Parque Nacional La Malinche (also Parque Nacional La Malintzi) is a national park in the mexican States Tlaxcala and Puebla.
background
This volcano, located on the border with Tlaxcala, is named after Hernán Cortés' lover. You can climb this 4,400 meter high volcano from the national park of the same name. This promises above all excellent views of the over 5000 high peaks of the Iztaccíhuatl, Popocatépetl and Pico de Orizaba (the ascent to the latter begins in Orizaba). Often the ascent to this peak is used by mountaineers as an acclimatization phase before climbing to the other peaks. The ascent begins at an altitude of 3300 meters and can usually be done in 5 hours.
history
This area, declared a national park in 1938, covers an area of 45,852 hectares, of which 68% is in the area of Tlaxcala and 32% in the area of Puebla.
landscape
The lowlands of the national park begin at an altitude of less than 3000 meters. This extends into the center to the summit up to an altitude of approx. 4000 meters. Then the national park releases the bare peak made of volcanic rocks and volcanic sand.
Flora and fauna
In the lowlands up to the tree line there are mixed forests with a high proportion of coniferous forests (mostly pine). There are 27 species of mammals, 69 species of birds, 11 reptiles and 5 amphibians, several types of cats and coyotes
climate
getting there
In the street
Via 136 you can reach the base camp, where there is a supermarket and restaurant as well as overnight accommodation.
By bus
In the morning there are irregular minibuses from Apizaco (corner Juárez and Aquile Serdán opposite Elektra) to the Centro Vacacional or at the exit of the ATAH bus terminal from 8:30 every two hours until 15:00. When the last bus is going back you should definitely ask the driver on the way there.
Fees / permits
Entrance to the park and the ascent to the summit itself do not cost any fees. But if you want to use the leisure facilities or even overnight accommodation, you have to pay accordingly.
mobility
In general, you should explore the national park on foot or on horseback, otherwise you will miss the best. But if you want to pay a visit to the surrounding villages, you shouldn't do without a car.
Tourist Attractions
- 1 La Malinche. The summit is the highlight and the attraction.
- 1 Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi. The leisure area with its mountain huts is certainly one of the most beautiful leisure facilities in Mexico.
activities
- Trekking - The summit is at an altitude of 4503 meters and is considered a mountain of the simple category. It is often chosen as the first summit to acclimatise mountaineers before reaching 5000. Alpine knowledge is not required, but the summit and altitude should not be underestimated. The ascent initially promises a hike through a beautiful coniferous forest. Above the tree line there are fantastic views of the surrounding region and, in good weather, of the more distant, over 5000 meter high peaks. If you climb the summit on a Sunday, you can take part in a very special event. Because then the summit becomes the destination of numerous family excursions, which young and old try to conquer the summit. The equipment is not always exemplary, but the atmosphere is good. The ascent of the summit takes place in four stages and begins at the Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi at an altitude of 3300 meters. There is also the last opportunity to eat and go to the toilet. Parking spaces are available here.
- Stage 1 - There are two options here: Either you follow the tarred road that winds its way up in serpentines, or you walk the small hiking trail that runs straight towards the summit. Since the hiking trail is only slightly steeper than the tarred road but much nicer, it is advisable to take the hiking trail here. The probability of missing the entrance to the second stage is also zero, as you only go straight on here. From the tar road you have to turn left onto the hiking trail at the latest when you see the sign written only in Spanish, which also indicates that you should stop the ascent here after 2:00 p.m.
- Stage 2 - Now the first steep part and the most beautiful one begins. If you are out early in the morning, you can also make out a few birds in the beautiful coniferous forests. The path is sometimes poorly executed and becomes increasingly steep. Good shoes and a walking stick are helpful and advisable.
- Stage 3 - Below the rock you have almost reached the tree line. Here and there you can still see snow and ice in spring. Thanks to the volcanic ash, the soil is increasingly dark in color. While it sometimes goes uphill for a short time, this section is much easier to walk. The forest is increasingly dissolving and about 2 km from the summit you stand at an estimated height of 4000 meters in open space before the final spurt
- Stage 4 - The last few meters are very steep uphill. The subsoil consists partly of volcanic ash and lacks the required resistance to stepping. The mountain air is also exhausting. Good footwear is a must here and sticks are very helpful here. But the view (in good weather) makes up for it here.
- horse riding - At the Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi there is the possibility to rent horses and explore the park in this way.
- grilling - The Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi offers numerous barbecue areas.
- Climb - If you drive from the Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi in the direction of Huamantla, you will find a climbing park after approx. 1 to 2 km
- observe animals - Those who get up early can discover the diverse animal life in the forests in the form of birds or squirrels, for example
shop
There are a total of three supermarkets here. There are two supermarkets at the entrance to the Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi. One (no name) is just a small hut and the other, called Tienda Julio Cesar, is 10 meters away and offers a wider range of options.
The best supermarket is on the premises of the Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi, is called Mini Super and is behind the restaurant in the area of the log cabins. This is open around the clock
There is a souvenir shop in front of the restaurant (by the public toilets). In addition to the common industrial kitsch, you can also find one or the other hand-painted postcard or picture that is not available anywhere else.
kitchen
The restaurant, which is also located on the grounds of the Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi, has the richest range of dishes. But the dishes are often ready-made meals from the microwave, whereby it seems that they often save on electricity. There is also no wine in the offer, but only in the display. But the beer is cool and available in several types.
For those who like it fresher, it is definitely interesting to get grilled meat and rent one of the numerous barbecue areas.
All three supermarkets also have a café.
In the small supermarket this consists of a party table and a wooden bench.
Julio Cesar's café is much more spacious. There are real tables and plastic chairs here. Similarly, the food here is also much better. The omelettes are really good and recommendable. The food is freshly prepared directly on a grill plate. The coffee is hot, but instant and sugary. But the hit with both is the freshly squeezed orange juice. Nobody knew exactly how much would fit in the cup, but it will be an estimated 0.7 to 1L.
In the Mini Super, the decor is the best. However, the only dishes available here are ready-made soups from the microwave. But since you have this under control yourself, the soup in the Mini Super is at least hot. But the coffee is the best here. It is pulled from a coffee machine, but this one is one of the better types. There is also a karaoke machine here
accommodation
The Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi offers both camping and log cabins with 6 or 8 beds.
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Hotels and hostels
There are a total of 15 cabañas for 9 people and 30 cabañas for 6 people. Cabañas for 6 people cost between 540 and 630 pesos per night depending on the season, and cabañas for 9 people cost between 870 and 1,000 pesos per night depending on the season.
camping
The camping fee is 37 pesos per night and person
security
The national park is relatively safe (the Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi is a locked area with security at the entrance). There is no trace of crime. On the contrary, there is a very familiar atmosphere here and you look at each other. But this is especially necessary for the ascent, since steep sections and mountain air pose one or the other health hazard. Therefore, the ascent should never be undertaken alone. There is no doctor here, but there is in town Huamantla At the foot of the national park there are two smaller hospitals and several resident doctors who can be called in emergencies and consulted about minor matters. Numerous pharmacies ensure the subsequent drug supply.
trips
If the national park is too boring for you, a visit to the small one is recommended Huamantla. In addition to the cathedral and city center, the many smaller churches in the suburbs are also interesting.
Also in the vicinity of a day trip are:
- Tlaxcala (city). With the oldest church in mainland America.
- Cacaxtla. Archaeological site.
- Puebla de Zaragoza. One of the most beautiful inner cities in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
