MT. KILIMANJARO CLIMB
8 DAYS  

Day 1.    Moshi (1,800 m)

You could start in Arusha or Nairobi, traveling to Moshi. Afternoon is spent to acclimatize with a pre-climb briefing conducted by a mountain guide. Overnight at the base hotel.

Day 2.    Mandara (2,700 m)

Walk about 9 km in 4 hours, ascending 900 m.

Morning transfer in the hotel vehicle to Marangu Gate, an ascent of 400 m. After registration and settlement of park fees, the climb commences. There are two possible routes both following the same stream but on opposite banks. At first the main path is wide and not too steep, being bounded on each side by large trees. Higher up in the rainforest it is steeper and muddier, and is crossed by many tree roots which are difficult to climb over when they are wet. Eventually the path leaves the forest and soon reaches a clearing containing the Mandara Huts where the first night is spent. 

The initial ascent is warm and sunny but after an hour it could became dull and misty.  After a picnic lunch (consisting of sandwiches, boiled egg and a fruit) at the Huts, optional visit to Maundi Crater, about 1.5 km from the huts. There are several unusual flowers near this crater and on the path. There are also a few monkeys and birds. 

This camp, at an altitude of 2,700 m above sea level, has one large A-frame, which is partly used as a communal dinning-room and several smaller ones with four raised platforms with mattresses. It is recommended that one should carry a mat to put on top, as the mattresses could be damp due to high humidity. There is a cold-water washbasin and two flush toilets. For the latter a torch is helpful even in daylight.

Dinner is served at about 5:30 pm because darkness falls early and the huts are not lighted by electricity except for some solar panel lighting, which is low. Dinner consists of soup, meat or fish with vegetables, a fruit, and tea/coffee.

Clothing + Other Information: Sports shoes, short trousers with track trousers in a daypack, T-shirt and if cloudy a sweater and /or jacket. Also required is a sun-protection cream and drinking water.

Day 3.    Horombo (3,820 m)

Walk about 14 km in 4.5 hours, ascending 1,020 m.

Woken up between 6:30 and 7:00 am for breakfast, which consists of tea/coffee, eggs, sausage, toast and a fruit.

The climb begins at about 8:00 am. As on the previous day, there is a choice of routes. This time the main path starts by rising steeply through the rainforest and is again muddy with many tree roots to be negotiated. After about 2 km it levels out into a region of heath land with grasses, some shrubs and trees, and a few flowers, while higher up there are heather and giant groundsels called senecios. At this stage the path is not clearly defined and it is easy to get off the main track.

The weather could be sunny in the morning, turning dull and misty hence little visibility along the route. There is a 200 m high volcanic cone called Kifinika en route. After crossing some ridges and ravines you come to Horombo Huts where you spend the night. The picnic lunch consists of boiled egg, sandwich, and a fruit.

These huts, built by a stream on a hillside 3,720 m above sea level, are similar to those at Mandara.  Again there is one large hut and several smaller ones, but a lot more than in the lower camp since the descending climbers also sleep here. The area is rather exposed and there is little to see or do. The only place to wash is in the stream.  There are two flush toilets on which you have to squat, and also two earth toilets 100 m away down the slope. Good views of the tops of Kibo and Mawenzi can be obtained from this part of the site. The valley of the stream contains small groups of senecios and clusters of everlasting flowers. On arrival at the Hut, you will be served with tea/coffee. Like at Mandara, dinner consists of meat, spaghetti and vegetables, and is as served around 5:30-6:00 pm.

Clothing + Other Information: Sports shoes, short trousers (only if sunny)/track trousers, T-shirt and if cloudy an extra warm sweater and/or jacket. Sun-protection cream and drinking water are also required.

Temperatures: It could be around 12 to 14 degrees Celsius and could get as low as 5 degrees Celsius at night.

Day 4.    Horombo (3,820 m)

Day at leisure mainly for acclimatization. Overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 5.    Kibo (4,850 m)

Walk about 13 km in 5 hours, ascending 1,030 m.

Standard breakfast (like the previous day) is served at around 7:00 am.

The climb could start at around 8:30 am. It could be misty at the start of the climb and cloudy for the rest of the way. The route goes straight up a ridge towards Mawenzi, and there is no drinking water available on it. The main path keeps further west and reaches the saddle much nearer to Kibo. It crosses two or three streams, the final one of which is clearly labeled as the last water. Some climbers, guides and porters stop there to fill their water bottles.

The first part of the path is dry and dusty with the occasional stony stretch. On each side there are everlasting flowers, heather and some groups of senecios but the only bird commonly seen is the Alpine Chat. The second part of the path is flatter but stonier; by the time it reaches the saddle there are very few plants though occasionally a White-necked Raven flies over. The main route passes between two red hills, which have an interesting geology. At this point the Kibo Hut is visible and seems to be fairly close in the clear air but there is still about 2.5 km to walk and 300 m to climb.

