nevado de toluca hike tour

Nevado de Toluca Tour: Hike to the Peak and Visit Charming Town (12h)

🇲🇽 Mexico Mexico City Tours Nevado de Toluca Tour: Hike to the Peak and Visit Charming Town (12h)

Conquer the snowy heights in the Nevado de Toluca Tour! Amazing nature, such as mountains and a peaceful lagoon, will delight your senses. Can you defeat the mighty, beautiful Nevado crater? We know you can! Later, taste all the delicious flavors and mouthwatering dishes in Toluca and also visit its stunning botanical garden with the colorful world’s largest stained-glass structure. Let the magic of Toluca delight you!

• Climb Mexico’s fourth-highest peak.
• Enjoy impressive mountainous landscapes.
• See unique twin lagoons in the crater of an extinct volcano.
• Stroll the picturesque historic center of Toluca.
• Visit a botanical garden with beautiful stained-glass murals.

Start Nevado de Toluca Tour meeting your guide and heading to the same-named national park. Watch as the landscapes transform, revealing the breathtaking beauty of nature.

Once we arrive, get ready for an epic hike. We’ll trek the magnificent crater of El Nevado , passing towering mountains and fascinating lagoons along the way.

After conquering the volcano, we’ll explore Toluca , the charming capital city of the State of Mexico . Stroll through picturesque squares, admire beautiful churches, and discover their lasting heritage.

Of course, no visit to Toluca would be complete without savoring the local flavors like chorizo , quesadillas , mixiotes, and much more! We’ll stop at a bustling market for a mouthwatering food experience, tasting authentic Mexican dishes.

Before the end, we’ll visit the extraordinary Cosmovitral , boasting the world’s largest stained-glass structure. Explore the expansive botanical garden and let the vibrant colors transport you to a world of beauty.

As the day draws to a close, relax and relish in the memories as we journey back to Mexico City , rejuvenated by the magic of Toluca .

How is this tour different?

Authentic    how this tour provides an actual image of the destination, life, and practices of the host community..

We do our best to make our trips educative and fulfilling, in which travelers can interact with local populations, learn about their traditions, and culture, and connect with their core values.

A tour with impact   ? How this tour positively affects the destination and local communities on economic, socio-cultural, and environmental dimensions.

We support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Our tours are aligned with SDG 8 and 12, focusing on empowering local communities and promoting sustainable consumption and production practices. We take tourists to underdeveloped regions, creating opportunities for economic growth while respecting local traditions and educating communities on sustainable approaches.

Other   ? Other advantages this tour offers to travelers.

• 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 number of participants.
• 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.
• This tour is private : only your group will participate.
• The price per person is variable and depends on the size of your group (please choose the number of participants in the booking calendar ➡️ to see the final price).

Local Expert Guides

English/Spanish bilingual guide

Transportation

Round transportation from Mexico City:

• Small-group tour: shared (with other participants in the group tour) pickup from a defined location.
• Private tour: private (just for your group) pickup from your accommodation or another place of choice in Mexico City.

Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, Market Food Experience in Amecameca.

Entrance and guided to Nevado de Toluca National Park; entracne and guided visit to Cosmovitral.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included: find the one exactly for you.

Personal expenses

Flights are not included: check our partner deals .

Travel insurance is not included: find insurance tailored for you.

Customization ? The way how tour organizer can customize this tour for you

We can do the following customizations on your request (subject to availability and needs to be confirmed before the tour): 1. Adjust the starting time of the tour. 2. Adjust the time you spend at each destination of the tour. 3. Add extra places of your choice (e.g. attractions, restaurants, etc.) to the itinerary on a complimentary basis if those visits. (1) fit the default duration of the tour, (2) don’t involve a significant change of the route and extra fees (e.g. entrance tickets, tolls, parking, etc.). Changes other than those will involve an extra fee and must be communicated to the tour organizer at least 72h before the tour (e.g. in the “Special Requirements” field during the booking or via email).

Cancellations

This and most of our 1-day tours can be canceled up to 48 hours before the departure (see cancellation policy for more info).

Frequently asked questions:

How to book.

To reserve the tour, please choose the date and complete the booking form. Once finished, you will receive a booking confirmation in your email.

How can I contact the tour organizer?

You can find the contact phone number and email of the tour organizer in the confirmation email.

Can I talk to someone?

Except for the information on this page, you can see full terms & conditions from each tour organizer before completing your booking.

About Vibe Adventures

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the tour and activity providers (“Organizers”) listed on vibeadventures.com are independent third parties and are not agents or affiliates of Vibe Adventures. Therefore, Vibe Adventures shall not be held liable for any injuries, sickness, accidents, delays, neglect, fraud, poor weather conditions, negative consequences, or expenses arising from or associated with the Organizers, their tours and activities, or those of their affiliates. If the tour does not include insurance, the travelers are responsible for obtaining travel insurance, as well as passports, appropriate visas, and necessary vaccinations.

