MEXICO VOLCANOES TRILOGY ORIZABA CLIMB
Pico de Orizaba, Izztacihuatl & La Malinche - 9 days
MEXICO VOLCANOES TRILOGY ORIZABA CLIMB OVERVIEW
Climbing Pico de Orizaba and the other Mexico Volcanoes is a perfect first high altitude climbing expedition for those with international high altitude mountain climbing goals. And also for those who simply want to climb Orizaba, North America's third highest peak, as well as two other high volcanoes in central Mexico. We include three of the highest of the climbable Mexico volcanoes in a 9-day itinerary - Pico de Orizaba, Iztaccihuatl and La Malinche.
Our Mexico Volcanoes trilogy climb itinerary has been refined over twelve years of operating mountaineering trips in Mexico. We have run over 28 climbing expeditions to climb Orizaba and feel we have the best itinerary to ensure proper acclimating and rest to give you the best possible summit success combined with a taste of the rich Mexican culture and history. We avoid unnecessary and uncomfortable high camps and provide private lodging as much as possible to ensure good rest to help improve your summit chances.
From Mexico City we will first tour the famous pyramids of Teotihuacan. Then we travel to the beautiful slopes of La Malinche, where we begin our acclimating in comfortable cabins at a resort located right at the trailhead at 10,000 feet. From here we climb the Mexico volcano La Malinche (14,600 ft) which is an ideal acclimating hike. We are rewarded with striking views of our next climbing objectives, Ixtaccihuatl and Pico de Orizaba, as well as as the active volcano Popcatepetl.
Then it's on to Ixtaccihautl. After an acclimating hike to 14,800 feet on the slopes of Ixta, we set up camp near the hut at La Joya at 13,000 feet to continue our acclimating. We then climb Ixta via the "knees" route via the Arista del Sol, with spectacular views of the active volcano Popo. We do not use a high camp on Ixtaccihuatl since it is not neccesary and could negatively affects summit chances by requiring the carry of heavy loads to an uncomfortable high camp where sleeping is difficult. Our summit day round trip is usually 9-11 hours.
After climbing Ixtaccihuatl we spend two days, and a full day of rest, in the cosmopolitan colonial city of Puebla as well as Cholula. We will spend time exploring Puebla and traditional Mexican markets as well as sampling some of the finest cuisine Mexico has to offer. Not only is the extra day a fascinating exploration of the heart of Mexican culture, it is a needed recovery for your body at a lower altitude.
Our acclimating complete, we journey to the base of Pico de Orizaba where we take an exciting 4WD trip to Orizaba base camp. While on our Orizaba climb we will stay at, or next to, the Piedra Grande hut at 14,000 feet on the flanks of Orizaba or at a South face basecamp. Climbing Orizaba involves the use of basic mountaineering skills with ice axe and crampons on steep snow. While not a difficult mountain climb, climbing Orizaba does require good stamina.
Your mountain guide will review all the mountaineering skills necessary to summit this spectacular Mexico Volcano. Our climbing route up Orizaba is the spectacular Jamapa Glacier to the summit at 18,491 feet. We also have the option to climb the South face if we feel conditions on the North side are not good. Having this option greatly increases summit chances.
The views are spectacular as the central Mexico plain spreads out 11,000 feet below the summit of Pico de Orizaba. Then it's back to Puebla for a celebratory dinner and then the next day we will drop you off at the Mexico City airport for flights home or in Mexico City if you are extending your stay.
Our Orizaba mountain guides are highly experienced American guides trained by the AMGA, or IFMGA, internationally certified mountain guides. We use the largest Mexico logistics company with over 20 years of experience on the Mexico Volcanoes to handle our ground transportation and ground logistics. We believe the combination of professional American mountain guides with American safety standards along with local logistics support is by far the best way to climb internationally. Our groups are small which allows us to give personalized attention and our itineraries are flexible to ensure everyone has fun on our Mexico Volcanoes climbs.
Climb with the experts on Mexico Climbing!
“Thanks once more for a great trip down in Mexico”
MEXICO VOLCANOES SKILL & EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Participants on the Orizaba climb should have some previous ice axe and crampon experience, but it is not required. You should be in very good to excellent physical condition.
MEXICO VOLCANOES GROUND TRANSPORTATION & LODGING
All lodging and private ground transportation is included. We provide some of the best lodging in Mexico City and Puebla.
2024 Dates:
February 3-11
October 26 - November 3
November 9-17
2025 Dates:
February 1-8
Custom dates available for individuals and groups. We specialize in custom international trips.
COST: $3525
INCLUDES
Private van transportation with a local logistics company within Mexico. *Airport arrival transfer is not included and costs approx. $25 for an authorized taxi. We do include drop off back at the Mexico City airport at the end of the trip.
