SAFARI EQ 17:Kilimanjaro Itinerary

MARANGU ROUTE

• Transfer from Arusha to Marangu, on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
• Attend an introductory briefing upon arrival in Marangu.
• Have your dinner and overnight at Springland Hotel in the heart of Marangu village.

• After your breakfast, start the climb through the fascinating rain forests till you reach the first Hut- Mandara. You will have your meals and overnight at the hut. Time 3-4 hours, elevation gained: 9000ft 2,725m

• After breakfast, follow the ascending path through the alpine meadow. The altitude begins to change and slows down your pace while enjoying the flora and the view of Mawezi and Kibo peaks.
• Arrive at the Horombo hut 12km from Mandara. Meals and overnight at the hut. Time: 5 hours. Elevation gained: 12335ft 3,780m

• After breakfast, resume the climb the climb. Here, the landscape becomes rugged and rocky and groundsels and lobelias appear.
• Climb to Kibo hut. Meals and overnight at the hut. Time 5 hours 15520ft. 4,730m

• The beginning of the last ascend is made at about 1:00 am in the morning while the place is still frozen. Climb the very steep part of the route to GILMAN'S POINT (most difficult and tiring part). UHURU peak is reached within an hours walk along the crater's rim.
• Start the descend to Horombo hut for overnight. Time 6 hours 18635ft. 5680m.

• Continue to descend to Marangu gate. Return to your hotel. After lunch, rest for the day. Have your dinner and overnight at Springland Hotel.

N.B.: Any extra day at the mountain costs $156 per person

MECHAME ROUTE

• Introductory briefing upon arrival in Arusha, then transfer to Hotel for evening and overnight

• At 7:30 am, transfer to Machame Park gate. After registering with the park authority, begin your dream climb through the lush forest.
• Continue on to some heath land, and then proceed to Machame camp for an overnight. (10,000ft, 6-7 hours of walking).

• This section continues across beautiful heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro peak.
• Spend your overnight at Shira Camp. (12,500 ft, 6-7 hours of walking)

• Draw nearer the peak as we pass the Lava Tower.
• Here, the trek becomes more strenuous as the trail becomes steeper approaching Barranco Camp.
• Overnight at Barranco Camp. (13,000ft, 5-6 hours of walking)

• The day begins with a descend into the George, before climbing its eastern wall with views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, an equatorial anomaly.
• Carry on with the trek up to Karanga Valley Camp. (13,900 ft, 4-5 hours of walking)

• Trek up through the Karanga valley following the lava ridge to the Barafu Camp.
• Overnight at Barafu camp. (15,500 ft, 6-7 hours of walking)

• After mid night, you will make your attempt on the summit passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella point.
• As dawn nears, you will finally reach your long - awaited destination - the Uhuru peak!! This is the highest peak in Africa at 19340 ft. Such a reward will after a 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking.
• Take photographs for your lifetime memories!
• Descend back to Barafu Camp and rest for a while
• Descend further up to Mweka Camp. (9,840 ft, 3-4 hours of walking on descend).

• Make a final descend to the park gate - taking you about 3-4 hours.
• Say farewells to the guides and porters and head for Arusha.