Cancellations & Modifications

To cancel or modify your booking, please contact the Organizer directly using the email or phone number provided in the booking confirmation. Cancellations and modifications are subject to availability and the approval of the Organizer in accordance with their booking terms and conditions, which are made available to you during the booking process.

If you have any other questions please contact us .

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Nevado de Toluca Volcano Hiking Tour

State of Mexico

Different Levels

From $142 USD

Spanish and English

Nevado de Toluca Excursion from mexico city

Tour description.

Visit the fourth-highest mountain in Mexico and its two beautiful lagoons that are among the highest in the world. Nevado de Toluca is also known as Xinantécatl in Nahuatl means Naked Lord, it is a huge and majestic volcano that is located 43 km southwest of the city of Toluca, México. Enjoy a unique experience visiting one of the most amazing volcanoes in Mexico, where you will find one of the most beautiful natural landscapes.

On this trip, our mountain guide will explain to you about the flora and fauna of the place. During the walk, you will be able to listen to the legend of the “Xinantécatl” and you will learn some mountain hiking techniques to walk better.

Choose between different hiking trails with different levels of difficulty. The routes of the Nevado de Toluca are designed to see incredible views. The tours are private, we pick you up at the hotel or address provided and we can adapt to your needs if you travel with family, partner, friends or alone.

NOTE: The snow depends on the weather conditions of the place. It can be seen 1-2 times a year, despite the name, snow rarely occurs.

• Excursions available from Mexico City
• This is a private tour, reserve with your partner, friends, family or even if you are a solo traveler
• Book anytime from Monday to Sunday 
• This tour is not suitable for people with hypertension, diabetes, heart problems, severe joints. It is only possible if these health problems are controlled
• Terms and Conditions
• Activity Round trip transportation from Mexico City
• Tickets and Admissions
• Hiking equipment
• Professional mountain guides certified by the goverment SECTUR
• Adventure & Sports Travel Insurance

THE TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Food and/or drinks

• Minimum age: 10 years
• Maximum age: 70 years
• Jacket, sweater and shirt
• Sports pants or hiking pants
• Tennis, trail runners or hiking boots
• Backpack and sunscreen
• *When booking, we will help you with the details*

There are 3 ways to make reservations:

Click on the “Book Now” button, you can choose the day you prefer and enter your card details securely, a payment receipt will automatically be sent to your email.

PayPal (+6%)  Payments made through PayPal have a surcharge of 6% which must be added to the amount before sending. Payments have to be sent to [email protected]

Contact us via WhatsApp, phone or mail, and we will reserve the date for you. We send you a payment link, your payment receipt, and that’s it!

*We accept credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, payment market, cash (oxxo).

* Cancellation policies

We pick you up from the hotel or address provided in Mexico City

We arrive at Nevado de Toluca (National Park). We eat our breakfast, the guide gives us the indications, and we’ll prepare the backpacks

We start the walking tour 

We will visit the lagoon crater Xinantécatl. You can take incredible photos of the wonderful views

We return to the vehicle

We’ll return to the same starting point in Mexico City

LEVEL 1 EASY

Lagoon nevado route, description of the route.

During this tour you will be able to discover the greatest treasure of this natural site, the “Sun” and “Moon” lagoons. They are located in the crater, the contrast produced by the huge colossal rocks in the crystal clear green and blue waters of the lagoons are spectacular. The hiking trail in the Nevado is approximately 4 hours.

Distance 4.8km, with a maximum altitude of 4,280 meters above sea level. Elevation gain 150m

Private Tour from CDMX or Toluca: USD $142 p/p* *Prices from 2 people

LEVEL 2 moderate

Lagoon and bell tower nevado route.

On this hiking tour in Nevado de Toluca we visit the spectacular “Sun” and “Moon” lagoons. And we will walk to the “Campanario”, we will climb by the crater of the volcano and from this point we will appreciate wonderful views towards the state of Cuernavaca. This Nevado hiking tour is approximately 5 hours.

Distance 6.8 km, with a maximum altitude of 4,440 meters above sea level. Elevation gain 290m

Private Tour from CDMX or Toluca: USAD $142 MXN p/p* *Prices from 2 people

LEVEL 3 MODERATE ADVANCE

"pico del fraile" summit trail.

On this hiking excursion, we will walk through natural areas such as the forest, an area of rocks and sandbanks. We will climb the “Cañada del Oso”, one of the highest points, where we’ll have great views of the crater and the Nevado lagoons. This Nevado Toluca hike is approximately 6 hours.

Distance 13.3 km, with a maximum altitude of 4,684 meters above sea level. Elevation gain 970m

Private Tour from CDMX or Toluca: USD $165 p/p* *Prices from 2 people

+52 222 8601743 – Customer service and sales

[email protected] – Customer service, reservations and sales

• Mountain Tours
• Other tours
• Fixed Tours
• Activity Levels

Hike the Nevado de Toluca from Mexico City: A Great Day Trip from Mexico City

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When I decided to venture on this trip to hike the ‘Nevado de Toluca I was drawn to it by the fantastic pictures I found online, most definitely confirmed by the reality I encountered on reaching the crest of this enormous crater.

