2-week Mexico volcanoes itinerary: climbing Pico de Orizaba, Izta, Malinche & Toluca
Last Updated on 18 August 2025
Although its beaches and cenotes seem to get most of the hype, Mexico is also home to some of the tallest peaks in North America, including snow-capped volcanoes that soar above 5,000m. If you’re looking for rugged, high-altitude climbing objectives far off the gringo trail, this 2-week itinerary delivers serious elevation, dramatic landscapes, and a side of Mexico few people ever see!
Acclimatising gradually, you’ll summit Nevado de Toluca (4,680m), La Malinche (4,461m), Iztaccíhuatl (5,230m), and finally Pico de Orizaba (5,636m), the tallest volcano in all of North America. This post shares the itinerary I followed in December 2023 to successfully summit all 4 volcanoes, including extensive details (that you won’t really find anywhere else on the internet) about campsites close to the trailheads, driving directions between mountains, road trip logistics, and essential climbing beta!
About Mexico’s volcanos
With more than 40 major volcanoes, Mexico’s stratovolcanoes offer an incredible range of climbing conditions packed into a small geographic area. This itinerary tackles 4 of the country’s 6 tallest summits:
- Pico de Orizaba (5,636m / 18,490ft) — 1st tallest
- Iztaccíhuatl (5,230m / 17,160ft) — 3rd tallest
- Nevado de Toluca (4,680m / 15,355ft) — 4th tallest
- La Malinche (4,461m / 14,635ft) — 6th tallest
(Popocatépetl, the 2nd tallest, is an active volcano and currently closed to climbers; Sierra Negra, the 5th tallest, is climbable and could be added to this itinerary with more time.)
Each volcano offers a totally different climbing style, from crater lake hikes to ridge scrambles to glacier travel, and most volcanoes are just a few hours apart— allowing for efficient travel and natural altitude progression as you work your way toward the 5,636m (18,490ft) summit of Pico de Orizaba!
Itinerary map
Here’s an interactive Google Map of my proposed 2-week Mexico volcanoes itinerary, downloadable for offline use. Keep reading for more trip logistics and a detailed day-by day itinerary that will take you from Mexico City all the way to the summit of North America’s tallest volcano!
Mexico volcanoes trip logistics
When to go
Climbing season in central Mexico runs November through February, when conditions are driest and most stable. It seems a bit counter-intuitive to favour climbing in winter, but this is actually the best and safest time to summit, especially on Pico where storms, snow, and ice can make conditions dangerous outside of this window!
Getting there
This itinerary begins in Mexico City and ends in Tlachichuca, Puebla— it’s about 4hrs between these two cities, so you can easily structure it as a loop itinerary from CDMX. Fly into Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (MEX) and spend a few days acclimatising, then pick up your hire car, drive the entire route, and return back to CDMX for your departure flight.
- Start & finish your route in: Mexico City
Getting around central Mexico
You’ll definitely want to rent a car for this itinerary— the trailheads are remote, there’s extremely limited public transport servicing these areas, and having your own wheels gives you essential flexibility. I always use DiscoverCars to compare prices and availability across all rental companies!
🚗 IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE IN MEXICO?!
I’m a firm believer that the best way to experience any country is by driving through its small towns and remote corners at your own pace, and this is especially true of Mexico. Over the years, I’ve travelled by van or car through 22 Mexican states, including this exact road trip itinerary, and I’ve never had any safety issues!
Follow the same common-sense safety precautions that apply anywhere in the world: don’t drive at night, have a plan for where you’re going, and learn some of the local road rules. Read my extensive guide to driving in Mexico for more safety tips, important driving etiquette, advice on hiring a car, a breakdown of different types of roads in Mexico, and more!
