Pico de Orizaba
Pico de Orizaba (also known as Citlaltépetl which means Star Mountain in the Náhuatl language) is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America, after Denali of the United States and Mount Logan of Canada.
From the west it towers over the town of Tlachichuca in the form of a beautiful white cone. The glacier starts around 16,400 feet and covers the upper aspects of the mountain.
Trip plan
We will pick you up at the destination of your choice (usually Mexico City International Airport or hotel) and transport you to Tlachichuca.
Based on your choice we either spend the night in Tlachichuca at Canchola house (have dinner, good night sleep and head up to base camp after breakfast) or take jeeps and drive approximately 2 hours on 4×4 road to Piedra Grande Hut Base Camp that is located at an elevation of 4,270 m (14,010 ft) above sea level.
Our guides will take you on a short acclimatization hike above 15,000 ft while our crew cooks fresh dinner to be ready upon your return. The next day we get up early (around 1 AM), eat breakfast and start climbing. Based on the actual conditions, our guides will pick the best route through the labyrinth and on to the glacier. After summiting, we return back to the base camp, where a warm lunch will be ready. After a little rest, we will take the jeeps and head back to Tlachichuca.
You will have a choice to stay at Canchola house one more night or we can transport you back to your hotel (or your next adventure).
Acclimatization
If you are coming from sea-level or area with much lower altitude, we recommend to add a few more days for acclimatization. You can stay in Mexico City (7,382′), climb Nevado de Toluca (15,354′) or Malinche (14,636′).
Our team has the expertise to recommend an itinerary based on each client group’s needs and create an acclimatization plan to increase your ability to summit.
Our guides are EMT trained and ready to respond to acute altitude sickness symptoms.
Altitude: 18,491 feet.
Activity: Two days.
Entity: Puebla and Veracruz Estates.
Location: Pico de Orizaba National Park.