KILIMANJARO CLIMBING ROUTES
MARANGU ROUTE : 7 Days /6 Nights ------ departs daily
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 - Moshi - Ameg Lodge 6,004 FEET
Arrival at your hotel. If you need to hire any extra gear, advise the hotel this evening. Leave any excess clothing and valuables at the hotel - they will lock them up for you. Pack your bag carefully for the climb - remember the weight limit of 12kg. Leave some 'bin bags' in an outer pocket of your bag, and show the porters where they are so that in case of rain they can quickly cover your bag. Keep one out for your personal backpack too! Dinner and overnight at Ameg Lodge DBB.
DAY 2 - Mandara - Mandara Hut 8,856 FEET
After breakfast transferred to Marangu Gate - approx 1.5 hours drive. Your guide will do paperwork with the National Parks as well as sorting out luggage and the porters. Please do not expect to start climbing immediately - there will probably be at least an hour or more delay at the Park Gate. Commence climb through superb rainforest to Mandara Hut (8,856 feet), approximately 4 hrs from the Park Gate. There is a detour on this route, which is well worth following - discuss with your guide before you set off. All meals are included during the climb, and your guide/porters will prepare for you. ** Be careful of hut steps, which can be slippery when wet. Please note we have been advised that there is now a 12kg luggage limit per porter, i.e. please try and keep your luggage to 12kg, a barrel/soft bag, or a backpack in some cases, is preferred as they tend to carry everything on their heads. Remember that you will not see your luggage from morning until night, it is important to keep all your day gear with you - especially raingear and water. Take plastic bin bags (or bag liners) to cover your luggage - pass them to the porter/s and show them what to do in case of rain. Your accommodation is in dormitory style chalets. There are no shower/bath facilities while doing the climb and toilets will be long drops. You will be provided with bowls of warm water each morning, on request, to wash with. We suggest at night you try and sleep next to an open window, or at least persuade other climbers to leave the window open for air/oxygen. It gets worse the higher you go! It is advisable to 'walk high - sleep low' - i.e. every evening, after a short rest at the camp, walk up another few hundred metres and return to camp for the evening. It helps with acclimatization to altitudes. It is possible to buy beers, soft drinks at the huts - the price increases the higher you go! Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut LDBB.
DAY 3 - Horombo - Horombo Hut 12,136 FEET
Continue climb to Horombo Hut, (3,700m). A steep sometimes wet, 20 min walk through the upper part of the rainforest, followed by a 2km section of tall giant heather interspersed with large clumps of tussock grass. 15kms and approximately 5 hrs from Mandara. The vegetation will have changed to stunted clumps of heather, the 'everlasting' flowers and short tussock grasses. Lobelia and groundsels occupy the wetter areas. All meals included. If you plan to take "Diamox", either take it this morning, or the following morning. Side effects include tingling of fingers , toes - extremities of the body, and of course you will urinate a lot - it is vital to keep your fluid intake high. Minimum 2 liter of water, plus tea, soups and juices. We suggest you do not take Diamox at night! Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut LDBB.
DAY 4 - Kibo - Kibo Hut 15, 416 FEET
Continue climb, the path traverses west, before turning northwards towards a col between Middle Red Hill and the Triplets. It then turns west for the final 3km to Kibo Hut (15,416 feet). Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut LDBB.
DAY 5 - Horombo - Horombo Hut 19,344 FEET - SUMMIT DAY!!!
Very early start for the final ascent. The start of this section is done in the dark. Please ensure you take a good torch and spare batteries. A 4-5hr slow walks up increasingly steep scree to Gillman's Point (18,663 FEET). From here a 1-2hrs walk around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (19,344 FEET ). After the assault on the peak descend to Horombo Hut. All meals included. This is an incredibly long and tiring day - make sure you carry lots of water for the ascent - your water bottle will probably freeze on your back, so cover it with a sock or something! Keep your camera under your jacket, as close to your body as possible, otherwise the batteries may go flat. Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut LDBB.
DAY 6 - Moshi - Ameg Lodge
After breakfast return to the Park Gates. Transferred back to Hotel in Moshi. Dinner and overnight at Ameg Lodge DBB.
DAY 7 - Depart
Breakfast at your hotel. Depending with the mode of transfer and time, you will be picked from your hotel and transfer to your respective destinations.