Where to stay
This trip is primarily camping-based, especially near the trailheads, and will require you to pack a full camp setup— but there are also a few nights where you can opt for local hotels or mountain huts to provide a much-needed refresh. I’d specifically recommend the following accommodation:
- Mexico City (3 nights): Hotel MX Roma (budget rooms with an awesome rooftop) or Casa RM26 (budget co-live/co-work space with private rooms)
- camping at Campamento Nevado de Toluca (2 nights): very basic first-come campsite below the Nevado de Toluca trailhead (150MXN / $8USD per tent)
- camping at Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi (2 nights): phenomenal resort-style campsite below the La Malinche trailhead with fire pits, BBQs, cooking shelters, hot showers, clean bathrooms, and an on-site restaurant (95MXN / $5USD per person)
- camping at La Joya (1 night): very basic but FREE first-come campsite below the trailhead; no toilets, no water source, BYO purified water
- Puebla City (3 nights): Collection O Al Otto Lado del Río (budget hotel in a perfect location) or Hotel Boutique Casareyna (mid-range option with a pool)
- Refugio Piedra Grande (1 night): basic but FREE first-come hut at the base of Pico de Orizaba with simple wooden bunks (BYO sleeping bag, mat, and all food & water; accessible only by 4WD from Tlachichuca)
- Tlachichuca, Puebla (1 night): Orizaba Glacier Climbers Airbnb (includes 4WD transport to/from Refugio Piedra Grande)
Food + supplies
You’ll need to have your own food and occasionally even cooking supplies and water for about half of the days on this itinerary.
- For the 2 nights at Nevado de Toluca, 2 nights at La Joya (Iztaccíhuatl), and 1 night at Refugio Piedra Grande (Pico de Orizaba), there’s no water access, no cooking facilities, and no food options nearby
- For the 2 nights at IMSS Malintzi (La Malinche), you’ll have access to BBQs and water, but still may want to BYO burgers, sausages, or something to grill!
I’d recommend freeze-dried backpacker meals cooked with a camp stove on some of these nights, particularly the freezing cold evenings at Nevado de Toluca and when you’re staying in the popular Refugio Piedra Grande below Pico de Orizaba— but for other dinners and some remote mountain lunches, I’d recommend picking up fresh ingredients when you arrive in Mexico.
Once you get outside of Mexico City (ideally somewhere around Toluca), make your first supermarket trip to stock up on snacks, sandwich or wrap ingredients, WATER, and ice + an esky to store cheese or meat that needs to be kept cool. Walmart is widely available and I also really like the local supermarket chain Chedraui— either will have everything you need!
🗺️ TRAVEL TIPS FOR MEXICO
→ Language: some level of Spanish is strongly recommended for this itinerary (or at least frequent use of Google Translate)
→ Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN), approximately 20MXN = $1USD as of May 2025
→ Tourist visa: 180-day tourist visa on arrival for most nationalities, including USA, Canada, Australia & EU; no need to apply in advance
→ SIM card: install an eSIM for Mexico via Airalo (use code BROOKE2994 for $3 off); coverage is good even in rural areas, though limited at high-altitude trailheads
→ National park fees: 58MXN ($3.5USD) per person per park, payable in cash at official CONANP visitor centres near the trailheads; no other permits needed!
→ Essential apps: CalTopo or other GPS app (offline route nav); iOverlander (trailhead & road condition info); Google Maps (offline road nav); WhatsApp (used for booking transport & communication with locals)
Detailed Mexico volcanoes itinerary
- Days 1-3: Mexico City (acclimatisation & exploration; 2,240m)
- Day 4: drive 3.5hrs from Mexico City to Nevado de Toluca & camp at the trailhead (4,000m)
- Day 5: climb Nevado de Toluca (7hrs; 4,680m) & camp a 2nd night
- Day 6: drive 5hrs to Centro Vacacional Malintzi & camp (3,100m)
- Day 7: climb La Malinche (7hrs; 4,461m) & camp a 2nd night
- Day 8: drive 3hrs to Izta-Popo National Park & camp at La Joya (4,000m)
- Day 9: climb Iztaccíhuatl (12hrs; 5,230m) & drive 3hrs to Puebla
- Days 10-11: Puebla
- Day 12: drive 2hrs to Tlachichuca, 4WD transport to Piedra Grande & sleep in the free hut (4,260m)
- Day 13: midnight wake-up to climb Pico de Orizaba (9hrs; 5,636m summit), transport back to Tlachichuca
- Day 14: drive 4.5hrs back to Mexico City, fly out
Days 1-3: acclimatising in Mexico City
With a large international airport and an endless list of things to do, start your trip with a few days in vibrant, endlessly captivating Mexico City. At 2,240m (7,350ft), the capital is high enough to jumpstart the acclimatisation process— yes, even wandering through street markets and eating tacos counts as altitude prep!
