7 DAYS: CLIMBING MT. KILIMANJARO - MARANGU ROUTE.

The Total hiking distance for this route is about 96 kms. This is the most popular route to the summit, the shortest and the cheapest thus affectionately known as the Cocacola Route. The shortest time is 5 days. Although its easier to get to the summit in this short time of 5 days, it increases the risk of altitude sickness due to short time of acclimatization and so most of the hikers are advised to take an extra night at Horombo. Huts are offered for accommodation in this route and therefore making it relatively comfortable than the rest of the routes. Though you can get some beers, soft drinks, mineral water on this huts, its advisable to buy enough since the prices are on the higher side.

Day 1
Depart Nairobi at 0800hrs in a tourist shuttle and drive via Namanga boarder where you finish the immigration formalities. Arrive in Arusha by 1300hrs and transfer to Arusha crown hotel for accommodation on BB. Afternoon at Leisure as you walk on the streets as well making the last arrangements of your mountain gears and meeting the guides.

Day 2
Depart Arusha and drive to Marangu village via Moshi where you start the climb. The drive is about one and half-hours. Proceed to Marangu gate to start the climb, the hikers are asked to sign at the park office, the trail takes you on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest, there is also an alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail that branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail after a hike of about 1½ hour. Mandara hut is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut has 6-8 sleeping bunks. There is a solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets. The three hours hike covering 12kms takes you to Mandara hut for dinner and overnight (2774m)

Day 3
The average hiking time is about 8 hours, covering a distance of 15kms, From Mandara hut, the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater. Once you are in the open moorland you will have a chance to see Kilimanjaro most spectacular plants like giant Loberia, this trail takes you to Horombo hut. When the weather is clear, there are possibilities of having scenic views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Dinner and overnight at Horombo (3761m)

Day 4
After breakfast, another 13kms hike to reach Kibo huts, the average hiking time is about 6 to 7 hours. There are 2 trails to choose from. The upper route commonly known as the right hand is stony and eroded. The lower hand route that is most common is much easier to trek. This route also passes the last watering point at 4130m and so hikers are recommended to refill their bottles as they continue with slow pace towards the summit. A Kibo hut is a stone build blockhouse with a capacity of 60 climbers in bunk beds. The summit is another 1195m up and since the last ascent is in the same night, the climbers are advised to go to bed early by 1900hrs, prepare necessary equipment well like the thermal clothes, replacement of the head lamp and camera batteries.

Day 5
This is a long day! You will need to start the climb by 2330hrs, the total distance is 6kms ascend and 21kms descend. After some tea and biscuits, take off and this is where the going gets tough! The trail consists of a rocky path, and then zigzags to Gilman's point on the crater rim. This is probably the most demanding section of this trip. From Gilman's point, you will encounter snow all the way to the summit (Uhuru peak 5895m) the weather at the summit determines the time you spend here. You will descend 3 hours to get to Kibo huts and take all you had left by the time you left for the summit and continue on for 3 hours again to get to Horombo. The descend to Horombo is quicker than imagined, and once back at Horombo, it's a beehive of activities, many hikers on their acclimatization day, others going up and others going down. Enjoy your last dinner at the mountain with a good sleep of course filled with memories and emotions of conquering the Kilimanjaro.

Day 6
After breakfast, descend to the park gate via Mandara hut is slow and enjoyable. This takes about 6 hours. At the park gate, successful climbers are issued with certificates. Those that reached Gilman's point {5685} get green certificates and those that get to the summit {5895m} get gold certificates. The memories of having conquered the Kilimanjaro makes you feel more relaxed and strong for the walk down .You will drive back to Arusha for long due hot shower and a nice sleep at Arusha crown hotel on BB.

Day 7
After breakfast; catch a tourist shuttle bus to Nairobi at 0800hrs`to arrive by 1300hrs.

Price includes.
· Return transfers Nairobi- Arusha - Nairobi.
· 2 nights accommodation at Arusha Crown Hotel on BB
· 4 nights/5 days in the mountain. (Marangu route)
· 1 porter and 1 guide for the climb.
· 3 meals per day while on the mountain.
· Mountain fees.
· Mountain camping.
· All government taxes.

Excludes
Visa for Tanzania.
All climbing gears.

6 Days Machame Route
Duration: 6 Days / Total hiking
Distance: About 100 km.

This is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. Unlike Marangu where people sleep in huts the Machame route offers strictly tents only. This route is also referred to as the Whiskey route. Probably because it requires a hiker to be more strong and prepared, its better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, there are rewarding sceneries like the afternoon sunsets at Shira, the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall, this route offers the adventurous hiker a stunning scenic "slide show" in a short period of 6 days. The big success secret offered in this route is by taking hikers high to Lava Tower (4630m) on the day 3 and brings them down by nearly 700m for an overnight at Barranco camp (3950m). The Machame route can also be completed in 5 days. If one goes directly to Kibo on day 3 with an overnight at the Arrow Glacier camp, attempting the summit on day 4. It's an extremely physical and mental demanding option, not recommended for the average climber.

Day 1
Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame Camp (2980m
The day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 45-minute drive from Moshi to Machame village (1490m). Total distance to be covered is 18kms in duration of 7hours.The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. You get a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. In most occasions, it rains turning the trails to muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. Your porters who in most cases are faster will have pitched your tent on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can sometimes drop to freezing point at this campsite.

Day 2
Machame Camp (2980m) - Shira Camp (3840m)
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a little rest as you enjoy your lunch, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3840m. By the time you get here, you will have covered a distance of 9kms in about 6hours.The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.

Day 3
Shira (3840m) - Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco camp (3950m)
This day looks the toughest day of all; the distance to be covered is 15kms in duration of about 7hours. After breakfast, the route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky path to Lava Tower (4630m). It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true secret of acclimatization becomes clear. This 2 hours descent to Barranco camp offers great opportunities to take some beautiful snap shots of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable as you wait for dinner.

Day 4
Barranco Camp (3950m) - Barafu Camp (4550m)
Another 13kms journey to Barafu hut, estimated walking time of 7hours.After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall, you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 1900hrs and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Day 5
Barafu Camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Hiking Time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: About 7 km's ascent - 23 km's descent

You will rise around 2330hrs, and after some tea and biscuits you set off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy terrain towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is the most mentally and physically challenging part on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and if weather permits, amazing views of sunrise ever seen. From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent up to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions, its advisable to take the shortest time possible due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life.

The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours, take a short rest and head down to Mweka hut (3100m). Enjoy a good dinner as you marvel the wonders of Africa.

Day 6
Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours | Distance: About 15 kms

This is the last bit of the trip, it's a 15kms walk. After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.

From the Mweka Gate another 3hours muddy walk takes you to Mweka village. Enjoy a delicious hot lunch. Drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations. Overnight at Arusha crown Hotel.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing
Zanzibar Excursions
Ngorongoro Crater