Arrival in Mexico City

According to your time of arrival you are picked up from the airport in Mexico City and brought to your hotel. Overnight stay. (Meals: none)

City Tour & Anthropological Museum

Today, you will be picked up from your hotel in Mexico City and taken on a city tour. Explore the centro histórico on foot and visit the huge Zócalo with its famous Cathedral and the Government Palace with its impressive murals by Diego Riviera, amongst others. Learn all about the fascinating history of the metropolitan capital. To make the city tour perfect, it finishes with an informative visit of the Anthropological Museum which is situated on the brink of the Chapultepec Park. Learn all about the history and culture of Mexico´s many pre-hispanic civilizations. Afterwards, you are brought back to your hotel in the late afternoon and you can enjoy some free time on your own. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Mexico City – Teotihuacán & Basilica de Guadalupe – Mexico City

You will be picked up from your hotel and taken 50km northeast of the city to the spectacular site of Teotihuacán, also known as the City of the Gods. Spread over 22km², it is the largest city of ruins in Latin America and the majority of it has yet to be excavated. You definitely should not miss out on climbing up the Sun and Moon Pyramids, as they provide an imposing view of the extent of this archaeological excavation. After exploring these impressive ruins you will be taken to the Basilica de Guadalupe. This is Mexico’s most important pilgrimage site and is famous for its image of the Virgin de Guadalupe. Admire the intricate gold decorations inside the Basilica. Afterwards, you will be brought back to your hotel in Mexico City. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Mexico City – Desierto de los Leones – Cerro San Miguel – Mexico City

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your private mountain climbing guide and taken to the National Park Desierto de Leones approximately an hour outside the city. In the cool morning hours you will begin your hike which has a change in elevation of 800m and takes approximately 3 ½ hours to get to the summit of Cerro de San Miguel. Enjoy the beautiful view and relax for awhile before beginning your descent. Here you can explore the grounds of the ex convent and enjoy some local quesadillas made fresh for you before returning to Mexico City. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Mexico City – Nevado de Toluca – Valle de Bravo

In the morning, you will be picked up and taken to the 4,680m high Nevado de Toluca volcano which is also called Xinantecatl. Once you have reached the Nevada de Toluca base camp you will begin your ascent of approximately 600 meters. After about 3-4 hours of hiking (there are more technical routes depending on your level of experience) you will reach the summit and be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. Explore the unique landscape of the volcanoes summit and its crater lakes and relax in the warm sunshine before beginning your descent. With a little luck, you might even be able to see the nearby volcano Popcatépetl in the distance. After a 3-hour descent, you will continue to Valle de Bravo. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Difference in altitude: approx. 600 m
Duration: approx. 8 hours

Valle de Bravo – La Malinche National Park

NOVEMBER to MARCH: Today, you will visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Every year in November, millions of monarch butterflies from the USA and Canada migrate to the pine forests of Michoacán and the State of Mexico where they remain for the winter. Once you arrive at the Nature Reserve, you can enjoy hike through the dense forests in search of the butterflies, stopping at look out points along the way. The butterflies gather in large clusters on the tree branches and when the sun begins to shine, they take flight in a beautiful spectacle. Afterwards, you will continue to the base camp of La Malinche volcano. Outside of the butterfly season enjoy the day in the Pueblo Magico of Valle de Bravo and explore the quaint streets and natural beauty of Avandaro. Overnight stay in a rustic cabin or tent. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel & dinner)

La Malinche National Park

Begin the day early, and at around 7:00 am begin your ascent of La Malinche. Take advantage of the cool morning temperature to begin your hike of this volcano which has been dormant for over 3,000 years. La Malinche volcano is named after the indigenous lover and interpreter for Hernán Cortéz. After a 4-6 hour ascent, you will reach the summit of the volcano where you can rest and enjoy the view. On a clear day you can see the nearby volcanoes of Iztaccíhuatl, Popocatépetl and Pico de Orizaba as well as the sprawling valley below. At just over 4,500 m the La Malinche volcano is a good introduction to the altitude and challenges awaiting you. Afterwards, make your descent to the base camp where you can enjoy dinner (included) prepared by your guide and another night on the mountain surrounded by nature. Overnight stay in a rustic cabin or tent. For an additional charge of 30 EUR you can book one night at a comfort hotel in Tlaxcala. (Meals: breakfast at Cabañas,lunch & dinner)

