CLIMBING KILIMANJARO

MARANGU ROUTE

The most popular route up the mountain, it has a well defined path, which has been well set out and where most obstacles have been modified to make them “climber friendly”. Accommodation on this route is in purpose built mountain huts providing adequate shelter and even bottled water, beer and soft drinks (at high altitude prices!). Despite the human traffic (it can be fun to mingle with climbers from all over the world, this is a very scenic route with good views of Mawenzi and excellent prospects for viewing wildlife. Tour Ref THT – 001 7Days & 6Ningts (5 days on trek).

Day 1:              Arrive at Moshi time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2:              Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Marangu for the first section of the climb through the montane forest to Mandara Hut at 9000ft/2750m. taking 3 to 4 hours. Overnight Mandara Hut.

Day 3:              Leaving the forest, you trek along a good path through open grassy moorland to reach Horombo Hut at 12000ft/3700m, taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 4:              Continue ascending past the last water point’ traversing the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi to Kibo Hut at 15000ft/4700m, taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight at Kibo Hut.

Day 5:              An early start for the summit on steep and heavy scree up to Gilman’s Point at 18640ft/5681m. on the crater rim to arrive in time for sunrise. Continue on to Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 1934ft/5896m. Descend to Horombo Hut for overnight taking 7 to 8 hours ascent and 4 to 7 hours descend. Overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 6:              Descend the mountain to the Park Gate taking 5 to 7 hours to be met and transferred to Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

MACHAME ROUTE

One day longer on trek, climbing a natural. Rather than manmade path, the Machame Route is a more demanding but much quieter and scenic route up the mountain. Overnights are spent camping in tents which are carried and pitched by the accompanying porters. Highlights of this route are the Shira Plateau, Barranco wall and the Karanga Valley reaching the summit via Stella Point. Because this route is more taxing it is recommended that trekkers.