MT. CLIMBING IN TANZANIA

Your Itinerary Mt. Kilimanjaro 7 DAYS MT. KILIMANJARO- MARANGU ROUTE

Day 1. Nairobi/Arusha/Moshi

Board Shuttle bus from Nairobi to Moshi arriving at 1500 hrs.Overnight at a Moshi hotel B/B.

Day 2. Mandara Hut

Morning walk through the Kilimanjaro forest and spend your night at Mandara Hut. 2,700 metres above sea level.

Day 3. Horombo Hut

You start your trekking early in the morning up to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight 3,720 metres above sea level.

Day 4. Kibo Hut

The whole trekking will take you up to Kibo hut for dinner and overnight 5,680 metres above sea level.

Day 5. Uhuru Peak

For fit climbers, this day will be the final ascend to the summit before dawn, "THE UHURU PEAK" 5,895 metres above sea level. The night will be spent at Horombo Hut.

Day 6.at Leisure

Morning descend to Hotel where the afternoon will be at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

Day 7. Arusha

Drive back to Arusha.

 Your Itinerary Mt. Kilimanjaro MACHAME ROUTE 6 NIGHTS/7 DAYS MT.KILIMAJARO

Day 1. Moshi.

Depart Arusha for Moshi .Dinner and overnight at a Moshi Hotel.

Day 2. Machame Hut.

Drive to Machame village , The climb starts at the end of the tarmac road. Walk through shambas (farms) then forest to the Machame hut(3000m,6hours).

Day 3. Shira Hut.

Continue along the steep ridge going on to rock ridges and through heather. The route turns west into a river gorge, reaching Shira hut (3800m,5hours).

Day 4. Baranco Hut.

Continue east towards the lava tower. Shortly after this, You descend to Baranco Hut.(3940m,4hours).

Day 5. Barafu Hut.

A short scramble to the top of the great Baranco and then a traverse overscree and ridge to the Karanga Valley 4000m,3 hours.. Beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers, After climbing out the Karanga Valley the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Hut. A bleak location with little vegetation at 4600m,3hours walking.

Day 6. Barafu hut.

An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebbmann and Ratzel Glaciers 4hours.the last section before the rim can sometimes be snow- covered and an ice axe or ski-stick is useful for balance. From here a further hour leads to uhuru peak, from where there are often fine views of Mt.Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east. Descend to the Barafu hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge, those with energy on the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the dramatic ice pinnacles of the eastern icefields.

Day 7. Arusha

Three to four hour descend through beautiful forest brings you to the park gate and your waiting transport back to the Hotel for overnight.

Day 8. Arusha.

Depart after breakfast , transfer back to Arusha.

Mt. Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route.

The Lemosho Route: is an unspoilt, remote, little-used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. It can either be used to gain the Western Breach route or followed by the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.

The route is quite long and a party wishing to ascent comfortably should take 8 days on the trip. However the campsites at Shira 1 and at Karanga Valley could be left out by a very strong party ascending via the Barafu Route making this a 6 day trip. Also it is possible to go up the Western Breach and complete the trip in 5 days - this is a very tough option. The Barafu (comfortable) variant is described below.

Programme

1.   Arrive and overnight at hotel near Moshi/Arusha.
2. Drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m, 2 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100m, 11km, 45 minutes) and a possible campsite (park fees are not paid to camp here). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750m, 3 hours).
3. The trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira Ridge at about 3600m and drops gently down to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau (3500m, 5 hours).
4. A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream (3850m, 1.5 hours). A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatisation day.
5. Continue eastwards over moorland then a the rocky path leads amongst outcrops to the Lava Tower. We traverse below this and descend gently to the Barranco Hut and good campsites back in the moorland zone (3900m, 4 hours).
6. A short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4000m, 3 hours), beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers.
7. After climbing out of the Karanga Valley the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Hut, a bleak location with little vegetation at 4600m, (3 hours walking).
8. An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, (4 hours); the last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. From here a further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, from where there are often fine views of Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east. After a short time on the summit you descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on down to camp at Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the Mweka route. Those with energy on the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the dramatic ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields.
9. A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park gate and your waiting transport. Drive back to the hotel near Moshi/ Arusha..
10. Leave hotel after breakfast.

Variation: Lemosho Route then Uhuru Point by the Arrow Glacier
This is a really steep, hard but short route to the summit from Arrow Glacier Camp which is itself reached in about 4 hours from the Barranco Hut. From December to February crampons and ice axes may be needed.
Cost and details on request.

