Climbing Kilimanjaro, a comprehensive guide to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by Climbing Kilimanjaro. Mt Kilimanjaro: 005.00 degrees south, 036 degrees east, 5895m a.m.s.l. Crowned by an eternal snow-cap, Mt. Kilimanjaro is situated inside the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania; it is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth. This guide aims to provide the potential Kilimanjaro climber with valuable and accurate information on climbing Kilimanjaro, which will hopefully contribute towards increasing your chances of a successful summit attempt. Detailed itineraries, maps, useful links, stunning pictures and photography cover all the major routes, including the Marangu, Machame, Umbwe, Mweka (only for descending), Shira, Lemosho, Rongai (Nalemoru), and Arrow Glacier routes. To further assist you with your preparation on hiking or trekking to the summit of this breathtaking mountain, we have included essential information and tips on your mental and physical preparation, a fitness program, and a list of all equipment required. Other useful information provided, included a printable final checklist, food, porters, guides, important health issues, how to get there and hotels and transfers.

We do Mt. Kilimanjaro on the following routes

Machame Route

Also referred to as the Whiskey Route, Machame attracts around 25% ofthe total climbers on the mountain. We feel that this is the most varied and scenic route up Kilimanjaro.The downside is that accommodation on the Machame route is strictly tents only. This is more than made up for by the incredible sights you will be treated to, that will not be seen by those who have chosen the easier Marangu route. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty heights of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall, the Machame route provides the more adventurous hiker with stunning photo opportunities.The day walks are longer and steeper and generally physically more challenging than the Marangu route, so you need to be fit to do thisroute.

DAY 1: Moshi

Our staff will meet you at Kilimanjaro International airport andtransfer you to Moshi where you will spend the evening. Before dinner,your guide will sit with you and brief you on the climb ahead.Overnight: Moshi

DAY 2: Machame Gate -

Machame campAfter breakfast you will be transferred from Moshi to Machame villagewhere all your supplies and your equipment will be prepared by yourguide, his team of porters and your cook.More than likely it will be wet and muddy so you will have take anhour long walk of nearly 3 km from the village to the Machame gate –otherwise you will be driven there if the road is dry enough. Afteryou have registered at the gate office you will begin your Kilimanjaroclimb for real.First, you will enter the rain forest (where it really does rain!), soyou can fully expect to take a wet and soggy hike along a muddy trailuntil you hit the halfway point to the Machame camp. Here you willstop for lunch before heading off for the Machame camp.By the time you arrive at Machame Camp later in the afternoon yourporters will already have arrived and will have started preparingeverything for your arrival, your tents will be pitched and water willbe on the boil. You will be given a supply of water to wash with andlater on your cook will prepare dinner for you.You can expect temperatures to drop to freezing point at this campsite.Altitude range: 1500 metres – 3100 metresHiking time: 7- 8 hoursDistance: 16 – 19 km'sHabitat: Rain forest

DAY 3: Machame camp - Shira camp

After an early start you will be served breakfast at Machame Camp,then you climb an hour or so before you leave the glades of theforest. The gradient eases off a bit as you hike through moorlands fora further 2 hours until it’s time for lunch.After a quick lunch and a short rest you will continue your ascent upa rocky ridge leading onto the Shira plateau. On a clear day you will see from here the Western Breach with its awesome glaciers in theeast.A short hike from here will bring you to the Shira campsite, where youwill be spending the night. Again, the porters will have your tents pitched before you arrive and will boil drinking and washing water,before your cook prepares your dinner.At 3850 metres, your night at this camp will see temperatures droppingto more than just a few degrees below freezing.Altitude range: 2980 metres – 3850 metresHiking time: 6 hours approxDistance: 9 – 10 km’sHabitat: Rain forest and Moorland