Price includes
Price excludes
Health Requirements
Please note you will need a Yellow Fever Inoculation, this must be done no later than 10 days prior to departure. If you have had any previous history of Liver Disorders you must consult your physician first. Malaria prophylactics are a must.
Tips
These are considered to be compulsory for all attempting Kilimanjaro, it has become a tradition! Please budget at least USD80 for this six-day camping hike - per guest - which gets split across the group. Old clothing is also appreciated!
Travel Insurance
Please ensure you have sufficient Medical Cover for the duration of your trip and in particular to cover you while doing the Kilimanjaro Climb.
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MACHAME ROUTE: 8days/ 7nights --- Departures daily
This is the second most popular route, and it is considered the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. With a gradual ascend through the forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira plateau, Kibo and Western Breach. The different kinds of vegetation found along the route make it the most scenic route.
DAY 1 - Moshi - Ameg Lodge 6,004 FEET
Arrival at your hotel. If you need to hire any extra gear, advise the hotel this evening. Leave any excess clothing and valuables at the hotel - they will lock them up for you. Pack your bag carefully for the climb - remember the weight limit of 12kg. Leave some 'bin bags' in an outer pocket of your bag, and show the porters where they are so that in case of rain they can quickly cover your bag. Keep one out for your personal backpack too! Dinner and overnight at Ameg Lodge DBB.
DAY 2 - Machame - Machame Camp 9,843 FEET
Driven to Park Gate (approx one hour) where you will meet your guide and porters. The guide has an amount of paperwork to do at the gate, as well as organizing the porters - these things take time (African time!) - please relax, sit down and enjoy the scenery - don't get anxious about starting off - it will only get you stressed out!! The larger the group, the longer it will take - be prepared to wait for anything from 1 - 2 hours. A five-hour walk through the spectacular forest will bring you to Machame Hut at 9,843 feet. This day wear your hiking boots and ensure you keep your wet weather gear with you. Shorts and t-shirt will be sufficient. There are patches on the route where it is VERY wet and muddy, and you may end up with pretty wet boots this evening. Ensure your boots are waterproofed, and that you have spare lightweight shoes to wear in camp this evening. ALWAYS keep your boots and water bottles INSIDE the tent at night - otherwise they will freeze. Fill up your water bottle at night, and purify it - allowing some of the chlorine fumes to dissipate. Take it SLOWLY today; you will encounter some steep parts on the climb - but generally its not too strenuous. The porters walk ahead and sometimes with you - make sure every day, that you have all your personal gear needed with you, as you will not have access to your bag. The porters will set up Camp and the guide will prepare your meals. Conditions are difficult on this route, and your guide / porters will do everything they can to make your climb pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Eat well - at higher levels your appetite will diminish. Dinner and overnight at Machame Hut LDBB.
DAY 3 - Shira - Shira Hut 12,500 FEET
Ascend to Shira Hut.. A short descent from Machame Hut followed by an hour or so of hard uphill to the top of the forest, then 2 hours at a more gentle angle through the lower moorlands brings one to the top of a rocky bluff. Lunch is normally taken here. From here, descend 50 ft then start traversing westwards, up towards Shira Cathedral. The last sections of this route is relatively flat and easy - but once again, take it very slowly. Take a jersey with you today, as it cools down considerably during and after lunch. Again, keep your wet weather gear handy, and some snacks for the route. Drink plenty of water. Today you should take Diamox (if planning to) - in the morning. You may experience tingling fingers, toes and nose from this drug. As it is a diuretic, it is most important to keep your fluid intake high. Camp at Shira - it's a pretty cold campsite, you may get rain or sleet, and in the morning the ground and tents will be frozen over. Tonight you may experience headaches and breathing problems. Dinner and overnight at Shira Hut LDBB.
DAY 4 - Barranco - Barranco Camp 12,795 FEET
From Shira you will set off to Barranco , skirting just below Lava Tower - you are now walking at approx altitude of 13,120 feet, around the southern side of the mountain. A few steep sections and valleys, a small section of scree and rock, some sand 'dunes' - it's a long and fairly tiring day. This is part of your acclimatization - walking in height from 12,460 feet up to 13,000 feet, and then overnight at 12795 feet.. Once again, pace yourself to graduate slowly. Tonight you may experience further headaches, nausea and breathing problems. Night temperature - again cold (night frosts).