In this post, I will tell you all about it. And how you can do it too.

I had done previous hikes, the Inca trail to Macchu Picchu and Mount Kilimanjaro (not a word of a lie), but I learned the lesson here that every hike is a totally new, magical experience, and (second lesson) no matter what you did the year before, always train and be ready for the unexpected. 

👉 Book your guided hike to the Nevado de Toluca from Mexico City! BOOK NOW ON VIATOR

How to get to the Nevado de Toluca

Hiking the Nevado de Toluca makes a wonderful day trip from Mexico City from where you can find many organized tours that take you there with professional guides.

This is how I did it, in fact.

I always like to be in a safe environment with professional guides when I undertake such challenging walks, not because I am afraid, but due to the considerable amount of respect, I have for mountains and altitude.

So, one day I woke up with the idea to initiate my climbing adventures in Mexico, and while browsing the web I found this company ecotura.mx which really caught my attention and subsequently turned out to confirm how excellent my intuition really was.  

Among their programs, I chose the Nevado de Toluca because a) the pictures were stunning, b) it involved 4600 meters of altitude, and c) the scheduled date was perfect for me.

My reservation was rapidly and professionally organized via email and once I confirmed they sent me a ‘’to bring’ list, together with suggestions on how to prepare for the hike and useful tips. I was already feeling confident, and that was good.

If you have never hiked before or only a few times you might want to read this useful beginner guide to hiking .

From Cancun , I was going to fly to Mexico City, and since I was taking a 2-hour flight, naturally I thought to myself, “Why not extend the trip for a couple of extra days, and visit one of the Pueblos Mágicos (magic towns) close by? So, off I went to book my amazing best-kept secret in Tepoztlan as well!

I got to Mexico City on a Saturday and aimed to adapt quickly to the altitude, (bearing in mind the fact that you find yourself at 2000 meters (6500ft) above sea level)   however,   I wasn´t spared the headache. It was ok, as I am used to it.

When I was in Cuzco at 4000 meters (13.000ft), it took me 4 days and lots of coca-leaf-chewing to adapt, in fact, that was the only time I have ever taken medication for altitude reasons.

My hostel was located in the quaint zone of La Condesa where you can easily and safely walk around in amongst fancy restaurants and vintage-trendy shops. I love it.

The following morning, the guides came on Swiss time to pick us up.

There were about 10 of us in total, a couple of foreigners like me, and the rest, locals.

A ll of us are excited and ready to hit the Nevado de Toluca .

It was a great crew, lots of fun, and great comradeship even though we had only just met, and the guides demonstrated professionalism and knowledge from the outset   It was going to take 3 hours to get to the top of the mountain where we would start from.

It was not a long walk, but trust me, when you are bumped from 0 to 2000 to 4000 meters in 24 hours, and you are not trained, your body still feels like you have climbed Everest. So first tip… if you want to hike… train before!

I was hoping we would have walked from a lower point, but I was grateful in the end and satisfied with the experience.

After we passed the busy city of Toluca and started to drive up, the landscape changed drastically and we found ourselves transported from the traffic-packed city to small, bustling towns, and finally, to the countryside.

When the bus starts to climb up the hills around Toluca you have an amazing view of the valley surrounded by pines and thick vegetation, becoming what appears to be a rather lunar-like landscape, on your way to the top.

The last base camp of the Nevado de Toluca you can reach by car is at around 4000 meters, at which point we parked our van.

Under the guidance of our very well-organized and knowledgeable tour leaders, Carlos and Magda, we changed our clothes and prepared our small backpacks with what we would need during our walk.

As soon as we got off the bus, it suddenly hit us how high the altitude was, as our breathing became shorter and our bodies heavier, our internal organs started to inflate and I am not going to go any further at this point on the embarrassing consequences of this physiological and natural phenomenon!

Anyway, we didn’t care… the view was stunning and breathtaking (in every sense of the word), and I was so excited, as was everybody.

We were basically just below the crest of the crater on the outer side, and after we finished gearing up and listening to the short briefing from our guides, we started ascending to the last section of the imposing mountain.

I was thrilled, I wanted to run, to get to the top as soon as possible, and check out what was beyond there, but to my deep dismay after a few steps, my legs just wouldn’t move and, even worse, my breath was so short I thought I was never going to be able to catch it.

I thought it was a general condition but embarrassingly enough I was the only one to be so held back by the strenuous physical condition .

Gosh, I knew I should have trained, but it had been a good while since I had done any track training, and this was the consequence.

I felt very bad not only for myself but for the group as I didn’t want to hold everybody back, but Carlos, the guide and co-owner of Ecotura, was amazing, he helped me not to feel like the weirdo of the group, and instead walked at my pace, giving me suggestions and encouraging me, while Magda was with the rest of the group.

I felt better even though I wished I was with the rest of my companions.

