Day 1:
Arrive Tanzania and transfer to
the hotel.
Day 2
Marangu Gate (1850m/6000 ft) - Mandara Hut (2700m/9,000 ft)
We leave Moshi town at about
0900hrs for Marangu Gate and start hiking between about 10h30
and 12h00.
The route takes one through a
thick rainforest from the park gate (6000 ft) to Mandara Hut (9000 ft),
which is reached around 14h00 to 16h00. Dinner is served during the early
evening, at about 19h00 in the communal dinning areas.
Day 3:
Mandara Hut (2700m/9,000 ft) - Horombo Huts (3700m/12,000 ft)
After breakfast we head out on
our next days trek towards Horombo Huts at 12000ft on a route that
will take about 5-6 hours. The climb will take us through the lower
heathland with small shrubs being the main vegetation. At our lunch stop
about half way up, we will get stunning view across to Mawenzi. We
will arrive at Horombo Hut around 15h00 with Kibo summit already in
view.
Day 4:
Horombo Huts (3700m/12,000 ft) -
Kibo Huts (4700m/15,500 ft)
Wake to breakfast
as usual. Pack and begin the hike to Kibo Huts (15,500 ft). The first half
of the day-'s hike traverses the upper heathland while the second half
crosses the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an
alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. It is here that you may
begin to feel the first effects of altitude with shortness of breath and
irritability, assuming it had not taken effect earlier on the climb.
Walking slowly and
maintaining a good rhythm is essential. The day-'s hike should take 6 to
7 hours, stopping half way for lunch. There is no running water at Kibo
Huts.
Day 5:
SUMMIT DAY (5895m/19,340
ft)
Wake at around midnight to a
light breakfast, and then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the
hike is carried out during the early morning before dawn so that the
climbers reach Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak at around sunrise. Leave at about 1:00am and reach
Gilman-'s Point at about 7:00am. The climbers are met with views of the
crater from Gilman-'s Point. Another 2 hours of hiking will bring you to
the long awaited summit, Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft) at about 8:30 am. From
there you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect your things and cross
the saddle again at Horombo Huts where you will spend the night. After
eating dinner, you will get some well-deserved sleep.
Day 6:
You will wake as usual, pack
and then descend along the same route to Mandara Huts, where you will have
lunch, before heading down to the park gate where you will be met by your
transport back to Moshi. You should reach the park gate around 14h00 or
15h00.
Day 7:
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for you flight home.
End of services
