Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arusha Town or Kilimanjaro International Airport—Moshi Town, Tanzania
Pick up for Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. Half Board accommodation at the base Hotel in Moshi.
Day 2: Moshi – Mandara Hut
After breakfast you will receive a tour briefing from your guide, after which you will depart to the Marangu Gate of the Kilimanjaro National Park. Upon registration with park authorities your climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro will commence with a four-hour walk to the Mandara encampment. You will pass through a thick rainforest zone, where there is a high chance of rain in the afternoon. Your night will be spent at Mandara Hut which has an elevation of 2,750 meters. Here bathrooms are available with running water.
Day 3: Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut
Today you will continue your ascent through the forest for a short time, before reaching the heather and moorland zone which is located at roughly 3000m. Once in the Heather and moorland zone you will be able to enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks. Your trek from Mandara to Horombo will take approximately six hours. Horombo hut lies in a vally surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, flora which are characteristic of this semi-alpine zone. Bathrooms are available with running water.
Day 4: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut
Your trek continues past the final watering point as you ascend onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as you enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 4000m), which resembles a lunar landscape. Once you cross the saddle Kibo peak comes into view. At this point be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. The seven hour walk from Horombo to Kibo will be taken at a slow pace to help with acclimatization. The night will be spent at Kibo Hut, situated at 4703 meters, a comfortable stone construction which resembles a dormitory. There is no running water at Kibo Hut. This semi-desert zone receives an annual rainfall of under 250mm, the ground freezes at night but ground temperatures soar above 30 degrees Celsius by day. Few plants other than lichens and grasses survive in these conditions.
Day 5: Kibo Hut – Summit – Horombo
Shortly after midnight you will commence the final leg of your climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is easier to climb the scree slope to Gillman’s Point (5,861m), located on the crater rim, when it is frozen. Leaving shortly after midnight provides an early start for the six-hour hike to the summit and will improve the chances of reaching the summit in time to view the sunrise from the top of Africa. From Gilman’s Point, it is a further two-hour round trip along the crater’s edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. From the summit it is down hill all the way to Horombo Hut where you will spend your last night on the mountain and enjoy a well deserved rest.
Day 6: Horombo Hut – Base Hotel
Today’s decent continues past the Mandara encampment, where you will have lunch, to the bottom of the mountain, where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. From here you will be transferred to a Base Hotel in Moshi for dinner, overnight and a well deserved shower.
Day 7: Moshi Base Hotel – Arusah Town
After breakfast you will be transferred back to Arusha town.
Transfers and pick ups for day 8 to be advised upon booking.
Details of the Huts, Mandara, Horombo and Kibo
Mandara:
Mandara hut is situated at 2700m. This is a group of comfortable wooden A-frame huts. The largest cabin has a downstairs dining area and an upstairs dormitory with bunk beds and mattresses. The smaller huts sleep 8 each. The total capacity of Mandara is 60 people. Water is piped into the site from springs above the camp and flush toilets are located behind the main cabin.
Horombo:
Horombo hut is located at 3720m. The buildings are similar to Mandara but the total capacity is 120 (to accommodate for ascending and descending climbers). Water is piped from the stream behind the huts. There are platform toilets to the south east of the main hut; about 80m down the slope and new flush toilets have been built within the complex of small huts.
Kibo:
Kibo hut is situated at 4,703m. This is a stone built block house with a small dining-room and a number of dormitory rooms leading off the main corridor which contain bunk beds and mattresses for 60 people.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Ground transfers with pick up and drop off at Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Park entrance fees
- Mountain Guide
- Porters
- Accommodation and meals with 2 nights at the Hotel as indicated on the above itinerary
Price Excludes:
- Regional flights
- International flights
- Visas
- Gratuities
- Medical and travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- Lunch on the last day
- Climbing equipment
- Sleeping bags
- Drinks
- And all other expenses of personal nature
Notes: Rates on some tours are dependent on currency exchange rates.
Inclusions, exclusions and single supplements apply.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Tanzania
Hiking & Trekking
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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