Climb Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltépetl) in Mexico

Join Oscar to the top of the stunning Pico de Orizaba, one of the world's seven volcanic summits, and Mexico's highest mountain. Enjoy breathtaking views and the warmth of the locals on this unforgettable mountain climbing experience.

Private

Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

2 Days

All year

Fit

Beginner

Highlights

Join an amazing mountain climbing adventure to the top of Pico de Orizaba.
Discover the vibrant Mexican culture and the warmth of the local people.
Enjoy a flexible program that can be adapted to your preferences and needs.

Description

Would you like to climb Mexico’s highest mountain? Or perhaps take on the world’s seven volcanic summits challenge? Then climbing Pico de Orizaba should definitely be in your plans, and we are here to make sure you follow through on them.

At 5,636 m (18,491 ft) Pico de Orizaba or Citlaltépetl is both the highest mountain in Mexico and the highest volcano in North America. Furthermore, this beautiful peak boasts beautiful views and friendly people on the way, which makes it all the more appealing to climb.

Despite its altitude, Pico de Orizaba is not a hard mountain to climb. The trail which leads to the summit is relatively short (less than 4 km-2.5 mi-). However, the climb takes an average of 7-8 hours, due to the altitude and prominence. Therefore, although you don’t need advanced mountaineering skills to join, a good fitness level and acclimatization are a must. By the end of the adventure, you will observe an increase in your technical skills and have some more altitude practice under your belt.

Keep in mind that this adventure can be as flexible as you need. We can increase the number of days to get better acclimatization; we can add other big Mexican peaks to increase the challenge, we can attempt different routes, or try reaching a new personal record. I’m happy to help you reach your goal, whichever it may be.

So, are you ready to take on Pico de Orizaba? Then contact me today and let’s start planning this amazing adventure together! I look forward to guiding you.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees

- Personal insurance

- Drinks

- Mountain guide expenses

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

Price details

Includes acomodattion during the nights of expedition: mountain huts, camping fees or mountain hostels when required.

Includes Certified Group and Personal Gear: crampons, harness, helmet, ice-axe, headlight, ropes, anchors, ice-screws, quickdraws, carabineers, first-aid kit and all the other climbers safety systems required as a group. Camping equipment includes: tents, stoves, cookware, camping mats and good music when required.

NOT Included: Sleeping bags, boots, gloves, clothing, sunglasses, bottles to refill with drinks, sunscreen, backpack and other personal gear not mentioned previously; but there is a chance to rent some of them with an extra fee.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Acclimatization

7:00 – Meeting at the agreed point within the city of Puebla and preparation of the last details to leave the city.
7:30 – We move to Tlachichuca.
9:30 – Arrival in Talchichuca and stop for a snack if needed.
11:00 – Arrival in Miguel Hidalgo, one of the highest towns in Mexico, and change transport for a 4×4.
12:30 – Arrival at Piedra Grande Refuge, the base of North Face Route of Pico de Orizaba.
13:00 – The acclimatization hiking begins by climbing between 300 and 500 meters (between 980 and 1640 feet).
16:00 – Return to the Refuge and preparation of dinner.
17:00 – Explanation and review of the last details of the gear.
18:00 – Time to rest

Day 2: Summit Day

00:00 – Time to wake up
00:30 – Breakfast
01:00 – Start of the route to the summit!
08:00 – Average time of arrival at the summit
09:00 – Average time of descent to the Piedra Grande Refuge.
13:00 – Average time of arrival at Piedra Grande. Return to Ciudad Puebla begins.
18:00 – Average time of arrival in Puebla City.

Details

Accommodation

The nights during expeditions are contemplated in mountain huts and tents, as needed.

Meeting point

Puebla or Cholula City.

Equipment you will need to bring

Goggles

Backpack

Sunglasses

Watter bottle

About the guide

Oscar

5.00

(7)

Mountain Guide

I am a Mexican Mountain Guide, part of the Mexican Association of Mountain And Climbing Guides AMGME (standed by Spanish). I love the Outdoors and I dedicate all my life to them. I've been guiding professionally in mountains for the last 6 years, since I began my formation in 2014, providing always certainty and safety to the climbers.

I work side to side with many local, professional and friendly people, and being surrounded by many different cultures is one of the wonderful things in my job, giving, all of this, a unique experience in each expedition.

My experience climbing big mountains goes from Canada to different countries in South America, working meanwhile with different guides, people and companies. I´m always looking to get unforgettable trips and adventures. Write for any expedition's question, I´ll be happy to solve it!

Languages

French | English

What people are saying about this trip

octavio armas

5.00

March, 2023

I have taken several guiding trips with RMI and other mountain guides and this one was by far the best. Oscar Zaldivar is an incredible guide. He was instrumental in my ability to summit.

Tony Sardo

5.00

January, 2023

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Nicolás Brenneman-Ochoa

5.00

December, 2021

This was truly an amazing experience that was made much more possible through explore share. Oscar was a great guide that gave good feedback and instructions as this was my first 5000m+ ascent and my first glaciated mountain as well. Whilst I turned back at about 200m from the summit (I didn’t have much time to acclimate prior as I was working with my parents time window, I really struggled at the 5k meter mark with fatigue and respiratory difficulty) I learned and experienced firsthand just how magical Pico de Orizaba is. Explore share was a great platform and was easy to use. I received messages from representatives to help me book my ascent in a way that made me feel like they cared. The explore share community truly feels to me as if everyone is wishing to see you succeed and are passionate about the guides and services they connect you with. It feels like platform designed by enthusiasts and athletes to help chat with you about what you want to achieve as opposed to an only for profit booking algorithm. I am really glad I had the chance to do this. I messaged the Instagram page with photos from my ascent and will later tag you in the post I have in the works. Thank you so much for this opportunity and in the future I want to book with you and Oscar again for more mountaineering and climbing goals. Finally I am only 15 years old and explore share also consulted with my parents making them feel more confident in my safety and that helped me convince them to let my attempt this mountain at a young age.

Oscar Sandi

5.00

The best guide from Mexico 🇲🇽