When we reached our first goal at the top of the Nevado de Toluca,  El Campanario , the view made the whole effort well worth it.

We had the entire panoramic view of two lakes within the sleepy crater; the lakes of the sun and the moon, which provide a spectacular scene that you don´t want to miss.

Carlos told us a little bit about the history and traditions while we caught our breath (in this case, everyone!). The wind was strong, but the sun kept us warm and there were not many people, allowing us to take lovely pictures of the naked crater. Simply stunning…

We started the descent down to the lakes, preparing ourselves mentally to go back up on the other side of the slope to reach an even higher peak.

The guide mentioned that we would be adding another 400 meters of altitude, which sounds like nothing, but at 4000 meters makes a huge difference.

On looking upwards, the top seemed so close and yet so far, as each step I took seemed like a mountain in itself and so heavy; in my delirium, I wondered how the hell I had climbed Kilimanjaro and reached 6000 meters!

I couldn’t explain it to myself but I have a theory and a suggestion for all of you who wish to venture onto such an amazing trip here, there, or anywhere: train A LOT.., run, climb stairs, do sit-ups, squats, anything, every day, for at least a year; eat properly, no junk food, drink loads of water or natural juice, very little wine (just to be sociable,   and not too social, if you know what I mean), and if you can start from the foot of the mountain…

When I climbed Kili I had lived at 2000 for the 3 weeks prior, and then started to climb from that altitude, going up step by step and down again at 3000, to acclimatize; if possible you should do that.

As for the Toluca trip, it was not an option and it was beneficial to experience this feeling as well. During this second phase Carlos was really helpful and understanding again, and thanks to his help I was not that far behind the group, and when we reached the top… Wow, what can I say? Just look at the pictures…

Sometimes words cannot express how the beauty of nature makes you feel …

Those 400 meters in altitude felt more like 2000 but were worth the effort and pain. I made it and I was content with the experience, grateful to my fellow hikers, my guide and most of all Mother Nature, has proved yet again that it is greater than us.

The return was very easy, except for the last bit of the climbing trail; but a piece of cake really, compared to the beginning.

We went back to our van and headed off to our next stop for a well-deserved meal included in our tour, in the small town of Toluca, which was on the way back to Mexico City and all its metropolitan traffic.

It was an amazing day, a must-do if you happen to be in Mexico City for more than 3 days and you love nature.

I planned 5 days, and because I had already visited Mexico, I decided to explore the surroundings. After the hike, I was ready for my cultural piece of the journey in Tepoztlan and I was even more excited that my adventure hadn´t quite finished yet!

To conclude the narration on the Toluca trip, I would say that you can definitely go on your own if you have a car, or if you love adventure and don’t mind taking local buses. I have to say I am very much a fan of do-it-yourself trips, except when I climb a mountain.  

I have so much respect for nature, and mountains, in particular, are no joke! It’s a pretty good altitude and anything can happen if you are not used to it, and you often won´t know how your body is going to respond.

So, in this case, I feel I can easily suggest going with an organization, of which I am sure there are plenty. I was very happy with Ecotura ( www.ecotura.mx ) for the reasons expressed above and I would personally recommend them.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON THE NEVADO DE TOLUCA

Parque Nacional Nevado de Toluca : It was decreed as a National Park in 1936, primarily to protect the volcano, which forms nearly the entire surface of the park, and constitutes the fourth-highest peak in Mexico.

It is said that the park was established with the aim of conservation, but it is under increasing pressure from the growth of the Toluca metropolitan area, as well as falling victim to illegal logging by local communities.

Its Nahuatl name, Xinantecatl, translates as “naked lord,” a reference to the fact that the top of the volcano is above the tree line, with only rock and grassland, and devoid of snow for most of the year. However, as per usual, there is a dispute regarding the original name, too; however, I like the naked lord and I’m going to stick with it.

The volcano has long been extinct and has a large crater in which there are two shallow lakes: the lake of the moon, and the lake of the sun.

There are also a number of archeological sites in the park, even within the lakes themselves, which contain numerous offerings of copal and other items deposited there during the pre-Hispanic period and related to ceremonies that were performed at that time.   (Source: Wikipedia)

Max alt: 4690 meters

Time on the road from Mexico City: 3hrs approx (135km)

What to bring (most importantly) from March through November:

• Sunscreen and sunglasses – at that altitude the sunlight is strong and you can easily get burnt without even realizing it.
• A hat and/or ear protectors and warm gloves – it will be cold.
• Dress in layers – the first layer (in contact with your skin) being the most absorbent and delicate, the second to isolate your body from the wind, and the third to protect from the cold. 
• Water – it is very important to stay hydrated.
• Bring snacks – I cannot eat when I am making so much effort at such a high altitude, but many people need to eat all the time, so chocolate and nuts would work, and a couple of sandwiches if you are a big eater.
• A comfy backpack – not too big, just big enough to transport all of the above
• Last but not least, a good camera – to capture the beauty and works of nature.

