Mount Kilimanjaro climbing......
Itinerary
Rising 5`896 metres (19`340ft) from the stark flat dry savannah plains,
snow-capped Kilimanjaro is a spectacle of pure unadulterated beauty.
A sight so stunning, it can only dominate and etch itself into one`s
memory forever. The mountains owes is existence to the formation of
the Great Rift Valley and is actually three volcanic cones that, due to
their proximity, became one -Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo- together they
make the highest free standing mountain in the world. It is possible to
climb this "Wedding Cake" mountain all year round although the best
times are the dry months of January,February and July through to
September. Anglers can find trout in the delightful crystal cold rivers up
to a height of 2000 metres (6557 ft). The most interesting aspect
during the climb is the textbook vegetational graduation - distinct
bands of vegetation at different altitudes.
First one comes across grassland where at night, one can hear the
clatter of galagos and see the genet cat, although this zone is the most
notable for its prolific birdlife. Next there is the damp forest zone.
Dense trailing fronds of lianas hang everywhere from trees with heavily
Buttressed trunks. Here a wealth of animal and birdlife abounds as
does the Impatiens Kilimanjaro, a scarlet and yellow flower found
nowhere else in the world.
The alpine zone is made up entirely of giant heath and moorland and
here you may catch sight of rare birds of prey. The auger buzzard,
Mackinder`s owl, Verraux`s eagle and the Lammergeier who mostly
feed on rodents. The last two zones of highland-desert and summit are
the most testy with about half the oxygen at level, high ultraviolet
radiation by day and freezing temperatures by night. Those who
conquer this enigmatic mountain, will find themselves left breathless
for more than one reason˜
Day 1 - Nairobi .
Arrive and transfer to Nairobi Safari Club.
Overnight Nairobi Safari Club(B&B)
Day 2 - Nairobi - Arusha.
Morning transfer to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. After noon at
leisure preparing for the Mountain Climb.
Dinner and overnight Springland or Capricorn Hotel (FB)
Day 3 - Moshi - Mandara ( 2765 m)
Drive to Marangu gate(around 1800m) , The luggage will be handed
over to the porters. In divided groups you will walk for around 4 hours
with a packed lunch through the thick rain forest to Mandara camp.
The accommodation is in timber buildings.
All rooms sleep 4 people. (FB)
Day 4 - Mandara - Horombo ( around 3790 m)
After breakfast the climb continues to Horombo (duration around 6
hours). You leave the rain forest and walk through a wonderful heath
land. Overnight Horombo Hut (FB)
Day 5 - Horombo - Kibo ( bout 4750m)
In about 2 hours you reach the Kibo saddle, a desert zone respec-tively
Kibo and Mawenzi ( second highest peak). The day lasts about
6 hours. At Kibo you rest in big rooms until the departure to the peak.
Day 6 - Kibo- peak ( 5895m) - Horombo
Latest at 2.00 a.m. you will have put on warm clothing and get ready
to depart for your climb to the peak. One reaches Gilman's point at
sunrise If your condition allows you , you can reach the highest point
of Afrika above the snow line in about 2 hours (the Uhuru peak).
Return back down to Horombo peak - camp, where you will spend the
night. (FB)
Day 7 - Horombo - Moshi
Walk down in the morning to National Park entry point. There you will
receive a certificate stating you have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.
Transfer back to Moshi. Dinner and overnight Springland or Capri-corn
Hotel (FB)
Day 8 - Moshi - Mombasa / Kenya
After breakfast the shuttle bus takes you to back to Nairobi.
