Day 1: Marangu
Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m) | Hiking time: 5 hours | Distance:
About 12 km's | Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro
National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through
the village of Marangu , which is located on the lower slopes of
the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested
to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations
for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their
packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of
your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing
at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with
you as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers. Our guides
will be available to assist with any additional information or needs
you might have. 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. (An alternative
and more scenic parallel forest trail, branches off the 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 either, after 1,5 hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara
hut.) Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed
huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks
with 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 behind the main hut.
Day 2: Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut
(3720m) | Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 15 km's 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! After about
6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have
hot washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.
Day 3: Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation
day
Horombo hut is a village of huts
perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but
with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Normally bustling with hikers,
guides, porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement.
You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra
day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation. A hike
towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about
3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike
will further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Remember
to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are
provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night's
rest.
Day 4: Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
| Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Alpine
desert
After breakfast you now
continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo
there are two trails to the "Saddle" (which refers to
the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is
an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork)
to choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) will be very familiar,
as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi
hut. It is very stony and eroded. The recommended lower route (left
hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour, and it also passes
the last watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your
water bottles with all the water you will need until your return
to Horombo hut in two night's time (unless you are willing to buy
Mineral water at Kibo hut).
Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!! Situated
in the barren Alpine desert is Horombo hut, a stone build block
house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with
water nearby . It is however possible to buy mineral water
and soft drinks at the camp office. There are platform toilets behind
the hut. 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 round
about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.
Day 5: 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 and ice-capped summit You will rise around 23h30, 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 zigzags up to Gillman's
point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section
is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical
and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire
route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way
up to 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.
The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to
the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14
hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening
you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at
the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled
with memories and stirring emotions.
Day: 6 Horombo hut (3720m) | Marangu
Gate (1980m) Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast you continue your
descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu
gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips
until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. 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 Moshi for a long
over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! |