The Summit of Kilimanjaro is a remarkable, otherworldly place. The crown of Kibo is a vast crater that contains an inner crater and an ash pit. The blasted rock and shattered slopes gives it a harsh air, whilst the improbable ice fields and glaciers decorate the rim and upper slopes. The landscape here is akin to a still raw wound, redolent of the earth’s violent and explosive past.
Having scrambled up the normal Marangu route, Barafu Route or the Western Breach, you find yourself on the rim of this vast volcano. The highest point of crater rim is Uhuru Peak 5895m.Ths is unsurprisingly the focus of the majority of walkers. However, whether they make it to the summit is still open to question since it is some distance from any of the crater access points.
For many people simply gaining the crater rim is sufficient reward. Gilmans Point is the lowest point on the southern rim. Accessed from the normal Marangu Route is still 1.5km from Uhuru Peak.The summit is further 210m higher than this point and the arduous approach is often too daunting for exhausted walkers.
(9,300’) Hike time: 7.5 hrs, Pick up from your Hotel in Moshi at 8.00 am for an early start to Kilimanjaro National Park, once we reach the Machame park gate we will proceed directly to Machame hut campsite Elevation change: +1200 M Estimated distance: 10km, Final elevation: 3100 M, From the gate, we begin our trek following an easy track for the first hour through the dense forest. The path continues to follow the ridge, rising steadily with several steep sections. The gradient eases slightly as the forest merges into heather covered ground we will reach Machame Hut in 10 km (6.2 miles) after a 1,200-meter (3,936’) ascent and 5-7 hours of walking.
Hike time:7 hrs, Elevation change: +800 M, estimated distance: 6km, Final elevation: 3800 M, From the Machame Hut we cross the stream onto its west bank and follow the path up the steep rocky ridge crises-crossing a few times before reaching Shira Hut at the base of a semi-circular wall of rocks. We will have ascended 900 meters (3,000’) in 5-7 hours and about 6 km (3.72 miles) of walking.
Hike time: 5 hrs, Elevation change: +100 M Estimated distance: Final elevation: 3900 M, From Shira Hut hike to Lava Tower (15,000’) and then proceed to Barranco via the Great Barranco Wall. This route offers panoramic views of Kibo through Karanga Valley as we hike high and sleep low, dropping back down to Barranco after lunch. Today’s hike will take most of the day Barranco campsite located on elevation of 3950m.
Hike time: 3.5 hrs, Elevation change: +600 M, Estimated distance: 4km, Final elevation: 4600 M, Today involves gaining a little more elevation, acclimatizing and resting for the summit attempt the next morning. This day will take us 4 to 6 hrs of walking. SUMMIT DAY! Summit time: 7 hrs, Elevation change: +1300 M, Estimated distance: 5km, Final elevation: 5895 M
Descent time: 5 hrs, Elevation change: -2800M, Estimated distance: 12km, Final elevation: 3100 M, We will start trekking early before sunrise (1-2 am) as the walk today will take 10-14 + hours. We will avoid the mist that sets in later in the day; the scree and snow will still be safely frozen. The 1,100-meter (3,600’) ascent in just over 3 km (1.86 miles) will take us about 6-8 hours. After a brief stay at the summit of the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak, at over 5,898 meters (19,340′), we descend via the Barafu Route roughly 2,500 meters (8,200’) in 12 km (7.44 miles) in about 4-7 hours to Mweka Camp.
Descent time: 4 hrs, Elevation change: -1250M, Estimated distance: 10km, Final elevation: 1828 M, Today we descend about 1400 meters (4,592’) through the forest on a jungle path for about 10 km (6.2 miles) in 3-4 hours to reach Mweka Gate for transfer to Moshi
Hotel
INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE PRICE:
1.Pick-up from the airport upon arrival Airport
2.Moshi hotel accommodation at day of arrival on BB
3.Accommodation while on expeditions
4.All park fees
6.Three meals per day
7.Bottled water
8.Guide, cook & porter fees
9.English speaking and knowledgeable lead guides, cooks & porters
What to bring on trekking either Kilimanjaro