| Overview | Itinerary | Elevations | FAQ | Gear List | Mexico City Gear Rental | Contact |
| Iztaccihuatl-"la mujer dormida" | 17160ft | 5230m |
| Popocatepetl- Closed since 1994 for "Volcanic Activity" | 17930ft | 5465m |
| Pico de Orizaba- Citlatepetl | 18410ft | 5611m |
| Elevations from Mexico's Volcanos: A Climbing Guide by RJ Secor, 2nd edition © 1981 |
| Guide Ratio 1:4 | 10 Days | $1600 pp; Group of 4 |
These are ten day trips starting at the airport in Mexico City (Airport Code MEX). Departures are in November and December, during the dryest time of year. We'll rendezvous in the airport terminal and begin the two hour ride to the town of Amecameca where we sleep in the shadow of Iztaccihuatl, the sleeping woman. Enjoy the markets and the plaza while we load up with provisions for the next few days. The market has lots to offer: rough wollen goods like mittens and hats and sweaters; meals featuring local products like rabbit, huitlacoche (corn fungus) burritos, and blue corn tortillas; and souvenirs. Lots of souvenirs. Notice the sleeping woman profile on the postcards and paintings; T-shirts and sculptures. It will become etched in your oxygen-starved brain as we inch up the mountain past the ankles, past the knees, towards the broad belly, to the summit on the left breast. It's always difficult to sleep at elevation, and the best cure is to have plenty of tasty, nutritious food.
Day One: Meet at airport. Drive to hotel in Amecameca.
Day Two: Enjoy the alpine feel of the town. Last minute provisions insure freshness. Register in town for the park. Taxi to the high pass between Popo and Ixta, named for Mexico's most infamous conquistador.
There we register with the local park administrator. Camping is a litte above this elevation after a gentle 5 mile (8 km) acclimatization hike, starting about 14000 feet.
Day Three: Acclimatization continues by moving gear up to high camp at the Ayoloco hut, sleep low after a hearty meal. Day Four: Hike to high camp, get an alpine start for the early Summit Attempt.
Day Five: Break camp, and return to Amecameca. Let the movable feast begin! The smells and sights of the market food overwhelm the senses.
Day Six: Leave Amecameca for Tlachichuca, the town at the base of Orizaba.
Day Seven: Leave for Piedra Grande, high camp, acclimatization, first attempt.
Day Eight: Summit attempt
Day Nine: Descend with the taxi shuttle back to Servicorp, Tlachichuca
Day Ten: Taxi to Airport, Fly Home
Check list:
