Itinerary
Machame Route - 8 Days
The route approaches Kilimanjaro
from the south-west. It ensures good acclimatization and gives the
climbers the a chance to take in the magnificent
surroundings.
DAY 1 BASE
HOTEL
Transfer from
Arusha to your base hotel to make final preparations for your climb. (D)
L’Oasis Lodge
DAY 2 MACHAME HUT - 9,843 FEET
Early
start to complete formalities with the park authorities and start your
climb. Walk through the rainforest on a winding trail to Machame Hut. This
walk will take 5-6 hours. On arrival at the campsite, porters will pitch
your tents. (BLD)
DAY 3 SHIRA PLATEAU - 12,500
FEET
Trek today crosses the rainforest and continues for 5-6
hours to Shira Hut, your campsite for the night. (BLD)
DAY 4
BARRANCO HUT - 12,795 FEET
Continue to the east towards Kibo
peak. After about 4 hours, the path forks to the right and descends into a
gorge where you camp for the night. Total walking time is up to 6 hours.
(BLD)
DAY 5 BARAFU HUT - 15,092 FEET
Cross the
Barranco valley, following the Kibo South Circuit. On a clear day, enjoy
wonderful views as you trek 7 hours to the Barafu Hut. (BLD)
DAY 6 BARAFU HUT - SUMMIT DAY! -
19,344 FEET
A day to test to your stamina and mental attitude.
It is a tough 7 – 8 hours to the top. Leave hut at 1 a.m. Steep climb over
scree and rock towards the Rebmann Glacier. Pass a cliff and then enter
the gap between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, arriving at the crater
rim near Stella point at 18,958 ft. Continue to the top. Photograph your
success and start descent to your camp at Machame (BLD)
DAY 7
MOSHI
After breakfast continue the descent to Mweka Park gate.
The descent will take 4 hours. Drive back to Moshi. (BLD) L’Oasis
Lodge
DAY 8 DEPART
Depart on safari or transfer to
airport.
Marangu Route - 7 Days
This is the most popular route and
should be taken by those who feel less confident of their climbing
abilities. The route is the most heavily used and one may not feel alone
in the wilderness.
DAY 1
MARANGU – 6,004 FEET
Transfer from Arusha to base hotel to
make final preparations for your climb. (D) Marangu Hotel
DAY 2
MANDARA HUT – 8,856 FEET
Early morning transfer to Marangu
gate. Spend an hour or so at the Park Headquarters for registration and
arranging the loads for the porters. Today’s route takes 3 to 4 hours
through thick and tangled rainforest and is often muddy. (BLD) Mandara
Hut
DAY 3 HOROMBO HUT – 11,990 FEET
Today you leave
the last glades of the rainforest and follow the ascending path through
the mist and across the rolling alpine meadows onto the slopes of Mawenzi
Peak. The journey takes you 5 to 7 hours. (BLD) Horombo Hut
DAY
4 KIBO HUT –15, 430 FEET
At this height the vegetation begins
to thin out into open grassland. Pass a rugged and rocky area to the
saddle, the last point for spring water. With the wind-chill factor, it
can be very cold, so dress warmly. Total walking time is about 5 to 6
hours. (BLD) Kibo Hut
DAY 5 UHURU PEAK – SUMMIT DAY – 19,344
FEET
Begin the final ascent at about 1 a.m. The climb to
Gillman’s Point is steep and most demanding through the scree and snow. It
is a grueling four to five hour journey. As the sun rises, the views are
breathtaking. Time, weather and stamina permitting, start the final push
for about 1 to 2 hours to the highest point, Uhuru Peak (19,344 ft). From
Gillman’s Point, Uhuru peak is a fairly gradual climb. Shortly after
sunrise you begin to descend. After a rapid descent to Kibo Hut for a meal
and rest, you continue down to Horombo hut. (BLD) Horombo
Hut
DAY 6 BASE HOTEL
Another long day of hiking as
you descend past Mandara to Marangu Gate and then to the Park
Headquarters, where you will be awarded an official Climbing Certificate.
Continue down to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (BLD) Marangu
Hotel
DAY 7 DEPART
Depart on safari or transfer to
airport.