______________________________________________________________
Machame Programme:
Day 1;-Gate - Machame hut .
Transfer from your hotel to the gate for registration and start the trek up hill, through mountain forest to Machame Hut (3000m). Picnic lunch on the way. Camping near Machame Hut.
Day 2:-Machame Hut - Shira Hut; 5-7 hours walk.
We leave Machame Hut in the morning. The path leads up through rocky ridges. Shira Hut (3840m) is reached in the afternoon. Picnic lunch on the way. Superb views of the Shira Plateau and the land below from here. Mt. Meru , another extinct volcano is seen in south western direction. Camping near Shira Hut
Day 3:-Shira Hut - Barranco Hut; 10 km; 6-7 hours walk.
Depart Shira Hut in the morning taking the path which rises up gradually towards the Kibo Dome. After reaching the Wedge Buttress point the path drops down to the Barranco Valley and to Barranco Hut (3950m). Picnic lunch on the way. Camping near Barranco Hut
Day 4:-OPTION : An extra day and night at Barranco Hut for acclimatization. Lunch, dinner and camping near Barranco Hut.
Day 4-5:-Barranco Hut - Uniport Hut; 8 km; 7-9 hours walk.
Leave Barranco Hut and walk down up to the junction where you ascend up to the Uniport Hut (4600m) for camping.
Day 5-6:-Uniport Hut - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp; 5 km; 4-5 hours walk. Shortly after midnight start trek to conquer the highest point ot the African Continent. The section of the route is very steep and is considered the steepest of the non technical paths on this mountain. The fascinating colour changing sunrise is the right reward at Uhuru Peak (5895m). The descend goes to Mweka Camp for overnight
Day 6-7:-Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate; 14 km; 5-7 hours walk.
This day is spent for leisurely descend to the gate and transfer to your overnight hotel in town.
^Top ^
______________________________________________________________
Marangu Programme:
DAY 1 :-The climb starts at Marangu Gate (1829m), followed by a 3-4 hours walk through the fast climbing rainforest to reach Mandara Hut (2700m), close by Maundi Crater. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
DAY 2 :-The last glades of the forest are left behind, when we follow the gently ascending path through the open Alpine Meadow. The altitude begins to make you tread slowly : "pole pole" is the order of the day while enjoying the flora and the magnificient view. Pic-nic lunch on the way. Horombo Hut (3720m) is reached within 5-7 hours walking. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
DAY 3:-OPTION : One extra day and night at Horombo Hut for acclimatization. All meals and overnight in the hut.
DAY 3-4 :-After a good nights rest, we continue, past the last giant Lobelias and Proteas, and move on the lunar landscape of the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi. Kibo Hut (4703m) is reached in 5-6 hours. Pic-nic lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
DAY 4-5:- The climb for the summit starts in the early morning hours. For about 5 hours we will be climbing the steepest and most demanding part, the route to Gilman's Point, 5685m on the crater rim. Less than 2 hours are than taken to each Uhuru Peak at 5895m, the highest point in Africa . Yes From here we descend going straight down to Horombo Hut, where we'll spend the night.
DAY 5-6:- The day is spend descending to Marangu Gate. Transfer to Moshi town for overnight in the hotel.
^Top ^
______________________________________________________________
Lemosho Route:
Day1/2:- LONDOROSSI GATE to MTI MKUBWA { 3-4 hrs} (8,692 ft.)
A three-hour drive from our Hotel in Machame brings us to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate, we pick up our game ranger who will accompany us, as we might encounter elephants and buffaloes during our trek. We drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start our trek through the rain forest. In places, the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. Our trek today will be along a little used track known as Chamber's Route. In about 3-4 hours, we reach our camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree)for the dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 3:- MTI MKUBWA to SHIRA ONE CAMP { 5-6 hrs } (11,841 ft.)
After breakfast, we start the climb cross the remaining rain forest towards the giant moorland zone. Today is a full day trek with an altitude gain of 2,000 ft. A great lunch stop is One, a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 9,800 ft. After lunch, we cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau that is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak . The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you will get your first close views of Kibo - the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight at Shira one campsite.
DAY 4:- SHIRA ONE CAMP to SHIRA TWO CAMP [ 5-7 hrs] (12,628 ft.)
