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10-Day Volcano and Culture Expedition in Mexico

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10-Day Volcano and Culture Expedition in Mexico
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Follow one of the wonderful IFMGA-certified guides of Alpine Ascents International to Mexico and join a 10-day mountaineering excursion of its great volcanoes.

Group

Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

10 Days

Oct - Dec

Fit

Intermediate


Highlights

* Conquer El Pico de Arizaba, the highest mountain in Mexico.

* Discover the rare terrain of stratovolcanoes and their exciting ascents.

* Immerse yourself in traditional Mexican towns and their culture.

Description

Climb into the heart of Mexico and reach the peak of the third tallest mountain in North America! Take ten days to delve into the local culture of an immensely beautiful country and ascend two of its notorious volcanoes, El Pico de Orizaba and Citlalcotepetl, on a top-notch mountaineering program!

El Pico de Orizaba, or Citlalcotepetl, rises 5,636 meters in the central plateau of Mexico. Located on the border of the states of Veracruz and Puebla, this dormant volcano is the second most prominent volcano in the world. Not only does this memorable peak have summit views of the Gulf of Mexico, but it is also home to Mexico’s largest glacier.

Slightly smaller in stature, but no less important, is Iztaccihuatl (5,230m). Also known as “Izta,” it is another dormant volcano and the third highest peak in Mexico. The mountain is visible from Mexico City, lying on the border between Puebla and the State of Mexico. Its small glaciers and low-numbered crevasses make it an exciting climb.

Mountaineers from across the globe seek out these peaks, which have been formed from as far back as ten million years. It is a unique terrain that add a level of excitement to the climbs. While they do have certain challenges and difficult spots, these summits are great for all experienced mountaineers.

Our ten-day adventure is designed to give you the best of Mexico and its volcanoes. We will dig into the history of Puebla and the authentic towns of the central plateau. You will supplement your glorious ascents with intriguing history, national museum visits, learning about Mexican archaeology and viewing its artifacts.

The region and its mountains, while featuring their own compelling terrain and mountaineering opportunities, are a great place to hone your skills for more ambitious climbs, including Denali. They provide practicing mountaineers valuable experience in high altitudes, glacier traverses, technical climbing, and sustained mountain time.

Should we encounter poor weather and we are unable to summit Iztaccihuatl, we will focus the first half of our program on summiting Nevado de Toluca (4,680m) and La Malinche (4,461m). This will include stops in Valle de Brava (home to Mexico’s incredible world of adventure sports), local home-cooked meals, and authentic interactions with the towns and people.

These two peaks are the most exciting and stunning climbs in Mexico, and we are always looking forward to making the climbs. Our passion for fun, safe climbs make this a perfect program for anyone who is looking for an unforgettable way to experience Mexico. This fantastic program allows us the chance to share our expertise of these awesome mountains and have a blast with fellow adventurers.

This program should be approached with appropriate planning and preparation, including a high level of fitness and mental fortitude. You should have prior experience in mountaineering and an understanding of its safety requirements.

Book this 10-day expedition now and enjoy a mountaineering program that offers memorable volcano climbs intertwined with the rich cultural tapestry of Mexico.

We can also take a 16-day mountaineering trip to Bolivia… maybe 20 days… and conquer its indomitable peaks! Or we can slay Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America and one of the seven summits!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees

Price details

This is the price to join one of our group programs.

A $700 (USD) deposit is due with your application. The remaining balance is due 120 days before the departure of your program.

The price includes the guiding fee, in-country transportation, airport transfers (if arriving on the same day), accommodations, all meals, group equipment, camping equipment, and applicable permits and fees.

The price does NOT include a possible $25 USD wire transfer fee, international airfare, single-room supplement(s) in hotels (if applicable), baggage fees and airport taxes, personal items, personal equipment, insurance, charges incurred beyond our control, and anything not explicitly mentioned as “included.”


Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Mexico City

We will arrive in Mexico City in the early afternoon, with plenty of time to go over our gear and the itinerary for the expedition. This will also include a discussion of our Leave No Trace policy.

We will rest up in a hotel and prepare for our adventure.

Day 2: Amecameca

After breakfast, we will visit the Museum of Anthropology, the national museum of Mexico. It provides an in-depth look at the vibrant history and identity of Mexico, as well as the pre-Columbian heritage associated with it.

Moving on from the museum, we will head out into the foothills and to the town of Amecameca. Nestled at the base of Volcanoes National Park, this traditional town is a perfect way to spend an authentic Puebla afternoon at a local marketplace in the warmth of its people, surrounded by the rich regional vegetation.

We will end the day in La Joya, possibly at Altzimoni Hut, where we will set up base camp for our climb of Iztaccihuatl.

Day 3: Base Camp

We will continue acclimatizing and resting for the upcoming climb.

Day 4: High Camp

Our day consists of breaking down camp and moving above 4,500 meters to set up our High Camp.

Day 5: Iztaccihuatl Summit

Before dawn, we will start our ascent of Iztaccihuatl by traversing the Ayaloco Glacier. The conditions may warrant crampons and ice axes, and we can expect some moderate ridges, ice cliffs, and a high couloir that will set you up for the last march to the top.

Guided by the sunrise on clear days, this spectacular climb culminates in mountain panoramas and the compelling geology of the terrain. Descending back to La Joya, we move to Puebla in preparation for the second goal of our adventure.

Day 6: Puebla

The colonial town of Puebla possesses deep tradition and offers a genuine local experience. We will enjoy a more relaxed day strolling through the marketplace, and in the late morning we will visit Cholula and the largest pyramid in the world. Our evening will be spent going over equipment for the following days.

Day 7: Piedra Grande

Driving to Tlachichuca will get our gear loaded up and ready to take to the Base Camp at Piedra Grande. This location gets us in proximity to El Pico de Orizaba.

Day 8: Acclimatization Hike

We will take it easy on this day. An easy hike accompanied with proper hydration and nutritional fueling will set us up for success on our next climb.

Day 9: El Pico de Orizaba

With ravines, crevasses, and even a climb along the ridge of the crater, this is an exciting climb that we will start early. The technical challenges add to the sense of accomplishment once you reach the summit, where you can look to the east and see the Gulf of Mexico.

We will descend back down and return to Mexico City for one last night.

Day 10: Head Back Home

After an exciting and unforgettable trip, we will return home with a whole new story to tell.

 

Details

More info

Programs usually consist of six (6) to eight (8) climbers.

If poor conditions restrict us from summiting Izta, an alternative itinerary will feature a climb of three summits: Nevado de Toluca, La Malinche, and Orizaba.

Please purchase trip cancellation insurance within 21 days of booking this program.

The following personal gear and items are required for this program: - Ice axe - Crampons - Climbing harness with two (2) locking carabiners - At least four (4) additional non-locking carabiners - 40-feet of accessory cord - Trekking poles - Mountaineering boots - Gaiters - Three (3) pairs of hiking socks - Short underwear - Base-layer pants and shirts - Mid-layer top - Soft-shell pants and jacket - Hard-shell pants and jacket - Insulated lightweight jacket - Insulated synthetic pants - Insulated down parka - Liner gloves - Soft-shell gloves - Insulated mittens - Climbing helmet - UV buff - Hat for sun protection - SPF 30+ sunscreen - SPF 30+ lip balm - Ski hat - Headlamp - Glacier glasses - Ski goggles - Sleeping bag - 55-liter climbing backpack - Foam pad - Inflatable sleeping pad (optional) - Personal food - Wide-mouth water bottles - Travel mug, bowl, knife, and spoon - Durable trash bags - Urine bottle (and funnel, if necessary) - Toiletry bag including toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste - First aid kit and medication(s) as necessary - Earplugs - Internet device (smartphones are acceptable) - Water purification and treatment set - Running shoes for approaches and off-mountain travel - Travel clothing - Duffel bag (recommended) - Camera (recommended) Some of these items are available for rent. Contact us with any questions you may have.

Meeting point

We will meet at your hotel in Mexico City. Contact us upon booking to establish a meeting point.

About the guide

Guide profile image

Alpine Ascents

Mountain Guide

We are one of the prime guiding agencies in the US and our mountaineering school is among the most reputed in the country. We are recognized as industry leaders all across North America.

All our expeditions are carefully planned as we believe that our work prior to the start of the trip is key to helping climbers achieve their goals. We provide a wealth of important information to help participants plan more effectively and our guides are always available to answer questions.

We believe putting together cohesive groups is key and we ask participants important details about their training and climbing or hiking experience. This is key to our safety record, which stands as the finest in the industry. Injury prevention is always our top priority.

We think of climbers as modern-day explorers. Whether attending a mountaineering course or climbing Everest, you can expect us to treat every trip as a unique exploration. We know you have joined us to embrace a challenge and to learn through experience.

Languages

English

Certificates

AMGA | IFMGA


What people are saying about Explore-Share

Kumari

5.00

I’m extremely happy with the ease with which I could book via your site reliable and experienced guide. Thank you so very much, and I’ve started to recommend your site to my friends. Dimitris is not only an awesome guide, but a wonderful person who was always looking out to give me the best experience I can have when he found out how much I love climbing! He is the Best!

Niklas

5.00

I am very pleased with Explore-Share! This was my first international climb, and the communication and response time were great. Herbie is a very skilled guide and very efficient. The entire booking process & payment was smooth. I will definitely use Explore-Share again. Thank you.

Greg

5.00

I was looking for a local guide for a hike I was planning and came across Explore-Share. They seemed to have good reviews and so decided to give them a try. The experience was very positive and completely happy with their service. I will be using them again for next trip.

Colin

5.00

Easy to set up and find the perfect trip. Informative site that is easy to use. Guides are all great to work with and communicate all arrangements needed. As simple as can be!

Lesley

4.00

Thank you explore-share for a wonderful via feratta experience. We have been wanting to learn for a long time but don't have the facilities in Scotland. The guide Mitja was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, answering all my many questions and providing advice. On the day head to take another group but he quickly arranged another guide Borut, who was brilliant. We had a fantastic morning learning via ferrata at Hvadnik in the gorge. It gave us the confidence to later hire our own equipment and go out in Mojstrana. Altogether a five star + experience. Thank you.

 

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