12 Days Kilimanjaro climbing - Marangu route and Zanzibar beach
holiday ( Mount Kilimanjaro)
Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, Transfer to a kibo palace hotel
hotel for an overnight. Dinner and Overnight.
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 the
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 1,5 hours hiking, or 1 hour
before Mandara hut.)
Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed
huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with
solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60
climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there
are flush toilets behind the main 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) - Acclimatisation day
Horombo toilet. Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small
plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total
capacity of 120 climbers! Normally bustling with hikers, guides,
porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will
meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and
night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation. A hike towards
the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours
up and 1,5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will
further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Remember to
drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are
provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night's
rest.
Day 5: Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Alpine desert
Kilimanjaro Hikers. 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. There are platform toilets behind the hut. The summit is now
a further 1195m up and you will make yourSleeping hikers at Kibo
hut. final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick
and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the
replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you
have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be
wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round
about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.
Day : 6 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 On the Summit. 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.
Group at Gilmans Point. From Gillmans 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. Later
in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer
for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned
sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Day 7 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. It is strongly recommended
not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have
reached the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips. 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. Drive to Arusha – Kibo palace hotel for dinner
and overnight stay
Day 8: Arusha
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight to Zanzibar. On
arriving Zanzibar, our representative will meet you and drive you to
Ocean Paradise beach resort to start your beach vacation
Days 9/10 /11 Zanzibar Beach Hotel
Days spent sun bathing and relaxing at the beach resort
Day 12. ZANZIBAR & DEPART
After breakfast check out and transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your
flight to Dar where you will connect your flight back home
Kindly contact us for the current price
Tour price includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Marangu route trek as itinerary depicts
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-Accommodations at Kibo Palace hotel Arusha for 2 nights 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
-Mountain rescue fees
-4 nights accommodations at a beach resort on half board basis ie-
breakfast and dinner
-Return airport transfers in Zanzibar
Excluded:
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing gears
-Medical evacuation, USD 30 per person value
-International flights and taxes
- Zanzibar airport departure taxes US$ 25 per person payable
directly
-Water sports and Zanzibar excursions – Can be arranged on request.
-JRO – Zanzibar flights
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the
above itinerary.
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