CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO

Itinerary:

Days 1-2: Depart the U.S. on Day 1, arriving at the Kilimanjaro airport in Tanzania on Day 2. Transportation is provided to our hotel in Moshi. We’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and pre-climb orientation. Parkview Hotel or Ameg Lodge, Moshi (Dinner only)

Note: Day 1 of the itinerary is the day you should depart from the U.S., arriving in Kilimanjaro on Day 2. The main international flight into Kilimanjaro on KLM arrives in the evening. If you have the time, we recommend flying in a day early, allowing you a day in town to recuperate from the long flight, and a day of cushion to deal with any luggage problems. If you choose to arrive a day early, we can arrange an extra night lodging and airport transportation. In this case, you would want to arrive the day BEFORE the official start date of the trip.

Day 3: After breakfast, we drive to the trailhead of the remote Rongai route, near the Kenyan border. Depending on road conditions, the drive could be 2-4 hours. We pass through the National Park Gate, have lunch at the trailhead and begin our climb at 6,400 ft. of elevation. Our team of porters will carry the majority of our climbing gear and equipment, while our experienced guides will lead us on our trek. The walk to Simba Camp at 8,500 ft. takes us first through cultivated fields, a beautiful alpine forest and into a transitional heather zone. We could see buffalo or elephant during the first day or two of our trek. Each night when we arrive to camp, we will find our personal tents and a large mess tent already set up. Our chef serves delicious meals each evening, mixing local cuisine with more familiar dishes. With tables, chairs, candlelight and shelter, our dining experience is enjoyable regardless of the weather. 2-4 hours, 2100 ft. gain. B, L, D

Day 4: This morning should offer early birds the first of several spectacular sunrises over the Kenyan savannah. Warm water for washing is provided when you wake up, and after a hearty breakfast of porridge, eggs, toast and sausages, we’ll pack up and continue our ascent. Each day we climb with only a day pack containing water, our lunch, spare clothing layers and our camera. The Kilimanjaro mantra is “Pole Pole” (“slowly, slowly”) and we will embrace this pace of climbing throughout the trip, to conserve energy and to assist in acclimatization. Our morning climb today gains 2,600 during a 4 hour trek through heather and moorland. After lunch, the terrain flattens to a gradual climb until we reach Kikelewa Camp at 11,500 ft. 6-8 hours, 3000 ft. gain. B, L, D.

Day 5: A shorter, easier day today as we climb to the base of Mawenzi Peak, the jagged sister peak of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s summit peak. We’ll arrive to camp at Mawenzi Tarn at 14,000 ft. by midday, offering a chance to rest after lunch. In the late afternoon, we’ll take an acclimatization hike to assist in acclimatization. Beginning this evening, climbers may begin to feel the effects of the altitude, including a loss of appetite, headaches, slight nausea and/or restless sleep. For some, these symptoms may develop later on Days 5 & 6 or they may not develop at all. It is critical to be drinking copious amounts of water (4-6 litres per day) beginning as soon as you arrive in Tanzania. The dry air at altitude dehydrates you, and good hydration is needed to help you adjust to higher altitudes. 3-4 hours, 2500 ft.gain. B, L, D.

Day 6: Today we leave a little earlier from camp to climb towards the saddle between Maewnzi and Kibo. After a couple hours trekking, we reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the backround and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. We now can look out over Tanzania to the south and Kenya to the north. We arrive to Kibo Hut at 15,500 ft. – our high camp – in the early afternoon. After lunch, we’ll take a rest and conserve our strength. We’ll gather for a meal in the late afternoon again, and then sleep as much as possible through the evening and early night. 4-6 hours, 1,500 ft. gain. B, L, D.

Day 7 Summit Day: We’ll wake at 11pm on Day 5, eat a light “breakfast” and prepare for our summit bid. At midnight, we leave camp and begin our ascent using our headlamps to guide our way. We’ll climb slowly through the early morning hours towards Gilman’s Point on the Crater Rim at 18,600ft. The route to Gilman’s is on a decent trail up a scree field, with 37 switchbacks. We typically arrive to Gilman’s to witness an awe inspiring sunrise. From Gilman’s point, we trek along the crater rim for another 90 minutes before reaching Uhuru, the highest point in Africa at 19,340ft. Congratulations! After 20-30 minutes at the top, we’ll begin our descent back to Kibo Hut. The descent down takes about 4 hours, and we typically arrive back to camp in the early afternoon. We’ll rest for a bit, eat a light lunch, and then descend down the Marangu Route to Horombo Camp at 12,200 ft. With each step downhill, we’ll progressively feel better as the effects of the altitude begin to subside. 13 – 16 hours, 3,800 ft. gain followed by 7,100 ft. descent. B, L, D.

Day 8: Sleep in, you earned it! Hopefully your appetite has returned and you can eat a big, hearty breakfast! After breakfast, we’ll begin our descent back to civilization. The trek is stunning, as it crosses first moorland, then a spectacular transition zone of sparse trees and shrubs with views forever. We’ll have lunch at Madera Hut, in the midst of a beautiful forest. Another couple hours and we arrive to the trailhead at 6,400ft. The drive back to Moshi takes about 90 minutes and we’ll return to our hotel for a well deserved hot shower and bed. We’ll enjoy a celebration dinner and say our goodbyes to the exceptional crew of guides and porters who made our climb a success! 4-5 hours trek, 5,800 ft. descent. Parkview Hotel or Ameg Lodge. B, L.

Days 9-10: Today is a final rest day in Moshi with a chance to recover, explore the town and relax. Transport is provided today to meet your departing flights which arrive back in the U.S. on Day 10….or continue on with us on a trip extension or on our week-long wildlife safari. Parkview Hotel or Ameg Lodge, Moshi, Breakfast only

Download Detailed Description & Itinerary Files

• Kili Climb and Beyond Detailed Trip Itinerary 2012.pdf