MOUNTAIN CLIMBING AND TRECKING

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As wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white in the sun was the square top of Mount Kilimanjaro”, wrote Ernest Hemingway of this highest mountain in Africa rising to 5,895 metres above sea level. Situated near the town of Moshi in northern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro rises from the dry plains, through a wide belt of forest and high alpine heath to an almost bare desert and finally the snow capped summit, Uhuru Peak, just 3 degrees south of the Equator. One of the world’s highest free standing mountains, Mt. Kilimanjaro is composed of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo 5895 m (19340 ft.), Mawenzi 5149 m (16896 ft.), and Shira 3962 m (13000 ft.).

The ascent of Kilimanjaro can be done from six routes: Mweka, Umbwe, Shira, Rongai, Machame, and the Marangu Route which is the easier and the most popular. Depending on which route one wants to use, the climb of Kilimanjaro can take between four nights to six nights on the mountain. The two most popular routes are Marangu and Machame. On the Marangu Route, accommodation is in alpine huts while on Machame Route it is camping throughout. While expert guides and porters will accompany you on your climb, unlike Mount Everest, no technical equipment is required.

The Popular routes are:

Marangu Route:
Day 1	Start at 9.00am and drive to Marangu gate then walk through the kilimanjaro forest and spend a night at Mandara Hut
Day 2	Climb to Horombo Hut (3720 meters)
Day 3	Ascend to Kibo Hut (4700 meters).
Day 4	Final ascent to the summit "The UHURU PEAK"(5895 meters) Overnight at Horormbo Hut
Day 5	Morning descend to Marangu gate where where will be met and transferred back to Arusha
	(This route can also be done in 6days for those who will want to acclamatize at Horombo)

Machame Route:
Day 1	At 9.00am transfer from Arusha to Machame Gate and start the climb through the Shambas and passing the forest guard up to the first uniport hut. Dinner and overnight at Machame Hut – Camping (3000hrs). (About 5-7 hours walking).
Day 2	After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along steep rock ridge (3658m). Overnight at Shira Hut Campsite 3840m. (About 5-7hours walking).
Day 3	Continue to the East passing Junction, towards the peak of Kibo and Lava Tower. (4600m). Continue down to  Barranco Hut (3950m) for overnight (About 8hours walking).
Day 4	Continue on a steep ridges basing on the Barranco wall, passing through the Karanga Valley and connect with the Mweka trail. Proceed to the Barafu Hut (4600m) for dinner and overnight. (About 8 hours walking).
Day 5	Early in the morning, ascend to Stella Point (5745m), on the way to the summit UHURU PEAK (5895m) (This part of  the climb takes about 6 hours, to reach the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa). From the summit, continue to straight down to Mweka Hut campsite (3100m), (This part of descend takes about 4hours) Dinner and overnight at Mweka Hut Campsite. (About 11 hours walking; this is the hardest day).
Day 6	After breakfast, descend down to Mweka Gate where will be met and transferred back to Arusha

Rongai Route:
Day 1	Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Rongai
Day 2	The morning walk is steady ascent up the " Second Cave (3450m) with superb views of Kibo and Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Passing the second cave we reach the 3rd cave at 3800m for overnight camp taking 3-4 hours.  Overnight Kikelelewa camp 2nd Cave.
Day 3	Acclimatization day, dinner and overnight at Mawenzi Turn Camp Cave 3.
Day 4	Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the lunar desert of the "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4-5 hours to reach Kibo hut at 15000ft/4700m..  The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!  Overnight camp KIbo.
Day 5	A long day and an early start for the summit on steep and heavy screen up to Gilmans's Point at 18640ft/5681m on the crater rim to arrive in time for sunrise.  Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 19340ft/5896m, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.  The descents to Kibo is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo taking 11 hrs. Overnight Camp Horombo.
Day 6	A steady descent down through moorland to Mandara Hut, the first stopping place at the marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the park gate at Marangu (1830m) taking 5-7 hours to be met and transferred to Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.