August 2016

While working in Mexico City Mexico I had an extra day in town and since it was my first time ever to Mexico I was compelled to do some exploring and had heard from a friend about some nearby ancient pyramids from a civilization that pre-dated the Aztecs by over 500 years.

I got online and checked out a bunch of available tours for seeing the pyramids and found one that included the bus ride out there from Mexico City and back. The company I used is named Viator and they are a TripAdvisor company that can be booked directly or via TripAdvisor.com

Here’s a short video I made during my tour of the pyramids.

The following excerpt is from viator.com tours and is a great description of everything I was able to see during their tour of the ancient Teotihuacan Pyramids.

Early Morning Teotihuacan Pyramids Tour with a Private Archeologist

Just north of Mexico City are the mysterious Teotihuacán Pyramids, built in 300 BC as the centerpiece of an enormous city that is often compared to ancient Rome. They were inexplicably abandoned centuries before the arrival of the Aztecs, who called the ancient architectural marvel the ‘Birthplace of the Gods.’

Neither the Aztecs nor modern archaeologists have unraveled the secrets of these massive ruins, presided over by the third-largest pyramid in the world. Constructed according to precise astronomical measurements and filled with the bodies of sacrificial victims, Teotihuacán was perhaps a place where rituals were performed to keep the end of the world at bay. But no one really knows.

Thus, this mystic spot is one of the most enigmatic and impressive archaeological sites in North America. Its vast stone expanse of humbling temples are still covered with rich and detailed stone statues, even faded paintings. Visitors can experience the pyramids in a number of unique ways and even opt for an early morning tour with a private archaeologist. Other exploration options include a hot air balloon tour, a bike ride around the complex and the compelling Light and Sound show.

Two roads head north to Teotihuacán from Mexico City (exit on Insurgentes): the scenic but long 132-D, a winding freeway that can take well over an hour, and 85-D, a toll road that usually gets visitors to the pyramids in about 50 minutes. It’s also easy and convenient to take buses from the Terminal Central del Norte. Clearly marked buses leave hourly (at least) from the terminal and are geared toward tourists with limited Spanish skills. On weekends and holidays, a tourist trolley can be taken around the Teotihuacán Pyramids for a small fee. Be aware that the ruins are free for Mexican citizens on Sunday, so the place is packed. The Light and Sound show is available seasonally, from April through December.

Avoid the crowds on this early morning tour of the Teotihuacan pyramids, also known as the City of the Gods. On this tour, an archeologist takes you around the UNESCO World Heritage site and gives you insight into the majestic plazas and murals. Snap memorable shots from the top of Sun Pyramid and Moon Pyramid, and then cap off your day trip from Mexico City with a visit to an obsidian factory. Hotel transport included.

After early morning hotel pickup, travel with your archeologist-guide from Mexico City for about an hour to Teotihuacan, a UNESCO-listed site, also known as the City of the Gods. A former Mesoamerican indigenous civilization that predates the Maya and Aztecs, Teotihuacan was once the largest city in Mexico, reaching its heyday in the 1st century CE (AD) when the Sun Pyramid was constructed. You’ll be one of the first visitors to arrive at the archeological park, right when it opens. In relative tranquility, wander through plazas and discover the pyramids without jostling around crowds. Enjoy taking unobstructed photos of must-see structures like the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, also known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, as well as the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl. Gain special insight into the complex’s less-visited monuments, including intricate murals and other architectural nuances. Hear about the latest archeological discoveries, the lifestyles of the inhabitants of this ancient city and theories behind the city’s decline. Huff your way up the Sun Pyramid and the Moon Pyramid, the main axis of Teotihuacan. From the top, enjoy your bird’s-eye vantage point of the Avenue of the Dead, the primary road that runs through the center of the city, which separated the city and stretched from the Moon Plaza in the north to the Great Compound in the south. After your Teotihuacan tour, hop aboard your transport and head to an obsidian workshop to learn more about the black volcanic rock native to the area. Chat with a local family and sample several liqueurs made from cactus, as well as mescal, tequila and pulque. For lunch, select from a variety of traditional Mexican dishes (own expense), before enjoying transport back to your Mexico City hotel.

Read more about Early Morning Teotihuacan Pyramids Tour with a Private Archeologist – Mexico City | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Mexico-City/Early-Morning-Teotihuacan-Pyramids-Tour-with-a-Private-Archeologist/d628-5885TEO?pub=vcps