OX Expeditions Guatemala Review: Volcano Hikes + More (2023)

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If you’re backpacking Guatemala, some of the best bucket list activities in the country can be achieved with OX Expeditions, an adventure tour company based in Antigua.

From hikes on active volcanoes to kayaking on Lake Atitlan, OX is known as one of the best adrenaline-pumping tour companies in the country.

We booked with OX Expeditions for both our Pacaya and Acatenango volcano hikes, and I am so pleased we did. We had heard quite a lot about OX before arriving in Antigua, but when we actually arrived, we were bombarded by different companies offering the volcano hikes.

So how do you choose which company to hike volcanoes in Antigua with? There were a few things that were important to us. From how professional the company were, the knowledge of the guides, safety, equipment, price…to just wanting to know that we had booked with a company that were going to give us the best experience possible.

OX Expeditions ensures you have a bucket list, unique experience from start to finish. They proudly claim to ‘change people’s lives by offering amazing challenges and adventures in Guatemala’, and we totally agree! We felt in safe hands with OX from the minute we signed up, and we both had once-in-a-lifetime experiences with them on some of the most unforgettable volcano hikes in the world.

So, let’s discuss more about OX Expeditions and why they are the best adventure company in Antigua!

Other posts you may like:

• Pacaya Volcano Hike Difficulty: Complete Guide
• Acatenango Hike Difficulty: COMPLETE Guide
• 3 Days in Antigua Guatemala: The Perfect Itinerary
• 7 Best Spanish Schools In Antigua Guatemala

About OX Expeditions

Without a doubt, the best company to book your volcano hike with is OX Expeditions. With a strong passion for outdoor adventures, OX offers tours all over Guatemala, including the famous volcano hikes, mountain bike tours and kayaking at Lake Atitlan.

OX has a mission to change people’s lives through amazing challenges and adventures, all whilst promoting Guatemala and supporting the local communities. They partner with Los Patojos, where they educate over 250 children, and take their students on a trip to Pacaya at the end of the year to experience the magic of being in the mountains!

No matter your level of experience, the OX team are there to support you. As someone who is a little nervous of heights, I experienced their incredible level of support and patience with one of their guides on Pacaya. They are supportive, professional and caring, and just want you to have an epic adventurous experience!

From the minute we signed up, every aspect of the hike was taken into consideration. We even received a creative PDF document full of info-graphics and detailed logistics about our Pacaya and Acatenango trip, which helped me to mentally prepare for the altitude we would be experiencing. They quite literally take over everything, so all you have to worry about is enjoying the experience!

“The mountains are our church.”

-Ox Expeditions, www.oxexpeditions.com

🤩 🌋 Book your once-in-a-lifetime Pacaya or Acatenango hike with OX Expeditions here!

What we loved about OX Expeditions (our honest review)

Why did we love OX Expeditions so much? Firstly, they went above and beyond. They made our volcano hikes as straightforward as possible from start to finish. Their guides were friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly – patient.

As someone with a fear of heights, I was worried I’d be rushed or put under pressure when hiking Pacaya. This wasn’t the case with OX. They ensured I felt safe and comfortable for the entire duration (without causing a scene or making me feel uncomfortable).

When hiking Acatenango, you don’t just sleep in tents or makeshift shelters. They have wood cabins! Actual log cabins, with a kitchen, delicious food and a campfire to share with new friends.

We also enjoyed a surprise glass of wine on the Pacaya volcano trip. This wasn’t something they needed to do on our hike, but again, OX just went above and beyond.

For me, another great thing about booking with OX Expeditions was the amount of information we received before the hike. We were sent a detailed info-graphic PDF with information about our hike, including what kinds of terrains we’d be on, the elevation gains, what we needed to pack and so much more. For someone who was a little nervous, this made such a big difference.

OX Expeditions also has an office right in the middle of Antigua which is easy to get to. You can pop by to ask any questions about the hikes, with the friendly staff behind the desk being so welcoming and enthusiastic about what they do. The office is also modern and clean, has toilets and showers, and even has a space to leave your belongings when you’re hiking.

