The Details
Day 1
Arrive in Mexico City and Meet the Team
Welcome to Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world. Your guides will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. You’ll have time to freshen up before the welcome dinner, where you can meet your teammates and learn more about the adventure ahead.
Day 2
Acclimatization Hike to Nevado de Toluca
Get a taste of the challenge to come with this hike up the extinct volcano Nevado de Toluca, the fourth tallest peak in Mexico at over 15,000 feet.
This day will be used to acclimatize you and your teammates to the high elevation, so you will be prepared for the trek up Iztaccihuatl.
Day 3
Rest Day: Xochimilco Tour
This morning, travel to Xochimilco, a suburb of Mexico City and a World Heritage Site famous for its system of pre-Columbian canals and floating gardens.
The afternoon is yours to explore Mexico City at your leisure and get ready for another morning of hiking.
Day 4
El Desierto de los Leones Hike
“The desert of lions” is a high-elevation forest in the Valley of Mexico, where you can stroll through pine trees to a well-preserved seventeenth century convent. After lunch, return to Mexico City to recuperate before the big challenge tomorrow!
Day 5
First Day of Iztaccihuatl Challenge
This is it: the challenge begins. Drive through the Valley of Mexico to the trailhead at 12,000 feet above sea level and start the climb. The name Iztaccihuatl means “white woman” in Nahuatl, for its four snow-covered peaks that bear resemblance to a sleeping woman.
It is a dormant volcano and the third highest peak in Mexico at 17,160 ft. The climb will be steep and the air will be thin at such a high elevation, but after a challenging day of hiking, you can refuel with a delicious meal cooked by your guides and a well-deserved rest at camp. Get a good night’s sleep before the hike to the summit tomorrow.
Day 6
Summit Iztaccihuatl and Celebrate!
Rise and shine for the final push to the summit of Iztaccihuatl, where you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the sun rising over the mountains and a 360 degree vista of the Valley of Mexico, including Popocatepetl, an active volcano nicknamed “the smoking mountain.”
After soaking in the sights, begin your descent from the summit back to the trailhead and return to Mexico City for a dinner to celebrate your victory.
Day 7
Tour of Mexico City
Take the morning to relax and recuperate after your grand accomplishment. In the afternoon, join your guides for a tour of the capital city. Discover the magnificent architecture along Paseo de la Reforma and learn about the history of Mexico’s government while gazing at Chapultepec Castle. Back at the hotel, recap your adventure and enjoy a final meal with your teammates at the farewell dinner.
Day 8
Departure
Say one last goodbye to Mexico and transfer to the airport for your departure. You also have the option to explore this vibrant country in more depth with a customized extension trip in the region.
Interested in planning a charity challenge for your team? Email us or click here for more information!
