Popocatépetl

How to get there

From Mexico City via Chalco and Amacameca approximately 86km/53mi to the mountain hut (albergue) at Tlamacas. From Puebla to Chalco, from there 43km/27mi along a poor road via San Nicolas de los Ranchos to the Paso de Cortés. Then turn south to Tlamacas (departure point for Popocatépetl), 5km/3mi away. Turn north for 7km/4.3mi to La Joya (departure point for Iztaccíhuatl).

A volcanic belt, which crosses Mexico from the Pacific to the Atlantic, forms the southern edge of the extensive Mexican highlands. In the early and middle tertiary period enormous lava flows poured over the land. During the second phase of eruptions, which began in Pliozän and still continues, the enormous mountains Popocatépetl (5452 m (17,893 ft)) and Iztaccíhuatl (5286 m (17,349 ft)) came into being. These two majestic snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada form the mountain ridge separating the high valley of Mexico and the plateau of Puebla. Since 1994 Popacatépetl has frequently spewed forth fragments of rock, ash and smoke. One eruption at the end of 1997 covered an area of 100 sq m (1075 sq ft) with a fine layer of ash. UNESCO has granted world cultural heritage status to fourteen of the early 16th c. monasteries lying on the slopes of the volcano. Advice

An ascent of the two volcanoes does not require any great climbing ability but should not be undertaken without the appropriate equipment. The climb should be made slowly but continuously. Too fast a pace can result in altitude-induced circulation problems. The inexperienced are advised to use the services of a guide. It is best to climb the mountains between November and March. According to the wind direction sulphurous vapours can aggravate the ascent.

The route from Amecameca to Tlamacas passes through Popocatépetl-Iztaccíhuatl National Park, which lies between the two passes and reaches the Paso de Cortés (Cortés Pass).