Difference in altitude: approx. 1450 m
Duration: approx. 8 hours

La Malinche Nationalpark – Tlaxcala – Huamantla – Iztaccihuatl & Popocatépetl National Park

After breakfast, you visit the quaint colonial town of Tlaxcala. Located in the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley in the central Mexican highlands, this Tlaxcala has only approx. 15,000 inhabitants and maintains its small town charm. The name comes from the Nahuatl word of “tlaxcalteken” from its pre-Hispanic ancestry and it is the smallest Mexican state. Exlpore the small town a defintiely visit the National Palace which has a stunning example of the Mexican mural movement. There is a 450 m2 fresco painting by Desiderio Hernandez Xochitiotzin depicting the history of the tlaxcalan people. You make another quick stop in the “pueblo magico” of Huamantla which is famous for its month long festival where the streets are decorated in colourful carpets made of coloured flowers and sawdust. Finally, you continue to the Iztaccíhuatl base camp where you can have a short acclimitization hike to get used to the altitude and a hearty dinner (inlcuded). Overnight stay in a rustic cabin or tent. (Meals: breakfast at Cabañas & dinner)

Iztaccíhuatl & Popocatépetl National Park

Today, you will hike to the “tercer portillo” which is located at an altitude of 4,600 m. On this hike you can enjoy the vegetation and natural surroundings while your body adjusts to the altitude. The difference in altitude on todays hike is approx. 700 m and the hike is of easy difficulty without the need for crampons or techincal equipment. Enjoy a light lunch and some time to rest before returning to base camp. Here you will check all of your equipment for tomorrows summit, have dinner (included) and get an early nights sleep in preparation for the summit. Overnight stay in a rustic cabin or tent. (Meals: breakfast at Cabañas, lunch & dinner)

Difference in altitude: approx. 700 m
Duration: approx. 6 hours

Iztaccíhuatl & Popocatépetl National Park – Amecameca

Today, you will have an early start for your summit of the Iztaccíhuatl volcano which at 5,220 m is the third highest mountain in Mexico. According to the Aztec legend the Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatéptl were two lovers whose story ended tragically. The Iztaccihatl is also known as the sleeping woman for its topography. After a day of hiking you will reach the snow covered peak of the volcano with spectacular views of the countryside. Enjoy a long break atop this dormant volcano where you will have lunch (included) and can explore the surroundings. When you are ready, make your descent and continue to the small village of Amecameca where you will spend the night. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast & lunch)

Difference in altitude: approx. 600 m
Duration: approx. 10 hours

Amecameca – Santa María Tonantzintla – Cholula – Puebla

In the morning, head towards Puebla, which is the fourth largest city in Mexico and the capital of the State of Puebla. The charming colonial city is full of history and is well known for its location between four volcanoes. One of them is the famous Popocatépetl. On your way to the city you will visit the temple Santa María Tonantzintla where catholicism collides with indigenous culture in beautiful representations. Admire the church before continuing on to Cholula, the holy city to visit the largest pyramid in Mexico in terms of dimension. In Puebla, enjoy a city tour through the historic centre where you explore all the important sights like the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Church. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Puebla – Mexico City

Spend the day in Puebla, also known as the City of Angels, one of the oldest cities in Mexico. Explore the historic center and enjoy their unique gastronomy, landmark of the city and one of the most delicious in the country. Try the Mole (Mexican sauce using a mixture of chillies, spices, nuts and unsweetened chocolate), the Chiles en Nogada (chillies in nut sauce) and the Chalupas (flat, covered corn tortillas). Afterwards, continue to your hotel in Mexico City. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

For experienced climbers that want a more challenging route, we recommend the Pico de Orizaba which at 5,636 m is Mexico´s highest peak.