Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatepetl National Park
Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatepetl National Park
Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatepetl National Park
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The names of these two large volcanoes mean sleeping woman and smoking mountain, respectively, when translated from the language of the Aztecs who named them.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatepetl National Park
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1 within 3 miles
Attractions
2 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
66 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
12
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Daniel M
3 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
First off, the tour is awesome. Definitely worth the £40 we paid. We were picked up at 06:15 and took a minivan to the national park. You stop off at a petrol station for food/drink. It was recommended that we buy a caffeinated drink to have on the climb to help combat altitude sickness. It took around 3 hours all in to get to the parking place at the bottom of the mountain and about the same to climb and descend. The tracks are generally good but they are very steep in places and towards the top can get quite icy so definitely take warm clothing with you. I wore jeans, running shoes, a hoodie and a lightweight rain coat. The footwear was fine for me, but it can get VERY cold at the top. We had come on holiday without really planning to do this so only had warm weather clothes, as a result we were woefully underdressed (as were most of the other tourists). It is worth considering a warm coat, hat and gloves if you want to do this. The fact that we might be underdressed only really clicked for everyone on the tour when we got the the mountain and our guide put his thick jacket, hat and gloves on! Climbing at altitude is also much harder work than you might give it credit for, so you should be confident in your physical fitness before you decide to book. When you reach the stopping point (which isn't the top of the volcano) the views are spectacular and well worth the effort. Once you get down you have lunch at a lovely rural taco place which is delicious! We were back to CDMX by 16:30.
In a nutshell; the views and sense of achievement is worth the effort but remember to bring suitable clothes and that climbing at altitude really is hard work!
In a nutshell; the views and sense of achievement is worth the effort but remember to bring suitable clothes and that climbing at altitude really is hard work!
Written 19 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SolanaBeach2014
San Diego, CA326 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Hiking to 14,000 ft (4,200 meters) is not typicaly part of a trip to Mexico City, but well worth it. I am sure you can find some form of public transport to get here (about 90 miles southwest outside of Mexico City center) but we went with a tour - Two Amigos. You can probably go through brokers like Viator, but they will likely charge more. The downside of any tour is the early morning departure in 1 or 2 locations likely not close to your hotel or airbnb location. Our meeting place was at a hotel in Roma but there was a location in Centro as well - at 6:15am; and we returned by 5pm - 11hour round trip! But the landscape is beaufiful- just gorgeous and breathtaking. The transport is in an air-conditioned (modern) van/bus and it stops at the park entrance to obtain tickets but also a photo opp of the Popo volcano which is active and not the one we hiked up. Then we drove to the Izta volcano (inactive) parking area and started our short hike from there. The mileage for the hike is probably not even 1 mile HOWEVER if you have altitude sickness at 12-13,000 ft or even if you don't you may feel the effect of thinning air and general fatigue that comes with less oxygen getting to your brain and muscles/cells. So, cut yourself some slack and go slow. The hike is not difficult BUT FOR the much hgher elevation. We started as a mix group of abou 20 (family with teens, couples of different ages, single adults over 25) from different areas (Korea, Virginia, North Carolina, Ireland, a few countries in South America) and only about 12 of us got to the 13,500 ft and then a few to 14,000 ft. We ordinarily would have been able to hike up to 15,000 ft but there was an unusual amount of snow and the park closed it off for safety concerns. The guide, Kevin of Two Amigos (speaks both Spanish and English), does this tour once a week for the past 3 years and said he's never seen snow up in the park. And he himself was breathing heavily and moving slower but a great guide and waited for everyone. There is only one trail up and the same one down, so you can return to the base/bus anytime (no fear of getting lost in other words). After the hike, we all voted not to go as a group for lunch and just return to the city. Traffic getting back to the city was fine until you got into the city center, esp. around Centro. Great trip and good way to test your altitude strength! And a really nice break from the city of about 21M people! Trip cost $60pp includes park entrance. We tipped the guide althugh we noticed most did not.
Written 17 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Albanian_Review
Portsmouth, United Kingdom191 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
I would say if you go to Mexico City then you should visit here.
I think as a SAFETY TIP you should stay in Mexico City to get used to the altitude before going up Iztaccihuatl. Otherwise altitude sickness is a serious risk.
I got a guide through the hostel i stayed in. They picked me up at 6:00am and we stopped after about 3 hours at a petrol station to pick up some food and coffee.
We then proceeded to walk. The guide i used told us that the hike would depend on everyone. This did not end up being the case. I ended up hiking to the top with a small group of us. Those who did not want to go any further walked back down a path and met the driver at the bottom, there was no way of getting lost.
I had a great time and i would recommend this to anyone who is physically able. If you are not though it is still a nice drive as you get to see a lot of Mexico City.
The company i used did 2 tours a week, one on a Saturday and one on a Tuesday. It can be canceled if the weather is bad so be to sure to get in there as early as possible after acclimatising!