In the coldest months from November through February, more layers, very warm gloves, and a cap are heartily suggested.

Tour options:   There is a second option of a tour that has a higher level of difficulty (imagine that), going up to 4690 meters, which is the maximum height and which, of course, requires a high level of fitness and no vertigo issues.

You start walking at 4000 meters to reach ‘’Paso Quetzal’ at 4100, then head off down to the crater, crossing it, and starting your hike again up to 4400 meters to a place called El Campanario at 4400.

From there, you continue the walk all along the crest until you get to 4690 meters in about 4 hours, at which point you have an amazing view of the entire crater.

After a rich meal to fill up on energy again, you start the descent towards the lakes and you’ll be walking for about another 3 hours. It’s a long day, but certainly worth it.

There is also the possibility of a 2-day tour, sleeping in a cabin in the Parque de los Venados , a wooded zone, but you need to reserve it well in advance. It is located in a beautiful area with an amazing view of the volcano. Ecotura can arrange this too also as a private tour. 

Isabella is traveler and animal lover, a former tourism professional with an multinational background that lead her to Mexico, that she can proudly call home. After seven years in Cancun where she's still a resident, she took a bold leap, leaving her fancy job to embrace a nomadic lifestyle. She traveled all over Mexico, from Baja California to Ciudad Juarez, Oaxaca, Chiapas Hidalgo exploring and living like a local. Isabella founded Let's Travel to Mexico to help travelers plan their own trip on and off the beaten path in this beautiful land that she loves so dearly.

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Nevado de Toluca National Park Hikes

• 9 / 10 2 reviews | 40 travellers The highly trained guides were excellent, the support throughout the route and especially for those who had problems was great, thanks to this we were able to achieve excellent views and a great experience. 10 Gerardo
• Free cancellation up to 3 days before

ls Discover spectacular volcanic landscapes full of endemic vegetation with these hiking routes through the Nevado de Toluca National Park. The perfect tour for nature & adventure lovers!

Tour Options

When making your reservation, you can choose between three different hiking routes . All routes start at 8 am from Calzada del Pacífico road in Toluca de Lerdo and include an English-speaking guide.

Tunnels Route (7 hours)

Upon arrival at the Nevado de Toluca National Park , we'll begin an exciting hike through the volcanic landscape. During this 10-kilometer route , we'll follow trails full of fir, cedar and pine trees , finding  tunnels in the middle of the mountain along the way. We'll tell you all about the origin of these tunnels during the tour!

Gradually, we'll make our way to a beautiful lagoon located at an altitude of over 9500 feet (3100 meters). From the top, we'll enjoy indescribable views while we take a  45-minute break to enjoy  this fascinating environment. At 3 pm, we'll arrive back at the parking area.

Cañada Route (8 hours)

In the foothills of the Nevado de Toluca National Park, we'll begin an 7 kilometer hiking route , following along the course of one of the rivers that flow down the slopes of the volcano. During the route, we'll explore clearings, tunnels - we'll learn what they were used for!

We'll then cross the river to reach a lake and enjoy incredible views from an altitude of over 9,500 feet (2,900 meters). Here, you'll have 45 minutes to relax and enjoy the exceptional scenery. At 3 pm, we'll have returned to the parking area and the activity will conclude. 

Hill Route (9 hours)

Upon arrival at the foothills of the Nevado de Toluca National Park, we'll set off on a 13-kilometer hiking route which will lead us over different slopes and through old tunnels. Once we reach an altitude of nearly 10,500 feet (3,200 meters), we'll stop for 45 minutes to relax and snap breathtaking photos of the landscape. 

Walking along a river, we'll reach a clearing with magical views of the park and follow a forest trail to discover the characteristics of the animals that inhabit these areas . At 5 pm, we'll finish the activity with our arrival back at the parking area.

Meeting Point

We'll meet at 8 am on Calzada del Pacífico road. From there, you'll follow the guide in your car to teh foothilNevado de Toluca National Park, where we'll leave our vehicles and start the hike. 

More Information

7 hours - 9 hours.

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English, Spanish, French and other language.

English–speaking nature guide

Free parking

Not included

Food & drink

When to book?

You can book up until 7 days before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• Printed material is avoided.
• No single-use plastics are used.
• The indigenous community participates in the management of the activity.
• The activity helps the conservation of biodiversity.
• The activity helps to promote peace.
• The activity promotes local production.
• No printing of documentation required.
• Has a gender equality policy.
• Has a carbon footprint offset policy.

4 Eventos Mx Show more

Corporate name: Beatriz Ursula Haubi Segura

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - Your safety is our priority. Civitatis works with certified providers for reliable and safe adventures. More information

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?

A - This activity requires a minimum of 4 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

Meeting point.

Calzada del Pacífico

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Hiking The Nevado de Toluca

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 10 - 12 hours
• Globe Language: English
• Checkered Flag Starting from: Mexico City - (Auditorio Nacional - Av. Paseo de la Reforma 50, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo.)

