April 2023 – Newsletter Aztec Explorers

Thank you for reading our newsletter of Aztec Explorers for April 2023!

We prepared 20 great day trips this month. We travel in small groups, with bilingual certified guides, safe transport and we normally include entrances if applies. Let’s explore México together! Normally we have a mix of both foreigners and Mexicans on our trips, so a great way to make local and international friends!

Our calendar for April 2023; prices in pesos:

Below the details of each trip.

EXPLORING TEOTIHUACAN

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is an impressive archeological site in the State of Mexico, at around 1.5 hours from Mexico City.

On this trip we will explore the main 3 pyramids and main palaces (no unwanted stops at souvenir shops!)

Optional: hot air balloon flight, with or without transport and with or without transfer and entrance to the archeological site (available all days; ask us for a quote).

Our blog on Teotihuacan (work in progress): https://aztecexplorers.com/2019/04/03/teotihuacan-pyramids-of-the-sun-the-moon-and-the-feathered-serpent-complete-guide-and-blog/

Trip info: From 7.30 to 15.00, on April 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27. Price 950 pesos per peson. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

ACULCO AND AMEALCO

On a day trip from Mexico City you can explore the beautiful towns Amealco and Aculco (Pueblos Mágicos) and the amazing waterfalls and canyon of La Concepción.

Amealco is a town in the Mexican state of Querétaro. Its name means “Place of springs” in Nahuatl. It is a beautiful and typical little town, famous for its dolls. The town has deeply rooted indigenous traditions; the inhabitants of the communities still use their typical costumes; their culture is Otomi.

Aculco is a colonial town with nearby the dam and waterfall of La Concepción. Its name means “In the crooked water” in Nahuatl. Aculco was founded approximately in 1110 AD by the Otomies. We explored it´s beautiful waterfalls and colonial center.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, Saturday 1st of April, 850 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified guide.

TEPOZTLAN AND TEPOZTECO

Tepoztlán and Tepozteco

Tepoztlan is one of the 132 Pueblos Mágicos, at 2 hours from Mexico City in the State of Morelos. Situated in a highland mountain valley and cradled by dramatic, copper-toned, mountain cliffs, Tepoztlán is one of Mexico’s most alluring and unique colonial towns. With a breath-taking mountainous landscape, charming town center, rich echoes of ancient civilizations, and an interesting convergence of inhabitants, the town makes for one of the most remarkable mix of colonial and indigenous experiences in Mexico. You can either explore and relax in the town center and / or hike up the archeological site Tepozteco. Plus enjoy the great local food and drinks.

Our Facebook albums on Tepoztlan: Tepoztlan and Tepoztlan.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, 2nd of April, 850 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified guide.

NATIONAL PARK IZTA POPO

Izta Popo National Park

At only 2.5 hours from Mexico City, in the State of Mexico, you can find one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. Parque Nacional Izta Popo, with the active Popocatepetl volcano and the dormant Iztachihuatl volcano. Below a short guide, so you can learn about the most beautiful parts of this large park (172 thousand hectares); declared as a national park in 1935 and declared as a Biosphere Reserve by the Unesco in 2010. Our blog: https://aztecexplorers.com/2020/05/26/day-trip-to-national-park-and-volcanoes-izta-popo-from-mexico-city/

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00. Sunday 2nd of April, 1150 pesos, includes transport for our small group, certified bilingual guide and entrance. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

HIKING LA BURBUJA WATERFALL

La Burbuja waterfall hike

A fantastic hike of around 5 hours along and across beautiful rivers and waterfalls in the State of Mexico, around 2 hours from Mexico City.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 17.00. Friday 7th of April, 750 pesos, includes transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

HIKING LOS DINAMOS, NATIONAL PARK IN MEXICO CITY

Los Dinamos National Park, Mexico City

A beautiful hike along a river in the South of Mexico City, see all details in our blog

Trip info:
Either with or without transport, 4 hour hike. On Saturday 8th of April, With transport 650 pesos, without transport 350 pesos. Guided hike with a small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

HUASCA, PRISMAS BASALTICAS, HACIENDA DE SANTA MARIA REGLA

Huasca, Prismas Basalticos, Hacienda Santa Maria Regla

Let´s visit the beautiful town of Huasca (Pueblo Mágico) and it´s surroundings in the state of Hidalgo. We will visit the historic center of the beautiful magical town, the Basalt Prisms and Hacienda Santa Maria Regla.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00. Saturday 8th of April, 1150 pesos, includes transport for our small group, certified bilingual guide and entrances. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

XOCHICALCO & LAKE OF TEQUESQUITENGO

Xochicalco & Jardines de Mexico

Lets explore the archeological site Xochicalco, one of the 13 man made miracles of Mexico and the beautiful lake of Tequesquitengo. Both exiting places are in the State of Morelos.

Xochicalco is a pre-Columbian archaeological site in the western part of the Mexican state of Morelos. The name Xochicalco may be translated from Nahuatl as “in the house of Flowers”.