I was first off the tour bus and finished got back about 16:30. I booked through my hostel, which was hostel Casa San Ildefonso.
I think as a SAFETY TIP you should stay in Mexico City to get used to the altitude before going up Iztaccihuatl. Otherwise altitude sickness is a serious risk.
I got a guide through the hostel i stayed in. They picked me up at 6:00am and we stopped after about 3 hours at a petrol station to pick up some food and coffee.
We then proceeded to walk. The guide i used told us that the hike would depend on everyone. This did not end up being the case. I ended up hiking to the top with a small group of us. Those who did not want to go any further walked back down a path and met the driver at the bottom, there was no way of getting lost.
I had a great time and i would recommend this to anyone who is physically able. If you are not though it is still a nice drive as you get to see a lot of Mexico City.
The company i used did 2 tours a week, one on a Saturday and one on a Tuesday. It can be canceled if the weather is bad so be to sure to get in there as early as possible after acclimatising!
I was first off the tour bus and finished got back about 16:30. I booked through my hostel, which was hostel Casa San Ildefonso.
Written 20 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy O
Okemos, MI5 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Took a one day tour with Galo Velazquez Martinez from Tours Puebla (you can find them on the "services" side of the tourist information office located on the north side of the Zocalo in the center of Puebla). He speaks excellent English, has a great deal of knowledge about the history and culture of Mexico, and is thoroughly professional. The stop at the hermitage along the way was an unexpectedly enjoyable bonus, as was the breakfast stop at Buenavista. These are part of a standard "Izta-Popo" tour which cost $650 pesos (about $45 U.S.). We also took a one day Cholula tour with him, also excellent. Would highly recommend him for English speakers.
Written 22 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haley L
Mexico City, Mexico66 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
Going to the Izta-Popo National Park and hiking Iztaccihuatl is a great day-trip from Mexico City, if you're looking for some peace, exercise, and fresh air.
However, it can be a little tricky to get to from the city, if you're not driving yourself. Our group first took the subway to the TAPO bus station, and from there we took a bus to Amecameca. Amecameca is a great place to stop, grab breakfast, and stock up on water before the climb. From there we had to negotiate with a taxi to take us up to La Joya, or the trailhead (we paid around 250-300 pesos for the taxi going up). It's also a good idea to arrange for your taxi to pick you up at the end of the day. We ended up hitchhiking back down to the park headquarters, which is fine in a group, but not recommended to do alone.
All-in-all, it was an awesome full day trip. Would recommend to anyone wanting to escape into nature for a day!
However, it can be a little tricky to get to from the city, if you're not driving yourself. Our group first took the subway to the TAPO bus station, and from there we took a bus to Amecameca. Amecameca is a great place to stop, grab breakfast, and stock up on water before the climb. From there we had to negotiate with a taxi to take us up to La Joya, or the trailhead (we paid around 250-300 pesos for the taxi going up). It's also a good idea to arrange for your taxi to pick you up at the end of the day. We ended up hitchhiking back down to the park headquarters, which is fine in a group, but not recommended to do alone.
All-in-all, it was an awesome full day trip. Would recommend to anyone wanting to escape into nature for a day!
Written 24 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andine H
12 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Did Izta as a follow up to Pico, and it was quite a different hiking experience. We went with our amazing guides from Nómada (nomadatravelmexico at gmail). The views were stunning (despite the terrible smell of bathroom and trash lying around everywhere)! On our way out, we were rewarded with witnessing Popo erupting in front of our eyes. One of the coolest things I've ever seen!
Written 25 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jajalumaca
Prague, Czech Republic164 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
This is a very nice walk if you spend few days in Mexico City (above 2000 meters) to get used to the high altitude. You can easily adjust the trip to your fitness level. Great views starts approx. 45 minutes walk from La Joya. If you take 6am taxi from the city, you will have better weather and less people around.
Written 1 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yuna P
Miami, FL3 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
The volcano hike (which we booked through Viator) is a must do for travelers to Mexico City who enjoy active, adventurous activities. The bus picked us up at our Air Bnb around 6 am. You are driven to a central meeting point where you'll board a new bus going to Itza. You drive for about 45 minutes and make a stop at a gas station. There were some small stands selling tamales and tacos as well. There is a bathroom there that costs 3 pesos to use. Then you drive another 45 minutes to the mountain. Our tour guide Alejandro was very friendly and told us a little bit about what to expect on the hike during the drive.
At the volcano, it is fairly chilly. You should wear layers and comfortable sneakers or hiking boots. Gloves and/or a hat is a good idea too. Make sure to have sufficient water and snacks. Wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses too. The altitude is high and difficult to adjust to even if you are an active and fit person. Take your time and allow your body to adjust. If possible, give yourself at least 1-2 days in Mexico City before you attempt this hike. Once the climb begins, there is a mix of strenuous sections (steep climbing up craggy rocks) and easier portions (relatively flat trails). The views are stunning all around and there are endless photo ops. You can hike at your own pace- most people will be able to reach the second stopping point within the allotted time. The hike is based on the group's overall ability, so make sure to communicate clearly with the guide has to how far you want to go.
