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DAY 01:
MARANGU GATE – MANDARA HUT:
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park
Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the
rainforest to the Mandara encampment located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. A
side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings
including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for
towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colubus monkeys.
DAY 02:
MANDARA HUT – HOROMBO CAMP:
After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and
follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo
encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing.
Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You will start to feel the
affects of the altitude. If you wish to extend you trek, here you
can spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak
of Mawenzi
DAY 03:
HOROMBO CAMP – KIBO CAMP:
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the
saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.
Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into
"moonscape". Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
DAY 04:
KIBO CAMP – SUMMIT AND HOROMBO CAMP:
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to
the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's point
located on the crater rim at 18640 ft / 5861 m (4-7 hours).
Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point
in Africa: 19340 ft / 5895 m (1-2 hours). Unbelievable views at
every turn. Get your picture taken at the summit to show your
friends. From here, we now descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at
Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment for dinner and a
tired but happy overnight (1-2 hours).
This beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires
headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start
descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by
far, the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks.
"Pole pole" and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
DAY 05:
HOROMBO – MANDARA HUT:
After breakfast, climb down with packed or break for lunch to
Mandara Hut, stay overnight at Mandara.
DAY 06:
MANDARA CAMP – ARUSHA:
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to
Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping place at the Marangu
route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path
to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). At lower
elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will
help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain
gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to the
Hotel in Arusha Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is
time for celebration!
End of climb |
