Tanzania Mount Kilimanjaro
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Mt. Kilimanjaro Marangu route trips. Africa
Adventure Climbing ,Climbing Mount Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro Climb,
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, East Africa Mountain
Trekking, Climbing Mount Trekking and Walking Safaris in Kenya
and Tanzania.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMB
Any physically fit person
can climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.. No climbing experience is necessary
to get you to the top of Africa's highest mountain 5,895M
(19,340FT) with its magnificent gleaming glaciers, Flora and
Fauna.
Weather
Mt.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed any time of the year but there are
two rainy seasons - late March to mid June and November. The
best months are December, January to March and July to October
usually dry and minimum clouds.
8 Days Umbwe Route: Mount Kilimanjaro
Climb
The Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern
Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic,
non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing,
primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to higher altitude,
but the rewards are plentiful. Fewer people, pristine forest and
shorter walking distances make it a great option for fit hikers.
Add to your experience - OVERNIGHT IN THE CRATER!! Be one of a
few fortunate people to spend a night in Africa's largest
volcano. This option is highly recommended, as this will be the
only opportunity to get close to the beautiful and fascinating
glaciers of Kilimanjaro and to be able to visit the ash pit.
Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to
SG Resort for an overnight rest on bed and breakfast in
readiness for the next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: Umbwe Gate (1800m) - Bivouac
(first) camp (2940m)
Hiking time: 5 hours | Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m,
passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. On
arrival at the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you.
Sign the register before you enter the park for your first step
to accomplishing a life-long dream. The air is thick with
moisture and the path is usually muddy. The route initially
follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain
forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between
the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The
path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are
lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the
distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick
undergrowth.
Day 3: Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) - Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 6 hours | Habitat: Montane forest & Moorlands
Shortly after leaving the camp, the forest starts thinning and
is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and
straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow,
but spectacular ridge. As you gain higher altitude, catch
glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you -
etched against the blue sky. The path flattens as you approach
Barranco Valley. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends
slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the
valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should
provide you with a memorable sunset while your dinner is being
prepared.
Day 4: Barranco camp (3950m) - Lava Tower (4630m) - Arrow
Glacier Camp (4800m)
Habitat: Moorland/Semi desert
After breakfast you will start your hike towards Lava Tower, a
famous landmark on Kilimanjaro. The path is steep and rocky,
with views of Mt. Meru, Kilimanjaro's little sister, punching
her peak through the clouds. From Lava Tower you turn towards
the Western Breach, a steep climb to Arrow Glacier camp (4800m).
This is taxing and symptoms of altitude sickness might become
noticeable. The campsite is spectacular. Vegetation has now all
but disappeared, leaving only rock and scree in varying shades
of brown and black. The campsite is very cold and you need to be
prepared.
Day 5: Arrow Glacier (4800m) - Crater
(5700m)
Hiking time: 5 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Semi
desert/ Snowfields
From the Arrow Glacier camp steep scree and rocky outcrops
requiring a scramble lead up the Western Breach to the crater
floor (5700m). This day will be the toughest challenge by far.
After snowfalls the route can become icy and in these conditions
an ice axe or ski stick may be required. When reaching the
crater rim, you will be astonished by the view of snow and
glaciers. Visible to you left is the Northern Ice fields of
Kilimanjaro with the Furtwangler Glacier in front of you. Walk
past this glacier to the Crater camp, situated at the crater
rim. If time permits, you can climb to the Ash Pit (1 ½ hour).
The Ash Pit is 340m across, 120m deep and is one of the most
perfect-formed examples in the world. The campsite is very cold
as snow might occur. Be one of a fortunate few to spend a night
in the inner crater of Kilimanjaro.
Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Crater (5700m) -
Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 7/8 hours to descend
to Mweka | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 04:00, and after some tea and biscuits you
shuffle off into the early morning darkness. From the crater
floor you will probably encounter snow all the way on your
2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. Time spent on the summit will
depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long,
as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and
fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the
rest of your live. The walk to Barafu camp from the summit,
takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short
rest, before heading down to Millennium camp (3100m). The route
is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path
into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is
situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in
the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be provided as
well as drinking water.
Day 7: Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate
(1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a 5-hour,
scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your
name and details in a register. This is also where successful
climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who
reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates
and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold
certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into
the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the
Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You
will then drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower and
celebrations!! Overnight at SG Resort.
NOTE: The itinerary may change at any time due to weather or
safety conditions. Hiking times and distances are estimated
only, but have been calculated to give the hiker a comfortable
pace throughout the hike. The above itinerary is a guide only
and extra days can be added according to your preferences. With
the above route you can summit via Barafu camp or via Arrow
Glacier.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or
continue with your safari schedule. End of services. B
Tour Price: US$ 1,490 per person sharing.
Single room supplement: US$ 65
Tour price includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Umbwe route trek as itinerary depicts
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodations at SG Resort 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
Excluded:
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing gears
-Medical evacuation, US$ 30 per person value
-International flights and taxes
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in
the above itinerary.
