Mountain Popocatepetl (5 426 m / 17 802 ft)

Proximity to the capital, excellent transport accessibility and developed tourist infrastructure have made this volcano an attractive tourist site for lovers of mountain climbing. Until recently, it was one of the three peaks in Mexico that had glaciers on the surface - in the 1990s, the Great Northern Glacier had significantly reduced in size, partly due to temperature changes, partly because of the increasing own volcanic activity. By the early 2000s, the glaciers as such on the Popocatepetl ceased to exist - however, the ice in large quantities stayed on the top, which is an additional factor of interest to climb the peak. Concentrated around the volcano is the major agglomeration of the capitals of the states of Puebla (on the east side of the volcano), Tlaxcala from the north-east and Mexico City from north-west, with a total population of over 20 million people. This is an extremely dynamic area, one of the largest tourist centers of the continent, where people come to relax and climb literally from around the world.

Popocatepetl - an active volcano in Mexico, which is also the second highest peak of the country after Orizaba and fifth in North America (5426 m). It is located in the National Park Istaccihuitl-Popocatepetl. Its name is translated from an Indian language as "smoking hill", and the volcano is located next to the Iztaccihuatl and connects to it through a passage 15 km long, known as the Paso de Cortes. The volcano has a high density of forests covering its slopes, snow-covered peak and large crater. At present time (at the beginning of 2015) the ascent to the top is strictly prohibited for an unknown period of time due to the continuing volcanic activity. Popocatepetl has a long history of recorded ascents - Indians from tekuanipas tribe climbed its peak in 1289. The first ascent of the colonialists leaded by Diego de Ordaz was effected in 1519.

• Mexico State High Points
• North America 14,000-foot Peaks (4 265 metres)

70 km from the capital Mexico City, near the town of Amecameca.

Bus station of La Tapo in Mexico City has a number of buses going to Amecameca directly. Also, there are a large number of private guides that will bring tourists to the top of any trailhead by the car.

To climb the volcano you need to obtain a permit that can be get at the National Park gate's or via park's web-site beforehand.

In addition to its nature and scenic views, volcano Popocatepetl (5426 meters) in Mexico also offers interesting historic attractions. Along the slopes of the volcano you will find 14 Spanish monasteries dating back to the 16th-century. All of them are available for a visit.

 

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Guided Tours

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• https://www.peakware.com/peaks.php?pk=210
• http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=8034
• https://www.summitpost.org/popocatepetl/150324
• https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/popocatepetl.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popocatépetl