Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing & Mount Kenya trekking: Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya climbing,Mt Kilimanjaro Climb, Mt Meru Trek Climbing mountain Kilimanjaro Africa’s highest peak is relatively easier than Mt. Kenya, and the main summit of Uhuru peak (5895m) can be reached by most climbers It is a common story that Mount Kilimanjaro once belonged to Kenya up until the division of the British empire in east Africa when the Queen Victoria of England gave the mountain to Kaiser Wilhelm II is not true.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth mainly referred to as 'the roof of Africa'. Kilimanjaro is an extinct volcano with 3 major peaks namely Kibo is the highest (5,895m) in the center, Mawenzi is lower (5,149m) and East of Kibo is Shira (3,962m, west of Kibo). Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya, and the second highest in Africa. The mountain is located on the equator with a height of 5199 meters above sea level; Mount Kenya has three peaks, Batian 5,199m, Nelion 5,188m and point Lenana 4,985m. Other major summits on the mountain include Point Piggott 4,957m, Point Dutton 4,885 and Point John 4,883m. Of the Mt Kenya three main peaks (Batian, Lenana and Nelion), only point Lenana can be reached by trekkers and the other two being only for technical Mountneers.
12 Days: Mountain Climbing Mt Kenya and Kilimanjaro climbing combined Sirimon/ Chogoria and Kilimanjaro trek Marangu route
Day Arrival – Nairobi
Pick up from the JKIA airport on arrival and transfer to Comfort inn hotel for overnight stay or similar.
Day 1: Nairobi/Nanyuki
Leave Nairobi mid morning for Nanyuki arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is spent in this area for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight in a budget hotel.
Day 2: Old Moses Camp
After breakfast, drive to Sirimon Park Gate. After check-in start hiking through the Rain Forest for 9 km to Old Moses camp (3300m). Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Shipton Camp
Depart Old Moses Camp at 7:30 am via Mackinders Valley to Shipton Camp (4200m). The distance takes 6 to 7 hrs. Dinner and overnight. Day 4: Point Lenana- Chogoria
Early morning departure (3:00 am) to the summit, a walk that takes 3 hrs to point Lenana (4985m) arriving at 6:30 in the morning. After sunrise, descend to Mintos Hut for full breakfast and later proceed down through the Gorges valley to Chogoria Bandas and campsite. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Chogoria/Nairobi
After breakfast, set on morning journey to Chogoria (32km). 4WD vehicles are provided but during bad weather, climbers may have to walk some distance as vehicles may not reach the Bandas. From Chogoria transport is provided back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon Drop off at Comfort in hotel for overnight stay.
6 Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay before embarking on the Kilimanjaro trek the following day.
Marangu Route
Total hiking distance: About 96 km's on the easiest trekking route commonly known as the Coca-Cola route (Excluding any acclimatization hikes on day 3)
Day 7: 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 get to 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 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 the animals are found.(An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail, branches off 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 1½ 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 8: 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 at the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to Moorland. It is a well worth short detour to scrambling up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first real impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmers in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once in the open Moorland you’ll get a chance to see some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants such as 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 you get to the Horombo hut, where you can have hot bathing water, rest and an evening meal and overnight.
Day 9: Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatization day
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Normally the village is bustling with hikers, guides, porters, an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. It is a convergence of both ascending and descending hikers. The next 24 hours at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. 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 you in the process of acclimatization. Remember It is Important 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.
Day10: 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, this is where the going gets tough and the tough get going. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), which is also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), located on the crater rim. The section is very steep with a lot of stone scree thus requiring a lot physical and mental effort and probably the most difficulty section of the entire route. Do the ‘’Kili shuffle’’ and move slowly.
From Gillman’s Point you encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Bravo!!! hilarious and satisfaction Weather conditions on the summit dictates the length of time you may spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest, gather all your gear left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut surprisingly seems fast compared to the ascent. Total time spent walking this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. In the evening enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain with a well-earned sleep, filled with treasured memories and stirring emotions.
Day 11: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate sign your name and particulars in a register as Successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who made it to Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who mounted to Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates.
Drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower, dinner and Kudos!! Overnight at a budget hotel.
Day 12:
Departure Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule
Nairobi Hotels, Kenya Wildlife Lodges, Excursions in Nairobi, Ngorongoro Safaris in Tanzania, Beach Holidays in Zanzibar, Walking Safaris in Tanzania, Air Travel in Kenya, Maasai Mara Tours, Game Parks in Tanzania, Ornithology in Uganda, Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kenya, Kiwayu and Lamu Island Tours, Luxury Safaris in Tanzania, Luxury Holidays in Uganda,
|