After breakfast continue hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. We only gain 700 feet in elevation – this allows us to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. Dinner and overnight takes place at Shira two campsites.
DAY 5:- SHIRA TWO CAMP to BARRANCO HUT [5-6 hrs] (12,956 ft.)
To day is the last of the "easy days". It is about a 6-7 hour superb hike. We pass the Lava Tower , around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley , interspersed with giant lobelia and senecia plants. After arriving at our most spectacular campsite, everyone stands in awe at the foot of Kibo Peak , looming high above, on our left. Our camp is only 465 feet higher than where we were last night, but during the day, we will have climbed to just over 14,000 feet. This is one of our most valuable days for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight at Barranco camp.
DAY 6/7:- BARRANCO HUT TO KARANGA VALLEY [3-5hrs] (13,743 ft.)
On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall - a 9,500 ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and looks steep, it is very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day is spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley , where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu hut. Dinner and overnight at Barafu camp.
Day 8:- BARAFU to UHURU PEAK-5895M. [ 7hrs ][19,300 ft.] to Mweka CAMP (9,540 ft.)
SUMMIT DAY.
Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight , on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon, if out, will provide enough light, and we will reach the crater rim by sunrise, after a 7 hour hike, and welcome a new dawn.
From the crater rim, rugged Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater's ice-walls looming ahead. We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs.) This is the highest point in Africa , and the world's highest solitary peak (19,300 ft). It is the best view in Africa .
The descent is invigorating. It is a good idea to have a little rest once in awhile as you continue down back to Barafu camp (4 hours), and then down the Mweka route to Mweka camp (5 hours). This is where we spend our last night on the mountain. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp.
DAY 9:- MWEKA to the GATE -1820M. –MOSHI/ARUSHA.
In the morning we walk down to the gate of Mweka. This takes about 4hrs. After a welcome lunch, it is time to say thanks and tipping the potters and guides, then drive to Moshi or Arusha for your next destination.
^Top ^
______________________________________________________________
Rongai Route:
The Rongai route begins its ascent of Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya . Experienced guides consider the Rongai route to be both easier and more scenic than the Marangu Trail. Summit attempts begin in the pre-dawn hours, with climbers usually reaching Gillman's Point at sunrise. For those who feel strong enough, an approximately three hour round trip hike will take you from Gillman's Point to Uhuru Peak which is 5895 m.a.s.l
DAY 1:- RONGAI CAMP
Altitude : 6,396' to 8,530'; Hiking time: 3 hours.
Register at the Marangu park gate and transfer by Land Rover (approximately two and a half hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your climbing staff and begin hiking from the village of Nale Moru . The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest sheltering a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey. Dinner and overnight at the campsite which is on the edge of the moorland zone with expansive views of the Kenyan plains.
DAY 2:- KIKELEWA CAVES
Kikelewa Caves Altitude: 8,530' to 11,320'; Hiking time: 6-7 hours .
Challenging ascent to the Second Cave where you will relax and take lunch with superb views of Kibo and the ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch proceed towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, where we camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves for the dinner and overnight.
DAY 3:- MAWENZI TARN
Altitude: 11,320' to 14,210'; Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before we reach our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area. Dinner and Overnight at Kikelewa Caves .
DAY4:- KIBO CAMPSITE
Altitude: 14,210' to 15,580'; Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
We cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Campsite. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent.Dinner and Overnight at Kibo Campsite.
DAY 5/6 FINAL ASCENT-HOROMBO CAMP
Altitude : 15,580' to 18,650' (Gillman's Point) to 19,340' summit; then down to 12,200'; Hiking time: 12-16 hours.
Begin the final, steepest and most difficult part of the ascent at 1:00am . Hike slowly on a switchback trail through loose volcanic screen to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point. Rest for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. For those who feel strong enough, continue 2 hrs roundtrip to Uhuru Peak passing close to spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs in the summit area. Descend to Kibo for lunch and a rest then continue down the Marangu route to Horombo Hut. Dinner and Overnight at Horombo Hut.
DAY 6:-DESCENT TO MARANGU
Altitude: 12,200' to 6,250'; Hiking time: 5-6 hours.
Descend steadily through the moorland, past Mandara Hut and through a lush rain forest to Marangu park gate where a waiting car is there ready to transfer you back to Moshi or Arusha.
^Top ^