Accommodation on the mountain is in tents; you will need a sleeping bag and sleeping mat. The porters will pitch the tents for you.

This is a strenuous walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. Ski sticks or ice-axe are useful when ascending the scree to the summit.

This route starts an altitude of 11600ft (3500m) and should only be attempted by trekkers who are already acclimatised or know from previous experience that they can tolerate altitude. From the trailhead the trail heads east across the centre of the Shira Plateau, where it is often likely to spot big game, such as elephant and buffalo. The route then joins up with the Machame Route at Shira Camp and approaches the summit via Stella Point descending via Mweka Camp.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Shira route 8 days & 7 nights (6 days on trek)

Day 1
Arrive at base hotel in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight.

DAY 2
Drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Londorossi for the first section of the climb through the lush forest to reach Forest Campsite close to the gate at 9000ft/2750m taking 4 to 5 hours. Overnight Forest Camp

DAY 3
Continue through the forest on to the Shira Plateau to reach Shira Campsite at 12,500ft/3800m for overnight camp taking 5 to 6 hours. Overnight Shira Camp

DAY 4
Heading eastwards, continue ascending through the dry landscape before reaching Barranco Campsite at 13,000ft/3900m for overnight camp taking 5- 7 hours. Overnight Barranco Camp

DAY 5
The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley, crosses the Karanga Valley, then turns north to reach Barafu Campsite at 15,500ft/4600m for overnight camp. Overnight Barafu Camp.

DAY 6
A long day and an early start to reach the crater rim at Stella Point in time for sunrise. Continue on to Uhuru Peak 19,340ft/5896m the highest point in Africa. Descend to Mweka Campsite at 10,000ft/3000m for overnight camp taking 6 to 8 hours ascent 5 to 7 hours descent. Overnight Mweka Camp

DAY 7
Descend through the forest to the park gate at Mweka wildlife college, taking 3 to 4 hours to be met and transfered back to base hotel  for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 8
Breakfast at base hotel. End of tour.

UMBWE ROUTE

Starting on the southern side of the mountain at Umbwe gate this is a fairly steep route and is recommended for the very fit or practiced trekker. Steep forest paths give way to heath and moorland before becoming rocky and where the trek becomes more demanding. Approach to the summit is via Barafu and Stella Point with the descent being via Mweka.

Mt. Kilimanjaro-umbwe route 7 days & 6 nights ( 5 days on trek)

DAY 1
Arrive at base hotel in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2
Drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Umbwe. For the first section of the climb through the forest along a narrow ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers to reach Bivouac No 1, taking 4 to 5 hours, at 9400ft/2800m for overnight camp. Overnight Bivouac No 1 Camp

DAY 3
Leaving the forest the path continues to follow the ridge, passing through heather and open moorland to reach Barranco Camp at, 13000ft/3900m for overnight camp taking 3 to 4 hours. Overnight Barranco Camp

DAY 4
The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley, crosses the Karanga Valley and turns north to reach Barafu Camp at 15500ft/4600m taking 8 to 9 Hours. Overnight Barafu Camp

DAY 5
A very early start to reach Stella Point in time for sunrise. Then to Uhuru Peak 19340ft/5896m the highest point in Africa taking 6 to 8 hours. Descend via Barafu Campsite throught the forest to Mweka Campsite at 10,000ft / 3000m. for over night camp, taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Mweka Camp

DAY 6
Descend through the forest to the park gate at Mweka Wildlife College taking 3 to 4 hours to met and transferred to base hotel  for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 7
Breakfast at base hotel. End of tour.

Mt. Kilimanjaro-MWEKA ROUTE

The Mweka Route has been closed for the last year for regeneration. Now the Mweka route is reopened.

The Mweka Route is used for descending the Mountain after you have climbed all routes except the Marangu Route. The Mweka Route is a direct route to the bottom of the mountain with one stop over at Mweka camp half way down the mountain.

Cost and details on request.

NB  Note that we book shuttle transfers from Nairobi to Arusha and Moshi at usd 25 and 35 respectively. If you are not booking a complete KUJA SAFARIS  package but wish to make a shuttle bus reservation, please inquire with our reservations desk.

Our prices above are inclusive of:

Transport, private vehicles used throughout.

All park fees, our own selected National Park approved guides & porters.

