and almost getting lost. Having a smaller group or a dedicated guide for every 6 ppl max would largely improve the experience, giving everyone a chance to make better connections and learn something from the guides.

Fantastic hike on the new trail that opened up for Ox Expedition. What a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and forces of raw nature. Ox Expedition is a great outfit. Well organized, energetic and fun to be around.

100% recommend using Ox for your overnight volcano tour. They are super professional from the get-go including a pre-trip briefing and free ability to rent equipment. It’s a large group tour (~35 people each tour) which can be difficult to manage different abilities. Ox did this really well setting a steady pace. Some breaks were a bit long for a more experienced hiker but that is expected with a group tour. You have to carry group food to the summit but ~1kg which is manageable. Highly recommend getting a porter for the way up which Ox helps facilitate. It makes the climb much more enjoyable. The accomodation is okay - you need a warm liner and wear a jumper to bed but is to be expected at the altitude. Definitely do all the add-ons - Fuego and Sunrise Summit. They are the highlights - especially Fuego. Overall, Ox seemed to set a better pace than other groups we encountered and the guides were super generous and helpful across the trek.

Amazing experience! Wonderful people and really an incredibly beautiful experience! The food was good too, and we even had marshmellows in the evening! Its a tough hike, so don’t overestimate yourself!

This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I am so grateful to have committed to this adventure. I was nervous about what to expect, but the Ox team made everything so organized and explained everything. The Ox team truly did everything to make us feel comfortable—they made us hot tea around the campfire and cooked dinner with love, while always checking if we needed anything else. They are the kindest people, and I felt so confident hiking the volcano with them. Lifelong memories were made with a group that started as strangers and turned into friends. I am so grateful to Ox for providing an unforgettable experience.