-
12 Days Kilimanjaro climbing - Marangu route and
Zanzibar beach holiday ( Mount Kilimanjaro)
Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, Transfer to a
kibo palace hotel hotel for an overnight. Dinner and
Overnight.
Day 2: Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: About 12 km's
Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National
Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey
passes through the village of Marangu, which is
located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once
you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to
sign in at the Park office and make their final
preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen
arranging and loading their packs, containing the
food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your
equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack
items (containing at least drinking water, your
lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the
porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers. Our
guides will be available to assist with any
additional information or needs you might have. You
now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared
ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest,
suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss,
is also where most of Kilimanjaro's animals are
found. (An alternative and more scenic parallel
forest trail, branches off the to the left a few
minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge
of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you
the option to rejoin the main trail either, after
1,5 hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.)
Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of
wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut
features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated
lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60
climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs
above and there are flush toilets behind the main
hut.
Day 3: Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 15 km's Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short
stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the
Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition
from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a
short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi
Crater for your first really impressive view of the
Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in
the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in
the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland
you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro's
most spectacular plants - the endemic giant lobelia
which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant
groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach
heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you
reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot
washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.
Day 4: Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day
Horombo toilet. Horombo hut is a village of huts
perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar
to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120
climbers! Normally bustling with hikers, guides,
porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and
excitement. You will meet both ascending and
descending hikers here. This extra day and night at
Horombo is for additional acclimatisation. A hike
towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on
the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), is
strongly recommended. This hike will further assist
with the process of acclimatisation. Remember to
drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for
the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early
and get a last good night's rest.
Day 5: Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Alpine desert
Kilimanjaro Hikers. After breakfast you now continue
your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From
Horombo there are two trails to the "Saddle" (which
refers to the area located between the peaks of
Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right
hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to
choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) will
be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of
it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very
stony and eroded. The recommended lower route (left
hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour, and it
also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You
will have to fill your water bottles with all the
water you will need until your return to Horombo hut
in two night's time (unless you are willing to buy
Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to
slow down and drink enough water!! Situated in the
barren Alpine desert is Horombo hut, a stone build
block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but
no streams with water nearby. It is however possible
to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp
office. There are platform toilets behind the hut.
The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will
make yourSleeping hikers at Kibo hut. final ascent
the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick
and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This
should include the replacement of your headlamp and
camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set
available as well. To prevent freezing it will be
wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to
bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest
and sleep as possible.
Day : SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut
(3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to descend
to Horombo
Distance: 6 km's ascent - 21 km's descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and
biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is
where the going really gets tough. The first section
of the On the Summit. trail consists of a rocky path
to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting
spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5
681m), which is located on the crater rim. This
section is very steep with a lot of stone scree,
requiring a great physical and mental effort.
Probably the most demanding section of the entire
route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
Group at Gilmans Point. From Gillmans Point you will
normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak
(5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total
exhilaration and satisfaction - you made it. Weather
conditions on the summit will determine how long you
will be able to spend, taking photographs, before
the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short
rest you gather all your gear you left behind for
the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours)
for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will
seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The
total time spent walking on this day is around 14
hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in
the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft
drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the
mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with
memories and stirring emotions.
Day 7 Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours),
passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate.
It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters
any tips until you and all your gear have reached
the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips.
At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a
register. This is also where successful climbers
receive their summit certificates. Those climbers
who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with
green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak
(5895m), receive gold certificates. Drive to Arusha
– Kibo palace hotel for dinner and overnight stay
-
-
Day 8: Arusha -Zanzibar
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight to
Zanzibar. On arriving Zanzibar, our representative
will meet you and drive you to Ocean Paradise beach
resort to start your beach vacation
Days 9/10 /11 Zanzibar Beach Hotel
Days spent sun bathing and relaxing at the beach
resort
Day 12. ZANZIBAR & DEPART
After breakfast check out and transfer to Zanzibar
Airport for your flight to Dar where you will
connect your flight back home
Kindly contact us for the current price
Tour price includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Marangu route trek as itinerary depicts
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-Accommodations at Kibo Palace hotel Arusha for 2
nights and huts on the mountain as per the itinerary
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional
Mountain guide on the mountain, porters and skilled
cook
-All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro Airport
as per the itinerary
-Treated water on the trek
-Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro
Airport
-Mountain rescue fees
-4 nights accommodations at a beach resort on half
board basis ie- breakfast and dinner
-Return airport transfers in Zanzibar
Excluded:
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing
gears
-Medical evacuation, USD 30 per person value
-International flights and taxes
-Zanzibar airport departure taxes US$ 25 per person
payable directly
-Water sports and Zanzibar excursions – Can be
arranged on request.
-JRO – Zanzibar flights
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras not
detailed in the above itinerary.
