Iztaccihuatl Hiking Tour: Volcano Trek and Amecameca Town (Small-Group / 12h)

Overview

Join our small-group hiking tour to get away from the hustle of Mexico City, enjoy fresh mountainous air and breathtaking views of Popocatepetl, and climb the slopes of the Iztaccihuatl Volcano.

Highlights

• Drive through and enjoy the view of the picturesque Valley of Mexico and Paso de Cortes.


• See the silhouette of the ‘Sleeping Woman’ in the snowy peaks of the dormant volcano.


• Hike an intermediate-level trail up to 4.497 m altitude.


• Admire impressive panoramic views of the smoking Popocatepetl Volcano.


• Discover the history and rich gastronomic traditions of nearby Amecameca Town.

Itinerary

In the morning, meet your group and head towards the Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl National Park enjoying a change of picturesque landscapes on the way. The hike's starting point is close to the famed Paso de Cortes which connects the Popocatepetl and Iztacchuatl volcanoes. This is where Hernán Cortes and his troops first saw the Valley of Mexico on their journey to Tenochtitlan (today Mexico City). From here, take an intermediate-difficulty trail that will appeal to both novices and experienced hikers.

As we climb the slope of the Iztacchuatl, be rewarded with stunning vistas of the Valley of Mexico and its surroundings. You may choose how high you wish to hike depending on your physical condition: the first viewpoint is at 3,800 m, while the second is at 4,300 and the third one is at 4,497 m above sea level. One of the highlights of this trip is seeing Popocatepetl, Mexico's second-tallest volcano. Most of the time it's surrounded by odd smokey shapes created by continuous volcanic activity. Take your time to take memorable pictures and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this mountainous place.

Once ready, descend and move to the nearby town of  Amecameca to explore its handsome historic center and try some of its local food specialties. After a joyful tasting of local food and drinks, return to your vehicle and relax on your way back to Mexico City.

Why go with us

• The time of the tour is spent purely on hiking and sightseeing: no visits to tourist shops or restaurants.


• A great choice for solo travelers: with a small-group tour you will have enough attention from your guide and a chance to meet fellow co-travelers.


• Convenient timing: early departure allows us to avoid traffic and crowds by arriving at the very opening of the national park.

Logistics

BOOKING AND CONFIRMATION
This tour needs manual confirmation from our side. Once you receive it, your tour is confirmed: just show up in time at the meeting point and be able to present your booking (can be in electronic version on your phone) to your guide upon request.

DEPARTURE AND RETURN
Please arrive at least 10 min before the departure time: next to the Angel de la Independencia roundabout, close to City Express Reforma Hotel (here). In case of necessity, our guide might need to contact you by phone, so please provide a valid contact number during your booking.

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes and (preferably hiking) shoes (no other equipment is needed);  hat/cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood and curiosity.

Notes

• The type of vehicle depends on the size of your group and may include a car, 7-seater, or minivan.


• Not wheelchair/stroller accessible.
  


• The recommended age to take this tour is 12+ years old.


• This tour involves ~5-6 h of hiking with an elevation gain of ~400-700 m (depending on your fitness level and hiking skills), so travelers should have a moderate physical condition.


• During this tour, we will climb to over 3800 m (vs. ~2300 m in Mexico City). Therefore, travelers coming from lower altitudes should preferably stay at least 1-2 days in Mexico City upon arrival for adaptation to avoid altitude sickness.