All lodging in comfortable 3 & 4 star hotels with double occupancy while in Mexico City and Puebla. While on Izztacihuatl we stay at a rustic climbers lodge with bunk beds. At La Malinche we stay in our own group private cabin with bunk beds, kitchen and hot showers. On Orizaba we sleep either in tents or in a very rustic high mountain hut. We do not set up high camps on the trilogy and never carry a heavy overnight pack.
All meals while on the the mountains. Meals in Puebla & Mexico City are not included (see itinerary)
All park fees
Trip is led by experienced AMGA trained or certified American mountain guides.
For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:
MEXICO VOLCANOES TRILOGY ORIZABA CLIMB ITINERARY
() Parentheses designate what meals are included. Everyone is responsible for their own lunch food to allow for personal tastes; we will stop at supermarkets along the way to shop for lunch and snacks. IAG will supply group bottled water for the duration of the trip.
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Day One:
Arrival in Mexico City at 7500 feet. We spend the night in a 4-star hotel near the Zocolo in the heart of the city's historic district or the Roma district known for it’s restaurants. Everyone is responsible for their own airport transfers, which is very easy (we will provide you information on airport transfers). If you arrive early enough, there is much to see within walking distance of the hotel such as the National Cathedral, the ancient Aztec temple, and the presidential palace with the famous Diego Rivera murals. For those arriving before dinner time, you will meet your guide for dinner this evening.
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Day Two:
We will have a breakfast meeting at the hotel, meet our local driver, and leave Mexico City by private van transportation for La Malinche. On the way, we will visit the famous pyramids of Teotihuacan and the Pyramide del Sol, the world's 3rd largest pyramid and then have lunch in one of the excellent restaurants near the pyramids. Early in the evening we arrive at our basecamp for our first volcano, La Malinche, a rustic resort at 10,000 feet to continue our acclimating. We stay in comfortable cabins with bunk beds and hot showers. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Day Three:
Today is summit day on La Malinche, one of the best acclimating peaks in Mexico and one of the higher peaks in central Mexico. We will have a morning climb of La Malinche (14,600 ft) which is a gradual hike with just a little talus at the top. In clear weather we are rewarded with views of Popocatepetl, Izztaccihuatl and Orizaba n the distance. After our easy descent, we spend another night back the cabins at the base of the climb.
(Breakfast)
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Day Four:
In the morning we drive over to the national park at Iztaccihuatl and set up camp near the trailhead at 13,000 ft and and take an easy acclimating hike higher up on the slopes of Itza to about 14,500 ft. Tonight is an early night as we rest up for our summit attempt. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Day Five:
Summit day on Iztaccihuatl. We wake up very early for our summit attempt and climb the “knees” route up to the Arista del Sol and on the summit. It is a long day, but rewarding and very scenic with views of the smoking volcano Popo just across the way. The climb involves steep scree climbing, just a little scrambling and perhaps some use of crampons near the top depending on conditions. After descending from the summit we drive in the late afternoon to the colonial city of Puebla and check into a 4-star hotel hear the main square of this beautiful city known for it’s fine cuisine and architecture.
(Breakfast)
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Day Six:
A well deserved rest day in the wonderful city of Puebla. Activities may include a short drive to nearby Cholula to visit the largest pyramid in the world, visiting a traditional Mexican market or just walking around downtown Puebla. In the evening we will sample some of Puebla’s fine food, the birthplace of Mole Poblano.
(Breakfast)
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Day Seven:
In the morning we drive over to our base for Orizaba and switch to 4 wheel drive vehicles for the trip up to our basecamp. Depending on conditions, we will attempt the North side Jamapa glacier route and will stay at or near the hut at Piedra Grande base camp at 14,000 feet in either the hut or in tents if the hut is crowded. If conditions on the North side are not good, we will switch to climbing the South face of Orizaba. The South face is a much shorter and more straightforward route to the summit, but with less snow climbing.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Day Eight:
Our acclimating complete and all rested up, we awake to another very early alpine start for our Orizaba climb. The climb of Orizaba involves moderate (up to 38 degrees) terrain, and crevasse-free glacier travel with ice axe and crampons. At the top of North America's third highest peak (18,491 feet) we are rewarded with spectacular views of central Mexico. A strenuous, yet very rewarding climb! We then descend Orizaba all the way back to our base and then drive back to a 4-star hotel in the city of Puebla for a well-deserved dinner and rest. (Breakfast)
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Day Nine:
Travel back to Mexico City airport for aftertnoon flights home. We will drop you off at the terminal at the airport or in central Mexico City if you plan to stay longer. Please do not schedule any flights before 1 pm.
Mexico Volcanoes Climb Itinerary subject to change
