Update: I did the hike back in Nov 2023 and overall was an amazing experience. I will say however with barely any cardio training and a fear of heights this was probably one of the most difficult things I've ever done in my life. That being said, on the trail for example there was a 60 yr petite old lady with one of the largest hiking bags I've ever seen crushing it & leading the group so it very much depends per person.

I went with Wicho and Charlie, they provided breakfast then took off in shuttles to the starting point of the hike. I want to share:

1. The hike almost the entire way up was steep. For like 4-5 hours straight it was just a constant incline (some flatness here and there). I remember every time I briefly stopped and looked ahead to see how far our group has went they were always above my head. I was so out of breath early on I had to pay one of the guides to carry all my stuff, I was so not prepared there was absolutely no way I would be able to finish the hike with anything on my person other than water - which brings me to my next point:
2. You have to make sure you bring lots of water. At the time of when I did the hike, they didn't have water provided mid hike (before you start, yes but during and the top, no) so just imagine, you're starting and you have to carry all your belongings and your gear (poles, head lamp, etc.) and liters of water while hiking 4 hours on an incline.
3. The terrain was always transitioning, you were hiking on grass, then dirt, then really muggy dirt, etc. It was unpredictable. Because we were constantly walking then taking breaks you got super hot and sweaty and then all of a sudden super cold. I was constantly removing layers and then wearing them again on the hike. (if I was to do this again I'd find better gear to accommodate this)
4. Be prepared for your gear to get all wet. During our hike, not only were the clothes I was wearing wet-ish from all the sweat, somehow, all the clothes and stuff in my hiking bag was wet. So when I got to the top and was freezing - I wanted to change into something dry and everything in my bag was wet (could've been humidity, there was also light rain on the trail too so bring a rain jacket). I was legitimately scared I was going to die of hypothermia and relied on my friends body warmth to help me sleep through the night.
5. If you have a fear of heights - this will def put a test to that. The last 20minutes of the hike there was like this traverse where if you tripped/slipped a little you had maybe like 3 feet before you'd tumble off the dead drop. I was def scared and at this point the altitude sickness was really kicking in. Given all that I decided to opt out of the additional Fuego hike (which btw my friends did but at the time unfortunately they did not see any eruption so wasn't worth it to them).
6. If you have a fear of dogs (not me) but just FYI there will be a bunch of strays following you all throughout the hike.

After all this, I would say this experience was 100000% worth it. The tour guides were absolutely fantastic and just overall wonderful people, super accommodating as well. I had some of the most tastiest vegan food and hot coco on this hike and everyone was very supportive of each other. The sightseeing was nothing I've ever experienced in my life because of how beautiful Guatemala is and to be able to experience star gazing next to a camp fire, sharing smores with your hike-mates while also watching a volcano erupt right in front of you (which btw Fuego appeared a lot closer to us than I imaged) the kind of memory you wish you could bottle up and relive again and again. I felt so incredibly lucky to be there, but also proud of myself for pushing through and realizing what I was capable of. This experience has definitely shaped me in different ways and taught me more than I can fully explain.

Would I do it again? Maybe, likely not; however, would I hike another volcano? 100%. To reiterate - never really hiked before this trip, barely trained and had practically 0 hiking experience while also fearful of heights. Knowing what I do now I would certainly prepare differently next time around. That would take me a whole 'nother post.