| Accommodation | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Name | Service Provider | Location | Cost | Notes | ||
| Bed and Breakfast | Serviced Apartment in Zimapan | AirBnb | Zimapan | $371.86 | Free cancellation before Jan 25
Lockbox Check-in: 15:00; Check-out: 12:00 Washing machine and dryer Paid 186.49 on Sept 20. Remainder due later. | ||
| Tip | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Name | Description | Service Provider | Cost | Notes | ||
| General Info | Cañón Las Angosturas | $0.00 | Cañón Las Angosturas is a scenic natural wonder near Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico,
known for its deep canyons, steep cliffs, and off-road trails. It is a popular
spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers, particularly for scenic driving,
hiking, and exploring the outdoors.
Can't find a tour operator who goes here. | ||||
| General Info | Grutas de Xajhá | $0.00 | The hike to Grutas de Xajhá (Xajhá Grottoes) is generally considered Hard,
involving significant elevation gain, rocky terrain, and walking through
rivers, requiring proper water shoes and a good fitness level, taking 4-5
hours round trip for the ~10km journey. It's a beautiful but challenging trek
through canyons, not just a simple stroll, demanding ankle-covering footwear
to prevent injuries. This hike is best for experienced hikers comfortable with
strenuous, technical terrain and wet conditions; it's not recommended for
small children or those seeking an easy walk.
Key Difficulty Factors:
What to Bring: Headlamp, small backpack, water, snacks, and sturdy shoes for climbing/hiking (tennis shoes recommended). Blog Post from K. McCormick says: Located in the mountains of Hidalgo, Grutas de Xajhá are not easy to get to and only for the adventurous of spirit! The road twists and turns through an enormous river bed filled with boulders larger than a car. We learned that when the rains start in June, this river bed floods and the area becomes completely inaccessible, so it’s only possible to visit the Grutas de Xajhá in the dry season. The waters are so forceful that they rearrange the boulders and so each year, the road has to be rebuilt. We follow the river bed for about 20 minutes and then another 20 minutes of more cliff hugging and narrow roads. Our guides will to take us to the Grutas. It’s a two hour hike up the river to get there and that in itself is quite the adventure. Multiple river crossings back and forth. They recommend tennis shoes and you just assume they will get wet the whole time. Water shoes would not be sufficient for the rough terrain and climbing necessary along the route. You must be fit, ok with climbing (ladders or scrambling up and down boulders and some steep ascents and descents with the assistance of ropes) and able to take care of yourself. About ¾ of the way through the hike after ascending a steep hill, we will arrive at the mouth of an enormous cave and enter to hike through it. I recommend a headlamp and small backpack to carry your water and snacks, because it can be tricky squeezing through some of the small openings with a larger pack on. We will emerge from the cave, scramble down a very steep hill with the help of a rope and finally arrive at the Grutas. The water coming out of the cave is 45 degrees celsius (113 Fahrenheit), but there is cold water coming down the river, so you never feel too hot. The grutas are nestled between sheer cliffs climbing so high you have to crane your neck up to see the sky. There is a huge area for swimming and floating as well as a smaller cave where the really hot water comes from that is perfect to sit and soak. | ||||
| General Info | La Encarnacion in Los Marmoles National Park | $0.00 | Los Mármoles National Park is a protected area in Hidalgo, Mexico, established in 1936. It is known for its dramatic limestone formations, deep canyons like the Barranca de San Vicente, and diverse ecosystems that include pine-oak forests, juniper woodlands, and a variety of wildlife. Attractions include the impressive canyon, high peaks like Cangandó, and the ghost town of La Encarnación, with its old chimneys from a former mining era. | ||||
| General Info | Parroquia San Juan Bautista | $0.00 | Finished in 1822, the Parish Church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist is the
most notable baroque structure in the Sierra Gorda region. The church’s facade
bears extraordinary reliefs on which the images of Saint Sebastian and Saint
Jerome were sculpted.
Inside, don’t miss the fine limestone masonry visible in the pilasters, capitals, baptistery, and the pulpit, crafted by indigenous hands. The latter is unique in the world because during the summer solstice it makes it possible to see three beams of light pour in, lighting up the church, a phenomenon that coincides with the celebration of the town’s patron saint. | ||||
| General Info | Presa Zimapan (Zimapan Dam) | $0.00 | The Zimapán Dam, also known as Fernando Hiriart Balderrama Dam, is an arch dam
on the Moctezuma River about 15 km (9 mi) southwest of Zimapán in Hidalgo
state, Mexico. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power
production and it services a 292 MW power station with water.
