Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa with Uhuru Peak 5.896m. and can be climbed without particular alpine equipment or experience. There are three routes which take up to the summit. The most popular route to the peak is the Marangu route and takes on the average 5 or 6 days return. Other routes, like the Machame, take 6 to 7 days.
The trekking is organized with one guide and at least one porter per person. Overnight is in Huts which are comfortable enough with toilet and water facilities.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha. On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfer to Jacaranda Hotel or Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha for an overnight rest in readiness for the next day's hike.
Day 2: Stage 1 From Marangu Gate (1980m) to Mandara Hut (2700m). Hiking time: 5 hours, Distance: About 12 km's, Habitat: Montane forest. The drive from Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb.
Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers.
Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro's animals are found.
An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail, branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either, after 1½ hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut. Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing.
Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.
Day 3: Stage 2 - From Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (3720m). Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: About 15 km's, Habitat: Moorland. From Mandara Hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland.
It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants - the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo Hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.
Day 4: Stage 3 - From Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (4.703m). Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: About 10 km's, Habitat: Alpine vegetation. After breakfast, depart westwards passing the landmark Last Water Point and crossing the Saddle, where the trail joins the steeper eastern path at Jiwe La Ukoyo. From here it is another one hour and half to reach up to Kibo Hut (4,703M). Lunch box en-route, dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.
Day 5: Stage 4 Ascending the Uhuru Peak and back to Horombo Hut (3.720 m). Hiking time: 7 hours ascent, plus 6-7 hours descent, Distance: About 4 km's ascent plus 14 km descent, Habitat: Alpine and glacier. It is advisable to start this last, strenuous stage after midnight and to see the sunrise from the top.
From Kibo Hut goes up to Hans Meyer Cave (5.182m), where the trail becomes very steep. You reach Gillman’s Point (5.682m) with the most spectacular views. You can stop here your trek or it will take another 2 hours and half to climb the Uhuru Peak, the African highest point. Then the trail starts the descent back to Kibo Hut for lunch and to Horombo Hut, which will take another six hours walk. Dinner and overnight at Hotombo Hut (3.720m).
Day 6: Stage 5 From Horombo Hut (3.720m) to Marangu Gate (1,980m). Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: 18 km. After breakfast at the hut, descent passing the Mandara Hut, down to the Marangu gate. Time to descend about 6 hours. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. Proceed back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower and overnight at Jacaranda Hotel.
Day 7: Arusha - Ngorongoro. Afternoon drive to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area crossing on the way the small villages of Mto Wam Boo and Karatu. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge or Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. Distance: 190 km (4 hrs).
Day 8: Ngorongoro. After an early breakfast depart for a full day of game viewing on the crater floor of one of Africa s true wonders of nature, home of rhino, elephant and lion coexisting with a large variety of antelopes. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge or Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.
Day 9: Ngorongoro - Arusha. After breakfast, return to Arusha for the transfer.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- Arrival and departure transfers from Airport Kilimanjaro
- Safari Transport in Tanzania with the services of English speaking driver/guides
- Full Board accommodation and meals as specified in your itinerary on Safari
- Game drives as indicated in the itinerary
- Park entry fees
- Rescue fees, Hut fees
- Porters and Guides salaries
Price excludes:
- International flights tickets
- Sleeping bags
- Visas
- Personal Insurance
- All items of personal in nature. E.g. drinks, laundry, cigarettes etc
- Changes or deviation from the itinerary.
- Any item not specified above
- Flying doctors coverage/fees
- Tips and gratuities to safari guides, porters and hotel staff
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Tanzania
Hiking & Trekking
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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