🌋 Read more about the importance of acclimatising: A climber’s guide to preventing & treating altitude sickness
What to do in Mexico City
You could easily spend weeks in CDMX, but for this itinerary, 3-5 days is perfect— enough time to soak in the culture, eat some incredible food, and kickstart your high-altitude adaptation. A few of my favourite activities:
- visit the National Anthropology Museum or Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul
- explore the Centro Histórico and discover the BEST street tacos
- stroll through Chapultepec Park or float on ancient Aztec canals in Xochimilco
- watch the spectacle of lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) at Arena México
🌮 Read more about CDMX (from someone who’s spent 6 weeks exploring): Mexico City travel guide
Where to stay in Mexico City
Roma Norte is hands-down my favourite neighbourhood in Mexico City— trendy, walkable, close to the Centro Histórico, and packed with amazing restaurants, cafes, and cocktail bars.
For a comfy, well-located stay, I recommend Hotel MX Roma (perfectly located, affordable, and with an awesome rooftop where you can enjoy takeaway tacos and a cold cerveza after a long day of city adventures) or Casa RM26 (a trendy co-live/co-work space with private rooms and apartments).
Days 4-5: Nevado de Toluca (4,680m)
After a few days of acclimatising in Mexico City, it’s finally time to tuck in your first volcano! Although it’s not the lowest summit overall (it’s about 200m higher than La Malinche), Nevado de Toluca gains the smallest amount of elevation and is the only summit on this list located west of Mexico City, so it makes the most sense to start here and work your way east.
- state: Estado de México
- full details: Nevado de Toluca Climbing Guide
Getting to Nevado de Toluca
On Day 4 of this itinerary, drive 4hrs from Mexico City to Nevado de Toluca National Park, located in Estado de México (State of Mexico).
The majority of this journey is on paved highways, but the final half-hour ascends steeply on a rough dirt road to reach the park entrance— the drive is manageable in any car (we did it in a compact sedan), but prepare to drive very slowly and carefully without high clearance!
💸 PERMITS & FEES FOR NEVADO DE TOLUCA
As of 2024, entry to the Nevado de Toluca Wildlife Protection Area is 58MXN ($3.5USD) per person, payable at the little office as you drive up to the trailhead and the camping area. You do not need any advance reservations or permits to climb Malinche!
Camping at Nevado de Toluca
There’s very basic camping available just below the Nevado de Toluca trailhead at 4,000m, and I’d recommend staying here both before AND after your climb (Nights 4 & 5). In addition to the entrance fees mentioned above, it costs 150MXN ($8USD) per tent to camp at Nevado de Toluca.
The camping area is just off the dirt road in a flat area that the staff will direct you to— we were the only people here both nights that we stayed! Be warned that it is extremely cold at this elevation and there’s no shelter or cooking area, so you’ll probably be boiling water for dinner in your tent vestibule. There are bathrooms at the entrance about 5min up the road, as well as 24/7 medics, but no other amenities to speak of, so come prepared!
