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Day 1 : Welcome to Africa!
Arrival day to Kilimanjaro International
Airport. You will be met and transferred to hotel in Moshi or
Arusha.
Day 2: Orientation day
This day is designed to give you plenty of
time to relax, pack and recoup from the long journey. We will
meet you late in the morning for a short climbing orientation.
We will give you a climb briefing and answer any questions you
have about the climb. We will also do an equipment check with
each person to be sure that you are fully prepared. We have
designed this day to allow for walking, game viewing or cultural
exchange with indigenous people.
Day 3: Montaine Forest
(9,700'). Hiking time : 5 - 6 hrs
The majority of the hike on this first day is
through the Montaine Forest. Lush vegetation with very old trees
and lilts of ferns and mosses mark this as an area that gets
reliable rain year round. The forest abounds with wildlife;
small bushbuck and duikers as well as monkeys. There is also
rich and varied bird life. The first three hours or so is on
gently rising land before steepening for the last two hours. The
camp for the night is in a small clearing on the trail.
Day 4: Giant Heath Land
(13000'). Hiking Time : 4 - 5 hrs
Shortly after starting the hike the forest
gradually gives away to the giant heath. The trail has been
following a ridge for some time and as it ascends through the
heath land the ridge narrows and sharpens, finally becoming
knife edge with steep drops on each side. As the height of the
heath reduces there are stunning views of both Kilimanjaro's
southern flank and across the Mount Meru some 50 miles away.
Wildlife changes with the vegetation, jackals may be heard
barking and the huge Lammergeyer seen circling overhead. The
camp is overlooking the Barranco Valley with views up towards
Arrow Glacier.
Day 5: Arrow Glacier
(15800'). Hiking time: 4 - 5 hrs
The day starts through the unique Barranco
valley with its lush vegetation and giant senisios. As the
valley steepens we strike off up a scree ramp on the most direct
route to Arrow Glacier. The vegetation is left behind as we move
through old weather rock and alongside old lava runs. A final
boulder slope brings us to the Arrow Glacier Campsite.
Day 6: Day Hike -
Acclimatization (15800')
This day is a chance to acclimatize and rest
before the push to the summit. During the day we will take a
hike up the Western Breach Route to familiarize ourselves with
it and if necessary kick steps in the snow. This hike will also
help with our acclimatization.
Day 7: Summit and begin
descend (19340'). Hiking Time : 9 - 10 hrs
Leaving at midnight we will wind our way up
the Western Breach non-technical climbing route, for about six
hours to the crater rim. Moving around the massive Furtwrangler
Glacier as the skies lighten we will see the shape of Mt. Meru
to the west. Having crossed the crater plateau we begin the
final 800 ft climb to the summit (19,340ft) arriving shortly
after dawn. Having enjoyed the view we begin the long descent to
Barafu Hut then on down to Mweka Camp for the night.
Day 8: Arusha. Hiking Time :
4 - 7 hrs
Hiking time will vary depending on the trail
conditions while traveling through the lush vegetation at this
elevation. Rain can occur any time of year at this location and
can make the trail muddy requiring a slower pace. Once we have
descended the 4,500 feet to the roadhead we will have our lunch
and say good-bye to our mountain staff before driving back to
Moshi or Arusha for a nice hot shower and time to relax, ready
for departure home or onto wildlife safari the next day.
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