Climbing Orizaba (5636 m) + travel to Mexico.

Participants gather in Mexico City (2240 ​​m). Here, historical buildings and skyscrapers made of metal and glass, unpresentable “eateries” and restaurants with elegant cuisine, abandoned alleys and busy streets coexist in friendly harmony. Check-in at the hotel late in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

After a long flight, it is better to get a good night’s sleep and plan a walk around the center of Mexico City: Zocalo Square, the Cathedral and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, at the end of the day you can go to Garibaldi Square, where street singers mariachi gather. You can spend part of the day in the suburbs of Mexico City in the colorful town of Pachuca. The city is notable for its colorful neighborhoods on the hills and huge murals (wall paintings). Additionally, today at dawn you can plan a visit to the Teotehuacan pyramids in a hot air balloon. Night at the hotel.

On the way to Puebla we will stop in the town of Cholula. Its main attraction is considered to be a huge pyramid – the largest in Mexico. In the past, it was a temple of the god Quetzalcoatl. On top of the Great Pyramid of Cholula in 1666, the Spaniards built a Christian temple, which was to become a symbol of victory over paganism. Puebla is certainly not a “Mexican” city, more like the capital of some European state, however, it is not without its own flavor. The landscapes in the vicinity of Puebla are simply magnificent. The city itself and its entire historical center are included in the UNESCO world heritage. There are no modern high-rise buildings, the architecture is made in the Baroque style, which creates a feeling of comfort. Puebla is often called the gastronomic capital of the country. Night at the hotel. Distance 120 km by car.

In the morning we will visit the souvenir market, walk along the narrow streets. Closer to lunch we will go to the volcano La Malinche. On the way there are attractive views of the volcano Popocatepel. We will settle in small houses for 4, 6, or 9 people with a fireplace, shower. We begin acclimatization. The shelter is already at an altitude of 3100 m. In the evening we walk, rest before tomorrow. Night in a guest house.

Early rise and breakfast. The ascent to the volcano La Malinche (4450 m) starts no later than 6:00. At the beginning, the route goes along a forest path (firs, pines). The steepness of the ascent is up to 40 °. Then along the path between alpine meadows, then along a rocky path. The ascent takes about 6-7 hours up and 3-4 hours down. From the top you can see the volcano Orizaba. Snack at the top. Descent to the car. Transfer by car to the village of Zoopan, at the foot of Orizaba, altitude 3000 m. Accommodation in a guest house for 3-4 people. Night in a guest house. Distance 8 km, difference ↑/↓ 1350 m.

After breakfast, we pack up, load our things into jeeps and leave for the southern base camp of the Orizaba volcano. On the way, we visit the Cantona pyramid. Lunch and transfer by SUV to the Piedra Grande refuge under the Orizaba peak, a 2-hour journey. Accommodation in tents or in a refuge, if there are free places. The remaining time we prepare, if necessary, we learn to walk on scree and a volcanic slope, use crampons, adjust the equipment. Night in the refuge.

After breakfast we move towards Mount Orizaba to the 4700 mark. If necessary, we will conduct classes on the technique of moving in crampons and self-arrest with an ice axe here on the nearest snowfield. Early dinner and lights out no later than 19:00. If desired, you can move the camp to an altitude of 4700 meters to start higher. Night in the shelter.

Early rise. Departure to the mountain no later than 2:00. We will meet the sunrise under the summit. Descent to the Piedra Grande refuge, short rest, eat and continue the descent (already by car) to the village of Zoapan. In the evening, a gala dinner in honor of the ascent to the Orizaba volcano. Night in a guest house. The nature of the ascent to Orizaba is along a snow-ice, firn slope, in places 35-45 °. The ascent begins at an altitude of 4200, where the Piedra Grande refuge is located. The first part of the route (1.5-2 hours) passes along a rocky path with a steepness of 20-30 degrees. The second (1-2 hours) – along a path with snow and ice between stones and rocks. The third part (about 4 hours) passes through an open ice field without cracks and any obstacles. In November, this is usually dense snow, from February there is ice.
On average, the ascent lasts 8-10 hours. The descent is 3-4 hours. The ascent is along the northern slope, so the feeling of cold does not leave you until the very top.
Distance 15 km, difference ↑/↓ 1440 m.