The Kibo Hut, at 4,750 m above sea level, consists of 4 dormitories with beds each containing a table and bunks for twelve people plus another one for only 10 people.  There is another (older) building used by the guides and porters and two earth toilets a short distance away. The huts are built of stone, unlike Mandara and Horombo which are wooden. The inside of the Huts is humid but cold. In both this and previous camp the warden radio link with headquarters is powered by a group of solar cells on a pole. The Sun is more likely to be shining here and it can be pleasantly warm during the day but because of the altitude precautions against sunburn is essential. The cloud could clear by the middle of the afternoon, and one could catch some good views of the saddle and Mawenzi.

Dinner is served at about 5:00 pm. Due to the weather and exhaustion, it would mainly consist of soup and rice. On arrival at the Huts, it is recommended that one stay in the hut (in the sleeping bag) as coffee/tea is served, as it is very windy outside. 

Clothing + Other Information: Long trousers with a warm sweater or windbreaker jacket during the trek and high mountain clothes at night.

Temperatures: It is around 9 degrees Celsius and could get as low as 0 degrees Celsius at night.

Day 6.    The Final Climb

Stage 1: Climb to Gilman’s Point at 5,680 m.  A distance of about 6 km. Estimated time: 5 hours for an ascent of 930 m

Wake up at 3:00 am. After tea/coffee we commence the climb.

The route ascends the main cone of Kibo, immediately to the west of the Kibo Hut, and appears to be very steep. Actually, the upper part the climb is on a zigzag path (which is a bit easier) but the gradient is still greater than 1 to 5. At first the surface is stony and rather loose. It gets much worse later on, especially where the zigzags cross the line of descent. It gets easier to get a good hold only on the final stretch. However, you might need to use hands. About halfway up the Hans Meyer Cave, at an altitude of 5,151 m, shelter from wind and cold is provided.

The temperature is below freezing point (could be as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius), but it is not too windy. Depending on the weather/season, the Moon could be overhead and nearly full but it would still be necessary to occasionally use a torch despite the paraffin lamp or torch carried by the guides. 

Gilman’s point, which is 5,680 m above sea level, consists essentially of a slab of rock facing east with steep cliffs on the other three sides. 

Stage 2: Climb to Uhuru Point at 5,895 m. A distance of 2 km. Estimated time: 1 ½ to 2 hours

The path to Uhuru Peak, which is at an altitude of 5,895 m, follows the edge of the rim. It involves a scramble over fairly large boulders but probably through very little snow. The Reusch Crater and the central Ash Pit are not visible from Gilmans Point but there are good views of the Eastern Icefield and the Rebmann Glacier.  It can be warm on the rock in the sunshine, though it can also be rather windy at certain times of the year.

Stage 3: Descent to Kibo Hut. A distance of 3 km. Estimated time: 3 hours for a descent of 990 m

On arrival at Kibo Hut, have a light meal and after a small rest commence descend to Horombo Hut. There are several interesting rock formations on this part of the route, mostly crystals of volcanic lava. 

Stage 4: Descent to Horombo Hut. A distance of 13 km.

Leave Kibo Huts at about 10:30 am  for the descent. It is imposible to walk down directly to the saddle is impossible. Follow the main path down to the Horombo Huts. As the sun will be getting higher in the sky, a hat is required to provide some shade to the eyes.   For most of this stage the clouds are well below and views of the upper part of the mountain are unrestricted, a complete contrast to the ascent. This part of the descent is comparatively easy, but because of the heat and altitude one needs to drink plenty of water. It is advisable to fill water bottles from the supply carried by the guides before leaving Kibo Huts. Lunch is served on arrival at Horombo Huts.

Clothing + Other Information: Long trousers with a very warm sweater or windbreaker jacket.

Temperatures: Depending on the season, it could be as cold as minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Day 7.    Moshi

Walk about 18 km in 6 hours, descending 1,890 m.

After breakfast at 6:30 am commence the descent. It can be quite warm, with the clouds well below. At about 3,000 m, enter the top of the cloud level, and hereafter the weather could be dull and damp. The mud on the path and the tree roots make the steep descent through the rain forest somewhat tiring.

Get to Mandara Huts about noon and after lunch start down again through the rainforest.  This time it is easier to step on the tree roots and avoid the muddy patches. Lower down the path is drier. Get to Marangu at about 2:00 pm and after signing the book at Park headquarters and obtaining certificates starting how far one has climbed, you will be transferred back to the base hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure - perhaps to relax from exhaustion or cleaning up!! Overnight at the base hotel.

Clothing + Other Information: Warm in the morning (temperatures could be around 7 degrees Celsius) and light in the end (if sunny). It is recommended to wear shorts inside track trousers, T-shirt, warm sweater/jacket – that can be shed en-route if it gets too hot.  Furthermore the porters are ready to repack the bags at Mandara Hut.

Day 8.    Base Hotel and departure

Breakfast and departure.

SUMMARY

Inclusions: Three meals per day while on the climb and breakfast at the base hotel, accommodation for two nights at the base hotel and huts while on the climb, porters to carry luggage, services of a mountain guide, mountain fees

Start and Finish: Nairobi or Arusha

Trip Grade: Demanding

Dates: As Extension to Kenya & Tanzania OR daily all year

Land Cost: US$ 2,095

Note: Please note that all itineraries and prices are subject to change.

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