Who is the Tepozteco?

By: Mario Daniel Sánchez Robledo

Surely you have heard of the Tepozteco, in more than one occasion. A place filled with legends, history and adventure. For this reason, we have decided to tell you everything you need to know about this amazing destination.

 

The Legend

Prehispanic tradition tells us that Tepoztécatl was a special being; the son of a maid and Ehécatl god (god of wind). In his youth, Tepoztécatl went to the land of Xochicalco to confront and defeat a monster called Xochicálcatl, who devoured men to satisfy its hunger. Over the years, Tepoztécatl disappeared, although it is rumored that he climbed the hill to the town of Tepoztlan to disappear at the top.

 

The Adventure

The Tepozteco, the hill on which Tepoztécatl disappeared, is a place where you can go hiking on a journey of about two kilometers uphill. The route is very nice, but at times could get a bit difficult. For this reason we suggest you wear comfortable clothes, shoes and make small breaks to avoid exhaustion.

 

Three rewards

When you get to the top of the Tepozteco, there are three rewards you’ll never forget:

The first is physical, because once you take a breath and appreciate the panoramic view, you will realize that the effort will be worth it.

The second is historical and legendary. The perfect place to appreciate the Tlahuicas pyramid, built to honor the god of pulque Ometochtli-Tepuztécatl. We assure you that you will live a moment that combines legend with reality.

The third is spiritual, because whether or not you believe in energies, we can assure you that if you sit in a corner of the pyramid, close your eyes and breath deeply; You can feel an unmatched peace within yourself. In addition you fill your lungs with pure, fresh air, that your body will thank you for.

Finally, when you come down from the Tepozteco, do not miss the opportunity to walk the streets of the town of Tepoztlan. We recommend you visit their restaurants and food stalls, where you can find typical Mexican dishes ranging from delicious quesadillas to a rich and warm mole de olla.

Fotos by: Aldar Adame

Whale Shark encounter.

Have you ever seen a whale shark up close? Here is my magical encounter with a few of them.

 

Encuentro con el tiburón ballena en México. from Galia Venguer on Vimeo.

Fun Facts:

• It is the world’s largest fish.
• It can measure over 15 feet long and weigh over 20 tons.
•  Their skin is dark gray with white or yellowish spots. Feels like sandpaper, so it can scrape your skin.
•  It feeds only on plankton and small fish.
•  They are unfortunately endangered, by man.
•  In the Riviera Maya, the whale shark can be found only during the summer, from May to September, to be more specific.

 

Suggestions:

•  The best time to see them is after the full moon, when they are most active.
•  Avoid diving. Go into the water, slowly.
•  Do not use camera with flash.  That can alter or even confuse them.
•  Maintain a distance of 2 meters between you and the shark.
•  Do not get in front of him.
•  Life jacket required.
•  Use only biodegradable sunscreen.
•  Do not touch the animal.
•  If you tend to get sea sick, we recommend you take Dramamine.

Basaltic Prisms of Hidalgo

A delight for your senses. A simple route that enjoys the company of those who like a different experience.

Basaltic Prisms, Hidalgo

Located in the municipality of Hidalgo Huasca de Ocampo, an hour and a half from Mexico City you can find the Basaltic Prisms in Santa María Regla.  These are considered one of the 13 natural wonders of Mexico and worldwide there are only three places like this; one in Hawaii , one in Northern Ireland and this one in Mexico.

If you have never seen anything like this, I would highly recommend visiting this area.

The amazing waterfalls are the result of slow cooling lava from millions of years ago, forming basalt columns in a perfect geometric figure. The water falls from up to 40 feet high, which comes from the Blue and San Antonio dams. The natural finish of each of the prisms is fantastic, as well as its color that ranges from a mid gray to black.

This marvel became famous worldwide thanks to the German geographer and explorer Alexander Von Humboldt. When he visited this site in 1803, he was so impressed that he sketched the landscape which is  now on display in a museum in London.

Among the various activities you can practice, you can go: hiking, zip lining, horseback riding or on a small boat to visit the area around the prisms. If you like nature and camping, you can bring your tent and spend the night in a valley surrounded by woods. The food on site is delicious, so get ready for a great adventure. On a hot day I recommend you drink a Michelada. For those of you that are not familiar with what this is, its a bear with lime, salt and sometimes even extra condiments and spices.

       

If you visit this place at some point, we would love to hear about your experience.  Hope this post was helpful.