Conquer Africa's mighty Kilimanjaro!
Are you looking for an experience of a lifetime? Challenge yourself by climbing the highest mountain in Africa, the mighty Kilimanjaro. To reach the summit, at almost 6000 meters (19,68 ft), you trek through many levels of flora and fauna. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the arctic. You don’t need to be an experienced mountain climber to reach the top of the Kilimanjaro. But you need to be healthy and fit and have a strong will power. It’s absolutely an overwhelming feeling when you reach the top and watch the stunning sunrise over the African plains.
Check our blog: 6 tips to summit Kilimanjaro.
Sample itinerary: Kilimanjaro Trekking 6/7-days (Machame Route)
The Machame route is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro with a variety of habitats and impressive views. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall. This route suits the slightly more adventurous hiker, given its reputation for being a tough climb. Compared to the easier Marangu route, you hike steeper trailers, for longer distances, while sleeping in tents.
Day 1 Machame village
Transfer from Arusha to the Machame village (1.490 m). After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. You have a lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon.
Day 2 Shira Plateau
You rise early and after breakfast you climb about an hour to the top of the forest and then for two hours at a gentler slope through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. You can see the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. After a short hike you reach the Shira campsite at 3.840m.
Day 3 Lava Tower
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4.630m after a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower. After this you descent for almost 2 hours to the Barranco camping area. This descent offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.
Day 4/5 Great Barranco Wall
Today you make your way up the Great Barranco Wall. An impressive cliff wall with enormous rocks and very steep inclines. The route heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. After another hour or so, you reach the Barafu Hut to spend the night. The summit is a further 134m up. You make the final ascent the same night.
Day 5/6 Uhuru Peak
You rise around 11.30pm, to ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. During this 6 hour walk to Stella point (5.685m) you will stop for a short rest and the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point you encounter snow all the way on your 2 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a short rest before heading down to Mweka hut (3.100m).
Day 6/7 Descent, back to Arusha
After an early breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. Successful climbers receive their summit certificates here. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village and drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!
This itinerary can be tailored to you specific wishes. You can also choose one of the other routes to climb the Kilimanjaro. Everything is possible.
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