DAY 4: Shira Camp - Lava Tower - Barranco camp

From Shira camp the route turns east towards Kibo and you will find yourself hiking through semi desert conditions and fairly rockyconditions surrounding Lava Tower – to get here you will have hikedfor about 5 hours and you will have attained an altitude of over 4450metres. You will have lunch before beginning your ascent towards LavaTower at 4600 metres.After lunch you descend again by approximately 650 metres down to theBarranco camp – this will take a little over 2 hours of hiking. On theway you should make the most of the excellent vantage points along theway which overlook the Western Breach and Breach Wall – a good time toget your cameras out to get some stunning pictures.The camp is located in a valley just below the Breach and the rather impressive looking Great Barranco Wall. Enjoy the magnificent sunset while you wait for your cook to finish preparing a well deserveddinner and the porters get your tents ready for a night of rest in subzero temperatures.Altitude range: 3850 metres – 4600 metres – 3950 metres Hiking time: 7 hours approx Distance: 14 - 15 km's Habitat: Semi desert and rocky terrain

Optional Extra:

Extra acclimatisation day If you like, and we highly recommend this as it improves your chancesof success by 75%, day 5 can be spent as an acclimatisation day. Onthis day you will walk from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp. It willtake around 4 hours over 7km through Alpine Desert. Your guide will use this walk to assess your strength and stamina for the summitahead. This also assists your guide in determining the pace you should summit at and what time to wake up to begin hiking for the summit.This evening you will be sleeping at altitude, at around 4200 metresabove sea level. On day 5, you will only ascend by 360 metres, hencegiving you sufficient time to acclimatise.

DAY 5: Barranco camp - Barafu camp

After breakfast you will leave Barranco camp and make your way up theGreat Barranco Wall – this part of the climb looks far worse than itreally is – remember this when you start this climb! From the GreatBarranco Wall you will then descend through the Karanga Valley overintervening ridges and valleys, to the junction that connects with theMweka route.Make sure you fill up with water in the Karanga valley as there willbe no water at Barafu camp where you will be spending part of thenight. Carry your water in a thermal flask otherwise it will freezelater.Mweka is the preferred route down from the summit, so make a mentalnote to remember it. From this junction it will take you almost another hour to reach Barafu Hut. At an altitude of 4560 metres, yourtents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge and areexposed to all the elements – you can bank on gale force winds and afreezing night out here.At camp, your guide will advise you to familiarise yourself with your surroundings before dark, as you will be leaving at midnight to makethe final ascent to the summit, and you won’t want to be caught stumbling around or causing an accident on this ridge at this stage.You will also need to spend some time preparing your equipment foryour summit attempt. Ensure that headlamp and camera batteries are inorder and make sure you have spare sets of batteries available as well.Make sure you are in bed by 19h00 - you will only have 4½ hours beforeyour wake up call so it’s important to get as much sleep as possible before.Altitude range: 3950 metres – 4560 metres Hiking time: 7 hours Distance: About 13 km's Habitat: Alpine desert

DAY 6: SUMMIT: Stella Point, Uhuru Peak, Mweka Campsite

Today will by far be your toughest day of climb, you will rise around23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you head off into the nighttowards Stella Point on the crater rim.The walk to Stella point is for many climbers probably the mostmentally and physically challenging part of the entire route. You willbe hiking about 6 hours to get to Stella Point - here you will stopfor a rest and if the weather is kind, you will see a trulymagnificent African sunrise. Departing from Stella Point, you willmore than likely be walking through snow for the next 2 hour, when youwill finally reach the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895 metres.Don’t get too relaxed and spend too much time on the summit, even ifthe weather is good. Cold and fatigue will set in quickly and you mayfind it very difficult to get started again.  So spend a little timeto enjoy the fact that you have conquered Kilimanjaro, get the cameraout and take some pictures, then it will be best that you get movingagain – it’s a long way down!The first part of your descent to Barafu will take almost another 3hours. Here you will stop for a short rest before heading down toMweka hut – it takes an average of 5 hours to work your way down therock and scree path to the moorland and eventually back into the rainforest. Mweka camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or raincan be expected in the late afternoon. As usual your tents, dinner,and washing water will be preparedAltitude range: 4560 metres – 5895 metres – 3100 metresHiking time: 15 – 16 hoursDistance: 30 kilometresHabitat: Snow, Ice and Stoney scree