The architecture and iconography of Xochicalco show affinities with Teotihuacan, the Maya area, and the Matlatzinca culture of the Toluca Valley. The main ceremonial center is atop an artificially leveled hill, with remains of residential structures, on long terraces covering the slopes. The site was first occupied by 200 BC, but did not develop into an urban center until the Epiclassic period (AD 700 – 900). Nearly all the standing architecture at the site was built at this time. At its peak, the city may have had a population of up to 20,000 people.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00. Sunday 9th of April, 850 pesos, includes transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

LAS ESTACAS

Las Estacas

Do you feel like you need to get some fresh air, dive into clear water, rest under the palm trees and get a nice sun tan? Two hours south from Mexico City, this beautiful nature water park is just what you are looking for.

The crystal clear water comes from various springs and forms a wide river with a mild current. Lay down into the water and let yourself being taken through tropic green and tall palm trees.

Our blog: https://aztecexplorers.com/2019/03/30/exploring-las-estacas-in-the-state-of-morelos/

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, on the 14th of April, price 1250 pesos; includes private transport for our small group, entrance and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

CENTRO CULTURAL OTOMI AND HIKING AROUND LAGUNA ITURBIDE

Centro Ceremonial Otomí or Otomi Ceremonial Center.
This center is the result of efforts to create a recognized space to preserve and promote the Otomi culture. The foundation was formally established in 1980 and construction of the monumental facility began in 1988. The site and organization aims to recreate Otomi ceremonies of centuries past even though the written and archeological evidence as to what they were is scarce. The complex is constructed on a mountain called Cerro La Catedral. The Otomi Ceremonial Center has a small teaching museum with a permanent exhibition of artifacts, history of the Otomi people and past and present crafts. The complex is located on an ecological reserve called the Otomi-Mexico State Park. This park extends over fifty hectares, most of which is covered in pine, oyamel, and holm oak forest. The complex is notable for appearing in the 1989 James Bond film Licence to Kill. Nearby we can make a beautiful hike around the Laguna de Iturbide.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, Saturday 15th of April, price 850 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

CASTILLO GILLOW AND BOSQUE DE LAVANDA

On a day trip from Mexico City we can visit the Hacienda de Chautla, Castillo Gillow and the nearby lavender fields. The Chautla Hacienda was a formerly vast extension of farmland located in the San Martin Texmelucan Valley in the state of Puebla, northwest of the city of Puebla in Mexico. It was established in the 18th century, primarily producing grain. In the 19th century, it became the property of an Englishman by the name of Thomas Gillow. Here we can visit the beautiful Hacienda, the small castle and make a relaxed walk around the beautiful lake. Afterwards we can visit the nearby lavender fields.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, Saturday 15th of April, price 950 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

TULA ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE AND TEPOTZÓTLAN (PUEBLO MAGICO)

North of Mexico City, we can find the amazing archeological site of Tula in the State of Mexico. Tula was an important regional center which reached its height as the capital of the Toltec Empire between the fall of Teotihuacan and the rise of Tenochtitlan. The main attraction is the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, which is topped by four 4-metre-high (13 ft) basalt columns carved in the shape of Toltec warriors. Tula fell around 1150, but it had significant influence in the following Aztec Empire. Nearby we can visit the Pueblo Magico of Tepozotlán (not to be confused with Tepoztlan in the State of Morelos), with his colonial town square and beautiful convent.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, Sunday 16th of April, price 850 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

TECUTZINGO / BAÑOS DE NEZAHUALCOYOTL

Baños de Nezahualcoyotl

At only 1.5 hours from Mexico City, in the State of Mexico, we can find Tecutzingo, also known as Baños de Nezahualcoyotl.

This is a beautifully conserved lesser known archeological site and aditionally it makes for a great hike, since we we can walk all around and up the mountain with the main temple and with archeological findings and beautiful flora and fauna all around, in around 3 hours.

Los Baños de Nezahualcóyotl is a monumental construction built in 1431. It has fountains, stairways, canals and sculptures with excellent stone carvings, complemented by masonry works that reflect the engineering applied to the construction of a hydraulic system that supplied water to the site and the towns close to it. The Baño de Xóchitl, El Baño del Rey and El Trono del Rey stand out, combining stone and masonry, as well as El Baño de las Concubinas.

Nezahualcóyotl was a scholar, philosopher (tlamatini), warrior, architect, poet and ruler (tlatoani) of the city-state of Texcoco (1402 – 1472). Nezahualcoyotl was not fully Mexica; his father’s people were the Acolhua, another Nahuan people settled in the eastern part of the Valley of Mexico, on the coast of Lake Texcoco. His mother, however, was the sister of Chimalpopoca, the Mexica king of Tenochtitlan.

The baths and gardens of Nezahualcóyotl are testimony to the high cultural development that the genius and “King Poet” achieved for his people, and and amazing place to explore, with amazing views all around. 6 hour day trip.

Our Facebook albums on Baños de Nezahualcoyotl: Album 1 and Album 2.