The NEVADO DE TOLUCA reaches a height of 4,680 meters above sea level.

The view from the valley of Toluca and the Ajusco to the mountains of Veracruz and Oaxaca will take your breath away.

However, its greatest treasure is discovered in the crater. The contrast produced by the stones of the enormous colossus with the greenish and crystalline blue waters of the lagoons of the Sun and the Moon is simply wonderful.

This panorama is even more surprising in the winter season when the El Águila and El Capitan peaks are covered with snow, as well as part of their coniferous corners.

In short, it is a landscape worthy of being painted by Bob Ross.

WHATS INCLUDED

• Private transportation
• Hiking Sticks
• Toilet paper and wet wipes
• All Fees and Taxes

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Chevron down 1 - Auditorio Nacional - POLANCO

We will meet at 6:00 am in front of the National Auditorium to escape the traffic of Mexico City, you can sleep a little longer until our first stop which will be breakfast.

• Chevron down 2 - Parque de los Venados

We will arrive at the “Parque de los Venados”, where we will have breakfast, and then we will take a van to the foothills of the mountain to start our hike to the crater.

Mexican breakfast can be a little heavy but don’t worry, there will be vegan and vegetarian options.

• Chevron down 3- Lagoon of the Moon

Once we reach the crater, the first lagoon to appear will be the moon lagoon.

In the Lagoon of the Moon there are petroglyphs of representations of attire of feminine and masculine divinities, which were associated with the moon and pulque.

• Chevron down 4 - Lagoon of the Sun

If your physical condition allows it, we will go to the Lagoon of the Sun, which is twice the size of the Lagoon of the Moon, and in the same way we can find pre-hispanic vestiges as well as some fish.

Here we will have some free time for you to explore the site for yourselves.

• Chevron down 5 - Toluca

At approximately 2:00 pm we will head to Toluca, which is the closest city, besides being the capital of the State of Mexico, to taste the traditional torta de Chorizo.

• Chevron down 6 - Returning to Mexico City

It’s time to come back! At approximately 4:30 PM we will leave Toluca to arrive in Mexico City at approximately 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM.

• Chevron down Additional Info
• This tour is recommended for ages 12+
• Good physical condition is requires to complete the journey
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience is operated by: The monkey experience.
• Send us a message if you are looking for a private experience.
• Chevron down Cancelation

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

• For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
• Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers.
• If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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Hike the Nevado de Toluca Cirque

Toluca, Mexico

Elevation Gain

Description

Added by Stephen Underhay

At 15,390ft, Nevada is Mexico's 5th highest mountain. It offers a spectacular alpine-style Cirque route with amazing crater-rim views of Laguna de la Luna and Laguna del Sol. This scrambling route will offer a new challenge to climbers!

Entering the Nevada de Toluca National Park, follow the windy road toward the crater rim. There will be a small parking lot on your left which offers a state-run hut for acclimating, although if you've spent time in Mexico City you should have no problem completing this hike in 1 day.

The hike begins by following the well worn path down to Laguna de la Luna. From here enjoy the sights and make your way up toward the rim of the crater. The route is obvious as you follow the rim all the way around to the starting point.

The summit lies close to the starting point, approximately 1.5hrs into the climb and lying about 1,600ft above the crater floor. After this you will climb up-and-down across the rim until reaching the parking lot again. There is moderate class 3 scrambling through much of the rim traverse.

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Hike the Nevado de Toluca Cirque Reviews

Jenna Mulligan

Best climb near Mexico City

This was such a great weekend trip from the city. This loop is challenging, but like mentioned, very doable if you've been acclimated at altitude. I didn't have any trouble following the trail, and the scrambling through the rim section was challenging but I was able to complete it in a couple of hours round trip.

Rachel Davidson

Great beginner volcano climb

This volcano is super popular for local families and will be very crowded on the weekends. The author notes that the summit lies 1.5 hours from the park entrance - that's FAST! We had a few Everest climbers on our team booking it and made it to the top in around 2 hours. This route describes ascending towards the left side of the peak up a scrambling section (past Laguna de la Luna), and descending on the right down a steep scree field (past Laguna de la Sol).

Thanks Javier, just updated that and thanks for all the great info!!!

Javier Casillas

Nevado de Toluca

In fact the Nevado de Toluca (14,974 ft.) is not the 4th highest mountain in México, It's the 5th. Teyotl peak (15,288 ft.) is the 4th highest mountain in the country. It is very easy to climb and it has a great view. The Nevado de Toluca volcano is a unique mountain because it has two lakes in the crater.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Summit Iztaccihuatl

