La Malinche Volcano: Hike to the Top and Explore Charming Tlaxcala (Small-Group / 14h)

Overview

Join our private tour from Mexico City to hike La Malinche Volcano, the 6th highest summit in the country, and get acquainted with the rich history of Tlaxcala, the unhurried capital of the smallest Mexican state with a compact colonial downtown defined by grand government buildings, imposing churches and a handsome central plaza.

Highlights

• The tour is private and customizable.
• Climb La Malinche, the 6th highest summit in Mexico.
• Enjoy impressive views of the nearby Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanos.
• Explore the unhurried colonial center of Tlaxcala City.
• Learn about the traditions and culture of Tlaxcala State.

Itinerary

Once there, take an impressive 6-km hike to the top of the volcano enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains. Hikers who want to climb one of Mexico’s “highest” volcanoes often use this place for training and acclimatization. On sunny weekends, Mexican families hike there with their children and grandparents, mountain bikers drive on the park’s dirt roads, and sports fanatics make it all the way up running. The trail-up is quite easy to follow, has no dangerous parts, and needs no special equipment.

After hiking La Malinche, continue our tour in Tlaxcala, the calm capital city of the smallest same-named Mexican state. On our way there, visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlan which is notable for its white-plaster facade and impressive Baroque interior from the late 17th century.

Once in Tlaxcala, explore its compact colonial center, seeing attractive squares, churches, lively shopping arcades, art galleries, and museums. There, visit the impressive 16th-century Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. It is especially famous for its well-preserved Mudejar-style interior, the last of its kind in the Americas. Another remarkable place is the Regional Museum of Tlaxcala, which is housed in a former convent that displays religious paintings and a rich collection of pre-Columbian artifacts.

After a full day of experiences and adventures, return to our vehicle and relax on the way back to Mexico City.

Why go with us

• We will spend the time of the tour purely on hiking and sightseeing: no visits to restaurants and souvenir shops (unless you ask).
• An ideal choice for small groups: the price of the tour is fixed and varies just slightly depending on the size of your group.
• We are flexible: we can adjust the program and route to your interests, while the duration of the tour can be always extended for an extra fee.

Logistics

• DEPARTURE TIME

The default departure times for this tour are 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 AM, but they can be slightly adjusted per your request. Our guide will meet/pick you up at the requested time and might need to contact you by phone, so please kindly provide a valid phone number during your booking.

• DEPARTURE POINT

The tour includes complimentary pick-up and drop-off: please indicate the exact time and location for your pick-up during your booking (e.g. in the "Special Requirements" field). If you cannot find this field, just reply to the booking confirmation that you get in your email. Alternatively, send us a message or call the number indicated on your booking confirmation at least 24 h before the tour. We can pick you up from hotels and apartments situated in the following parts of Mexico City: Downtown, Reforma, Polanco, Condesa, Roma, and Centro Historico; other more remote locations might involve an extra fee.

• TOUR DURATION AND CUSTOMIZATION

The standard duration of the tour is 14 h from the moment of pick-up till drop-off. At the same time, this tour is customizable which means you can adjust the route and time to spend in each location. E.g. if you want to visit a place that is not part of the itinerary (attraction/restaurant/market, etc.), we can do it on a complimentary basis if this visit (1) still fits the standard duration of the tour and (2) doesn't involve a major change of the route.

• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

Comfortable clothes and hiking shoes; hat/cap, sunglasses and sunscreen; personal ID and travel insurance; good mood and curiosity.

Notes

• The type of vehicle depends on the size of your group and may include a car, SUV, or minivan.
• This is a private tour: only your group will participate.
• This tour involves ~12 km of hiking (~5-8 h in total, depending on your hiking skills), so travelers should have a moderate physical condition.
• La Malinche Volcano is 4,461 m high with 1,275 m elevation gain on the trail that we are gonna take, so for travelers coming from lower altitudes, it's recommended to take at least 1-2 days in Mexico City for adaptation to avoid altitude sickness.