It is the easiest and convenient route to reach the roof of Africa. This is a nice climb that first takes us through forest and then through desert areas to finish in the snowy peaks of one of the highest inactive volcanoes in the world. With a little luck you may spot some wildlife in the lower parts of the mountain. We may also stay overnight in mountain huts to share experiences with other climbers.
INCLUDED
- Assistance and Private Transfers arrival and departure airports.
- Expert porters speaking English or Spanish.
- Transport on SUV specially for safari where necessary.
- All entries and fees to parks and reserves described in the itinerary.
- Bed and breakfast in Moshi; rest of the climbing meals on route and accommodation in camping or huts.
NOT INCLUDED
- International Flights.
- Travel and accident insurance. Advisable
- Beverages, various tips (waiters / porters)
- Personal expenses (phone, laundry, etc).
- Entry visa on arrival or at the Embassy (40 Euros or 50 dollars, fluctuate)
- Optional activities.
- Gratuity to the driver/guide/porter at the end of the climbing.
* The route map is provisional and could be changed on the ground some days when circumstances require.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport/Nairobi international Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Springlands Hotel/Any other booked Hotel – Moshi.
Day 2: Mandara Hut (9.000 ft)
Hiking time: 4 hours. Habitat: montane forest.
Leave Moshi town about 0900hrs and drive to about 45 minutes to Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Do the necessary paperwork at the park gate such as registrations. Begin hiking at about 1030hrs. Hike through rainforest from the park gate (6000 ft) to Mandara Hut (9000 ft), taking about 4 hours. Stop half way for lunch. Reach Mandara Huts at about 2 or 3 PM. Unpack, rest and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during early evening, about 7 PM. A side trip to Maundi Crater (about 15 minutes away) is a good way to see the surroundings as well as views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Bathrooms are available with running water.
Day 3: Horombo Hut (12.000 ft)
Hiking time: 6 hours. Habitat: Heathland
Wake to breakfast (approx. 7:30 am) and pack for the next leg. Break camp at about 8:30 am and hike to Horombo Huts (12,000 ft). This leg should take 5 to 6 hrs. You travel through lower heath land with small shrubs being the main vegetation. Stop half way for lunch. Views of Mawenzi are amazing. The summit of Kibo can be seen from Horombo Huts. Arrive Horombo Huts at about 3 PM. Rest, unpack and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms are available with running water.
Extra Day for Acclimatization (OPTION):
You may have extra day at Horombo Hut, where will have full day (third and fourth night will be at Horombo), clients will go up to Mawenzi base camp and come back to Horombo Hut. Clients will acclimatize, walking and get familiar to the weather and altitude on the mountain. Forth Day will continue trekking up Kibo Hut and midnight start to summit.
Day 4: Kibo Hut (15.500 ft)
Hiking time: 7 hours. Habitat: Alpine Desert
Wake to breakfast as usual (if you wake before sun up you can get some great photos of the sunrise). Pack and begin the hike to Kibo Huts (15,500 ft). The first half of the day’s hike traverses the upper heath land while the second half crosses the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. The day’s hike should take 6 to 7 hours, stopping half way for lunch. No running water at Kibo Huts.
Day 5: Uhuru Peak (19.340 ft) y Refugio Horombo (12.000 ft)
Hiking time: 7 hours. Habitat: Alpine Desert
Wake up 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 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 because it is on the Crater Rim. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to 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. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep.
Day 6: Marangu gate – Moshi
Wake as usual, pack and descend to Mandara Huts. Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. You should reach the park gate around 2 or 3 PM. You now drive back to Moshi for a long over due hot shower, overnight in Springlands hotel. 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. Dinner included.
Day 7: Moshi – airport
Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate.
