Climbing Pico de Orizaba (Mexico) in 3 days
Let one of our local and certified guides take you to the summit of Pico de Orizaba. Stand at the top of the highest volcano in Mexico and enjoy its breathtaking views.
Private
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt
3 Days
All year
High
Intermediate
Highlights
* Reach the summit of Pico de Orizaba with a local guide.
* Learn about the history of this incredible volcano.
* Get mesmerizing views of everything around including the Gulf of Mexico.
Description
Mexico is a magical country, with a fascinating culture and history, and an exquisite cuisine. However, it guards many other secrets, amongst them its alpine regions and majestic peaks. Dare to climb the biggest mountain in the country, and the third highest in North America: Pico de Orizaba (5,610 m), on this 3-days expedition.
A famous legend here, says there was a brave and enchanting woman, Nahuani. She had a beautiful eagle as her companion: Ahuilizapan, which means Orizaba. When Nahuani died in battle, Ahuilizapan succumbed to pain, flying as high as she could to let herself fall back into earth. The spot she hit, transformed into the majestic volcano. And each time she remembers her friend, the volcano tremors. So locals climb it as a way to pay respect to both, and their friendship.
On this trip, you’ll get the opportunity to pay respect as well, as you stand at the top of Pico de Orizaba. Follow one of our local guides, who will show you the real Mexico, and the best spots here. Once you reach the summit of Pico de Orizaba, you’ll get to see a perfectly shaped crater, which is over 300 meter deep, and about 410 to 480 meters wide. Also, you’ll cross the Jamapa glacier, with dazzling and permanent snow. We’ll begin our ascent at around 12:00 and 2:00 a.m. So, we’ll be reaching the end of a labyrinth or be already at the glacier by sunrise.
Also, please note this is a private trip. Therefore you'll get an expert guide for every 2 people. And we include all the technical gear needed for the ascent. So you won't have to worry about bringing it.
So, let one of the expert guides of our team take you to the summit of Pico de Orizaba. Request to book this trip today and live an unforgettable mountaineering adventure in Mexico. Or check the shorter version of this trip.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Personal insurance
- Permit and entrance fees
- Tents
- Rope
- Sleeping pad
- Cooking utensils
- Harness
- Helmet
- Quickdraws
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Trekking poles
Price details
Transport from Mexico City to Puebla and accommodation in the city are not included in the price. On top of the guide fee the price includes accommodation, permit and entrance fees, insurance, transportation during the trip and all meals while on the mountain. Tap water is not drinkable in Mexico, so we include purified water on this excursion. Furthermore, we include all the technical equipment (crampons, Ice-axe, helmet, harness, hiking poles, front headlight, ropes, anchors, first aid kit, so you don’t have to carry it. And if there is any gear you need, we can arrange renting it for you.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and acclimatization
10:00 pick up. Transport to Villa de Hidalgo Lodge (3.420m- 11.220ft) Acclimatization hikes to waterfalls: (400m – 1300 ft). Lunch and gear set up. Rest in the afternoon and dinner.
Day 2: Base Camp
09:00 Breakfast. 11:00 4×4 transport to Pico de Orizaba base camp (4.250m – 13.943ft). Acclimatization hikes and lunch light dinner and go to sleep at a 6-7 pm.
Day 3: Summit day
00:00 light breakfast. 01:00 begin hike to summit. 08:00 summit (aprox). 14:00 Transport to Villa de Hidalgo. 15:00 Transport to Puebla 17:00. Arrival to Puebla.
Details
More info
Participants must be in a good physical condition and your body acclimatization process must be properly carried out. Transportation options:
- Pick you up at your hotel. 1 person: 110 USD, one way (2hrs).
- Buses Mexico-Puebla from TAPO bus station. About 15 USD. One way. No stops (2hrs.) and running all day long.
- Buses Mexico Airport-Puebla. About 20 USD one way (2hrs). No stops and running all day long.
- If you decide to come by bus, we would pick you up at Puebla bus station or at Puebla hotel if you are already in Puebla.
Meeting point
Equipment you will need to bring
Water bottle
Backpack
Sunglasses
Shirt, jackets, pants, boots, neck protector, hat, gloves, socks, gaiters, sleeping bag, sunscreen, camera.
FAQs
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
We include all technical gear: crampons, Ice-ax, helmet, harness, hiking poles, front light all food and drink in the mountain, medical insurance for summit day, tents, camping, etc. Really, all you have to bring are your mountaineering clothes, boots and sleeping bag and backpack, and we take care of the rest :) And if you don't have some clothing, you can rent it with us too.
How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?
All food and water on the mountain also included, also vegetarian, or any other special menu.
Which is the meeting point?
Departure is set from Puebla City (about 2 hrs. from Mexico City and half way to Pico de Orizaba) because it's in the middle of the 3 big volcanoes Pico de Oriaba, Iztaccihuatl and La Malinche and many clients want it this way, but if you want us to pick you up from Mexico City, we can provide that too 😊
Will we carry our own backpacks, clothes, tents, and other gear? How many liters do you recommend our backpack be?
We reach base camp by 4x4, so all hikes will be light. No more than 5–10 kg. With a 30–40-liter backpack, you will be fine.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
3Summits
4.70
(134)
Guiding agency
We are a group of passionate mountain and rock climbing local guides in Mexico, members of the AMGME (Mexican Mountain and Climbing Guides Association), where we have been practicing and guiding around the country for 10 years.
Our main goal is to make people enjoy our mountains as much as we do and get a real experience of out Mexican style of life having a close and friendly relationship with all our clients and trying to help as much as we can.
Everybody has different needs so we can modify all our programs to what is best for you, wether you need everything from transport, accommodation, food, gear... or just want to be guided in the mountain.
Please get in contact with us to climb our beautiful mountains and we'll do our best so that you get the most of your trip.
Languages
English | Spanish
Certificates
AMGME
What people are saying about this trip
Aleksandra
5.00
Very experienced, friendly guide with positive attitude. Good food, both in the village and in the base camp. Every person we met, was approachable and were willing to go out of their way to support our requests eg buying last minutes items in the supermarket or taking us to the farmacy shop. We appreciated hot shower in the village as well.
Alec
5.00
Successful summit of Pico de Orizaba with a group of unexiprenced climbers! Highly recommend 3 summits. Very experienced and knowledgeable of the mountain. Would not have summited without them 10 out of 10. Mesh is the GOAT
Morad
5.00
The trip was an absolutely spectacular trip. I received responses in a timely manner and was able to complete my second big summit due to guide Oscars leadership. I couldn’t have asked for better treatment.
Nick
5.00
Òscar was a top notch guide. He really knew the route well, was in great shape but relaxed the pace when I needed to breathe. The hike itself is simply the most beautiful that I have ever seen.
Soline
5.00
And very intense but rewarding experience! Logistic wise everything was perfect and the guide was really nice. All members were available to get organized before the 3 days. I will recommend adjusting the guide by level (for beginners and advanced levels) Thank you!
Find more mountaineering trips
Join our newsletter!
Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.