The dam is a 203 m (666 ft) tall and 122 m (400 ft) long arch-type located in a narrow portion of the Moctezuma Canyon. The crest of the dam is 5 m (16 ft) wide while the base has a width of 22 m (72 ft). The reservoir created by the dam has a capacity of 1,390,000,000 m3 (1,126,891 acre⋅ft) and surface area of 22.9 km2 (9 sq mi). The reservoir is formed by the Tula and San Juan rivers which join in the reservoir to form the Moctezuma River later downstream of the dam. Water from the reservoir is diverted through a 21 km (13 mi) tunnel, bypassing 42 km (26 mi) of the river downstream, before reaching the power station. Water at the power station powers two Pelton turbine-generators before being discharged back into the Moctezuma River. When both turbines are operating, the power station discharges a maximum of 59 m3/s (2,084 cu ft/s). It operates as a peak power plant, operating 4 to 12 hours a day depending on energy demands. | ||||
| General Info | Zimapan | $0.00 | Zimapán, Hidalgo, is a Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) in central Mexico known
for
its colonial charm, historical mining past, and stunning natural surroundings,
including the Zimapán Dam, the Marmoles National Park, and recreational areas
with caves and canyons. Visitors can explore its historic downtown, enjoy
activities like rock climbing and cycling, or relax at natural sites like the
Cañón Las Angosturas.
Zimapán is a Magical Town in the west central region of the state of Hidalgo. The town may at first appear as another dusty old mining town. But there is lots of magic in those harsh and foreboding landscapes. Founded way back in 1522, Zimapán has witnessed all kinds of history that still influences its manner and way of life today. The city is centered around the tremendous Baroque of the John the Baptist church. The church tower has to compete with the towering desert mountains and these remind visitors that Zimapán is a place of great adventure and learning. The Los Mármoles National Park is some 20 minutes northeast of the town center. Here the Sierra Madre Oriental comes to life in a landscapes that is absolutely unique and famous for the biodiversity thriving therein. Canyons open up for mountain bikers, those hiking on foot, and anyone who wants to truly experience On the opposite side of town (southwest) at just about the same distance, the Presa Zimapán is a treasured local source of water, and a stopping ground for bird life from all over North America. The reservoir is alive with canoes and kayaks, and people come just to walk the trails along the sides. Local food includes traditional dishes like bean tamales, mixiotes, and carnitas but this is still Hidalgo. The Mercado Municipal Juárez is just a block or so south of the town center. Every day is a celebration of the best foods from across the region. The town was recognized as a Pueblo Mágico in 2018, and for that local merchants responded with an outpouring of great foods, and great places to stay. Visitors will find everything from boutique hotels around the town center, to some full blown resorts for posher travelers. There's also a tremendous variety of rustic and not-so-rustic cabins and cottages to be hired or rented for long weekends or even longer stays. | ||||
| Reminder | Early start tomorrow | We have an extremely early start tomorrow | $0.00 | Remember we have an early start tomorrow. Like, crazy early. We have to catch the combi "above" the Pemex by the Mercado. Scope out where that is. | |||
| Travel Resource | Zimapan Facebook Page | $0.00 | |||||
| Activity | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Name | Description | Service Provider | Cost | Kms | To Date | Total | Notes | ||
| Tour | Zimapan with Uriel and Ana | Adventure day with Uriel and Ana | $350.00 | 0 | And then get left in Zimapan
Cost is $4500MXN plus tip | |||||
| Service | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Name | Description | Service Provider | Cost | Notes | ||
| Other | Delegación la encarnación | Tour Guide (not much English) | $0.00 | See WhatsApp convo with Ernesto. He says:
We offer tours in the community of La Encarnación, which include: Entrance to the former iron foundry "La Encarnación" Ascent to the Iman Stone and Cangandho Hill A tour of the town A tour of the tunnels, where you will receive an explanation about Los Mármoles National Park $400MEX for two people. | |||
| Other | VIRA Agencia de Viajes | $0.00 | Address: Nicolas Romero 5, Centro, 42330 Zimapán, Hgo., Mexico
Phone: +52 772 158 8746 | ||||
| Blog Entries | ||
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