Dinner and overnight at Barranco Hut LDBB.
DAY 5 - Barafu - Barafu Hut 15,092 FEET
Continue from Barranco across and up towards Barafu Hut. Today you will cross the Barranco Wall - it's a climb over rock - not technical, but tiring and hard/long - ending up in the valley for lunch. After lunch you start to ascend - to Barafu - again you will probably get more headaches / nausea, some sections of sand/scree. It's a long day - your guide will set the pace. Learn to pace yourself with your breathing - do not try to rush to catch up with anyone, go at your own, most comfortable speed and you will arrive at base camp relatively comfortably. Listen to your guide/s, they will help you. It will be very cold today - especially when you stop for lunch and rest - dress warmly, again you may expect some sleet on this day. You will be walking through the cloud. After supper, drink as much tea as possible; settle down for an early night. You are likely to have a pretty bad headache at this stage. If you are vomiting, or hallucinating, talk to your guide. He will make the decision as to whether you are able to continue. If you plan to take Decadron, do so before going to bed. Drink plenty of fluids, as you are in a 'desert' area - albeit cold, and tomorrow will be a long hard day. Dinner and overnight at Barafu Hut LDBB.
DAY 6 - Mweka - Mweka Camp 19,344 FEET - Summit Day
Today is a very long and strenuous day. Drink lots of fluid before you start, you will be very thirsty by the end of the day - if you manage, carry 3 litres of fluid with you today. You will be woken at about 00h30 or 01h00 with tea and a biscuit. Put on all your clothing ready for the final ascent. You will be climbing up scree for approximately 4-5 hours. The guide will stop frequently to rest and check on his group. It is very important to listen to your body and breathing and try to get into a rhythm. Because of the slowness of your walk, your fingers and toes are likely to get extremely cold - three pairs of socks should be considered for today and two pairs of gloves (inner and warm outer). The views from the mountain (on the way up) are spectacular - you gain incredible height over a short distance. You arrive at Stella Point (18,860 feet), just at the top of the crater, have a rest - the sun should be shining! From here continue on a relatively easy path up to Uhuru peak ( 19,344 FEET , the highest point in Africa. Your water bottle is probably frozen at this stage, and on reaching the summit there will be a certain relief amongst the group. You will descend from Stella to Barafu. Depending on the timing of your summit, you will be able to have a short rest here (maybe a sleep) and something to eat, before continuing down the Mweka Route, which has recently re-opened after extensive re-furbishing being done by National Parks. You will travel down quickly on the scree gasping in more oxygen, step by step. This is a long descent, and Mweka always seems to be on the 'next hill' - never arriving. It is likely you may experience seizure of joints - particularly knees today - keep a support bandage with you for this descent, and perhaps some anti-inflammatory pills/cream. Arrival Mweka (3 100 m), late afternoon, on the edge of the rainforest, overnight camping. Time to reflect on the day's achievements. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Hut LDBB.
DAY 7 - Moshi - Ameg Lodge
A three to four hour pretty descent through the rainforest to the Park Gate, where the vehicle will meet you. There are generally beers and cokes for sale at the park gate. Transfer by vehicle to the Hotel in Moshi. Dinner and overnight at Ameg Lodge DBB.
DAY 8 - Depart
Breakfast at your hotel. Depending with the mode of transfer and time, you will be picked from your hotel and transfer to your respective destinations.
Price includes
Price excludes
Health Requirements
Please note you will need a Yellow Fever Inoculation, this must be done no later than 10 days prior to departure. If you have had any previous history of Liver Disorders you must consult your physician first. Malaria prophylactics are a must.
Tips
These are considered to be compulsory for all attempting Kilimanjaro, it has become a tradition! Please budget at least USD80 for this six-day camping hike - per guest - which gets split across the group. Old clothing is also appreciated!
Travel Insurance
Please ensure you have sufficient Medical Cover for the duration of your trip and in particular to cover you while doing the Kilimanjaro Climb.
Routes |
Per person | Single Supplement at the base hotel |
|---|---|---|
Marangu |
from $1595 | from $110 |
Machame |
from $1995 | from $120 |
Notes:
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EXTEND YOUR KILIMANJARO CLIMB ADVENTURE to Zanzibar or Victoria Falls or Mombasa and Lamu Islands OR to the game rich national parks of Kenya and Tanzania
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