Why this itinerary?
A great adventure. Not for the fainthearted or unfit.
Description
A 7 day ascent to the roof of Africa. Starting at Lemosho on the Western side and traversing across the most spectacular parts of the mountain including the Shira plateau, Lava Tower, Arrow Glacier and then up the Western Breach on to the Kibo caldera floor. The ascent to the summit is a relatively short steep hike up the Kibo rim. Descent is via the Mweka route.
Highlights
Kilimanjaro! Afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, Lava Tower, The Western Breach, the Crater floor, The Roof of Africa!
Day 1: KILIMANJARO - FOREST
From Arusha we set out in vehicles to the starting point of the Lemosho trail. Here you meet the rest of your crew and set off at a leisurely pace into afromontane forest. Lunch is taken on trail and camp is reached mid afternoon.
Dinner and Overnight Forest Camp (Full board).
Day 2: KILIMANJARO - SHIRA 1
From the forested slopes of Lemosho you ascend through Podocarpus and Juniper forest and break out of the forest on to the heath zone and the Shira Plateau. Lunch is taken on trail and you arrive in camp mid afternoon.
Dinner and Overnight Shira 1 Camp (Full board).
Day 3: KILIMANJARO- SHIRA 2
After a relatively long hike and significant altitude gain, today is a short day and you arrive in Shira 2 camp in time for lunch. A good day for acclimatization with the option of an afternoon walks with your guides.
Dinner and Overnight Shira 2 Camp (Full board).
Day 4: KILIMANJARO - LAVA TOWER
The route to Lava Tower takes you out of the heath zone in to the alpine desert zone. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. A half day where lunch is taken in camp. In the afternoon, dependant on weather conditions, there is an option to scramble to the top of the nearby Lava Tower.
Dinner and Overnight Lava Tower Camp (Full board).
Day 5: KILIMANJARO - ARROW GLACIERThere is leisurely ascent to arrow glacier this morning and plenty of time just to it your bodies get used to the thin air. You can also hike the area with your guides to keep the blood flowing. A very dramatic part of the mountain, it is also known to be quite dangerous for rock falls and so extreme care must be taken when walking up towards the breach. There is a very early dinner and then time for some rest.
Dinner and overnight Arrow Glacier Camp (Full board).
Day 6: KILIMANJARO - SUMMIT / MILLENIUM
There is a very early ascent up the breach at 1am. It takes around 4 hours to reach the crater rim and then time for a quick refuel and then the final push to the summit arriving around dawn. The hike then heads down via Stella Point to Barafu camp. Here there is a short rest before continuing to Millennium camp for the evening.
Dinner and Overnight Millennium Camp (Full board)
Day 7: KILIMANJARO - END
After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to your hotel for a well deserved shower!
END OF SERVICES
Items included:
Arrival and departure airport transfers.
Kilimanjaro entry fees.
Camping (hut) fees.
Transfer to and from the mountain.
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes.
Salaries for Kilimanjaro support staff.
All meals on the mountain.
Sleeping Tents or hut camping.
Sleeping mattresses.
Cooking and eating utensils.
Items not included:
Tips for guides and support staff.
Sleeping bag and personal items.
Private portable toilet and privacy tent.
Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
Extra activities.
