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Day 1:
After breakfast you will be picked up from the Hotel
and transferred to Marangu with a picnic lunch. The
actual hike begins at the park gate and we hike 5.5
miles up to Mandara Hut 2700m near the upper edge of
the forest line. The hike takes about 4-6 hours. The
path is interesting, starting off through rain
forest vegetation, and then opening up to giant
heather. If time and weather permit, a short walk
from Mandara to Maundi Crater is worth it.
Accommodation here, as well as at Horombo, are in
wooden A-frame huts that sleep 4 to 8 clients.
Day 2:
Today the destination is Horombo Hut at 3700m it
takes a good 5-6 hours to cover the 10-miles journey
and we often get our first views of the Kibo summit.
The trail is strenuous and slippery and takes us
clear of the forest and out onto the moorland. It
passes beneath the rocky southern face of Mawenzi-one
of the three volcanoes that make up Kilimanjaro.
Rainfall in this region is frequent. Overnight at
Horombo hut.
Day 3:
Today is an extra day to acclimatize, and is best
spent taking a day hike up towards Zebra Rocks by
the upper trail to a view point (4 hours round
trip). If you are feeling very fatigued, it can be
best spent resting or exploring the nearby region.
Bird life is abundant at Horombo. The rains come
upon us almost every afternoon, so plan your day
hike to be back inside the Hut with a cup of tea and
good book by 4 p.m. Most climbers begin to feel the
altitude at this level. After the rain clears,
Horombo typically has beautiful sunsets and a night
sky full of stars.
Day 4:
Another long hike, this time up to Kibo Hut at
almost 4700m although somewhat shorter in distance
this usually takes 7 hours because it is steeper and
the altitude slows everyone down. The route passes
directly up onto the saddle, a wide, flat area with
the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi looming overhead.
Views from here can be fantastic. The last part of
the trail passes across the arid plateau before
ascending to Kibo Hut. Kibo Hut is a stone hut with
rooms that sleep 10-15 people in bunk beds. We have
a light dinner, and turn in early for any sleep if
possible. The guides give a little pre-climb talk
after dinner at Kibo hut.
Day 5:
We awaken about 10:30pm and have light breakfast.
The guides try to get everyone ready to start
climbing. Leaving between 11pm to 12:30am Starting
off, the trail swings back and forth up a steep
scree slope and the climate is bitterly cold. The
summit climb is an event you will not forget, with
the night sky full of stars and only your breathing
to help focus your mind. Most climbers arrive at
Gillman’s Point, elevation 5685m, in time to enjoy
sunrise around 6:30 a.m. The views from the top
looking down on the plains of Africa make it all
worthwhile. Some climbers decide that they have
reached their goal and head down from here. For the
strong, the true summit is Uhuru Peak 5895m – an
additional 3 hours round-trip. The descent from
Gillman’s Point is fairly rapid, taking about 2
hours. Most climbers take a short rest at Kibo Hut
before descending to Horombo Hut for the night,
arriving in late afternoon.
Day 6: A long 14-mile hike back to the
Marangu gate and park’s headquarters. With a picnic
lunch return to Arusha. It is a welcome treat to
sleep in a bed, take a hot shower, lunch and early
dinner before transfer to airport to fly back home. |
