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The extensive Mexican territory has many tourist attractions for locals and foreigners, beautiful and mystical places that enchant everyone who visits this nation. The capital of the state of Mexico, Toluca, has some of the most representative places in the country, such as the Nevado de Toluca, also known in the Nahuatl language as Xinantécatl.
Things to Do
The Nevado de Toluca National Park has an area of 51 thousand hectares and is one of the most visited and admired places in Mexico. On the volcano's slopes is Los Venados Park, with recreation and rest areas before and after climbing the Nevado de Toluca. In the same area of the Nevado de Toluca are the two peaks, Fraile and Águila.
The lagoons of the Nevado de Toluca were plundered by “divers” for more than 30 years, who extracted the offerings of copal and other objects offered to the gods submerged in its depths. The park rangers stopped the illegal extraction of historical relics from the lagoons that represent offerings to implore for beneficial climates for their crops and agricultural work, a practice that continues as of this day.
How to Get There
From Mexico City, you take the road that goes from Mexico City to Toluca until you reach the Valle de Bravo Ixtapan detour. Follow the signs “Xinantécatl – Sultepec volcano” until you find a dirt road that you will drive for 45 minutes.
You can stop at the booth of Los Venados Park, on the slopes of the Nevado de Toluca, to have breakfast, use the sanitary services and contemplate the landscape and vegetation of the slopes of the volcano. Ten minutes after following the road, you will arrive at the parking lot for vehicles, and from that point, you can start the march towards the viewpoint of the Nevado de Toluca.
Tours and Excursions to the Nevado de Toluca
If you choose the winter season for your visit and excursion to the Nevado de Toluca, it is best to opt for a tour. The tour managers provide the equipment required for trekking and hiking, reducing the chances of accidents or mishaps to almost zero.
The routes selected will depend on what you want to do and experience. The most common and frequent begins with the Pluma, less than 4 miles from the volcano's crater. It's a route that almost everybody can do.
For the adventure route, it's necessary to have the preparation and physical condition, in addition to the right equipment. You will require more than 3 hours, time in which you will be exposed to a humid climate and direct rays of the sun.
It is possible to do picnics in Los Venados Park. They rent kiosks with grills, and you can enjoy a tasty barbecue at the foot of the Nevado de Toluca. In addition to trekking in the park, you can rent ATVs, horseback riding, and go down on mountain bikes with downhill tracks.
Tips to Consider Going into the Nevado de Toluca
-People sometimes only reach the viewpoint and miss out on exceptional views. What is the most recommended? After getting to the viewpoint, go down to the smallest lagoon and then ascend a little so you'll have spectacular views of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes. Then you can go to the large lagoon to visit.
-If you want to go before dawn, do it with someone who knows the way and carries a flashlight.
-Due to the low temperatures in the Nevado de Toluca, the duration and maintenance of the batteries of cameras and cell phones are reduced. Carry a portable battery.
-Do not forget comfortable shoes that are specifically for hiking or any type of terrain. Also, don't forget to wear warm clothes.
-Bring sunglasses and water, you must always be hydrated, and although temperatures are low, the glare can become uncomfortable.
-Always protect animals and plants.
-Take your garbage and place it into the containers provided for it. If you find trash during your journey, please pick it up and dispose of it accordingly.
-You will find a mountain lodge if you decide to stay. They have stoves, bunk beds, a living room with a fireplace, personal hygiene services, supplies for sale, and surveillance. There is also a family-owned inn.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Nevado de Toluca?
Although any time of the year is good to visit the Nevado de Toluca, it is best to go between December and February when the mountain is covered with snow. These months are freezing, so you should prepare for this weather. If you don't like the cold, visit the Nevado de Toluca between June and July. In that season, you can practice mountain biking, hiking, or trekking and observe the colors of the two lagoons (Moon and Sun) formed in the volcano's crater by the melting of the snow from the snow the upper part of the mountain.
The water in the lagoons is drinkable, so you can replenish your containers. They also celebrate religious rites and ceremonies such as offerings of copal and objects of worship.
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