Climb the Iztaccihuatl Volcano

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Nevado de Toluca Hike Tour

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Casco, Bastones de Treking
• Bottled water
• Recogemos a todos los viajeros en todos los hoteles de la Ciudad de Mexico.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for travellers with back problems
• Not recommended for pregnant travellers
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• Fishfinder207 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Exceeded Expectations!! The trips and my Nomada experience exceeded my expectations! We originally hired them for transport to and from our hiking locations. We wanted to have that aspect of the adventure to be stress free and chose to hire them for transport. We found them to be a plethora of information and advice that made our hikes more enjoyable and better planned. They knew the ins and outs of which parks were open or closed for weather and what time to get started to capture the best weather and views. We took their advice and it paid off!! Due to lack of service in these locations, I worried about finding rides or navigating the public transport and Nomada was the perfect answer!! I was able to focus on the adventure and had the best time I could have dreamed of!! We summited at Cumbras Del Ajusco and the following day hiking within Popocatepetl & Iztaccíhuatl national park. There we hiked the Paso de Cortes. They were punctual and picked us up exactly as promised. They helped us navigate the entrance at the parks and gave us helpful advice and landmarks to guide our hikes. We hiked independently and on return we were happy to see them waiting for us with drinks, congratulations and plans for the rest of our day. They knew how to maximize our time and had a little waterfall trip planned when we got back down the mountain with daylight to spare. Our driver Ricardo and guide Sergio were punctual , reliable, and safe. They were considerate and polite during the hours of transportation and gave information along the way and accommodated our requests along the drive. We needed a cowboy hat as a gift and Sergio was able to find us one in the markets on the way back! He was just awesome!! Truly individualized our trip and we felt so lucky to have them with us and get us safely around on our Mexico Adventure. I highly recommend Nomada. Much thanks to David the owner and his excellent team!! Read more Written 4 December 2023
• benl818 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Incredible Nevado de Toluca hiking trip! Absolutely wonderful day hiking trip with Nomada Mexico to Nevado de Toluca! Our guide Pedro was fantastic and the views on the hike were simply spectacular. The whole experience was incredibly smooth, professional and well-organised, from the initial organisation via email with David down to the pick-up and running of the day. We even finished the day with one of our best meals we had in Mexico City! Highly recommended! Read more Written 16 November 2023
• jennifergJ5396PO 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles You can't go wrong. Amazing experiences. I highly recommend working with Nomada. I’ve done 3 trips with them climbing multiple peaks and they have all been amazing. They use local guides and resources, take care of you the whole way, and put together a very high value package at low cost. They also incorporate cultural stops if that is of interest. Read more Written 4 November 2023
• Y6768YYlisal 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Solo travelers be advised I took a trip up Itza with one guide. It has taken me a long time to feel it worthwhile to share this story. The guide was personable and professional about mountains, and although I was hesitant to keep the booking due to an aggravated injury, I feel that he made decent decisions in the moment of the climb. I didn't even think I should attempt it a few days prior based on my solo hike of Malinche taking so long, but was talked out of a last-minute cancel by friends, the scheduler, and my own hubris, and correctly we did indeed turn around at the "knees," which was a good choice. He seemed pretty irritated with me by the end, but did not leave me to hike at my then-snail's pace on my re-aggravated injury. In terms of mountain sense, he acted in my, the client's, best interest. However, at a rest point (a Conex in the flat before a long talus slog up to the ridge) he suggested we rest for 20 minutes or so - at that time we were, he said, ahead of schedule with our midnight start. There were a couple of sleeping pads inside the shelter. We laid down and he proceeded to roll over and spoon me. All the social training in the world to stand up for myself did me no good in that moment; I probably weighed my dependence on him and the relative mildness of this gesture and the fact I didn't know anything about how he might react to being pushed away, laid still, and did not move for 20 or so minutes of "rest." When we "woke up," we continued on the hike without a word of comment. At the time I chalked it up to cultural differences, but recently opened up about this uncomfortable experience to a friend who grew up in CDMX, but now lives in the US, and he said, "Absolutely not; that is not a normal behavior and I might not even pay that guy if he did that to me!" I can't take back my non-response, but I can say to others: I did not feel this guide was going to harm me, but I did not want nor invite to be "snuggled" in this way and think travelers should be aware of this experience when making decisions about a company to use. As background, I am an avid hiker and climber with several rescue and guide courses and a lot of trail miles logged on my own. While physical closeness is at times unavoidable (belay ledges, for instance), it's not an obligation: you can hike or climb with someone without being anything other than activity partners. Read more Written 23 July 2023
• ChadR1111 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend! Climbing the volcanoes with Nomada was excellent. I prefer smaller groups when climbing and was thrilled to find them online as an alternative to the big tour companies. They were incredibly communicative, well-organized, and flexible with our schedule so that we could fit other activities we wanted to do during our trip. Daniel was amazing and I wouldn't hesitate to have him as a guide on future climbs. Read more Written 5 May 2023
