|
DAY 1: Arrival day
- Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and
transfer to Arusha town for dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: Mandara Hut
1700m to 2740m
5500ft to 9000ft
7 km, 4-5 hours
Montane Forest
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro
National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence
the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara
encampment located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. A side trip to
Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings
including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the
rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird
life, and Colubus monkeys
DAY 3 To Horombo Camp
2700m to 3700m
9000ft to 12,100ft
11 km, 6-8 hours
Heathland
After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the
rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open
moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi
and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant
lobelias and grounsels. You will start to feel the
affects of the altitude.
If you wish to extend you trek, here you can spend an
extra day resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak
of Mawenzi.
DAY 4 To Kibo Camp
3700m to 4700m
12,100ft to 15,400ft
10 km, 6-8 hours
Alpine Desert
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking
onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo
and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but
then disappears into "moonscape". Dinner, rest, and
prepare for summit climb
DAY 5 To Summit and Horombo
4700m to 5895m
(and down to 3700m)
15,400ft to 19,300ft
(and down to 12,100ft)
4 km up / 14 km down
10-15 hours
Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence
the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow
up to Gilman's point located on the crater rim at 18640
ft / 5861 m (4-7 hours). Continuing, we now ascend to
Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa: 19340
ft / 5895 m (1-2 hours). Unbelievable views at every
turn. Get your picture taken at the summit to show your
friends. From here, we now descend, stopping for lunch
and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo
encampment for dinner and a tired but happy overnight
(1-2 hours).
This beginning of this climb is done in the dark and
requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold
until you start descending, so you will need all of your
warm layers. This is, by far, the most difficult part of
the trek with many switchbacks. "Pole pole" and an
optimistic attitude will get you there!
DAY 6 To Arusha
3700m to 1700m
12,100ft to 5500ft
18km, 5-7 hours
After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through
moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping
place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through
lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park
gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). At lower elevations, it can
be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help.
Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear
(keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you
back to the Impala Hotel in Arusha. Don't forget to tip
your guides and porters it is time for celebration!
Day 7: ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
In the morning drive to Arusha National park for game
viewing, lunch, dinner and overnight Momela, Arusha
Day 8: LAKE MANYARA
After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara national park
lunch, dinner and overnight Manyara.
Day 9: NGORONGORO / OLDUVAI GORGE
After breakfast transfer to Ngorongoro with packed lunch
descent into the crater for a day game viewing. Dinner
and overnight Ngorongoro.
Day 10: OLDUVAI GORGE
After breakfast drive to the Olduvai gorge, an
archaeological site, lunch at Ngorongoro. After lunch
drive back to Arusha via Mto wa mbu social market.
End of Tour.
|