If you’re in Antigua and you’re looking for the best company to do the volcano hikes with, look no further. Book with OX Expeditions – you won’t regret it!

Hiking Acatenango Volcano with OX Expeditions

Hiking Acatenango with OX Expeditions was one of the hardest hikes I have ever done. It’s an epic hike, with a 1,500m elevation gain, carrying a heavy bag up Fuego and the Acatenango summit. But it’s totally worth it.

Being that close to an active volcano is amazing. I felt extremely proud when we reached the summit. If you can, do both the Fuego hike and the sunrise hike to the summit. It’s challenging and daunting, but you can do it. It’s more the mental challenge than anything. 

We highly recommend OX Expeditions when hiking Acatenango. Not only will you make new friends, but your volcano hiking experience is in good hands from start to finish. From professional guides to high-quality hiking equipment, they’re one of the best companies to hike with in Antigua.

➡ Find out more about the Acatenango hike here!

Hiking Pacaya Volcano with OX Expeditions

Pacaya Volcano is one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes, and its last major eruption was in 2021. First erupting 23,000 years ago, it is known for its frequent volcanic activity and attracts adventurous tourists from all over the world.

Hiking Pacaya Volcano with OX Expeditions is absolutely worth it. Unfortunately, Pacaya doesn’t get the same attention Fuego and Acatenango do, as it’s seen as the ‘easier’ climb. But it’s still an incredible volcano and an active one!

It’s not an ‘easy‘ hike and still requires a moderate to good level of fitness. You will experience incredible views over Guatemala, and watch either the sunset or sunrise from the (near) top of a volcano. Just being close enough to an active volcano, roasting marshmallows on the lava hotspots and drinking wine with Pacaya in view is something I will remember forever!

➡ Find out more about the Pacaya hike here!

🌋 TOP TIP: Remember, you cannot hike Pacaya alone, and will need to book a tour. These tours get booked up fast, so I recommend pre-booking online. If you’re looking for the best tour company, we recommend OX Expeditions (after doing two volcano hikes with them, we can guarantee they are amazing at what they do!)

What tours do OX Expeditions offer?

OX Expeditions run a number of tours in Guatemala. They include:

🌋 VOLCANO HIKES

• Acatenango: day and overnight hikes. ➡ BOOK NOW
• Pacaya: day and overnight hikes ➡ BOOK NOW
• Fuego: day and overnight hikes ➡ BOOK NOW
• Crater Run ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE
• OX-Treme ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE
• The Trident Volcano Tour ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE

🚴🏻‍♀️ BIKE TOURS

• Coffee Bike Tour ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE
• Eco-Lodge Bike Tour ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE
• Ghost Trail Mountain Bike Tour ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE
• Hike-Bike-Swim Tour ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE
• Lost City Bike Tour ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE
• Pacman Advanced Mountain Bike Tour ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE
• Pilar Push Advanced Mountain Bike Tour ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE

🏄🏼‍♀️ OTHER ADVENTURES

• Kayak Hike ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE
• Summit to Surf ➡ MORE INFORMATION HERE

Do I need to book in advance with Ox Expeditions?

Yes, we highly recommend booking in advance. A few weeks before we arrived in Antigua, there was an eruption on Fuego larger than normal. This meant most of the path was caught in a forest fire. Hikes were then cancelled, and poor hikers missed their chances as the rest of the tours were booked up. Book early so you have enough time to rearrange!

🤩 🌋 Book your once-in-a-lifetime Acatenango hike with OX Expeditions here!

Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America

If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

Related posts: 15 Best Coffee Shops In Antigua Guatemala | 7 Best Spanish Schools In Antigua Guatemala | What To Wear In Antigua Guatemala (That Isn’t Ugly)

OX Expeditions Review: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about OX Expeditions and why they are the best volcano hiking tour in Guatemala.

When you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m backpacking Central America with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Guatemala content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

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• Acatenango Hike Difficulty: COMPLETE Guide
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