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At 5,895 metres, Kilimanjaro is the highest
free standing mountain in the world. To reach the summit and
look out across the plains below is to view the world from
an entirely different perspective. It's no wonder that tourists
and serious mountaineers alike regard this as one of life's
most memorable experiences.
Day 1 - Base Hotel
Overnight at Springlands hotel, bed and breakfast.
Day 2 - Machame (3100m)
5-7 hours hike. Morning to prepare equipment and drive to Machame gate to meet the guide and porters. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail to Machame camp for overnight.
Day 3 - Shira (3840m)
4-6 hours hike. After breakfast, leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley
walking along a steep rocky ridge, passing through heather and open moor lands. The route now turns west and crosses a large river gorge to reach Shira camp for overnight.
Day 4 - Barranco (3950m)
5-7 hours hike. From the Shira plateau, ascend to the east towards the peak of Kibo. Continue towards the lava tower, passing
“the shark’s tooth” en route. Shortly after the tower reach Arrow glacier at an altitude of 4876m. Descend to Barranco camp for overnight. Although camp is at the same altitude as the night before, today is an important contribution to acclimatisation.
Day 5 - Barafu (4600m)
7-8 hours hike. Ascend a steep ridge passing the Barranco wall and down into the Karanga valley and the junction which connects with
the Mweka trail. Ascend again to the Barafu hut. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from here. Overnight at Barafu camp.
Day 6 - The Summit (5896m) and Mweka (3100m)
13-16 hours hike. A long day and 0100 hrs start to reach the crater rim at Stella Point(5745m) in time for sunrise. Then to Uhuru
Peak, the highest point in Africa (the ascent takes about 7 hrs). From the summit, descend directly to Mweka camp for overnight.
Day 7 - Base Hotel
Return down the mountain to Mweka gate and transfer to Springlands hotel for overnight, bed and breakfast.
Day 8 - Depart
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport |
