2-day ascent to Iztaccihuatl Volcano 5286m

Iztaccihuatl or Sleeping Woman is the third highest mountain in the country with 5286 m.

It lies on the border between the state of Puebla and the state of Mexico, east of Mexico City. Iztaccihuatl is located in front of the majestic Popocatépetl (5500 m), a volcano with constant activity. It is a high mountain hike with medium difficulty. We need to use equipment for walking on snow and glaciers during this climb.

I propose to you the following itinerary for this 2-day ascent.

Day 1

We leave Mexico City at 10AM. We cross the village of Amecameca, have a light lunch and buy the food we will need. Then we stop in Paso de Cortes to pay the entry permits to Izta-Popo National Park. We arrive at the parking Joyita, we prepare the cars and equipment (altitude 3950 m).

I propose to do the traditional and less technical route. We start walking in the “Joyita” (location used as a parking). Then we climb a quiet slope up to the first gate (or coyote step). We continue until the second gate and finally to the hill from where we can observe Puebla and Mexico City. The walk continues to the hut of “Los Cien” (4600 m), where it is common to rest, either camping or using the hut. We should consider that we will be walking all this way with a large backpack with the equipment required to spend the night (weighing about 10kg). However, the route is on a marked trail, without danger and with low degree of difficulty.

Day 2

The next day we continue the trek with an “attack” backpack. The climb to “Las Rodillas” is a more technical part and there are several steps of rock ascent. We surround a first crater to finally reach the glacier “La Panza”. It is highly recommended to use crampons and sometimes it is compulsory. Everything depends on the ice conditions. Then the ascent continues to the glacier “del Pecho”. We cross it and we reach the summit (5240 m), where the use of crampons is mandatory. It is also essential to make the walk with axe and helmet.

This is the classic route, the noblest and the one I recommend we use.

Duration: the first day between 3 and 5 hours and the second day 4 to 6 hours, plus the descent from the camp to the parking 2-3 hours, depending on the progress and weather conditions.

We return to the cars around 4PM. We eat Quecas and return to Mexico City at 7PM at the latest.

If you want to join or have some questions, contact me! I would love taking you there!

Also, you can ascend the Xinantecatl Volcano on this 1-day program.