Acatenango Volcano

Sleeping with a giant. Acatenango (3,976m) is the third-highest volcano in Guatemala and provides the front-row seat to the eruptions of Volcán de Fuego. The 2-day trek ascends through four distinct biological zones—subtropical farmland, cloud forest, high-alpine forest, and a volcanic scree slope. Camping at 3,600m on the ridge, visitors spend the night watching Fuego eject lava against the dark sky just a few kilometers away. It is an experience of geological energy frequently described as one of the most visceral in the world.

One of the most frequented day hikes from El Chaltén, the route to Laguna Torre leads to a glacial lake at the base of the Torre massif. The 18 km out-and-back trail follows the Fitz Roy River valley, moving through sub-antarctic forests of ñire and lenga. The terrain is primarily well-maintained gravel paths and packed dirt, with a short initial ascent followed by mostly level walking through the glacial valley. The destination offers direct views of Cerro Torre (3,128m) and the Adela range, with icebergs frequently calving from the Torre Glacier into the lake.