| One of the more popular mountain climbing | | | | to get a ride on a four-wheel drive vehicle, which |
| itineraries, aside from Mount Everest, is the Pico | | | | you can rent if you want to travel by yourself. If |
| de Orizaba in Mexico. It is also referred to as | | | | you purchased a package deal from a reputable |
| Citlaltepetl (Aztec for Star Mountain) and is the | | | | expedition service, more than likely your |
| highest mountain in Mexico, rising up to 18,490 | | | | transportation is included in the service. If you |
| feet above sea level. The mountain sits on the | | | | prefer, you can rent horses and donkeys to carry |
| border between the states of Veracruz and | | | | your gear. |
| Puebla. Pico de Orizaba is actually a dormant | | | | The best time to go up the mountain is between |
| volcano whose last eruption occurred in 1687. It is | | | | November and March when the moisture and ice |
| considered the 2nd most prominent volcanic peak | | | | have abated just enough for less dangerous |
| in the world after Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. | | | | conditions. There is a base camp called the Piedra |
| There are many reasons why avid mountaineers | | | | Grande Hut that can accommodate the sleeping |
| love visiting El Pico de Orizaba. First among the | | | | arrangements of 40-60 people. If you want more |
| reasons is the simple factor of logistics. Because | | | | privacy, you can pitch your own tents. However, |
| of Orizaba's popularity, there are many facilities, | | | | all your basic needs like food, water and fuel, you |
| accommodations, guides and equipment rentals | | | | will need to bring yourself. If you discover that |
| available for people who wish to climb the | | | | you didn't bring enough water for the journey, |
| mountain. For instance, you may choose to arrive | | | | water is abundantly available by melting the snow |
| and leave from Mexico City simply because of | | | | and ice from the glacier itself. It is advisable to boil |
| the numerous flight options. If you're willing to | | | | the water as a safety precaution. |
| spend more for your trip, you may have your | | | | If you and your team are exceptionally fit, it |
| choice of first class accommodations, shopping | | | | should take you anywhere from 6 to 10 hours to |
| and dining within the city. The town of Puebla also | | | | reach the summit from base camp. The return |
| has its own small airport as well as lodging and | | | | trip will take approximately half the time it took |
| facilities for the more adventurous mountaineers. | | | | you to reach summit. It is important that you |
| However, if you want to get acclimated fast into | | | | return to base camp before early afternoon as |
| the environment around Pico de Orizaba, you may | | | | the afternoon sun will start melting the ice, |
| want to try staying at Tlachichuca, a town which | | | | significantly elevating the risk level of your return |
| rests on the doorstep of the majestic mountain. | | | | trip. When you do reach summit, you will need to |
| The town may not have five star | | | | take extra precaution when you walk around the |
| accommodations but they do provide complete | | | | crater as there have been incidences of climbers |
| facilities with beds, showers and toilets. Not too | | | | falling into the crater. |
| mention, if you stay in Tlachichuca, you will have a | | | | As long as you are properly equipped with the |
| better chance of meeting other climbers and have | | | | necessary gear and you employ an experienced |
| better luck finding and negotiating with your tour | | | | Orizaba mountain guide, you should be able to |
| guides. There are buses which can take you | | | | climb Pico de Orizaba without incident. One last bit |
| between Mexico City and Puebla. You may need | | | | of warning: don't forget your sun block! |