|
Day-by-day
program
Day 1:
Pick up at Kilimanjaro Airport, the final location of a
previous building block or other location. Dinner and
overnight at a hotel in Arusha or Moshi.
Day 2:
Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m)
Hiking time: 5 hours Distance: About 8 km's
Habitat: Montane forest
Register at the Marangu park gate with a transfer
(approximately 2 ½ hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your
guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale
Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields
before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through
a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a
gentle hike through beautiful country. The first night's
camp is at First Cave, at about 2,600 meters. There is a
toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water
can be found just down the trail below First Cave.
Day 3:
1st Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m)
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave
(3450m) en-route, and reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600
meters. The views start to open up and you begin to feel
you're on a really big mountain! Water is in the obvious
stream below the cave, although you might have to wander
downhill a way to find some. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp (Kikelewa
Caves).
Day 4:
Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Moorlands
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views
of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly
before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn
spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of
Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the
area.
Day 5:
Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the
saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach
Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in
preparation for the final ascent, which begins around
midnight. Overnight at Kibo Camp
Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to
Horombo Distance: 6 km's ascent - 21 km's descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits
you shuffle off into the night. This is where the going
really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists
of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good
resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5
681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is
very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great
physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding
section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move
slowly. From Gillman's Point you will normally encounter
snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point
in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made
it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long
you can spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent
back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your
gear for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours)
where you will overnight. The return to Horombo hut will
seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total
time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be
prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you
enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale
at the camp office) on the mountain and well-earned sleep,
filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Day 7
Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing
the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate.
It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips
until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. At
Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register.
This is also where successful climbers receive their summit
certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point
(5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who
reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. You
now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower,
dinner and celebrations!! Overnight in Impala hotel or
Similar.
Day 8:
After breakfast, depart for your next destination, which is
optional. |