DAY 7: Mweka camp - Mweka Gate

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour andscenic hike back to the Mweka Park gate, where you sign your name andenter your details in a register. To make your achievement official,you will receive a summit certificate. If you reached Stella Point youwill be presented with a green certificate, and if you made it all theway to Uhuru Peak you will have earned yourself a gold certificate. It’s not over yet though - you still have to walk from the Mweka Gatedown into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km hike that will takean hour or so. Here you will be served a delicious hot lunch beforereturning to Moshi where you will stay at your hotel. Take some timeout for a bit of celebrating before getting a decent night's rest in acomfortable bed.Altitude range: 3100 metres – 1970 metresHiking time: 3 hoursDistance: About 15 km'sHabitat: Forest

DAY 8: Back home

Marangu Route

DAY 1

Our staff will meet you at Kilimanjaro International airport andtransfer you to Moshi where you will spend the evening. Before dinner,your guide will sit with you and brief you on the climb ahead.Overnight: Moshi

DAY 2

After breakfast you will be transferred from Moshi to Marangu Gate -once you reach the gate, you will sign the register at the Park officeand make your final preparations for the climb. Your team of porterswill arrange and load their packs, containing the food, water, cookinggas and most of your equipment. It is important to have all yourdaypack items such as drinking water, a lunch pack and extra clothingwith you and not with the porters, as they will ascend a lot quickerthan your group.When you leave the Park gate you will take a cleared ridge trailthrough the cultivation zone, where you will see how local farmersmanage and produce their goods on the side of the mountain, before youenter the rain forest. This is possibly the most beautiful part ofyour climb, surrounded by lush forest and sometimes thick clouds.After stopping for lunch and a rest, you will head off to Mandara Hutwhere you will stay overnight. This camp consists of a group of woodenA-framed huts situated in a forest clearing, with each hut sleeping 6- 8 hikers in bunk beds. All the huts are equipped with solargenerated lighting and this camp has a total capacity of 60 hikers.Spring water is piped into the camp and you will find flush toiletsbehind the main hut.

Today’s Route: Marangu Gate - Mandara hutOvernight: Mandara HutAltitude range: 1970 metres – 2710 metresHiking time: About 3 hoursDistance: 8 kilometresHabitat: Rain forest

DAY 3

Early in the morning you will begin your ascent again - from Mandarahut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, and then headsaround the base of the Maundi Crater where you will leave the rainforest and enter the moorland zone.On the way, we recommend that you take a short detour up to the rim ofthe Maundi Crater – from here you see the impressive Kibo Crater, andon a clear day you will also be able to see the glaciers of Kibo –this is a great photographic opportunity, so get your camera ready.Keep your camera handy because you will encounter some ofKilimanjaro’s most spectacular and strange plants in the open moorland- with giant lobelia and groundsel growing to heights of 3 metres and5 metres respectively!Later in the afternoon you will reach the Horombo hut for your nextovernight stay, where you will have hot washing water, an evening mealprepared by your cook. Your hut will be comfortable enough to ensure agood nights rest. Temperatures during the night will be aroundfreezing point.

Today’s Route: Mandara hut - Horombo hut Overnight: Horombo HutAltitude range: 2710 metres – 3725 metresHiking time: About 6 hoursDistance: 15 kilometresHabitat: MoorlandOptional Extra: Extra acclimatisation dayIf you like, and we highly recommend this as it improves your chancesof success by 75%, day 4 can be spent as an acclimatisation day. Thisday will be spent at Horombo Hut. Your guide will take you for aleisurely walk to Mawenzi, which is just over 4000 metres above sealevel. Your guide will use this walk to assess your strength andstamina for the following day’s summit. This also assists your guidein determining the pace you should summit at and what time to wake upto begin hiking for the summit.

The walk is for 3 hours and the viewsare spectacular. Your evening will be spent at Horombo Hut again.