If we don’t need this day, we’ll spend it on an extra day in the Pacific Ocean, where we can go surfing or visit turtle beach.

Oaxaca De Juarez is a pearl of colonial cities (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Evening walk through the historic center of Oaxaca. The state of Oaxaca is the birthplace of mezcal (agave vodka) – On the way to the city, we will stop at one of the craft mezcalerias, where mezcal is made according to ancient recipes. Overnight at the hotel. Distance 310 km, about 5 hours by car. End of the climbing program, on this day you can plan a flight home from Mexico City.

Visit to the Zapotec capital Monte Alban (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Zapotec civilization, masters of cranial trepanation, another mysterious people of Mesoamerica, not much inferior in culture to the Aztecs and Mayans. The city itself is permeated with magic and tranquility. Small streets, churches and colonial architecture encourage a leisurely life, memories and unexpected encounters. On the way, visit the town of Tule, where the largest tree in the world grows, the trunk of which can be embraced by 40 men holding hands. The tree is 1400 years old! Transfer through the mountains to the ocean in the Salina Cruz area. We will stay in the picturesque resort of Punta Conejo, practically on the wild coast of the Pacific Ocean. Night at the hotel. Distance 270 km, 5 hours by car + pyramids. End of the ascent program, on this day you can plan a flight from Mexico City home. In the morning you will fly to Mexico City airport.

Breakfast. Early departure from the hotel. Visit to Sumidero Canyon. On this day we will take a beautiful trip on motorboats along the full-flowing Grijalva River, where crocodiles live, and in the adjacent forests you can hear the cries of spider monkeys. The rocks of the canyon gorge rise into the sky to a height of 1200 meters, the landscapes are incredible. Arrival in the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas. Churches of the 16th century, colonial architecture, Indians who do not want to change their traditional clothes for European clothes, selling simple local souvenirs, the sounds of the marimba – a local xylophone, cobblestone pavements. Accommodation at the hotel. Rest. Night at the hotel. Distance by car – 380 km, 8 hours with a stop at the canyon.

Want to see the descendants of famous Mayans? Welcome to the town of Zinacantan, home to one of the Mayan peoples, the Tzotzil tribe, who have managed to preserve their traditions, way of life, language, and even continue to wear the clothes of their distant ancestors. The Tzotzil have shown a certain flexibility, having managed to introduce Catholic elements into their foundations. A visit to the Tzotzil Mayan Temple in San Juan Chamula, where modern Mayans perform unique rituals of animal sacrifices… How does this happen in reality? We will find out only after visiting there in person! It is forbidden to take pictures in the temple. The Tzotzil believe that with a photo you can take away a person’s soul… A visit to the picturesque El Chiflon waterfall. Return to San Cristobal de La Casas. Another night in this colorful town. Distance by car – 170 km.

Today we fly to Merida, a city in the southwest of Yucatan. From the airport, we take a private car to the Celestun National Biosphere Reserve, which is located on the west coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Gulf of Mexico. This place is known for its diversity of fauna, especially birds, among the most famous is the Yucatan pink flamingo. Here we will take a trip on motorboats along a long sea bay among the mangrove jungle. Visit to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza (UNESCO World Heritage site) – the most important and most famous Mayan city on the Yucatan Peninsula. Inspection of the ruins. “Pyramid of Kukulkan” or “El Castillo” – one of the new seven wonders of the world. If desired, you can stop by the pyramids of Uxmal.

Today we move to a picturesque town in the northwestern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. On the way we will visit the archaeological site of Chichen Itza (UNESCO World Heritage site) – the most important and most famous Mayan city. Inspection of the ruins. “Pyramid of Kukulkan” or “El Castillo” – one of the new seven wonders of the world. Before visiting the pyramids, we will go to one of the most beautiful cenotes – Cenote Ik-Kil. Distance by car – 300 km, about 7-8 hours with stops to inspect Chichen Itza and Cenote Ik-Kil.

Enjoy the warm sea. Optional trip to the Tulum pyramids, turtle coast or reef diving. Overnight at the hotel.

The journey is over. Those who have the opportunity and desire to stay can continue to get to know Yucatan or relax by the sea. The rest fly to Mexico City, using domestic airlines (departure from Cancun airport), you can also fly home directly from Cancun.