Pico de Orizaba Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Mexico City (7,350 ft.)

Arrive in Mexico City in the early afternoon (not evening). At 5:00 PM, we’ll meet at the hotel for a thorough equipment check, expedition orientation, and a discussion of Leave No Trace practices. Afterward, we’ll enjoy dinner in the neighborhood before resting up for our first climb.

• Altitude: Mexico City – 7,350 ft. / 2,240 m
• Travel time: Airport to hotel – approximately 45 minutes
• Accommodations: Hotel with cell phone service

Day 2 – City Tour of Historic Sites

After breakfast, we’ll visit the National Museum of Anthropology, home to one of the world’s finest collections of archaeological and anthropological artifacts from Mexico’s pre-Columbian civilizations. Following our museum visit, we’ll travel by private vehicle to the town at the base of La Malinche.

Overnight at La Malintizi Resort.

• Altitudes: Mexico City – 7,350 ft. / 2,240 m; La Malintizi Resort – 10,000 ft. / 3,050 m
• Travel time: Hotel to La Malinche – approximately 2.5 hours
• Accommodations: Resort with cell phone service

Day 3 – Acclimatization Around La Malinche

Today we begin acclimatization with a moderate hike on the lower slopes of La Malinche, reaching approximately 12,000 feet. The afternoon is reserved for relaxing at the resort and preparing for tomorrow’s summit climb.

Overnight at La Malintizi Resort.

• Altitude: La Malintizi Resort – 10,000 ft. / 3,050 m
• Elevation Change: 2,000 ft. ↑ / 600 m ↑
• Hiking time: 3–4 hours
• Accommodations: Resort with cell phone service

Day 4 – Summit Attempt of La Malinche (14,636 ft.)

After breakfast, we’ll attempt the summit of La Malinche. On a clear day, the summit offers outstanding views of Mexico’s volcanic landscape and a striking perspective on the geologic forces that shaped these mountains. After descending, we’ll enjoy lunch at La Malintizi before driving to Puebla for the evening.

Overnight in Puebla.

• Altitudes: La Malintizi Resort – 10,000 ft. / 3,050 m; Summit of La Malinche – 14,636 ft. / 4,461 m; Puebla – 7,100 ft. / 2,164 m
• Elevation Change: 4,636 ft. ↑ / 1,413 m ↑
• Hiking time: 5–7 hours round trip
• Travel time: La Malintizi to Puebla – 1.5 hours
• Accommodations: Hotel with cell phone service

Day 5 – Rest Day in Puebla & Transfer to Zoapan

Enjoy a rest day exploring the colonial city of Puebla, including local markets, shops, churches, and historic architecture. After lunch, we’ll drive to Zoapan, where we’ll organize equipment and make final preparations for Sierra Negra and Orizaba.

• Altitudes: Puebla – 7,100 ft. / 2,164 m; Zoapan – 10,000 ft. / 3,050 m
• Accommodations: Hotel with limited Wi-Fi and cell phone service

Day 6 – Summit Attempt of Sierra Negra (15,354 ft.)

Today we climb Sierra Negra, the fifth-highest mountain in Mexico and a neighboring peak to Orizaba. The ascent typically takes 4–5 hours and provides outstanding close-up views of Orizaba. After returning to the trailhead, we’ll drive to Tlachichuca, meet our local outfitter, and transfer by 4×4 vehicle to Piedra Grande Base Camp on Orizaba.

Overnight at Piedra Grande Base Camp.

• Altitudes: Zoapan – 10,000 ft. / 3,050 m; Sierra Negra Trailhead – 12,900 ft. / 3,931 m; Summit of Sierra Negra – 15,354 ft. / 4,680 m; Piedra Grande Base Camp – 14,000 ft. / 4,267 m
• Elevation Change: 2,454 ft. ↑ / 750 m ↑
• Hiking time: 4–5 hours round trip
• Accommodations: Base camp with no Wi-Fi and limited cell service

Day 7 – Technical Skills Review at Orizaba Base Camp (14,000 ft.)

After breakfast, we’ll hike toward the glacier for additional acclimatization and a review of technical mountaineering skills in preparation for our Orizaba summit attempt. The remainder of the day is reserved for rest, hydration, and final preparations.

Overnight at Piedra Grande Base Camp.

• Altitude: Piedra Grande Base Camp – 14,000 ft. / 4,267 m
• Elevation Change: 2,000 ft. ↑ / 600 m ↑
• Training time: 4–6 hours
• Accommodations: Base camp with no Wi-Fi and limited cell service

Day 8 – Summit Attempt of Orizaba (18,491 ft.)

Today we attempt the summit of Orizaba, Mexico’s highest mountain, also known as Citlaltépetl (“Mountain of the Star”). We’ll begin well before dawn, climbing through the Labyrinth before reaching the Jamapa Glacier, where we’ll rope up for the glacier ascent. The final section follows the summit ridge along the crater rim to the highest point. On a clear day, views extend east to the Gulf of Mexico and west across Mexico’s central plateau.

After the climb, we’ll descend and return to Tlachichuca for a summit celebration.

• Altitudes: Piedra Grande Base Camp – 14,000 ft. / 4,267 m; Summit of Orizaba – 18,491 ft. / 5,636 m
• Elevation Change: 4,491 ft. ↑ / 1,369 m ↑
• Hiking time: 8–10 hours round trip
• Accommodations: Hotel with Wi-Fi and cell phone service

Day 9 – Return to Mexico City

Following breakfast, we’ll return to Mexico City. The evening includes a celebratory team dinner before departures the following day.

If necessary, this day may instead be used as a weather contingency for the Orizaba summit attempt.

• Altitude: Mexico City – 7,350 ft. / 2,240 m
• Travel time: Tlachichuca to Mexico City – approximately 4.5 hours
• Accommodations: Hotel with Wi-Fi and cell phone service

Day 10 – Depart Mexico City

Depart Mexico City for your home country.

Itinerary subject to change.