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7 days Mount Kilimanjaro climb _-Marangu Route
Trekking duration: 5 Days ; Total hiking distance: About 100 km on the most scenic Mount Kilimanjaro trek
Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
Travel from Nairobi to Arusha on board a Shuttle bus or pickup from
Kilimanjaro Airport – transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay
Day 2: 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 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 1½
hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.)
Day 3: 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 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.
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 Gillman’s 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.
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. 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 Arusha
for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at a
budget hotel.
Day 7: Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue
with your safari schedule/travel back to Nairobi on board a shuttle bus.
Tour Price: US$ 1,250 per person.
Machame Route trek price includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Marangu Route trek as per the itinerary
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-2 nights hotel accommodations in Arusha on BB and huts on the mountain
as per the itinerary
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide on the
mountain, porters and skilled cook
-All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro Airport as per the itinerary
-Treated water on the trek
-Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport or Shutle
transfers from Nairobi
Trek price Excludes:
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing gears
-Medical evacuation, USD 30 per person value
-International flights and taxes
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras not listed above
Mount Kilimanjaro
"Kili", as it is fondly called by those who have scaled it, towers 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) above the plains of Tanzania. It is the world’s tallest walkable mountain and therefore one of the most popular adventure treks offered by specialist trekking companies. First conquered by Hans Meyer in 1889, the Mount Kilimanjaro trek demands a good level of fitness together with strong determination and awareness of the dangers of altitude sickness, which prevents many people from reaching their goal.
Routes and Best Times to Climb Kilimanjaro
-Easiest options are the Marangu route and the Rongai route. The first is the most popular walking route up Kilimanjaro as it offers accommodation in huts rather than camping in tents.
- Harder options include the Machame, Shira, Umbwe and Limosho routes where scrambling is involved on several sections. All these longer trails require camping.
- When choosing a route, check the number of days trekking involved. A minimum of 6 days is advisable to include an extra acclimatisation day half way through the trek.
- Best times for Kilimanjaro trekking are January-March and Sept-October. Weather is more settled in the 753 square kilometre Kilimanjaro National Park in these high season months and the chance of summiting therefore much greater.
What to Expect when Climbing Kilimanjaro
- Experience four different ecosystems whilst ascending the mountain from vegetal rain forest and moorland heather on the lower levels to remote alpine desert and arctic glacier en route to the peak.
-Adopt the Swahili mantra "pole pole" – slowly, slowly – and stick to it! Taking things slowly whilst drinking plenty of water (4-5 litres per day) maximises chances of reaching Uhuru peak, the highest point on the mountain.
- Expect an early start on summit day. Most tours begin the "day" around midnight when the scree on "Kili" is still frozen and therefore much easier to ascend. Guides will move at an excruciatingly slow pace, toe to heel, toe to heel. This is totally necessary to ascend the steepest part of the mountain without succumbing to altitude sickness.
- It is common to experience slight nausea and a headache at heights above 10,000 feet but anyone experiencing extreme nausea, vomiting, dizziness, severe headaches, pins and needles and swelling of the limbs should descend immediately.
-Complete elation when reaching the summit and gazing at the majestic view below.
- A long walk or run down the scree slopes before descending to a lower camp to recover from the most gruelling day of the hike.
Choose the correct route, acclimatise well over several days and approach Kilimanjaro with respect and a strong "can do" attitude to make it to the top of the roof of Africa.
Best time to climb KilimanjaroThe best time to climb Mt.Kilimanjaro is in January, February, or September. January and February in Kilimanjaro are known for being warm and clear. There is relatively little rainfall during these months, which makes them an ideal time of year to climb.
Throughout the rest of the year one can still climb Kilimanjaro, but conditions are not as good. April and May can also be clear and somewhat warm, but often see heavy rain and snowfall. This is the rainiest season of the year on Kilimanjaro.
From mid-May to August, the weather in Kilimanjaro gets much colder.
