Published on Nov, 2024
This tour is magnificent. Communication with the team via WhatsApp before the tour was excellent. They listened to and answered all of my concerns.
They picked us up (I went with my husband and younger sister) in Mexico City at the agreed-upon point. The car was in excellent condition, and the driver was great and always put safety first.
At the small office, they have a gorgeous Siamese cat, Gatúbela, who likes to be petted.
The first part of the tour, the walking part, was interesting. I'm from Mexico City and had gone to the pyramids before, but I'd never visited some of the places the guide took us. You learn a lot of things.
I have bad knees. Consider that there is a part where you have to go up some ancient steps and then go down some other very steep ancient steps. At first, I decided just to wait for them to return, as I thought they would, because I didn't know there was a small and alternative exit that way (when you get to the sun pyramid, I think). Eventually, my sister and husband came back for me because they said the guide said the path continued over their side. And okay? My husband helped me go down, but I don't know how much help I would have received from the guide if I had been by myself. He didn't seem keen on helping me down the pyramid steps or waiting for us during the whole trip (he was always either walking or cycling too fast without making sure we were okay and following).
The second part of the tour, the cycling, had some bumps. The places the guide took us (the cave, the obsidian workshop) were absolutely marvellous. I particularly enjoyed the workshop section; it was fascinating. The feedback I have about this part would be as follows:
*The lamps/torches my husband and I were given to use inside the cave were not working. They technically could be turned on, but they illuminated almost nothing, and it was very dark. I had to use my phone's torch. The guide gave us the torches and then walked very fast without making sure everyone's torches worked and without making sure everyone was following. He did wait further down, but we had to walk for a bit without seeing anyone on the path until we eventually found them. I'd advise ensuring the torches can powerfully light the path and that the guides wait for people.
*The cycling path is advertised as fit for beginners, but I digress. It is not super hard, but it definitely is not easy either. I'd say you need to have at least intermediate skills. The reasoning is as this:
I'd expect 100% flat paved paths with no holes or obstacles for an easy road for beginners. And, of course, not sharing the lane with cars.
The road they take you through has the following characteristics: less than half is paved and away from cars, most of it is dirt roads with a myriad of holes of many sizes, a lot of those holes are really big and due to the rain are filled with water (and look like little pools on the road). You must share the road with cars on a few occasions; when that happens, no bike lane is available. There is a short but very steep part of a road for which you need a lot of leg power.
You must know how to signal with your hands to tell the cars you are going to turn left or right. Parts of the road are very narrow and have many rocks.
Again, the guide was going too fast without ensuring everyone followed him safely.
My sister and I ended up requesting the van because it was just too much (yes, remember there is a van you can request if you are physically unable to follow or feel unwell. Then you follow the cyclists but sit on the van).
Regarding the van, there was a person who I don't recall their name that told my sister that she should get in the van when I was doing it (I requested it very early) because later they wouldn't be able to get the bike, and she'd have to suck it up and finish on bike. I'm sorry, what? I don't think you should talk to people like that, especially to someone who might need accessibility accommodation.
My sister continued by bike for a few more minutes and then joined me in the van.
The fantastic driver simply put the bike in the trunk, and that was it. I don't know what the issue was with the other person.
It was a shame we couldn't do it by bike. I mean, it was still impressive as we went to the same places. But the road is actually for intermediate-level cyclists. I consider myself a beginner; I can cycle for around 12 km on cycle lanes and paved shared roads, and I ride slower than more experienced people. I can do the distance and follow along, but the streets have to be in fair condition and not in the same lane as the cars.
I'd strongly advise updating the information for this and say it is not for beginners; it's for folks from intermediate level and up. And list the actual type of roads!
My husband could follow with no issue because he's expert level. He can cycle on highways and almost any type of road.
Something I didn't consider and recommend you do is the weather and the altitude. That day, the weather was way too hot for me (I would sweat and feel my skin on fire by just standing idle under a shadow), and the altitude was getting the best of me – I'd get tired of doing almost nothing because I lacked oxygen. So maybe you are an intermediate-level cyclist but consider these points. The altitude might knock you out.
Finally, regarding the cycling part—and I reckon this might be subjective—the bike I use where I live is a Dutch-style one. Mainly because if I use the sports ones, those hurt my back, and I end up in pain for days. They only had one similar model, but the seat was too high for me, so I used a sports bike. That definitely didn't help my case, as I felt nervous about it. I wasn't used to it, and they never explained how to switch gears because the control for that was a different model from mine (with that road, you have to know how to switch gears. Which I do. On my bike!).
The final part is the food. They took us to a restaurant near the office, and the food and the service were superb. We loved it so much. That day, we were celebrating my sister's birthday and my marriage. It also happened to be the other tourist's birthday, and the waiters and the tour staff surprised us when we finished eating! It was adorable. None of us expected it, and it was such a lovely touch.
A final feedback would be that people with mobility issues, like myself, can still go on these tours, follow along and enjoy. I can walk very long distances; I can cycle. What I cannot do is take very steep steps and be forced to walk as fast as a completely body-abled person. I didn't ask about the steps before the tour because I read that now it is forbidden to climb the pyramids, so I assumed it was going to be mostly flat. Which it was, but that bit with steps is important because that leads to the continuation of the tour's road. I'd just advise to share this information on the tour description. And to have guides with a tad more patience for people like me. Maybe you could even add a section when the customer is buying the tour where they can say if they have mobility concerns or if there's anything they'd need so you can pair them with a patient guide.
Overall, I loved the tour. The explanations were on point and engaging. The places they took us were enjoyable and unique. I had an unforgettable time with my husband and sister.
The staff was incredible in general. Special kudos to our driver—she was the absolute best. And more kudos to the wonderful people at the obsidian workshop.
You're going to see incredible places and have the best of times! I highly recommend this tour (just keep in mind my comments about the cycling part). I'd definitely repeat it when I have more advanced cycling skills.
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