Climbing Nevado de Toluca
- hike time: 6-7hrs
- distance: 8km (5mi)
- elevation gain: 750m (2,461ft)
- difficulty: moderate (sustained Class 2-3)
On Day 5, set off to climb Nevado de Toluca (4,680m), a spectacular crater-rim loop with panoramic views and some airy Class 2-3 scrambling. After a short but steep ascent to Paso del Quetzal, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Laguna del Sol, one of two glittering alpine lakes nestled inside the volcano’s massive 2km-wide crater. From here, the anti-clockwise loop runs the ridge, climbing across a string of rugged peaks to Pico del Fraile, the high point and official summit.
Expect a little bit of everything: scree, snowfields, boulder-hopping, and even some fun scrambling. Navigation can get tricky and the ridgeline is rough in places, but this is easily one of the most spectacular hikes in central Mexico— and a perfect warm-up for the remaining 3 summits!
🌋 Full breakdown of the route here: Nevado de Toluca hiking guide
Days 6-7: La Malinche (4,461m)
- state: Tlaxcala
- full details: La Malinche Trail Guide
Straddling the border between Puebla and Tlaxcala in one of central Mexico’s most beautiful national parks, La Malinche is a dormant volcano named for the Nahua woman who acted as an interpreter and intermediary for Hernán Cortés during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Once seen as a controversial figure, we now remember her as a strong woman navigating impossible circumstances— and this soaring peak is honoured by her name.
La Malinche is the most accessible and least technical volcano on this itinerary, but at 4,461m (14,635ft), it’s still a serious summit. Roughly 200m lower than Nevado de Toluca (but with double the elevation gain), it makes for a perfect second acclimatisation hike!
Getting to La Malinche
On Day 6, drive 5hrs east from Nevado de Tolocua to Centro Vacacional Malintzi, a campground right below the trailhead (2min walk). The entirety of the drive is on well-maintained paved roads suitable for any vehicle— stop in the town of Toluca for brekky and/or Tlaxcala for lunch on the way.
With traffic, food stops, and some inevitable slowdowns, expect the journey to take most of the day— but it’s a relaxed, scenic drive that still gives you time to check in, set up camp, and prep for tomorrow’s hike.
Camping at La Malinche
Centro Vacacional IMSS Malintzi is a truly phenomenal government-owned campsite right below the trailhead (2min walk in the morning). Plan on staying here Night 6 & Day 7, no advance reservations needed.
Having camped fairly extensively around Mexico in a variety of locations and situations, I can say that this is among the best campsites I have ever seen— even by international standards. For a minuscule 95MXN ($5USD) per person, you’ll get access to fire pits, BBQs, cooking shelters, hot showers, clean bathrooms, and grassy campsites separated by neatly trimmed hedges. There’s even a tasty restaurant and a little market on-site selling firewood, cold drinks, and basic snacks!
Climbing La Malinche
- hike time: 6hrs
- distance: 12km (7.5mi)
- elevation gain: 1,300m (4,265ft)
- difficulty: easiest (mostly trail, 10min of Class 2-3 at summit)
💸 PERMITS & FEES FOR LA MALINCHE
As of 2024, entry to Parque Nacional La Malinche (La Malinche National Park) is 58MXN ($3.5USD) per person, payable in cash at the CONANP booth right before the trailhead. You do not need any advance reservations or permits to climb Malinche!
On Day 7, climb La Malinche via a well-marked trail that winds from pine forest to volcanic scree, culminating in a short scramble to the summit at 4,461m. The route begins just 2min from last night’s campsite on an old access road, cutting uphill through the trees before breaking above the treeline for a wide-open view of the peak. From here, the trail steepens and the terrain becomes looser, but it’s straightforward to follow and rarely technical.
The real highlight is the view— Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl to the east, Pico de Orizaba to the south, and sweeping ridgelines all around. There’s a short Class 2 section just below the summit block, but it’s easy and secure. This is the least technical climb of the itinerary, and a great opportunity to test how you’re feeling at elevation before moving on to Mexico’s bigger objectives.