Trip info:
From 09.00 to 15.00, 21st of April, price 850 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

VALLE DE BRAVO

Valle de Bravo is one of the current 132 Pueblos Mágicos of Mexico and definitely one of the most beautiful. Apart from its beautiful colonial town center, you can make a relaxed walk along the boulevard along the lake side an optionally take a boat ride.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, Saturday 22nd of April, price 950 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

CANTONA ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE AND HUAMANTLA PUEBLOS MAGICO

Cantona is an archaeological between 2,450 and 2,600 meters above sea level in the state of Puebla, on the border with the state of Veracruz. At its peak, Cantona was a walled, fortified city with a high level of urbanization. Its original inhabitants are unknown, but it is speculated that it was founded by Olmec-Xicalanca groups towards the late Classical Period. It was a prominent, if isolated, Mesoamerican city between 600 and 1000 CE. It was abandoned after AD 1050. The Pueblo Mágico of Huamantla is in the State of Tlaxcala. It has a long indigenous history, but the town itself was not founded until the early colonial period, in the 1530s.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, Sunday 23th of April, price 950 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

XITLE VOLCANO

Xitle volcano

In the Southern part of Mexico City we can find the amazing Xitle volcano, in the national park Ajusco, around 1 hour from the historic city center. Walking up, in and around the crater of an extinct volcano? INSIDE Mexico City? At 3107 meters / 10194 feet ?

Welcome to the Xitle volcano! Located in the Southern part of Mexico City, Near the highest point of Mexico City: the Ajusco volcano at 3930 meters / 12894 feet.

Our blog: https://aztecexplorers.com/2020/07/23/hiking-the-xitle-volcano-in-mexico-city/

Trip info:
From 08.00 to 14.00, Sunday 23rd of April, price 650 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

GRUTAS DE TOLANTONGO

Grutas de Tolantongo

Grutas de Tolantongo is one of the most beautiful natural water parks in México and maybe in the world, that consists of a large canyon with a river with thermal waters, beautiful waterfalls, a tunnel, a cave and natural thermal hot tubs in a lush green mountain area in the State of Hidalgo, at around 3.5 hours from Mexico City. Our blog and full e-guide: https://aztecexplorers.com/2019/03/19/exploring-grutas-de-tolantongo-state-of-hidalgo/

Trip info:
From 06.00 to 21.00, to have enough time to explore and enjoy this amazing place.
On Friday April 28th. Price is 1150 pesos and includes transport, entrance and bilingual guide to show you the best places. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

PIEDRAS ENCIMADAS ECOLOGICAL PARK AND PUEBLO MAGICO OF ZACATLAN

Let´s go hiking in the wonderful Piedras Encimadas Valley and let´s visit the beautiful village of Zacatlán (Pueblo Magico); both in the State of Puebla. The Piedras Encimadas Valley (Stacked Stones in English) is a series of small valleys located in the Zacatlán municipality of Puebla in central Mexico. The main feature of the zone is basalt rock formations in capricious forms, created by erosion over millions of years. The valley has around 400 hectares. Nearby we can explore Zacatlan, 1 of the 132 Pueblos Magicos in Mexico, a beautiful colonial town with a beautiful town center, several colonial buildings and an amazing viewpoint over the nearby canyon and mountains.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, Saturday 29th of April, price 950 pesos, includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

TLAXCALA, CACAXTLA, XOCHITECATL

Tlaxcala, Cacaxtla, Xochitecatl

At 2 hours from Mexico City we can explore the amazing archeological sites of Cacaxtla and Xochitecatl, plus the small city of Tlaxcala, in the State of Tlaxcala.

Cacaxtla is an archaeological site located near the southern border of the Mexican state of Tlaxcala. It was a sprawling palace containing vibrantly colored murals painted in unmistakable Maya style. The nearby site of Xochitecatl was a more public ceremonial complex Cacaxtla and Xochitecatl prospered 650-900 CE, probably controlling important trade routes through the region.

Tlaxcala city still has many of its old colonial structures including the former Franciscan monastery.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 19.00, to have enough time to explore and enjoy this amazing place.
On Sunday April 30th. Price is 850 pesos and includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

HIKING NEVADO DE TOLUCA

The Nevado de Toluca is a large stratovolcano in central Mexico, located about 80 kilometres (50 mi) west of Mexico City near the city of Toluca. It is generally cited as the fourth highest of Mexico’s peaks, after Pico de Orizaba, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl.

There are two crater lakes on the floor of the basin that we can visit on a hike of about 3.5 hours, at about 4,200 m (13,800 ft), the larger Lago del Sol (Sun Lake) and the smaller, but deeper, Lago de la Luna (Moon Lake). If you just like to hike up to the crater to enjoy the great views that is also possible. The trip is not too heavy, we take it slow to get ajusted to the height; you can make the trip as heavy as you want, during this great encounter with nature.

Trip info:
From 07.00 to 18.00, to have enough time to explore and enjoy this amazing place.
On Sunday April 30th. Price is 1150 pesos and includes private transport for our small group and certified bilingual guide. Also includes the mandatory local transport from the entrance. Make your reservation on Whatsapp, Lidia Herrera

CALENDAR April 2023

Our calendar, prices in pesos. Small groups, certified bilingual guides, include entrance if applies:

All details of all trip also soon on Meetup.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Reservations and payment information on Whatsapp: 525513083732 , Lidia Herrera.

All trips and more can also be organized as private trip.

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