If you want to stay in the Altzomoni Lodge (Albergue), apparently you are supposed to get the key in Amecameca (though one online source says Paso de Cortes?).
We didn't know this and got all the way up there with no key and we left the tent down in Amecameca.
We stayed at the hut at Paso de Cortes since the Altzomoni hut is easily booked out. For logistics, we used a local company from Mexico City who offer transportation, lodging at Paso de Cortes and food+water (before your climb, lunch for your backpack and warm lunch at your return) for a really good price and I'm happily passing over their contact: nomadatravelmexico at gmail.
Hi, I want climb Iza in this December but I’m 17 years old. I will climb it with my 25 years old friend, will I have a problem to get my permit because of my age!?
Tnank you!
- Day 0: we stayed at Hotel Fontesanta, great hotel for the value. The bus from Mexico city can drop you off in front of it. Hitchhiking or taking a collectivo to Paso de Cortez can be done easily from A Tlamapas road.
- Day 1: If you camp at la Joya, try to set up your campsite isolated, far from the parking. It can be noisy at night.
- Day 2: Grupo de Los Cien is full of mouses. Be careful with your food. There are not really afraid by humans, if you sleep in lower banks, they would jump on your sleeping back during the night.
- Day 3: Crampons were highly recommended, we did not use them.
- I did the ascension from Saturday to Monday in Mid-December. Trails were crowded on Saturday and Sunday. We were alone on Monday and did cross only 2 people around to la Joya.
There are buses from Cholula to Xalitzintla from where a bus every 1-2 hours to Paso de Cortez (going all the way to Amecameca). No taxis in Xalitzintla or San Nicolas de los Ranchos as of Sept. 2019 and they hadn't heard of them. In September it would be completely impossible without crampones, conditions were all the way very snowy and icy.
I've climbed Izta 2X now, and was on the mountain climbing The Feet only this year (Los Pies). We climbed on January 9th 2020, the date of a large eruption on nearby Popo, which occurred about 630AM when we were a couple miles up the trail nearing the saddle between Izta proper and the Feet. I later measured this distance to be about 7 air miles from the summit of Popo. For about 10 seconds I thought we were doomed, then I realized the lava that was spewing forth was merely tumbling down the sides of the mountain. My fears turned to a fire coming across to the Izta parking area, but again that was not to be. For two hours we had ash rain down on us. Click on the link from the observatory camera near the highway saddle:
You never know what shape the mountain will be in, so come prepared. We dayhike the peak after suitable acclimation hikes, including La Malinche, Sierra Negra, or Nevado de Toluca. No need to camp up high, the hike is manageable if you are acclimated to 15,000'+. This January of 2020, most of the snow was completely gone, microspikes were suitable according to my friends who climbed Izta while I scrambled up The Feet.
I agree totally that Antonio Guzman is an excellent choice for transportation from Mexico City to Tlachichuca, and other points of interest. His rates are reasonable, and his English is good. Great guy. He can handle up to 8 or so in his large van, and he can procure an additional driver as needed. He knows where to stay, eat, etc.
Another guide who has hundreds of ascents on Orizaba and Izta is Vicente Azpeitia. Vicente can provide transportation to a smaller group of a few climbers, and will accompany the group to other peaks. His English is Fair at best, so it would be in your best interests to have at least one member of the team have a moderate ability to speak Spanish. Again, great guy. vicenteazpeitia@yahoo.com.mx
Finally, if you find yourself in the city of Puebla halfway between Mexico City and Tlachichuca, perhaps while climbing La Malinche, seek out the Puebla Plate Lady. Her name is Concepcion Perez, and she sits on a street corner near the famous market alley. She creates artwork on a plate via finger painting with acrylic paint. Her subjects are of course the volcanoes; Popo, Izta, Orizaba. Cost is minimal, perhaps ~$10. She made 8 or so for us in a few hours while we had dinner nearby. Close examination of the finished work reveals the fingerprints, amazing how she does it. She wraps her pieces in plastic wrap to keep them clean until you get home, careful of fresh paint not drying when wrapped tightly... She speaks Zero English... http://www.pueblaplatelady.com/
If you're driving your own car or a rental, as of 2023 there is now a requirement to reserve a parking spot at La Joya. If you fail to get this reservation, which must be done at least five days in advance, you have to leave your car at Paso De Cortez and walk or hitchhike the 7 kilometers to La Joya.
I believe the reservation can be made at the link below, but I haven't done it because I was surprised by the requirement and hitchhiked to La Joya.
https://reservaciones.conanp.gob.mx/vistas/index.php
Scott - Dec 31, 2016 8:12 pm - Voted 10/10
IMPORTANT!If you want to stay in the Altzomoni Lodge (Albergue), apparently you are supposed to get the key in Amecameca (though one online source says Paso de Cortes?).
We didn't know this and got all the way up there with no key and we left the tent down in Amecameca.