Double skinned mountain for two people and sleeping mats. Stools, a mess tent and hot water for washing are provided on the mountain.

Food on the mountain is plentiful and prepared fresh by skilled cooks. Typical menus include: Breakfast - fruit, fruit juice, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, oats or muesli, egg, sausage, toast, margarine, honey and jam. Lunch - soup, chips, sandwiches, hot tea, coffee and chocolate, biscuits, pancakes with honey or jam, fruit. Supper - soup, cooked meat or vegetarian meal, fruit, variety of hot drinks.

Half-board at the base Hotel for Kilimanjaro or Meru Packages otherwise B&B at Hotel.

Full-board on Game Park Safaris.

Not included:

Tips, hotel meals other than breakfast at base hotel  outside of Mountain Packages. Visas. Airport transfers.

Extras:

Hyperbaric Bag - $100 per group per trip, if requested.

Two oxygen cannisters - $35 if requested.

For larger groups please ask for our discounted prices. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Rongai Route7 days & 6 nights ( 5 days on trek)

RONGAI ROUTE

This route is fast gaining in popularity and is considered to be one of the easiest routes up the mountain. It is the only route starting from the north side of the mountain at Rongai a small village close to the Kenya border. The climbing conditions are drier on the northern side of the mountain and there are spectacular sweeping views over the broad flat Maasai lands. Overnights are spent camping in tents. The summit is reached via the east side of Kibo and the descent is via the Marangu route.

DAY 1

Arrive at base hotel in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight.

DAY 2

The climb begins at the village of Nale Moru ( 1950 mts) through cultivated land before entering the pine forest. Watch out for Kilimanjaro Colobus monkeys in the tree tops with their white fringed 'capes' and tail. Taking 3 - 4 hours the first camp is on the edge of the moorland zone where the forest begins to thin out at First Cave at 8500ft/2600m. Overnight 1st Cave Camp

DAY 3

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to Second Cave at 11300ft/3450m with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Pushing on to reach Third Cave taking 3 to 4 hours at 12800ft/3800m for overnight camp. Overnight 3rd Cave Camp

DAY 4

Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut at 15000ft/4700m. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent which begins around midnight. Overnight Kibo Camp

DAY 5

An early start for the summit on steep heavy scree to arrive at Gilman's Point at 18640ft/5681m in time to see the sun rise. Those who want to reach the highest point in Africa can take the approximately three hour excursion to Uhuru Peak 19340/5896m passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo at 12000ft/3700m taking 11 to 15 hours. Overnight Horombo Camp

DAY 6

A steady descent down through the moor land to Mandara Hut and then downward through the lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu ( 1830m) taking 5 to 7 hours to be met and transferred to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay. Overnight base hotel  

DAY 7

Breakfast at base hotel. End of tour.

MOUNT MERU

Mountain Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania, at 14979ft/4566m. and is overshadowed by Kilimanjaro, its famous neighbour. Not only is it a rewarding and picturesque trek in its own right, but it is also very good acclimatization for a Kilimanjaro trek. A trek involves hiking through the forest and grassland on the mountain's lower slopes, followed by a dramatic and exhilarating ridge-walk to the summit.

The following itinerary of groups or individuals can be swiftly arranged:

Mt. Kilimanjaro Meru route 5 days & 4 nights (3 days on trek)

Day 1
Arrive at base hotel in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2
Drive to the Arusha National Park gate at Momella. For the first section of the climb through the lush forest, crossing the Ngare Nanyuki river to reach Miriakamba Hut at 8337ft / 2541m for overnight taking 4 to 5 hours. Over night Miriakamba Hut

Day 3
Continue to ascend steeply through the pleasant forest glades and giant heather to reach Saddle Hut at 11,713ft / 3570m. Taking 2 to 3 hours. From here it is possible to take a side trek to reach the summit of Little Meru 12,450ft / 3794m and return to Saddle Hut in about 2 hours, for overnight Saddle Hut

Day 4
An early start to reach Rhino Point and then on to the summit at 14,981ft / 4566m to see the sun rise behind Mount Kilimanjaro, before descending to Momella Gate to be met and transferred back to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5
Breakfast at base hotel. End of tour.

NB These climbing expeditions can be combined with other tailor made or wildlife safaris, white water rafting, walking safaris, beach holidays and Kenya safari packages. Please inquire with our reservations desk for details.

Asante Sana