In addition to January and February, September is the other best time to climb Kilimanjaro. While September tends to be cooler than the first two months of the year, there is still good visibility.. ALTITUDE AND ACCLIMATIZATION
Altitudes are generally defined as follows:-
o High altitude 2,400m - 4,200m
o Very high altitude 4,200m - 5,400m
o Extreme high altitude above 5,400m (Uhuru peak is 5,895m)During the trek it is likely that all climbers will experience at least some form of mild altitude sickness. It is caused by the failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to the reduced level of oxygen in the air at an increased altitude. There are many different symptoms but the most common are headaches, light-headedness, nausea, loss of appetite, tingling in the extremities (toes, fingers) and a mild swell of ankles and fingers. These mild forms are not serious and will normally disappear within 48 hours.
OTHER HEALTH TIPS:
All contact lens wearers should take care to remove the lenses at night, as the eye needs to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere. The rarefied conditions of altitude reduce oxygen levels and in extreme cases a Corneal Oedema can develop.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION
In the event of an emergency on the mountain the rescue team plus one of the assistant guides will descend with the casualty to the park gate. At the gate the casualty will be taken care and the necessary arrangements will be done.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Cameras whether Video or film, need to be protected against the severe cold weather either in warm pouch or the interior pockets of your clothing. Do not keep in your backpack at higher elevations. A selection of lenses will aid the final results although weight and bulk will obviously influence your selection. A polarized or neutral density filter is recommended, as is slide film rather than print. Bring your own film as it can be hard to find and expensive in Tanzania. For digital equipment, check with the manufacturer's specifications for temperature range (especially battery life), water tightness and general hardiness.- Mountain Kilimanjaro climbing gear packing list
TREKKING BOOTS -Not plastic. Sturdy, waterproof, well broken in and high enough to support ankle. Wear them on plane in case luggage goes missing
SOCKS -3 thermal and some regular. Some wear a thin pair under a thick pair, rinse the thin pair at night and peg them to their pack to dry the next day
TRAINERS- For round camp
TREKKING TROUSERS - Not cotton or jeans. Fleece lined trousers are a good choice
WATERPROOF TROUSERS - A light pair that can be worn on their own or pulled over your trekking trousers is best
THERMAL UNDERWEAR -1 pair of synthetic long john bottoms and 1 or 2 tops
T-SHIRTS/SHIRTS - Not cotton but synthetic preferably with wicking properties
FLEECES- Absolutely essential. We recommend 2 light and 1 heavy fleece. Keeping warm on the mountain is about wearing lots of thin layers that can be pealed off as you get warm or put on as you cool down. Make sure fleeces all fit comfortably over each other
WATER PROOF JACKET - Gore-Tex is best. Try it on over your fleeces 1st
GLOVES - Fleece-lined is good, mittens over a thin thermal pair is best but not essential. A thinner pair for round camp is also a good idea.
SUNHAT - A wide-brimmed one is best. Try and get one that covers the back of your neck to protect against sunburn
SUNGLASSES - Must protect against U.V.
SLEEPING BAG - 3-season or 2-season with liner. Closed-cell sleeping mat provided
LARGE BAG FOR YOUR GEAR - The porters will carry this. Not one with a frame, the porters will carry it on their heads and it makes their job harder
DAY PACK - Making sure you’re comfortable walking long distances with it
TRAVEL BAG - For gear you don’t want on Kili. Kept safe until your return
WATER BOTTLES - Thermally protected, enough for 3-4 litres
WATER PURIFIERS - Iodine is best but try it for taste at home first (flavoured powder helps). We boil all water on the mountain but better safe than sorry
HEADLAMP - Bring spare batteries and a spare bulb
SUNSCREEN/LIPSCREEN . TOILET PAPER
PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS - Towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, wipes and alcohol-based hand disinfectant are useful. Soap & hot water is provided daily.
PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT - Antiseptic cream, plasters, knee supports, moleskin or compeed, Ibruprofen/Aspirin/Paracetamol etc, Imodium, rehydrating powder, throat sweets and insect repellent can all come in useful
TREKKING POLES – Very useful on the descent
CAMERA - Spare film/memory cards/batteries. A UV filter is needed for SLRs
PLASTIC BAG – For wet clothes.
CELL PHONE/SPARE BATTERIES - Check with your network provider for coverage. You can get signal across a lot of the mountain but it is weak in places
Contact us on safaris@easylinksafaris.com- Mountain Kilimanjaro climbing gear packing list
