Season 2026 · October to December
Iztaccíhuatl · Summit Quest
Two days of high-altitude climbing to reach the 5,230-meter summit of the Sleeping Woman and watch the sunrise from the top. Departing from Mexico City, with one guide for every two participants.
Summit Quest
Not a tour. An expedition.
Iztaccíhuatl is the third-highest mountain in Mexico and, for many, their first great summit. Its Nahuatl name means “white woman,” and its silhouette —head, chest, knees and feet— gave rise to the legend of the Sleeping Woman who keeps watch beside Popocatépetl.
We sleep at La Joya camp, start the ascent at midnight and reach the summit at sunrise. It is a demanding yet generous mountain: ideal for hikers who already walk rugged terrain above 4,000 m and are looking for their next high-altitude challenge.
The hybrid experience
Making the unconscious conscious
At Odyssey we see the mountain as a living territory. Climbing Iztaccíhuatl means walking the same landscape that for centuries marked the rains, the farming cycles and the rituals of the peoples of the central highlands. The experience is physical and cultural: you live first-hand how the relationship between people and their environment shapes traditions.
A mountain with a name
Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl form one of the most enduring pairs in Mexico’s memory. Along the way we tell you where their legend comes from and what it says about those who told it.
The body learns altitude
Sleeping at La Joya and climbing at night has a reason: it is how you adapt to altitude and reach the summit with the first light of day.
Sunrise at 5,230 meters
From the summit, the sun rises over the clouds and the neighboring volcanoes. It is the moment that gives meaning to the whole night of climbing.
Altitude
5,230 m
Summit of Iztaccíhuatl
Duration
2 days
1 night camping at La Joya
Group
1 to 8 people
1 guide for every 2 participants
Level
Intermediate
Experience hiking rugged terrain above 4,000 m and regular physical activity
Season 2026
Dates & availability
Choose your departure. The calendar shows live availability for our Iztaccíhuatl and Pico de Orizaba expeditions.
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- Few spots left
- Sold out
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Availability updates automatically every time a booking is confirmed.
Day by day
Itinerary
Day 1 · Mexico City – La Joya camp
- 6:00 am · Departure from our meeting point near Viaducto metro station, Mexico City.
- Arrival at La Joya camp, setup and time to rest and acclimatize.
- Mountain dinner included. Early to bed: the night will be short.
Day 2 · Summit and return
- 12:00 am · Bread and coffee, and off we go: the ascent begins.
- Sunrise · Summit of Iztaccíhuatl, 5,230 m.
- Around 2:00 pm · Back at camp; we break camp.
- Around 7:00 pm · Arrival in Mexico City.
Times are approximate and may change depending on mountain and group conditions.
What’s included
- Round-trip transportation from Mexico City
- Specialized guides: 1 for every 2 participants
- Certified safety equipment
- National park entrance fees
- Mountain dinner at camp
- Bread and coffee before heading to the summit
- Water to refill your bottles and hot water for coffee or tea
- Remote Concierge: WhatsApp support before, during and after the expedition
Not included
- Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Available for rent: sleeping pad MXN $100, sleeping bag MXN $150, two-person tent MXN $350
- Other meals and drinks
- Medical insurance. We recommend a policy that covers mountain activities
- VAT (IVA). If you need a Mexican tax invoice, VAT is added to the price
What to bring
Required personal gear:
- 30 L mountaineering backpack
- Category 3–4 sunglasses with UV protection
- Layered clothing system
- Fleece gloves, at minimum
- Long-sleeve synthetic base layer
- Semi-rigid mountaineering boots
Avoid cotton: it holds moisture and chills the body.
Price & booking
Reserve your spot
Price per person
$5,400 MXN
VAT (IVA) not included. If you need a Mexican tax invoice (factura), VAT is added.
Deposit to reserve your spot
$1,000 MXN
Deducted from the total price. The balance is paid one day before the expedition, or in cash on the day, at boarding.
- The deposit is non-refundable. You can reschedule with at least 7 days’ notice; with less notice or if you do not show up, the full amount paid is lost. You can transfer your spot to another person at no cost.
- The balance is paid one day before the expedition, or in cash on the day, at boarding.
- If the weather does not allow a safe ascent, we offer to reschedule.
- If you do not reach the summit because of your own condition or decision, there is no refund. We may offer a discount for a future attempt.
- Minimum age: 18. Groups of 1 to 8 people.
- Once your spot is confirmed, we send you the registration form, to be completed by each participant.
- Read our full Cancellation & Refund Policy.
Secure payment with Mercado Pago: credit or debit card (interest-free monthly installments available on eligible Mexican cards), cash at convenience stores or SPEI transfer. If you prefer, an advisor can assist you on WhatsApp, and we also accept direct bank transfers with no fees.
Who leads you
Your expedition leader
César is a historian, the founder of Odyssey Adventure MX and a guide with nearly 8 years of experience across Mexico. He leads most of our departures and, along the way, shares the history and meaning of the mountain.
He is joined by experienced guides trained in backcountry rescue, with one guide for every two participants.
Remote Concierge included
From the moment you reserve until you are back home, a real person from our team is one WhatsApp message away to help you before, during and after the expedition. Learn more about Remote Concierge.
Your high-altitude path
One summit prepares the next
Our expeditions follow a sequence: first Iztaccíhuatl, then Pico de Orizaba and, for those who want to go further, the volcanoes of Guatemala.
Step 1
Iztaccíhuatl · 5,230 m
Your first great summit: a two-day high-altitude expedition from Mexico City.
You are here
Step 3
Fuego y Raíz · Guatemala
Eight days between Volcán de Fuego, Acatenango, Lake Atitlán and living Maya culture. January 2027.
Your questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Do I need previous experience?
Yes: experience hiking rugged terrain above 4,000 m and regular physical activity.
Where is the meeting point?
Near Viaducto metro station in Mexico City. We share the exact location on WhatsApp once your spot is confirmed.
Where do we sleep?
In tents at La Joya camp. If you do not have gear, you can rent a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
What if the weather does not allow the climb?
We offer to reschedule your departure.
Is insurance included?
No. We recommend a medical insurance policy that covers mountain activities.
Can you issue an invoice?
Yes. Prices do not include VAT; if you need a Mexican tax invoice (factura), VAT is added.
Does Iztaccíhuatl prepare me for Pico de Orizaba?
Yes. To join our Pico de Orizaba expedition we ask for previous experience on Iztaccíhuatl or La Malinche.
Every expedition starts with a conversation
Message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose a date, prepare your gear and arrive ready for the mountain.