Kilimanjaro Climb | Tanzania | Mount Kilimanjaro and Arusha

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and, at 5895 metres, it is one of the highest walkable summits in the world. Having completed the Kilimanjaro climb, we know the sense of utter elation you feel when standing on the ?roof of Africa?. Tantalising glimpses of the magnificent snow?capped summit from the plains below belie the unique combination of eco-climatic zones which hikers will experience; rainforest, montane forest, heath and moorland, alpine desert and then, finally, snow and ice. The one-way Machame Route climbs up the southwest of the mountain. This is a more challenging, but less frequented, trail than the busier Marangu Route and offers more of a wilderness experience. Tents are used rather than overnight huts and we spend 6 nights over the trail (to aid acclimatisation) and 2 nights before and after the trail at base of the mountain. Kilimanjaro climbers should be fit and well exercised.

Meals	Full Board on the climb, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast on Day 1 and Day 8
Accommodation	2 nights comfortable base hotels, 6 nights mountain camping
Departure Dates	On request
Transport	Road transfers
Price Includes	Meals as shown above, accommodation, services of mountain guide and porters, transfers
Price Excludes	International flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified
Minimum Number	2
Climate	Tropical climate with two rainy seasons from November to January and from late March to early June
Best time to go	July to September (cold but dry) and January to mid-March (clearer and warmer)
Health Requirements	Anti-Malarial precautions essential
Combines well with	One of the Tanzanian safaris or Zanzibar
Other Ideas
Notes	15kg luggage restriction, US$20 departure tax payable locally, visa required, yellow fever inoculation essential for Zanzibar

Day 1 : 1 night Aishi Hotel, prior to climb.
Pick up from Arusha Town centre and transfer to your hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Protea Hotel Aishi Machame offers country elegance on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The hotel is located just a few kilometres from the start of the picturesque the Machame Trail and is situated at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. There are 30 newly refurbished en suite bedrooms all with air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, mini bars, coffee and tea making facilities. It's has a friendly atmosphere and the food is tasty.

Day 2 : Machame Gate to Machame Campsite, 10km (6-7 hours walking)
The climb starts from Machame Gate (1,800 m.) after a short walk through the attractive banana and coffee farms of Machame village. The path follows a ridge through dense montane forest. This is the richest forested area on the mountain and also the zone from where 96% of the water on Kilimanjaro originates. On sunny days and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained. We have lunch at ?halfway clearing?, a small opening in the trees, and then continue climbing steadily. The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather, close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame (3,000 m.). We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo, if the evening clouds permit. (6-7 hours walking) Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis. Altitude 2980m.

Day 3 : Machame Campsite to Shira. Approx 6km (5 to 6 hours walking)
A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock. Here, there are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. It?s a good rest point too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We camp near Shira Cave (3,7200 m.) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau and looking across to Mt. Meru floating on the clouds. (5-6 hours walking) Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis. Altitude 3840m.

Day 4 : Acclimatization Day at Shira
An acclimatization day to explore the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We often walk to the summit of Shira cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by spires and pinnacles. There is tangible sense of wilderness (especially when the afternoon mists come in!) and we can enjoy our peaceful Shira Cave campsite for a second night. Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis.

Day 5 : Shira to Barranco. 10km (7 hours walking)
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,900 m.), sheltered by towering cliffs, with extensive views of the plains far below. (5-7 hours walking). Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis.

Day 6 : Barranco to Barafu, 8km (7 to 9 hours walking)
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields. Lunch is usually taken at Karanga , the last water point, in a steep valley. After lunch, the terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) by mid afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, before a very early night. Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis. Altitude 4550m.

Day 7 : Barafu to Summit, then descend to Mweka.
We start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.), in about five or six hours. We rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. (11-15 hours walking total). Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis.

Day 8 : Descend to Mewka gate then return to Arusha for 1 night.
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (4-6 hours walking). When you finish the climb, there will be a vehicle waiting to transfer you back to your hotel on the outskirts of Arusha. Overnight at Serena Mountain Village on half board basis. (8 km to Mweka Gate, approx. 5 hrs. 1650m descent.)

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