Day: 01

Location: Marangu
Overnight at: Capricorn Hotel
Meal Plan: D

Pick up from your hotel drive to Taveta border and transferred by our representative to Marangu Town on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Dinner at the Hotel.

Day: 02

Location: Kilimanjaro
Overnight at: Mandara Hut
Meal Plan: B, L, D

 Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara hut (2700m)
 Hiking time: 3-4 hours
 Habitat: Montane forest

After breakfast, transfer to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park’s office and make their final preparations for the climb. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. Diner and overnight at Mandara hut. Meals indicated are breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D)

Day: 03

Location: Kilimanjaro
Overnight at: Horombo Hut
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland

From Mandara hut, the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day: 04

Location: Kilimanjaro
Overnight at: Kibo Hut
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Horombo hut (3720m) – Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast, you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. 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 around about 1900hrs and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

Day: 05

Location: Kilimanjaro
Overnight at: Horombo Hut
Meal Plan: B,L,D

SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru – 6 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: 6 km’s ascent – 21 km’s descent
Habitat: Stone scree

You will rise around 2330hrs and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzag`s up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located Meals indicated are breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D) 3 on the crater rim and then continue for about 1 hours to get to the highest point (Uhuru Peak 5895m), the highest point in Africa.

Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it.

Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight.

Day: 06

Location: Marangu
Overnight at: Capricorn Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L,D

 Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
 Hiking time: 6 hours

After breakfast, continue your descent (6 hours) passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Marangu Town for a long overdue hot shower and celebrations!!

Day: 07

Location: Taveta Border – Departure
Overnight at:
Meal Plan: B

After breakfast, you will be transferred from Marungu to the Taveta Border.
Meals indicated are breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D)

General: Accommodation is camping throughout in 3 person mountain huts shared by two people. All your equipment will be carried by vehicles or local porters; you only carry a daypack with personal gear. When camping you will not have to participate in camp chores. We buy fresh produce locally and to ensure good standards of hygiene all food is prepared by our own staff. We can cater for special dietary requirements and there are no extra food-kitty payments.

Meals indicated are breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D)

 Suggested Mountain Climb Equipment

• T-shirts (synthetic materials are best as cotton retains moisture)
• Waterproof thigh-length jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
• Gloves (waterproof warm outers + thin liners)
• Warm hat (or balaclava) that covers the ears
• Waterproof walking boots (well broken-in)
• Waterproof outer trousers _ Warm mid-layer (fleece or down)
• Warm long-sleeved shirt _ Warm walking trousers (not jeans!)
• Thermal underwear _ Walking socks (several pairs)
• Walking shorts
• Trainers or soft shoes for relaxing
• Sun-hat
• Gaiters

 EQUIPMENT:

• Glacier glasses (or good quality sunglasses ? preferably with side shields)
• Personal first aid kit & essential medication
• Wet wipes
• Warm sleeping bag (3/4-season)
• Sleeping bag liner
• Trekking pole(s) – can be hired locally
• Small towel
• Head torch & spare batteries
• Spare plastic bags
• Water bottle(s) – minimum 3 litters capacity
• High factor sunscreen & lip salve
• High energy snacks, dried fruit, nuts, sweets, etc. NB: hang on to some till the last day – you?ll appreciate them more!
• A small bottle of cordial or squash concentrate (to liven up the ?flat? taste of boiled water)

****Yellow Fever Vaccination is required for entry into Tanzania****