$2,694 to $2,857 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Get Familiar With the Mount Kenya Climate
Get Familiar With the Mount Kenya Climate
As you hike through the lush green rainforest from the Machame Gate you realize that you have just embarked on an adventure of a lifetime. Giant tree ferns flourish underneath huge tropical trees decorated with Oldman’s Beard and pretty flowers including a variety of lilies and hibiscus. Colobus and Blue Monkeys may often be seen jumping between these ancient trees with an abundance of bird life and these forests are never quiet.
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met and transferred to Aishi Machame Hotel.
A climb briefing is scheduled for today in order to meet your guides and discuss the expedition with you in person.
Dinner & Overnight at Aishi Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Machame Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)
- Accommodation:
- Aishi Machame Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Setting the Pace Machame Camp
Setting the Pace Machame Camp
Departure from your hotel will be at around 8am for the Machame Gate,
Upon completion of entry formalities, begin walking through the mist for about an hour into the forest. The track ends, and the trail continues up through the dripping, verdant forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and Sykes monkeys as they hike along the forest floor. The trek is quite long (12 miles / 20 km), though not very steep, and it takes from 5 to 7 hours trekking to reach the first camp. Machame Camp is just above the forest zone, in the heather zone. When it is clear, there are views of jagged Shira ridge and the summit itself.
Overnight at Machame Camp.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Aiming for Shira Ridge
Aiming for Shira Ridge
Wake early for a steaming cup of tea or coffee served in your tent, and then after breakfast, begin up the steep track through a Savannah of tall grasses, and trees of giant Heather and Erica.
The clouds should clear for a beautiful view of the Western Breach and the glaciers atop which mark the summit; Uhuru Peak. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by the bizarre lobelia and senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. You’ll reach camp after descending a small valley and crossing a brook, then ascending up onto the Shira Ridge, after a total of about 4 to 5 hours of trekking.
Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
-
Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Aiming For Barranco Valley
Aiming For Barranco Valley
Proceed steadily upward over long ridgelines of high desert about 4 hours, and break for lunch at about 14,500 feet (4,420 mts).
After lunch, continue to Lava Tower, a 300 foot-tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet (4,600 m).
In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, a midst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsel, and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia.
Trekking time is from 6 to 7 hours.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Barafu (Cold) Camp, Literary Cold Heights
Barafu (Cold) Camp, Literary Cold Heights
The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, then we trek 3-4 hours and stop in the Karanga Valley for a hot lunch. In the afternoon the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight.
Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.
Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Day 6
Scaling tp Greater Heights- Stella Point to Uhuru Peak
Scaling tp Greater Heights- Stella Point to Uhuru Peak
The steaming hot drink will arrive very early on this momentous day. A midnight wake-up call is the start of a juggernaut (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:30 to 1 pm. 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 the summit.
The winding path of endless switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers at early dawn, and behind you 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, at Stella Point, at 19,000 feet (5,790 mt.), which is the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gentle slope upward about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak.
After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest, then again summon your strength for further descent to Mweka Camp for the night.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
A Befitting Summit to Mount Kenya Climbing
A Befitting Summit to Mount Kenya Climbing
Breakfast will be served at the Camp.
Descend straight to the gate (2-3 hours), where you’ll have lunch and will be awarded climbing certificates.
Then transfer to Kia Lodge for day room use, then to JRO airport timely for your International flight,
End of Services.
- Main Destination:
- Kilimanjaro Airport
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