MishaCZ - Aug 7, 2017 12:30 pm - Hasn't voted
LogisticsWe stayed at the hut at Paso de Cortes since the Altzomoni hut is easily booked out. For logistics, we used a local company from Mexico City who offer transportation, lodging at Paso de Cortes and food+water (before your climb, lunch for your backpack and warm lunch at your return) for a really good price and I'm happily passing over their contact: nomadatravelmexico at gmail.
Oleksii Pivtorak - Oct 13, 2018 1:06 pm - Hasn't voted
About a permit of ascension.Hi, I want climb Iza in this December but I’m 17 years old. I will climb it with my 25 years old friend, will I have a problem to get my permit because of my age!?
Tnank you!
Oleksii Pivtorak
Bertrand - Dec 18, 2018 1:01 am - Hasn't voted
Few comments- Day 0: we stayed at Hotel Fontesanta, great hotel for the value. The bus from Mexico city can drop you off in front of it. Hitchhiking or taking a collectivo to Paso de Cortez can be done easily from A Tlamapas road.
- Day 1: If you camp at la Joya, try to set up your campsite isolated, far from the parking. It can be noisy at night.
- Day 2: Grupo de Los Cien is full of mouses. Be careful with your food. There are not really afraid by humans, if you sleep in lower banks, they would jump on your sleeping back during the night.
- Day 3: Crampons were highly recommended, we did not use them.
- I did the ascension from Saturday to Monday in Mid-December. Trails were crowded on Saturday and Sunday. We were alone on Monday and did cross only 2 people around to la Joya.
felixrulz - May 5, 2019 8:12 pm - Voted 8/10
Entrance FeeWas up there the last two days. The entrance fee is now 36 pesos per day.
AnniinaH6C9trXd - Jan 6, 2020 3:01 am - Voted 1/10
Transport from PueblaThere are buses from Cholula to Xalitzintla from where a bus every 1-2 hours to Paso de Cortez (going all the way to Amecameca). No taxis in Xalitzintla or San Nicolas de los Ranchos as of Sept. 2019 and they hadn't heard of them. In September it would be completely impossible without crampones, conditions were all the way very snowy and icy.
DaveCovill - Mar 26, 2020 2:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Izta thoughtsI've climbed Izta 2X now, and was on the mountain climbing The Feet only this year (Los Pies). We climbed on January 9th 2020, the date of a large eruption on nearby Popo, which occurred about 630AM when we were a couple miles up the trail nearing the saddle between Izta proper and the Feet. I later measured this distance to be about 7 air miles from the summit of Popo. For about 10 seconds I thought we were doomed, then I realized the lava that was spewing forth was merely tumbling down the sides of the mountain. My fears turned to a fire coming across to the Izta parking area, but again that was not to be. For two hours we had ash rain down on us. Click on the link from the observatory camera near the highway saddle:
https://earthsky.org/earth/volcano-popocatepetl-eruption-mexico-jan-9-2020?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=email_this&utm_source=email
You never know what shape the mountain will be in, so come prepared. We dayhike the peak after suitable acclimation hikes, including La Malinche, Sierra Negra, or Nevado de Toluca. No need to camp up high, the hike is manageable if you are acclimated to 15,000'+. This January of 2020, most of the snow was completely gone, microspikes were suitable according to my friends who climbed Izta while I scrambled up The Feet.
I agree totally that Antonio Guzman is an excellent choice for transportation from Mexico City to Tlachichuca, and other points of interest. His rates are reasonable, and his English is good. Great guy. He can handle up to 8 or so in his large van, and he can procure an additional driver as needed. He knows where to stay, eat, etc.
Another guide who has hundreds of ascents on Orizaba and Izta is Vicente Azpeitia. Vicente can provide transportation to a smaller group of a few climbers, and will accompany the group to other peaks. His English is Fair at best, so it would be in your best interests to have at least one member of the team have a moderate ability to speak Spanish. Again, great guy. vicenteazpeitia@yahoo.com.mx
Finally, if you find yourself in the city of Puebla halfway between Mexico City and Tlachichuca, perhaps while climbing La Malinche, seek out the Puebla Plate Lady. Her name is Concepcion Perez, and she sits on a street corner near the famous market alley. She creates artwork on a plate via finger painting with acrylic paint. Her subjects are of course the volcanoes; Popo, Izta, Orizaba. Cost is minimal, perhaps ~$10. She made 8 or so for us in a few hours while we had dinner nearby. Close examination of the finished work reveals the fingerprints, amazing how she does it. She wraps her pieces in plastic wrap to keep them clean until you get home, careful of fresh paint not drying when wrapped tightly... She speaks Zero English... http://www.pueblaplatelady.com/
achiquit - Jan 3, 2024 6:23 am - Hasn't voted
Additional Red TapeIf you're driving your own car or a rental, as of 2023 there is now a requirement to reserve a parking spot at La Joya. If you fail to get this reservation, which must be done at least five days in advance, you have to leave your car at Paso De Cortez and walk or hitchhike the 7 kilometers to La Joya.
I believe the reservation can be made at the link below, but I haven't done it because I was surprised by the requirement and hitchhiked to La Joya.
https://reservaciones.conanp.gob.mx/vistas/index.php