• dylanjD9845GU 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Malinche and Orizaba I highly recommend Nomada. Our group hiked Malinche and Orizaba on a five-day trip with them. Our guide, Mauricio, was excellent--very professional and knowledgeable. Transportation was punctual, accommodations were comfortable and clean, and the food was very good. All round an excellent experience. Read more Written 22 March 2023
• sierrahouck 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic experience! I hiked el Pico de Orizaba with Nomada and had a wonderful experience. Everything was very well organized, punctual, and professional, and David was very responsive about arranging the tour and renting equipment. Pedro was a great guide, with a lot of experience and knowledge. The food throughout the whole tour was delicious as well. I highly recommend booking a tour with Nomada! Read more Written 3 January 2023
• SzilviaF33 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful Itza summit hike Thank you Misha and team for an amazing hike! All was very well organised and thought through, the Nomada team is clearly very experienced and professional 😊 Pedro was a great guide, super friendly and knowledgeable, and I felt very safe hiking with him. My special thanks for the beautiful snow hike, the extra gloves, great sandwiches and the masterful driving 🏔🧗🏼‍♂️ Read more Written 19 October 2022
• 855fadiak 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Experience!! I took a day trip from Mexico City to Grutas de Tolantongo using Nomada and I could not be more pleased. Everything about the experience, from booking to transportation to our tour guide Don David....everything was perfect. I could not have asked for a better experience. They truly cared about making the process easy and enjoyable. Read more Written 6 October 2022
• Frenchie3891 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Terrible experience: Unprofessional and unsafe guide company! We were hugely unimpressed with this company and especially the guide. We did extensive research on guides for this hiking trip and decided to go with Nomada. All the reviews were extremely positive about the company and the price seemed reasonable. David and Misha were at first quite responsive to our emails as we were preparing for this hiking trip. We were suppose to do a four-day hike with one of their guides (hiking Itza and Orizaba). We only hiked one day as we had such a poor experience with this guide. He seemed very friendly at first and picked us up on time. But he quickly got annoyed with us because we needed to go slow hiking up. On the way down, he befriended other hikers and left us behind. Both my partner and I got quite sick with altitude sickness and I fell injuring my wrist. We tried calling out to him for help but at this point we was already down the mountain and didn't seem to want to be bothered with us. We were so shocked by the unprofessionalism and unsafe behavior of this guide. It certainly did not give us much confidence in Nomada and we decided to end the trip after the first day. On a less important point, we also had communicated to David and Misha that we wanted to rent helmets from them, and David assured us that he would provide the gear to our guide. Our guide said that David never communicated that information to him and he did not have helmets for us. Thankfully we were able to make do without the helmets but it certainly contributed to our concerns about the company. I've used different guides all around the world on hiking and climbing trips and have never had a bad experience like this. I rarely post reviews on social media but felt that it was important to warn others about this company. Read more Written 5 September 2022
• Josh T 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Nevado de Toluca We did the climb up to Nevado de Toluca with the family. It was a great day. The guides were excellent, and were really great for my daughter, who wasn't sure she could make it. They helped her, and encouraged her, and she made it all the way to the top. Pretty incredible day. David, Mauricio, and Pedro were all tremendous fellas. I'd book another trip with the Nomada guys any time. Read more Written 29 August 2022
• Jetrider787 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Climbing Iztaccihuatl with Nomada. Nomada were very quick to respond to requests and made planning very easy. Collection was on time and the guide I had ( Pedro) was well qualified. He managed the climb such that the pace worked perfectly for me. We climbed over night and made it to the first summit of Iztaccihuatl at sunrise. What amazing views. Well organised and glad I did this with Pedro and Nomada. Good follow up admin from Misha. Read more Written 31 January 2022
• X9670KKkamilk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Warmly recommended All perfectly organised, all done quickly, responsibly and I got everything I was asking for...I felt like being THE customer with great care and with perfect service. I can only recommend Misha´s and David travel agency and I do hope I will have another chance to be in CDMX and it surroundings soon...I would love to. Read more Written 18 January 2022
• miroD101 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Malinche day trip I cannot recommend enough. When I started to check the activities near CDMX, I stumbled upon Nomada and shot an email about a trip offers. Misha was very fast to respond, we got into a nice conversation about the volcanos, hiking, weather. From the beginning I could see she knows what she talks about. Then the trip itself was a blast. I went solo with the guide, Mauricio. He is a conversation ninja and it felt like we knew each other for a decade. During the hike I wasn’t doing so good with the altitude change but Mauricio was very patient and helpful. I couldn’t be more grateful for such a wonderful guide. Really hoping I get a chance to go back and summit some other volcano next time I am in Mexico. Read more Written 29 November 2021
• jameylanderson 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Orizaba Summit Experience Our experience with Nomada was exceptional. We arranged a four day trip for Malinche and Orizaba with relatively short notice (less than 6 weeks) and it turned out nearly perfect. The communication was great and all the logistics were taken care of allowing us to focus on the climbing. Our guides (Pedro and Eduardo) made the Orizaba summit possible! They were helpful, encouraging and excellent partners in getting me and my daughter to the top for one of the most beautiful sunrises we've ever experienced. I would use Nomada again in a heartbeat for future adventures. Read more Written 22 November 2021

More to explore in Toluca

Nevado de Toluca Hike Tour provided by Nomada