No Overnighting Volcanos

Steve.......sorry to disappoint you, but I just found out the following:

Going up Volcán Acatenango is an entirely different cup of tea: This hike takes you from Antigua (1.500 meters) all the way to 3.976 meters (13,044 feet) in one day. I.e.: You need to be fit, carry gear and have to take precautions against Altitude Sickness.

Most people who do this trip spend the night on the mountain though some go up an down within a day. Currently there are two outfits in Antigua who offer trips up Acatenango. If you have the gear though you can safely do the trip by yourself since there is only one way up.

I'll be going to the safer climb Volcano:

Going up the active Volcán Pacaya is quite easy and you will find dozens of travel agents who will be very happy to sell you tickets for a Pacaya-trip that normally costs between USD $7-9, depending on your bartering skills. This includes a bus-shuttle to and from Pacaya.

Pacaya is an active volcano, and you get to go right to the craters edge. And yes, people do fall in occasionally! The hike is not too hard except for the last 100 meters or so that go over very loose rocks. Generally though, even unfit people of all ages can do this hike. It takes approx. 1.5 hours up and 45 minutes down the mountain.

Note that there are a couple of kiosks at the bottom of this hike that offer cold beer.