9-Day Trek to Iztaccíhuatl and Orizaba Peaks from Mexico City

1

Day 01

Arrival in Mexico City

• Fly to Mexico City and arrive in the afternoon.
• If time permits, go sightseeing in Mexico City.
• Have dinner and overnight in Mexico City (7300 ft).

2

Day 02

Brunch and Transfer to Amecameca

• Have brunch in Mexico City.
• Travel to the small town of Amecameca (8070 ft).
• Spend the afternoon in this colourful town getting permits and buying last-minute supplies.
• After an early dinner, travel to Altzomoni's hut (13000 ft) at the base of Iztaccíhuatl.

3

Day 03

Acclimatization Hike from La Joya

• Day hike to the third "Portillo" (14700 ft) or "Grupo de Los Cien hut" (15042 ft).
• This hike is a maximum of 5 miles long with 2000 vertical feet of gain.
• Return to La Joya to spend the night.

4

Day 04

Rest and Acclimatization at Altzomoni

• Rest or acclimatization day at Altzomoni (13000 ft).

5

Day 05

Climb Iztaccíhuatl and Return to Amecameca

• The usual route takes you up to a beautiful ridge with spectacular views. Our ascent includes scrambling up the rock and crossing glaciated terrain, with little or no crevasse fall danger. Depending on snow conditions, crampons and ice axes may be needed. The largest glacier on Izta highlights the summit.
• The views from this route are outstanding, with Popo to the south, Orizaba and La Malinche to the east, and Nevado de Toluca to the west.
• The climb requires 4400 ft of elevation gain, and though the mileage is not long (less than 8 miles), it is challenging due to the altitude, with the last mile above 16,500 ft.
• Spend the night at the hotel in Amecameca.

6

Day 06

Transfer to Tlachichuca Base Camp

• Drive to Canchola's "Base Camp" in Tlachichuca.
• Relax and enjoy an overnight stay at the camp.

7

Day 07

Climb Pico de Orizaba

• Our route takes us up the Labyrinth - a series of rock gullies recently exposed due to the retreating glacier. A bit of steep snow or rock scrambling gets us past the Labyrinth and onto the Jamapa glacier, from where we rope up. The glacier steepens gradually from 20º to 45º at around 18000 ft.
• After a climb of 2000 vertical feet on the glacier, we reach the impressive crater rim and then the summit of Mexico's highest peak, North America's third-highest. Enjoy the spectacular views.
• Descend to Tlachichuca, where you can enjoy a hot dinner, shower, and bed.

8

Day 08

Weather Contingency Day and Return to Mexico City

• A possible extra day for a summit bid, in case of bad weather, or if we need an extra day to acclimatize.
• Drive back to Mexico City and celebrate our success at a renowned Mexican restaurant.
• Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Mexico City.

9

Day 09

Departure from Mexico City

• Late in the afternoon, fly back home.