🌋 Full breakdown of the route here: La Malinche hiking guide
Days 8-9: Iztaccíhuatl (5,230m)
Mexico’s third-tallest mountain, Iztaccíhuatl (pronounced izz-talk-SEE-watt-uhl) marks a serious jump in both elevation and difficulty— but after after a week of acclimatisation and two successful climbs around 4,500m, you should be up for the challenge of the Sleeping Lady!
🌋 THE LEGEND OF IZTA & POPO
According to local legend in Tlaxcala, Iztaccíhuatl was a princess who died of heartbreak after receiving false news that her beloved, Popocatépetl, had perished in battle. On his return, Popo was devastated and carried her body to the mountains, where he built her a tomb and knelt beside her with a flaming torch as a sign of his eternal devotion.
Over time, the gods turned their bodies into mountains: Iztaccíhuatl lies dormant, shaped like a sleeping woman, while Popocatépetl remains active, his fiery plume said to be the flame of love that never went out.
Getting to Iztaccíhuatl
On Day 8 of this itinerary, drive 3hrs from La Malinche to Izta-Popo National Park, where you’ll need to check in at the Visitor Centre at Paso de Cortés. The first section of this drive is on paved roads in good conditions, but the latter half is a mess of rough dirt roads through the forest— it’s passable in any vehicle (I’ve personally done it in a small sedan and in a van), but requires some patience!
💸 PERMITS & FEES FOR IZTACCÍHUATL
As of 2024, entry to Parque Nacional Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl is 58MXN ($3.5USD) per person, payable in cash at the CONANP Visitor Centre located at Paso de Cortés. You do not need any advance reservations or permits to climb Iztaccíhuatl, BUT you may need a reservation to drive to the trailhead at La Joya— I highly recommend reading my detailed post on Izta to learn more about the weekend reservation system and road restrictions!
From Paso de Cortés, it’s a further 30min (9km) drive on a rough dirt road up to the trailhead and campsite at La Joya. Note that this road is only open from 9am-6pm and access is reservation-only on the weekends, so plan accordingly!
Camping at Iztaccíhuatl
The trailhead at La Joya offers very basic FREE camping at 4,000m and I’d highly recommend staying here on Day 8 to get some additional time at elevation and a 2-3am start for this long climb.
Both times I’ve been to La Joya, the toilets were locked, but there are a few small cooking shelters with tables, rubbish bins, and ladies selling hot tortillas at an absolute bargain. It’s also important to note that there is NO water here (or elsewhere on Iztaccíhuatl), so you must bring all the water you need to drink at camp AND on the climb, plus water for cooking.
Climbing Iztaccíhuatl
- hike time: 11hrs
- distance: 12km (7.5mi)
- elevation gain: 1,400m (4,593ft)
- difficulty: challenging (sustained Class 2-3, most of route above 5,000m)
Departing La Joya around 2–3am, the trail climbs steadily for several hours through Los Portillos (a series of four saddles) en route to Refugio Grupo de los Cien, a rustic mountain hut (free to use, but not one I’d recommend sleeping in).
From here, the terrain steepens into Class 2–3 scrambling, marking the start of the rugged Arista del Sol, or “Ridge of the Sun.”
The route winds its way across Iztaccíhuatl’s body— up the knees, across the glacier-covered belly, and finally to the summit on her breast at 5,230m. Between route-finding, exposed scrambling, steep scree, and a dizzying number of false summits, this is a demanding climb and, in many ways, harder than Pico de Orizaba. Helmets are essential throughout and microspikes/crampons are needed to safely descend/ascend the Glacier del Vientre.
With nearly half the day spent above 5,000m, the altitude is unrelenting, but Izta was my favourite of all the Mexican volcanoes— both for the fun scrambling and the unforgettable view of Popocatépetl steaming in the distance!
🌋 Full breakdown of the route here: Iztaccíhuatl climbing guide
Days 10-11: Puebla City
You’ll finish climbing Iztaccíhuatl around 2-4pm on Day 9 and I’d recommend driving down to Puebla that afternoon to enjoy 2 full days (and 3 nights) resting up ahead of Pico de Orizaba— ideally with a cold drink in hand and a plate of tacos árabes in front of you.
While Oaxaca gets all the hype, Puebla is one of my absolute favourite cities in Mexico; it’s more laid-back, less touristy, but every bit as vibrant and cultural! And the FOOD… mind-blowing.
Getting to Puebla
The drive from La Joya to Puebla takes about 2.5hrs and much of it is rough and slow-going, but once you reconnect with the main highway, it becomes much easier. Again, this is passable in any vehicle, but you’ll need to be patient and do a bit of manoeuvring!
If you’re too tired to tackle it after the climb, you could always camp again at La Joya and drive to Puebla the next morning, but I think a hot shower, comfortable bed, and real food sound pretty irresistible after a tiring 12hr climb and 6 straight nights of camping in the cold.
What to do in Puebla
Spend your days resting and recuperating, wandering around the picturesque Centro Histórico, and digging into Puebla’s legendary culinary scene. Some must-try dishes (and drinks) in Puebla:
- mole poblano: this rich, complex dish was invented in Puebla, but there are countless types of mole to appreciate!
- Mural de los Poblanos— classic, long-standing restaurant offering a Degustación de Moles to try classic mole poblano, pipián verde, pipián rojo, adobo, and manchamanteles
- Augurio— elevated, modern interpretations of this classic dish in a super trendy space
- Restaurante Casareyna— upscale spot, get the Plato de Dugustación to try mole poblano, pipián verde, pipián rojo, and mole blanco
- chile en nogada: Poblano chile stuffed with spiced meat and dried fruit, topped with creamy walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds, considered to be the national dish of Mexico (and available at most restaurants, including those listed above)
- tacos árabes: invented in Puebla by Lebanese immigrants, these are essentially Middle Eastern tacos, with spit-roasted pork in pita bread topped with yogurt and Arabic spices— a fantastic fusion and one of my favourite taco variations in all of Mexico!
- Tacos Árabes Bagdad Centro— awesome local shop with multiple locations
- Tacos Árabes Bariq— worth walking outside the Centro for these tacos
- pulque: a traditional fermented agave drink with over 2,000 years of history— slightly sour, lightly fizzy, and often served curado (flavoured with fruit, nuts, or spices)
- La Cálendula— stylish bar offering creative pulque cocktails alongside classic flavours
- El Nahual— cosy pulquería with the most extensive range of curados I’ve ever seen (think Blue Raspberry ICEE, Key Lime Pie, Mint Chocolate, and Blackberry Cheesecake)
- mezcal: small-batch agave spirit made by hand according to ancient techniques
- Urban Distillery— trendy bar serving beautiful cocktails and curated mezcal flights
- Mezcalería Miel de Agave— incredible selection of mezcal in a bright cafe
- San Pedrito Licorería— relaxed rooftop bar serving a range of mezcal and cocktails, often with live music
Where to stay in Puebla
Book 3 nights in Puebla at Collection O Al Otto Lado del Río, a lovely budget hotel perfectly located within the Centro Histórico. The rooftop bar and restaurant may come in handy if you’re too tired to venture out that first night after Izta! Alternatively, Hotel Boutique Casareyna is a great mid-range hotel with a pool, also in a great location.
Days 12-13: Pico de Orizaba (5,636m)
After nearly 2 weeks of progressive acclimatisation and three successful summits, it’s finally time to attempt the crown jewel of this itinerary: Pico de Orizaba. At 5,636m (18,490ft), this is not only the highest peak in Mexico, but also the tallest volcano in North America and third-highest mountain on the continent— an unforgettable alpine objective that demands fitness, technical skill, and mental grit.
Getting to Pico de Orizaba
On Day 12, drive 2hrs from Puebla to Tlachichuca, a sleepy town nestled at the base of the volcano. From here, it’s another 2hrs by 4WD to reach Refugio Piedra Grande, the main base camp below Pico de Orizaba at 4,260m.
You’ll need to arrange high-clearance transport, and I strongly recommend booking through Orizaba Glacier Climbers, who can also assist with luggage storage, accommodation in Tlachichuca after the climb, gear rental, and experienced mountain guides. Aim to arrive to the hut by ~1pm to grab a good bunk, squeeze in some additional acclimatisation at 4,260m, and sleep early ahead of a midnight alarm.
💸 PERMITS & FEES FOR IZTACCÍHUATL
As of 2024, entry to Parque Nacional Pico de Orizaba is 58MXN ($3.5USD) per person, payable in cash before you reach Refugio Piedra Grande. All local companies offering 4WD transport will know where to stop for you to pay for a CONANP bracelet and sign in with a few details.
Staying in the hut at Pico de Orizaba
Although it’s possible to camp in your own tent at Base Camp, there’s also a very basic (but surprisingly cozy) mountain hut located at Piedra Grande that is entirely free to stay in! You’ll need to haul up your own sleeping bag, pad, food AND water, plus bag out all waste (including toilet paper), but it’s wonderful to stay inside and depart for the climb warm and semi-rested.
Climbing Pico de Orizaba
Setting off from Refugio Piedra Grande around 1am, Pico de Orizaba is a true alpine climb, and the route unfolds in three distinct stages:
- the approach on scree: typically a rocky ascent, but depending on conditions, this section might be completely covered in snow (which will either make it much easier or much harder to follow the trail, depending on how many people have climbed since the snowfall)
- the Labyrinth: after ~2hrs of steady climbing, put on crampons and grab ice axes to help navigate the snow and ice; there are 2 ways to ascend the Labyrinth, either the steeper/shorter route that sticks to the right or a more gradual/longer route that leads off towards the left (we took the direct route since it was so cold)
- the Jamapa Glacier: approximately 3.5hrs from the hut, you’ll reach the base of the Jamapa Glacier and rope up; it’s a further ~2hrs to the summit, often in brutally cold, windy conditions
Despite the cold and altitude, climbing through the dark is a memorable experience— quiet, focused, and physically demanding. As you near the summit, the sunrise casts Pico’s distinctive pyramid shadow over the valley below, offering a spectacular view to mark the final push to the highest point in Mexico!
🌋 Full breakdown of the route here: Pico de Orizaba climbing guide
Staying in Tlachichuca
After descending the glacier and returning to Piedra Grande, catch your 4WD back to town in the afternoon and stay the night in Tlachichuca— Orizaba Glacier Climbers have an Airbnb or can help you organise other accommodation.
There’s not much in town, but you should be able to find some good food and cold beer to celebrate climbing all four of Mexico’s major volcanoes! If you want a bigger celebration, you might consider staying in Puebla (2hr drive), but I probably wouldn’t recommend the full 4hr drive back to Mexico City right after the climb.
Day 14: return to Mexico City
Drive 4.5hrs from Tlachichuca back to Mexico City via the MEX-150D cuota (toll road), a fast and safe highway that bypasses Puebla. If you’re feeling energetic, make a detour into Cholula to grab brunch near the massive pyramid topped by a yellow church with Popocatépetl looming behind— otherwise, cruise straight back to CDMX to catch your flight!
If you have more days in Mexico City, be sure to read my 5-day CDMX itinerary for inspiration!
Read more about climbing Mexico’s volcanoes
Iztaccíhuatl climbing guide -> Izta packing list
Pico de Orizaba climbing guide -> Pico packing list
High-elevation climbing: preventing & treating altitude sickness above 4,000m
