Day 3
Mandara hut - Horombo hut (3720 m)
After about 45 minutes in the forest, you will suddenly arrive upon an area of high grasses of theheather belt, which as the trek continues, becomes increasingly desert-like, into the moorland. About 5 to 6 hours of walking brings you to Horombo Hut, and a stunning view of Mawenzi Peak. Night will be spent in one of the huts.
Accommodation: Horombo hut (B, L, D)
Day 4
Horombo hut - Kibo hut (4703 m)
The day's trekking will about 6 to 7 hours. You will trek across the exposed, barren alpine desert of the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi. The last fresh water point is at 14,100 ft. (4,300 m), where it will be necessary to fill your water bottles. The porters will carry the rest of the water required for food and hot beverages. The saddle crossing is impressive and the landscape spectacular. Night spent at Kibo Hut.
Accommodation: Kibo hut (B, L, D)
Day 5
Kibo hut - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - descend to Horombo hut (3720 m)
You will be woken up early with a steaming cup of coffee or tea, and the departure will be between 12:30 to 01am.
The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to -10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at Gillman's point, at about 18,652 ft. (5,685 m) on the crater rim. The winding scree path of endless switchbacks will carry you through the night, and at dawn the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red glow of the sun from beneath the clouds.
After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater, near the Ratzel Glacier. Once reaching Gillman's Point, summon your strength for another 1.5 hour trek over a gentle slope around the edge of the crater rim to the high point; Uhuru Peak, at 19,340 ft. (5,895 m). After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Kibo Hut for some rest, then descend further to Horombo Hut for the night. Total trekking: 12-15 hrs
Accommodation: Horombo hut (B, L, D)
Day 6
Final descend - Transfer to Arusha
Descend straight to the gate of Marangu, which will take about 6 hours of walking. On arrival at the gate you will have lunch, receive your certificates, and say goodby to many of your crew. We'll bring you to the Arusha Aba Hotel , where you can use day rooms for a shower, change cloths etc. In the afternoon, return to Kilimanjaro Airport ..or etc
Accommodation: hotel in Arusha or Moshi (B, L, D)
Included in price:
Price $1230 per person
Price includes:
- Full board package for all days in trekking
- Extensive safety equipment including highly trained staff
- All transfers from and to Arusha
- Full camping equipment (own sleeping bag recommended)
- Standard option: up to 15 kg of luggage carried for you on the mountain
- Lightweight option: up to 8 kg of luggage carried for you on the mountain
- Park fees, camping fees and mountain rescue fees
- Accommodation in Bed& Breakfast in one of best Tourist Hotel in Arusha.
- Forest fees (special wilderness access permits required only for Umbwe and Lemosho Routes)
Price not includes:
- Arrival to Tanzania/Arusha
- Tips for your guides
- Single tent/room supplement
- Personal insurance, visa & vaccinations
- Rescue transport costs
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Going to Kenya and Tanzania had always been a dream to me. Sitting on the couch at house, I grew up watching almost all of National Geographic documentary. Fascinated, I dreamed that someday I would set foot on this land of zebras, lions, elephants and giraffes and climb Mount Kilimanjaro to caress the clouds of Africa.
Becoming unemployed was not so bad eventually. I had all the free time in the world and a few Euros. It was definitely time to fulfill that dream.
Talking to friends who had already gone and reading some online chats, I was aware of the astronomical budgets that were required. I soon lost hope of being able to get it, even, some day. Luckily, I had a friend working in Kenya at that time. Talking about my disappointment she said "forget about everything and talk to Alfred. I cannot have better references to him”. From the first email exchange I knew I had found an angel and only he could make my dream possible. And so it was. In two weeks I was climbing Kilimanjaro...
I had imagined it would be different. I thought that physical force would be the relevant factor. And it is important but, in my case, the strength of my mind was that helped me summit. I thought "once I am there, at the top, I am going to enjoy the moment, to remain standing, close to the slope, watching Africa from the highest, remembering all the people in my life, ignoring the problems and transforming the pure air I breathe into energy to start again." The truth is that I got tired, affected by altitude sickness and wanting to return again. hehe. But I said I would and I did.
It was an experience full of contrasts "cold soothed by the warmth of good company; moments of solitude, laughter and conversations; forest, desert, glacier; your body tells you to stop while your mind is telling you to continue; glad you summit followed by tremendous desire descend now! ...."Yes, I had imagined it differently, but never better than it was. Thank you, Alfred. It has not been possible without you.
Says Laura |
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