Mexico Volcanoes

Join us for an unforgettable climb of Ixtaccihuatl and Pico de Orizaba, some of Mexico’s best volcanic mountaineering

The Mexico Volcanoes of Ixtaccihuatl (17,159′) and Pico de Orizaba (18,696′) offer an exciting trip for individuals seeking the challenges of climbing at moderate altitude amidst an interesting cultural backdrop. Pico de Orizaba is the third highest peak in North America. It is an excellent spot for learning climbing skills, and gaining experience with climbing at altitude. All of our guides are also professional instructors who genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge!

Our trip begins in Mexico City. We spend the first days acclimatizing with a series of scenic hikes in the highlands near the volcanoes Ixtaccihuatl and Popocatepetl. Ixta is our first climbing objective and provides a good warm up for our second climb, Pico De Orizaba. At 18,696 ft. Orizaba is the highest point in Mexico. It has fantastic climbing on several different routes. Don’t forget your camera, the views of the countryside far below as the sun is rising are incredible! We’ll plan a stop at the Teotihuacan Pyramids on our way back to Mexico City to explore some of the countries fascinating Aztec history.

This trip has a variety of great experiences in a short period of time. The special combination of good weather, spectacular climbing and views, and interesting culture make the Volcanoes of Mexico a unique climbing destination! Please contact us if you have any questions, or if we can provide you with any additional information.

MEXICO CITY: Our trip begins in Mexico City. Typically we stay near the city center the historic Zocalo. The bustling city offers opportunity for cultural exploration, shopping and historical sightseeing.

AMECAMECA: The first town we will visit. We’ll have time to explore the colorful market here on our way to the volcano Iztaccihuatl.

VOLCANO IXTACCIHUATL: Day hiking on the mountain will help us to acclimatize for our first climb. We typically camp lower on the mountain and work our way over several days. Specific route selection may vary depending on conditions.

VOLCANO POPOCATEPETL: Popo is currently in an active phase and not open to climbing. But if offers a stunning backdrop to our climb on Izta.

TLACHICHUCA: An culturally rich small town at the base of Pico De Orizaba offers a unique taste of small town Mexico.

ORIZABA HUT: We’ll take jeeps up to the scenic hut on Orizaba. The hut has beautiful views of the surrounding country and valleys below.

VOLCANO ORIZABA CLIMB: At 18,696 ft. Pico de Orizaba has spectacular climbing on routes that are steeper, and longer than routes on Ixta. Orizaba is also a fantastic spot for practicing new mountaineering skills. This is an outstanding finish to our climbing trip in Mexico!

TEOTIHUACAN PYRAMIDS: We will spend the day at the pyramids exploring Mexico’s intriguing Aztec history on our way back to Mexico City.

THE MOUNTAINS: Our primary climbing objectives are Ixta, our first climbing objective which provides a good warm up for our second climb, Pico De Orizaba. At 18,696 ft. Orizaba is the highest point in Mexico. It has fantastic climbing on several different routes. Don’t forget your camera, the views of the countryside far below as the sun is rising are incredible! We’ll plan a stop at the Teotihuacan Pyramids on our way back to Mexico City to explore some of the countries fascinating Aztec history.

OUR GUIDES:Mountain Guides International instructors and guides are professionals. They bring a wealth of experience from guiding throughout Alaska and the world, and they genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge. Their skill and experience insure our guests the best possible experience during their trip. Your safety and enjoyment are their primary goals.

Over the course of 10 days we’ll explore everything from the heights of Mexico’s volcanic peaks to the wonders of Mexico City.

Our itinerary has been carefully crafted from years of experience and allows time for guests to acclimatize to changes in altitude. We budget an extra contingency day in the mountains to allow extra time for acclimatization or in the event we encounter bad weather. If this extra contingency day isn’t used on the mountains we’ll explore the Teotihuacan Pyramids, exploring Mexico’s intriguing Aztecan history.
Day 1: Mexico City is an exciting and culturally rich destination that holds the title as one of the largest cities in the world. It is at an elevation of 7,000ft and a great place to begin our acclimatization process. The Hotel Catedral is our starting point which is located near the Zocalo; Mexico City’s historic district. The first day in Mexico city allows us to explore the myriad of museums and cultural sites the city has to offer. We will reconvene at 6pm for our pre-trip meeting where we will discuss trip itinerary, personal expectations, and do an equipment check.

Day 2: We drive up to the Paso de Cortes at 12,500ft and hike around the base of Iztaccíhuatl
(17,158 feet). From here we will gain views of Popocatépetl which is an active volcano standing
at 17,802 feet. The two mountains have an interesting story based on the ancient legend so
remember to ask your guide about their history. In the evening we descend to the town of
Amecameca at 8,000ft for a good night sleep in a simple hotel.

Day 3:We drive back up to Iztaccíhuatl and set up a camp in a lush valley at 12,800ft. In the
afternoon we go for another acclimation hike and explore the valleys at the foot of the mountain.

Day 4:The route from our base camp follows a well-used trail to the Groupo de los Cien hut at
15,400ft. This is a 6-8 hour day with a moderate difficulty level. The hut is small but cozy and
provides an excellent staging point for our summit attempt the following morning.

Day 5: Iztaccíhuatl summit climb. The route ascends a steep rock ridge and continues to
traverse the mountain reaching several beautiful false summits. After crossing the Ayoloco
Glacier we reach the beautiful ridge, “Arista del Sol” that leads us to the summit. Following the
early morning ascent, we hike back down to our base camp in the valley.

Day 6:Drive to the small town of Tlachichuca at the base of Orizaba. This is a rest day and will
allow some time to relax and shower at the hotel.

Day 7:The 4X4 drive up to Pico de Orizaba ends at Piedra Grande, a stone hut at 13,800ft.
After dinner we will prepare for our early morning summit attempt.

Day 8:Orizaba summit climb. The climb takes 10-14 hours to reach and return from the 18,490ft
summit. From the summit there are spectacular views into the dormant volcano crater and out
across the Mexican landscape. After returning from the summit we will pack our gear and head
back down to the town of Tlachichuca where we will spend the night.

Day 9: Contingency Day. This day is reserved to allow for additional weather, and
rest/acclimatization days. It can be used at any point in the trip. Having a contingency day is
important for accommodating changing individual and group needs.

Day 10: Return to Mexico City.

TEOTIHUACAN PYRAMIDS: If we do not need our contingency day while climbing, we can
spend it at the pyramids on our way back to Mexico City exploring Mexico’s intriguing Aztec
history.

For a printable PDF version of our 10 day itinerary click here

How much weight will I need to carry? You should prepare to carry up to 45 – 50 lbs, on summit days we’ll lighten loads and carry only the essentials in daypacks. Your guides will carry first aid kits, satellite phones, rescue equipment, and other essential gear.

What is the highest altitude we’ll sleep at during the trip? On Iztaccíhuatl we will spend one night at 15,400ft. Otherwise our camps will be located at 12,800ft on Iztacciuatl and 13,800ft on Orizaba.

How Hard is this trip? Most fit people find Iztaccíhuatl relatively easy, while on the other hand Pico de Orizaba is often considered more challenging. The summit day on Orizaba can be up to 14 hours in length and is physically demanding. With proper conditioning and good training it is well within the limits of most beginner climbers. And as always the better shape you are in the more enjoyable the climb will be.

When is the best time to climb? November and December are the best months of the year to
climb. The weather during the period is typically very stable and most days are sunny and warm.
September, October, January and February are also good months but the weather tends to be a little less
stable. Climbing during the summer is not recommended because it is the rainy season and summits can
be challenging to obtain.

Where are we staying? We stay in Mexico City the first and last night of our trip. Our
accommodations here are very comfortable. The Hotel Catedral is a four star hotel and the reception
desk staff speak English well. Inside the hotel is a very nice restaurant and bar with good local food.

How many people will be on my trip?  No more than 6 people and often only 3 or 4. We
believe that group size is one of the most important factors determining the kind of experience our guests
will have. Smaller group sizes give us the flexibility to meet individual goals and expectations, as well as
to avoid some of the challenges associated with large groups. We are happy to work with larger groups
by special arrangements.

For a complete look at our Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

Trip Documents:

• Trip Itinerary – Printable detailed trip itinerary.
• Equipment List – Mountaineering – Overview of personal clothing and equipment that you’ll need for this trip.
• Rental Gear List – Mountain – List of mountaineering gear, and personal items available for rent
• Registration Form – Outlines policies, and essential information. One required per participant.
• Health Form – This form enables our guides to have accurate health information in the event of an emergency.
• Activity Waiver – One required per participant over the age of 18.
• Travel Info – Helpful information on how to get to/from Mexico City.

Price: $3150 (+ tax, in USD)
2020 Dates: Please Call for Availability
2021 Dates: Please Call for Availability

What is included in the trip price:

• Mountaineering & camping gear – group camping equipment, tents, ice axes, crampons etc…
• Expedition food – all food while out in the field.
• Transportation during trip – travel to/from airport, to and from the mountains
• Climbing and hut fees – All climbing and hut fees are included in the trip price
• Professional guides – Our guides have extensive knowledge of the area and experienced high altitude climbers

Guests are responsible for the following:

• Personal clothing & equipment – review the equipment list included under “Documents”.
• Food & Lodging in Mexico City
• Trip insurance – we highly recommend trip insurance for all of our programs.
• Airfare – review the “Travel Information” under “Documents” for more details.
• Reviewing trip policies – please reference our policies page for policies regarding payment, cancellations, refunds and guest responsibilities.
• Gratuities

To Book your adventure, follow the steps below:

1. Please call to confirm availability at 1-800-766-3396 or fill out an online form to request more information via this link:
   • Contact Us
2. Place a $500 deposit to reserve your spot: this can be place over the phone by credit card, check in the mail, or through our payment gateway.
3. Once you’ve reserved your spot, you’ll receive a welcome packet with all the necessary registration forms and trip information.
4. We kindly ask that you submit all of the necessary trip registration information at least 45 days prior to your trip.

Feel free to call or email anytime if you have questions about your upcoming trip. Our team is excited to help you prepare for your adventure!