Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
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). 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.
Day 2
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 a 100 year-old restaurant located in a cave at the edge of 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 and dinner included)
Day 3
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 included)
Day 4
In the morning we drive over to the national park at Iztacihuatl and take an easy acclimating hike higher up on the slopes of Itza to about 14,500 ft. We spend the night in a climbers lodge with dorm style bunk beds located at about 13,000 ft and rest up for our summit attempt.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 5
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 included)
Day 6
A well deserved rest day in the wonderful city of Puebla. Activities will include a short drive to nearby Cholula to visit the largest pyramid in the world, 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 included)
Day 7
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 and dinner included)
Day 8
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 included)
Day 9
Travel back to Mexico City airport for afternoon 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.