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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.
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8
DAYS MT. KILIMANJARO- MARANGU ROUTE
Day 1:
Arrival - Arusha
Travel from
Nairobi to Arusha on board a Shuttle bus or pickup from
Kilimanjaro Airport – transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay
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 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
1½ 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 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
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 your 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 6: 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 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.
From Gillman’s
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.
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. 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.
You now drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower,
dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at a budget hotel.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to
Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with
your safari schedule/travel back to Nairobi on board a shuttle
bus.
Tour Price: US$ 1,360 per person.
