Description
Highlights of this safari:
Short overview:
Day 1. Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to base hotel
Day 2. Transfer to Machame gate and begin ascent via Machame route
Day 3. Climb to Shira plateau
Day 4. Spectecular Barranco valley
Day 5. Up the Barranco wall to Barafu via Karanga Valley
Day 6. Summit night! Descend from the summit to Mweka Camp at 3100 meters
Day 7. Further descent to Kibololoni Gate and transfer to Base Hotel
Day 8. Transfer to Arusha Town
Program & Route:
Day 1 Arrival
Pick up from Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town, which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. Half Board accommodation at a Base Hotel in Moshi.
Day 2 Start climb
Transfer naar Machame Gate en start van de klim van Mt. Kilimanjaro via Machame Route. Vandaag transfer naar Machame Gate alwaar de klim begint. Afhankelijk van het weer kan het vandaag een betrekkelijk gemakkelijke of moeilijke dag zijn door het regenwoud van de berg. Overnachting in tenten op de berg op 3000 meter hoogte.
Day 3 Shira plateau
A full day as you start early, leaving the forest behind and climb a steep ridge for 3-4 hours. The path then drops into a gorgeous river gorge before you climb more gently up onto the moor land of the Shira Plateau. The Shira Plateau is all that remains of an older volcano that was engulfed when the much larger Kili formed. On clear days the views are absolutely breathtaking: a seemingly endless expanse of multi-colored heath to the gargantuan rim at the end of the plateau where billows of clouds melt down onto the plateau floor. Overnight camping in mountain tents at Shira (3840m).
Day 4 Barranco
Today’s 5-6 hours walk across the plateau makes little net elevation, although there are ups and downs throughout the day. We’ll enjoy sightings of the typical Kilimanjaro mountain vegetation and rewarding views of the spectacular Barranco Valley. Overnight camping in mountain tents at Barranco (3950m).
Day5 Barafu Camp
The standard day includes about 6-8 hours of trekking, up the Barranco Wall, then across scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4100m) for lunch, before continuing up to Barafu Camp at 4600m. Overnight camping in mountain tents at Barafu Camp.
Day 6 Summit day!
You will rise around 2330hrs and after some tea and biscuits you will shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 8-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically, the most challenging on the route. At Stella point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak (5896m). Despite the actual distance of the trek not being too far, the progress is slow – there is less than half the oxygen than at sea level! Uhuru Peak provides a unique reward and usually a plethora of emotions. If your progress has been good you can watch the sunrise from the rooftop of Africa! Most people then start returning quite soon after sunrise as the return journey today is quite long. Take a brief respite at Barafu Camp before descending all the way down to Mweka Camp at 3100m. Overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 7 Back to base hotel
After breakfast descend through the lower heath section that quickly turns into rainforest. Your time on Kilimanjaro ends at Kibololoni Gate where you will be met and transferred back to a Base Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 Departure
After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha town.