Highly Recommend Yacana Outdoors - Couldn't recommend Yacana Outdoors more! These guys were very professional, super prepared, and delivered a memorable experience. I didn't reach the summit due to altitude sickness and some tough conditions, but I'd still use this group again if I return for a second attempt. The guide had summited Denali, Aconcagua, and a number of other prominent peaks. The car pickup in Mexico City went smoothly. We had a great breakfast at a climbers hostel about 75 minutes from base camp. Cristino had all the necessary gear, gave a quick tutorial on crampons (my first time using them) and was generally a pleasure to be around. The base camp is about what you would expect. Sad to see so much trash floating around, but the hut was an adequate shelter from the elements outside. We went on a 45-minute acclimatization hike upon arrival then relaxed and tried to get as much sleep as possible before waking up at 11pm for a summit attempt beginning at midnight. The route we took was fairly mundane for the first ~2 hours. Easy pace. Largely stable footing over rocks and hard-packed dirt. The attempt became much more difficult with about ~2,400 feet elevation to go. We climbed through sand for about 1,000 feet before reaching ice with ~1,400 feet to go. I made it about 400 feet further. Our guide recommended turning back on account of the large amount of black ice in our route. Altitude sickness had set in for me at this point, and I took the recommendation/encouraged us to head down. Gutted to get that close and turn back, but I was honestly pretty cooked at this point. Cristino tried to convince me that we could still reach the top, but I ultimately called it off. 10/10 recommend giving this trip a go, but make sure you're extremely fit, have summited a 14er (at minimum) or two, have the appropriate attire as recommended by the guide service, and acclimatize as needed. I think I would have been better off committing more time to proper acclimatization - that's on me, not the guide service. Appreciate the vibes and memories, Yacana + Cristino!

Great organization and guidance for a safe and fun trip to Pico de Orizaba! Highly Recommend! - "The entire booking process was exceptionally informative, with all our queries addressed promptly and precisely. Ricardo's flawless English ensured seamless communication, eliminating any language barriers during trip planning. Although we initially aimed for the Iztaccihuatl hike, unforeseen circumstances—a regional fire—prevented it. Ricardo swiftly pivoted, organizing a trip to Pico de Orizaba with the exceptional guide, Mauricio, within just two days, accommodating our last-minute change. It's crucial to highlight the necessity of a guide for any hiker unfamiliar with the mountain's challenging terrain. Under Mauricio's guidance, we felt secure and at ease as we trekked to the summit and descended the volcano. The panoramic views from the top were truly breathtaking. Yacana left no detail overlooked, providing transportation, camping gear, and even a skilled cook who prepared delicious meals and coffee. After the hike, we were treated to an exquisite meal at a hostel in Oaxaca before returning to Mexico City. Without a doubt, we'll be entrusting Yacana with our next adventure, this time aiming for Iztaccihuatl."

Climbing Iztaccihuatl / Pico Orizaba - Coming from Guatemala, we wanted to climb the highest and most famous volcanos of Mexico - Iztaccihuatl and Orizaba by or own - without guide, but with professional help regarding transfers and local guidance "on the ground". Yacana Outdoors was the right partner for these trips. Right from the very first contact via E-Mail, all the communication - once we were in Latin America via Whatsapp - with Ricardo and later our "coordinator" Jose/Louis was very smooth and professional. Both spoke perfectly English although even Jose's Spanish was good to understand :) We had perfect weather (although it was definitely too dry everywhere in the region) and the time management was great. Although we brought many of the required equipment ourselves it wouldn't have been any problem to get sleeping bags, ropes etc. from Yacana. Instead of climbing up and down Orizaba on the same (nothern) route Yacana arranged for us a pick-up from the southern side. Once there we got informed that this "travers" of Orizaba is quite unusual - but highly recommended if you want to explore both sides. And although there might be cheaper agencies we can just highly recommend Yacana for outdoor tours in Latin America.

Pico de Orizaba and Iztaccihuatl - We highly recommend Yacana Outdoors for anybody looking for a custom guide service. Ricardo assessed our needs and established a full service itinerary for our team. This included some minor gear rentals, transportation, and overnight stays where needed. The trip was accentuated by his expert guide service coupled with another guide he secured for our team of 5. We enjoyed every aspect of our expedition with his professionalism, patience, and service orientation. We are pleased to report he exceeded our expectations and we accomplished successful summits on Pico de Orizaba and Iztaccihuatl

Wonderful experience - Ricardo and Yacana Outdoors provided a wonderful guided experience for our crew last week clmbing Pico de Orizaba and also Itza. Ricardo and his buddy, Mauricio, guided five (5) of us up Pico on Friday, November 12. In addition to guiding us on Pico, they picked us up at the Mexico City airport, provided transportation to Tlachichuca, hosted us in the Servimont Hostel with Geraldo and his team, and then guided us up and down Pico. It was a great experience and one that I recommend highly. Then, we left Pico and headed towards Izta, and we set up camp on Saturday evening for a early alpine start up Itza. One team went for the summit and were successful, and the other team chose to hike around the Izta mountains and trails. Both groups achieved their desired results. Then, lastly, Ricardo and Yacana Outdoors dropped us off at our hotel back in Mexico City for a final night before we headed back to the US. Yacana Outdoors did a great job throughout the entire trip - they provided transportation, all the food we needed, lodging options, technical gear that we needed, and expertise on both of these mountains. We are experienced mountaineers/alpinists, but we are so glad that we chose Yacana Outdoors to guide us. Thanks again, Ricardo and Mauricio for the wonderful adventure! Dean Flora

Sunrise above the sky in mexico - Pico De Orizaba tour was a great and unique experience. I suggest this tour to everyone that likes outdoor activities and mountains, and also to fit people that want something different from the beaches of Yucatan or Baja California. For the full hike I was surrounded by only nature, and I felt completely safe thanks to my very experienced and professional guide Mauricio. In general, I liked much the service quality and support provided by Pepe and Ricardo, and I will definitely join other Yacana Outdoor tours in the future! Highly recommended

Memories that will last a Lifetime - Summiting this peak was definitely an experience I will remember for ever!! Could not have done it without our guides Ricardo and Luis!! Super fun guys and provided all the essentials including gear and experience. Also spoke perfect english Wich was a big help as our spanish was minimal!! 10/10 recommend!!

Once in a lifetime! - We had an amazing once in a lifetime experience climbing Pico de Orizaba with Ricardo and Luis! They gave us everything we needed and were very knowledgeable and experienced! The climb was tough but worth it and we knew we could trust our guides. Highly recommended!!

I wish I brought my snowboard - Hi Yacana My friends and I thank you for the unforgettable guiding experience at the highest peaks in Mexico "Pico de Orizaba and Volcan Iztaccihuatl". Sorry for the delay in dropping a review, it has been such a difficult year for everyone that I almost forgot. I have to admit, it was a difficult climb specially the "Pico de Orizaba". However, with the very distinct landscapes and scenery, it gives you a complete different view of Mexico, I wish I had brought my snowboard lol. I look forward to the next hike with Yacana in the near future, let me know when Peru is added to your trips.

Amazing Trip!! - I want to congratulate Yacana outdoors for their superb organization and friendly experience. Mails were answered in minutes and provided concrete information regarding everything I needed from physical to nutrition. The hike with Ricardo was absolutely incredible, he knows well the mountains and paced me so we could reach the sunrise at the glacier of Orizaba. Couldn't be happier! Thanks a lot Yacana team and Ricardo!