At the base of the volcano there is a (not great) toilet and a decent taco stand that sells tacos, quesadillas and beverages.
The bus departs the mountain around 2-3 pm after everyone in your party has returned to the base. We arrived back in Mexico City around 6 PM.
At the volcano, it is fairly chilly. You should wear layers and comfortable sneakers or hiking boots. Gloves and/or a hat is a good idea too. Make sure to have sufficient water and snacks. Wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses too. The altitude is high and difficult to adjust to even if you are an active and fit person. Take your time and allow your body to adjust. If possible, give yourself at least 1-2 days in Mexico City before you attempt this hike. Once the climb begins, there is a mix of strenuous sections (steep climbing up craggy rocks) and easier portions (relatively flat trails). The views are stunning all around and there are endless photo ops. You can hike at your own pace- most people will be able to reach the second stopping point within the allotted time. The hike is based on the group's overall ability, so make sure to communicate clearly with the guide has to how far you want to go.
At the base of the volcano there is a (not great) toilet and a decent taco stand that sells tacos, quesadillas and beverages.
The bus departs the mountain around 2-3 pm after everyone in your party has returned to the base. We arrived back in Mexico City around 6 PM.
Written 17 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nickjc2015
Brisbane, Australia10 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
I took an ATP tour to hike on this volcano. http://www.atbholidays.com/. The day tour started at 6:15am from my hotel in Mexico City and we were back by 5pm. It was the easter weekend (4/4/2015) so there was not much traffic around the city. Mexico CIty is about 2450m in altitude and we drove in a minibus to the start of the walk at 3990m. The tour description said that we would hike as far as our fitness allows, but of course you can only go as far as the weakest member of the tour group. However, in our case the weakest was the guide!! Our guide, Allan, was a good guide - he told us some interesting things about the city as we drove out, he took us to an authethic palce to eat after the hike, but he had really bad knees and terrible worn out shoes for hiking - so I don't think it is acceptable that he be taking people on hiking tours! I was disappointed that we only hiked from 3990 up to 4200m, with a beckoning climb continuing up to the 5200m summit but we were not allowed to continue one step. We could still see the carpark where we started! So beware of ATP tours. But it was still a good day - we had great views of the other volcano, Popacatepetl, and witnessed it erupting at least 5 times during the day and ash clouds came out. I was worried about the altitude but after being short of breath for the first few steps up on the hike I was fine and feeling normal. I took some diamox (prescription only in Australia) leading up to the hike as a precaution but it's hard to know whether than made any difference or not.
Written 10 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleksandra B
St. Petersburg, Russia14 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
The National park, located between two volcanoes (one of them is active), is definitely worth visiting.
It's not a hard walk but the views are terrific! Walking around Izta you can discover some waterfalls, climb up and even enjoy snow, what is rare for Mexico!
It's not a hard walk but the views are terrific! Walking around Izta you can discover some waterfalls, climb up and even enjoy snow, what is rare for Mexico!
Written 3 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi - can I bring my dog with me to hike up to the closest waterfall?
Written 27 March 2019
Hola Karina
intente marcar al número que proporcionas pero me indican que es incorrecta la marcación. tienes algún otro número para contactarlos?
ya lo intente por llamada local y por celular y m indican el mismo error.
Written 9 January 2018
I am considering this hiking adventure but wondering if appropriate for me .I am 66 yo and in good health. Has anyone my age trekked this and would I be out of place taking into account the average age of those in pictures I've seen. thanks
Written 5 November 2017
Pessoal tem roupa para alugar de frio ou tem que levar já ?
Written 9 May 2017
Has anyone ever taken this tour and gone to Puebla after I have to get there as my Airbnb and next stop to visit is Puebla. My tour goes back to Mexico City but I will not go on that tour and need to figure out how to get to Puebla! For anyone is out there please help as I leave tomorrow!!!
Written 22 July 2016
cheesyie
Phoenix, Arizona
I am traveling to Mexico City in a week and would like to do the Izta day hike.
Anyone have info about how to get there from Mexico City, how much it should cost, etc. Lonely Planet book says to contact park to register. Is this really necessary?
Is it possible to even summit in a day? Or would it be wiser to just stick to the lower altitude trails going from Amecameca plaza to Paso de Cortes?
I also saw a review about a day tour with Tours Puebla. Anyone heard of this group or can validate its legitimacy? Do I need to set something up in advance?
I'd like to get the most out of the trip, but am not sure how to optimize my limited travel time. Sorry for all the questions. Thank you in advance to anyone who can provide me any clarification!
Cheers!
Written 25 April 2015
I will be in Mexico City on January 25 and 26, but cannot find a tour company that offers tours on those days. Any ideas? I need transportation included from my hotel in Mexico City, also.
Written 17 January 2015
Showing results 1-7 of 7
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing