Orizaba Express Team Climb
Orizaba Express Team Departure: $3,395 USD
Date: January 9 – 15, 2026
This is our most popular option. On this expedition, we will make the most of our time by transferring over to Tlachichuca and acclimatizing on the slopes of Orizaba, getting familiar with the mountain while dialing in our skills. From there, we will move to the mountain hut for more acclimatization hikes before moving to high camp to prepare for our summit bid.
On summit day, we will wake up early and head for the summit. This climbing consists of mostly moderate glaciated terrain with a few protected steeper sections that involve roped travel, solid cramping, and general snow-climbing skills.
Once we summit, we’ll descend back down to Thlachichuca, celebrating our success as a team with dinner and relaxation. The next day, we will transfer back to Mexico City and fly home. For those staying to climb Iztaccíhuatl with us, you will transfer to Paso de Cortés this day.
- If these dates don’t work for you, or you would like a private trip and private guide, we also build custom itineraries for many of our climbers.
- You can climb Pico de Orizaba as a standalone expedition, or you can round out your experience in Mexico with an additional climb on Iztaccíhuatl.
This expedition is our traditional guided team climb, which ascends the stunning Northern Route (also known as the Jamapa Glacier Route or the Normal Route). CTSS provides guidance, leadership, and expedition oversight by renowned expedition leader Mike Hamill, local guides, logistics, team gear, porters, food, and support for a summit attempt on Pico de Orizaba.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments, once submitted, are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and conditions. This is adventure travel, meaning things rarely go as planned, and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Mexico City one day early to avoid travel delays or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility.
- Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City and transfer to the hotel for gear checks, guide briefing, and a team dinner
- Day 2: Transfer to Tlachichuca, visit Teotihuacan along the way, and get settled into Tlachichuca
- Day 3: Acclimatization hike and skills refresher on the slopes of Orizaba
- Day 4: Move to the Piedra Grande Mountain Hut and take a short acclimatization hike
- Day 5: Move to high camp and prepare for summit bid
- Day 6: Summit Pico de Orizaba and descend to Tlachichuca for celebration and team dinner
- Day 7: Transfer to Mexico City and afternoon flights home or continue to Iztaccíhuatl add-on
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services and items of a personal nature, like flights, gear, and insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect.
Included in the Orizaba Express Expedition
- Guides
- Team hotels, mountain hut, and tents at double occupancy
- While on the mountain, breakfasts and dinners will be provided, but lunch is mountaineering style, which means a steady graze throughout the day to keep your energy levels high.
- All group transportation is provided while on the expedition. If you depart early, you are responsible for the added expenses for transport, lodging, rescue, and evacuation.
- Group gear, including fuel, ropes, safety gear, and tents
Excluded from the Orizaba Express Expedition
- Flights to and from Mexico City and associated travel expenses (e.g., hotels, excess baggage fees, visas, departure taxes, food) getting to and from Mexico
- All costs incurred by you prior to the start date of the trip and after the end date
- Mexican visa fees, if applicable
- In-town and off-mountain meals in Mexico (we will just split the bill at the end of each meal)
- Personal climbing gear and snacks
- Any additional meals and transportation outside the expedition
- Expenses while on the expedition that are above and beyond the normal scope of the trip, such as medical treatment, evacuation, trip interruption, rescues, snacks, flight changes, alcohol, gifts for friends and family, specialty coffees, and bottled water, among others
- Expenses incurred due to events outside CTSS's control, such as delays or interruptions, political events, natural events, or disasters. These may include additional expenses, such as extra hotel nights, resulting from delays.
- Trip insurance policy that includes personal climbing, medical, rescue, evacuation, trip interruption, and trip cancellation insurance
- Single-room accommodations, if desired and pre-booked
- Guide tips (customary but optional)
- Bar tabs, minibars, hotel internet bills, laundry, etc.