Mexico
Country
10 days
Duration
Mountaineering
Format
Hard
Difficulty
Alpine skills
Preparation level
Pico de Orizaba is Mexico's highest peak and North America's highest volcano. Pico de Orizaba stands at 5,636 metres. In the Nahuatl language, the Orizaba volcano is called Citlaltépetl, meaning “Star Mountain.” This is why we chose this name for our travel program to the summit of this mountain. The ascent of Pico de Orizaba is part of the “7 Volcanoes” collection, whose aim is to complete ascents of the highest volcanoes on all seven continents. In addition to Pico de Orizaba (North America's highest volcano), the collection also includes Elbrus (Europe), Damavand (Asia), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Giluwe (Australia and Oceania), Ojos del Salado (South America), and Sidley (Antarctica).
A professional photographer and videographer will join the trip. They will capture the ascents and the journey through Mexico, so you will have professional photos and videos from your trip.
Vladimir Kotlyar
Mountain guide, co-founder of Sauvage Adventure
Traveller and mountaineer. I call myself a Wanderer. I have been guiding in the mountains since 2010.
Alexander Romanenko
Photographer
Professional photographer since 2013, specialising in action sports and reportage. Photographs mountain expeditions around the world.
Pico de Orizaba, 5,636 m—the highest peak in Mexico and North America's highest volcano
Acclimatization on La Malinche and Iztaccíhuatl, followed by the ascent of Orizaba via Jamapa Glacier
Professional photos and videos from your trip
Day 1
Arrival in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. Please arrive by 13:00 local time. Airport pickup. Transfer to Cholula (2,130 m). The drive from the airport takes two and a half hours. Check-in at the hotel. Gear check. Group briefing. Dinner and getting to know the team.
Day 2
Early in the morning, we check out of the hotel and drive to the foot of La Malinche. The drive takes two hours. We check into a mountain hut at 3,100 m. After checking in, we take an acclimatization outing to 3,700 m. Return to camp. Lunch. After lunch, free time, socialising, and a walk around the surrounding area. Dinner in the evening. Overnight in the mountain hut at 3,100 m.
Day 3
Early wake-up and departure at 5 a.m. for the ascent of La Malinche, 4,460 m. In good weather, we will see Mexico's highest volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Pico de Orizaba—on the way to La Malinche's summit. The ascent covers about 14 kilometres and takes 7–8 hours. After the descent, we have lunch and transfer to Popocatépetl National Park. The drive takes two hours. Check into a mountain hut, with six people per room. Overnight in the mountain hut at 3,400 m. Breakfast and packed lunches are included. Lunch and dinner at the restaurant are not included.
Day 4
After breakfast, a short transfer to La Joya camp at 4,000 m. Settle into two-person tents at the camp. Acclimatization outing to 4,300 m. Early dinner. Overnight in two-person tents at 4,000 m.
Day 5
Early start for an ascent of Iztaccíhuatl to 5,200 m. This is a long ascent that may take around 12 hours. Our goal is not to reach this summit but to acclimatize for the ascent of Pico de Orizaba. Based on the group's pace and condition, the guide will decide whether to continue to the summit or to an elevation of 4,800–5,000 m. Descent, lunch, and a transfer from La Joya camp to Puebla. Overnight in a hotel. Dinner at the hotel is not included.
Day 6
Free time until lunch. You can walk around central Puebla. After lunch, transfer to OMG Hostel in San Miguel Zoapan (3,000 m); the drive takes 2 hours. Lunch in Puebla is not included.
Day 7
After breakfast, pack up and transfer by off-road vehicles to Orizaba Base Camp. Settle into two-person tents at the camp at 4,200 m. Early dinner and lights out.
Day 8
At night, we set out for the ascent of Pico de Orizaba. The ascent to the summit will take 9–12 hours. The distance to the summit is 9 kilometres. Elevation gain: 1,500 m. After descending the mountain, transfer to OMG Hostel in San Miguel Zoapan. Overnight in the hostel.
Day 9
After breakfast, we leave San Miguel Zoapan for Mexico City. The duration of the transfer depends on traffic on the way into the city. After arrival, we check in. In the second half of the day, we take a walk through Mexico City's historic centre, where we will see Zócalo Square and the capital's central districts. In the evening, free time and rest.
Day 10
After checking out of the hotel, transfers to Mexico City Airport are arranged according to the participants' flight departure times. This is where the program ends.
Start by submitting an application and waiting for approval from your trip manager. Pay the deposit within 5 days (120 hours) after your application is approved by the manager, and no later than the programme start. The exact deadline is shown on your trip status page. Your place is secured once we receive it.
The deposit forms part of the total trip price. The deposit pays for consultations, booking services with partners and organising the trip, so it is non-refundable if you choose to cancel your participation.
The remaining balance for your selected departure must be paid no later than December 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Astana).
If the deposit is received after the usual balance deadline, the balance is due by the end of the 10th working day in the Astana calendar following the deposit, capped at the programme start. The exact deadline is shown on your trip status page.
If your plans change, notify your trip manager that you wish to cancel. If you have already paid the remaining balance for the programme:
Amounts returned or due to be returned by partners are excluded from the calculation of deducted expenses. The Company’s fee is included in the retained deposit and is not deducted again.
Your trip manager checks the documents and confirms the refund calculation. If cancellation results from the Company’s breach of its obligations, the amount paid, including the deposit, is refunded in full. Refunds are paid within 5 working days in the Astana calendar from the date the grounds for the refund arise, without waiting for funds from the partner.
For full details, see Booking and Payment.