DAY 4

Today the climb gets a little more difficult with your walk up to Kibohut, which is approximately 4,700m. The oxygen at these altitudesbegins to thin out considerably and you will start to feel it. Theclimb today will be about 5 - 7 hours and takes you through the lastpart of the Moorland and into the highlands desert. This a barren areaof extreme conditions, with temperatures at night sometimes droppingto below freezing point and daytime temperatures being relatively high. At Kibo hut, you will rest, have dinner and try to have a reallygood night's rest.After breakfast you now continue your ascent From Horombo into the Alpine desert habitat, taking one of the two trails to the "Saddle",located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.The upper route will look familiar to you if you took the hike to Mawenzi hut yesterday. Rather stick to the lower route which is mucheasier and has the added benefit of taking you past the last wateringpoint. Unless you are willing to buy mineral water at Kibo hut, you should stock up with all the water you will need - the next wateringpoint will be at Horombo hut when you return there on your descent thenight after next. Once again remember to take it slowly and drink enough water.After lunch you will reach Horombo hut, a large stone house which can comfortably sleep 60 hikers in bunk beds – remember there is no water supply at this camp, although you can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. There are toilet facilities behind the hut.Spend time this afternoon preparing your equipment as you will bemaking your final ascent tonight – you will need your ski-stick andextra thermal clothing for your summit bid – also ensure that yourheadlamp and camera batteries are in order and make sure you havespare sets of batteries available as well. Carry your water in athermal flask otherwise it will freeze later.Make sure you are in bed by 19h00 - you will need all the sleep youcan get before your very early wake up call in only 4 ½ hours time.

Today’s Route: Horombo hut - Kibo hutOvernight: Kibo HutAltitude range: 3725 metres – 4710 metresHiking time: 6 hoursDistance: 15 – 16 kilometresHabitat: Alpine desert

DAY 5

Today will by far be your toughest day, you will rise and hopefullyshine at around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you head offinto the cold night up a rocky path towards to the Hans Meyer Cave at5150 metres – you may take a short rest here before continuing yourascent up to Gillman's point at 5 680 metres. Probably the mostdemanding section of the entire route as it is very steep and stony –go slowly and carefully here.From Gillmans Point, you will more than likely be walking through snowfor the next 2 hours, when you will finally reach the summit of UhuruPeak at 5895 metres. Well done – you have conquered Kilimanjaro, thehighest freestanding mountain in the world!Don’t get too relaxed and spend too much time on the summit, even ifthe weather is good. Cold and fatigue will set in quickly and you mayfind it very difficult to get started again. So spend a little time toenjoy the fact that you have conquered Kilimanjaro, get the camera outand take some pictures, then it will be best that you get moving again– it’s a long way down!The first part of your descent to Kibo hut will take almost another 3hours. After a short rest you will begin the next part of your descent– it will take another 3 hours of hiking to get to Horombo hut whereyou will spend the night. Later you can enjoy your last dinner on themountain. You will no doubt have a good sleep, feeling exhilarated andproud of your achievement.Today’s Route: Kibo hut - Uhuru Peak - Horombo hutOvernight: Horombo HutAltitude range: 4700 metres – 5895 metres – 3720 metresHiking time: About 14 hoursDistance: About 27 kilometres in totalHabitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

DAY 6

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, you continue your descentpassing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate – this will take thebest part of 6 hours.

At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. To makeyour achievement official, you will receive a summit certificate. Ifyou reached Gillman's Point you will be presented with a greencertificate, and if you made it all the way to Uhuru Peak you willhave earned yourself a gold certificate.You will then take a road transfer back to Moshi where you will bewelcomed back to your hotel. Take some time out for a long hot shower,and indulge in a drink or three to celebrate before getting a decentnight's rest in a comfortable bed.Final Descent

Today’s Route: Horombo hut - Marangu GateOvernight: MoshiAltitude range: 3720m – 1980mHiking time: 1980mDistance: About 27 kilometresHabitat: Moorland and Rain forest

Day 7

Our staff will transfer you back

International Ground Arrangement Packages

Excluding Flights - Prices Quoted In Us Dollars

All packages valid from 01 July 2013 - 31 December 2013

Our Standard Package includes the following:

• Complimentary meet and greet on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
• Arrival & departure transfers between Kilimanjaro Airport and your hotel is done in a private vehicle with driver (One arrival and one departure transfer allowed per group of up to 6 persons, additional transfers can be arranged at additional cost)
• Breakfast and dinner is included on your first and last night at the hotel for both Moshi or Arusha options
• If Moshi option is chosen - 2 Nights, twin-shared, tourist class accommodation in the Bristol Cottages or Sal Salinero Hotel in Moshi (hotel used depends on availability)
• If Arusha option is chosen - 2 Nights, twin-shared, tourist class accommodation in the Impala hotel in Arusha - Tanzania's famous Safari town - offering so much more in terms of tourist attractions, restaurants and nightlife
• Option to upgrade to Luxury class accommodation at supplementary cost (must be done when booking)
• Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb
• All National Park gate fees
• All camping fees
• Kilimanjaro rescue team fees
• Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cooks
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the mountain
• Food of a superior quality and variety offered for the duration of your climb compared to the climbers package
• Lunch is prepared fresh at the lunch stop - on the climbers package are you given a lunch pack in the morning
• Salaries paid to your guides and porters as recommended KINAPA
• Hot drinks on the mountain
• All meals including lunch to be served inside a mountain mess tent (only breakfast and dinner served inside a mess tent on the climbers package) (Not applicable on the Marangu route as all meals is served at the camps in designated mess halls)
• Higher quality tents, sleeping mat, camp table and camping chairs compared to that used on the climbers package. (Not applicable on the Marangu route as accommodation is in A-frame huts)
• Climbing permit
• Certificate for your successful summit attempt
• Emergency Portable oxygen (to be used in case of emergency only, not used as summit aid)
• Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides
• More complete First Aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
• Government climbing taxes
• The option to have a private climb at no additional charge whether you are 1, 2 or 3 climbers!
• 3 litres of mineral water (per hiker) for the first day on your climb
• Travel info pack
• Porter to carry your duffel bag with maximum weight of 15kg from one camp to the next camp

NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PACKAGES PRICES

Excluded from above package rates:

• Items of a personal nature
• Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$180 to US$ 250 per hiker - depending on number of days / how many hikers in the group and route chosen)
• Optional but highly recommended Portable toilet (Portable toilet not allowed on the Marangu route)
• Entry visa for Tanzania (US$50 per passport holder for most nationalities / US $ 100 per visa for USA passport holders)
• Health requirements (Yellow Fever ? compulsory depending on how you travel to Tanzania, Meningitis & Hepatitis A optional but recommended)
• Optional travel insurance
• Personal hiking/trekking gear
• Airfares and departure taxes
• Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
• Meals & drinks not specified and snacks

Second Mount Meru option

3 Days Mount Meru Climb

Cost: $400usd per person

Mount Meru is located in Tanzania and is the fifth highest mountain in Africa. It is a great mountain to climb and offers spectacular scenery, including views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain is unspoilt and less congested as compared to it's Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya counterparts.

MOUNT MERU CLIMB

Duration: 3 Days/2 nights

Location: Mount Meru, Arusha, Tanzania

Day 1: Arusha - Momella gate - Mariakamba HutDrive 1 Hr,  Hike Distance 10 km, 4 - 5 hrs, 1000m ascent, Alt: 2516

Dinner and overnight Mariakamba Hut

Day 2: Mariakamba Hut to Saddle HutHike Distance 4km, 2 - 3 hrs, 1050m ascent, Alt: 3566

Dinner and overnight Saddle Hut.

Day 3 option 1: Saddle Hut to Meru Summit.Hike distance 5km, 4 - 5 hrs, 1000m ascent, Alt 4566

Day 3 option 2: From Meru Summit to Saddle Hut to Momella Gate and back to Arusha

Hike Distance 14km, 6 to 8hrs, 3050m descent, Alt: 1516Drive 1 hr back to Arusha

Price includes :- Transport , Ranger /guide, Porters, Park fees, Hut fees, Rescue fees, cook, Meals, Tea and coffee

Price Excludes :- Tips / Drinks / Climbing gear / sleeping bags and all items of personal nature.

CLIMBING COST: For pricing of the abve program please email us for special price as we are on offer ,

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