Climbing Nevado de Toluca, Malinche, Iztaccihuatl, and Citlaltépetl (Pico de Orizaba)

Overview

12 Days/11 Nigths
Max. Altitude: 5.610 m / 18,405 ft
Route: Climbing Nevado de Toluca, Malinche, Iztaccihuatl, and Citlaltépetl (Pico de Orizaba)
Availability: November - February
Difficulty: Moderate
People per Guide: 3

Nevado de Toluca, or Xinantécatl is a volcano in the State of Mexico between the Toluca and Tenango Valleys.

Malinche also known as Malintzi, is a an inactive volcano east of Mexico City and north of Puebla. This mountain is ideal to acclimatize with an altitude of 4,420 m, or 14, 501 ft.

Iztaccihuatl is the third tallest mountain in Mexico. It has a spectacular view of Popocatépetl, Mexico’s 2nd highest peak. This mountain does not require technical experience, but a good physical condition is necessary.

Pico de Orizaba, or Citlaltépetl by it’s indigenous name, is Mexico’s highest mountain. It is located along the border of the states of Veracruz and Puebla. It has an altitude of 5,610 m or 18,405 ft.

To reach the summit of Pico de Orizaba, it is necessary to have excellent physical condition and know how to use crampons and an ice axe.

Travel Program

Itinerary

Day 01: Pick-up at Airport, Arrive at Hotel
Flights plans should be made to arrive in Mexico City

Day 02: Mexico City - Refugio de Toluca
This day will start with a visit to the historical center of Mexico City. We will have the opportunity to see the site of the Templo Mayor, the Palacio Nacional, and the Catedral Metropolitana. Later, we will travel roughly 2 hours to the Refugio of Nevado de Toluca, where we will spend the night.

Day 03: Refugio - Summit of Nevado de Toluca 4700 m / 15,419 ft, Return to Mexico City
We will eat breakfast at 8am, then begin our ascent through a pine forest on a steep incline until we arrive at the ridge we will follow until the summit. After, we will return to Mexico City.

Day 04: Mexico City - the Malinche Cabins
In the afternoon, we will travel to the cabins at the feet of Malinche, where we will spend the night.

Day 05: The Malinche Cabins - the summit of Malinche 4400 m / 14,435 ft
We will begin our ascent early, traveling through a thick forest until we reach the ridge that takes us to the summit. From the top, we will have incredible views of Pico de Orizaba and Iztaccihuatl, the next two mountains on our itinerary. After we enjoy the view, we will descend via the same route to the cabins.

Day 06: The Malinche Cabins - La Joya (Iztaccihuatl Base Camp)
From Malinche, we will travel roughly 4 hours to La Joya, the base camp of Iztaccihuatl. We will set up camp and spend the night.

Day 07: La Joya - the summit of Iztaccihuatl 5286 m / 17,342 ft
Legend says that Iztaccihuatl is a sleeping woman, and the mountain is often described through the woman’s body.
We will our ascent at 2:00 am, via the legs of the sleeping woman, later arriving at the Refugio, where we will begin our ascent to the 2nd highest peak of the mountain. We will arrive a the knees of the woman during sunrise, where we can appreciate the best view of Popocatépetl and Pico de Orizaba. We will continue our ascent via the thigh. After around 5 hours, we will arrive at the stomach of the sleeping woman where will stop to put our crampons on before we continue on the summit. After enjoying the panoramic views we will descend to camp.

Day 08: La Joya - Tlachichuca
Shuttle to the village of Tlachichuca and rest for all of the afternoon.

Day 09: Tlachichuca - the Refuge de Puente Piedra Grande 4240 m / 13,910 ft
We will be shuttled to the Refugio where we will spend the night before our ascent of Pico de Orizaba.

Day 10: Refuge - Summit of Pico de Orizaba 5610 m / 18,405 ft - Mexico City
We will begin our ascent via switchback trails until we arrive at the glacier. After a challenging ascent, we will reach the summit at nearly 5700 masl, we will have breathtaking views of Popocatépetl y Iztaccíhuatl. Later, we will begin our ascent to the Refugio, where our transportation will be waiting for us to take us back to Mexico City.

Day 11: Shuttle to the Airport
Shuttle to the airport to return home.

Day 12: Extra day
Extra day

What’s included

Included:

Transfers from airport to Hotel / Hotel / Airport - Mexico
Hotel in Mexico City / Double room or matrimonial room with breakfast included / according to program nights
Visit to the historic center of Mexico City
01 night in refuge of Nevado Toluca
02 nights in Malinche's cabins
Nights in Village Tlachichuca.
Acclimatization
Mountain Guide (UIAGM - AGMP)
cook
Entrance
Private transports from Mexico / according to the program / Mexico
Complete meals during the climbing program
First aid kit
Kitchen / dining tent.
Collective technical teams.
Camping Equipment
Tent person / 2 Persons
toilet tent

Not Include:

Visit of the city
Accident Travel and health insurance
Meals, drinks in Mexico
Travel luggage and trip cancellation insurance.
Food and beverages not mentioned.
Personal expenses
Personal equipment (harness, mountain trousers, mountain jacket (goretex), mountain shoe or mixed shoe, mats, appropriate clothes, personal medication, sleeping bag, backpack, crampons, ice ax, sunglasses, etc.)
Tips