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Hiking trail and climb Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
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Description day by day
7 days Mount Kilimanjaro climb.
Day 1:
Arrive in Kilimanjaro International airport onboard KLM flight. Meet, greet and transferred to Kia Lodge for check in.
Overnight at Kia Lodge/Moivaro Lodge on BB.
Day 2:
Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame camp (2980m).
Hiking time: 7 hours | Distance: About 18 km's | Habitat: Montane forest.
After breakfast meet with your guide whom will brief and check your climbing gears, afterwards drive to the Machame village (1490m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon.
Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.
Overnight at Machame Campsite.
Day 3:
Machame camp (2980m) - Shira camp (3840m).
Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 9 km's | Habitat: Moorland.
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Overnight at Shira Campsite.
Day 4:
Shira (3840m) - Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 7 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Semi desert
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky screed path to Lava Tower (4630m). Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Baranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Baranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Baranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.
Overnight at Baranco Campsite.
Day 5:
Barranco camp (3950m) - Barafu camp (4550m).
Hiking time: 7 hours | Distance: About 13 km's | Habitat: Alpine desert
After spending a night at the Great Baranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut.
The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. 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 some precious rest and sleep.
Overnight at Barafu Campsite.
Day 6:
SUMMIT ATTEMPT,
Barafu camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy screed towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walks to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and screed path into the moor-land and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
Dinner and washing water will be prepared from the camp office!!
Overnight at Mweka Campsite.
Day 7:
Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m).
Hiking time: 3 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park 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 Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. Drives back to Moshi and upon arrival proceed to Kia Lodge for a day use room.
PM Lodge transfer to Kilimanjaro international airport for your flight out.
End of climb.
Dates & Prices
Kilimanjaro : Machame Route
Prices 2009 (02/01>31/03 en 01/06>20/12):
Climb
€ 1.675 per person, minimum 2 climbers
€ 1.479 per person, minimum 4 climbers
Extention Safari 4 days / 3 nights, full board
€ 685 per person, minimum 2 participants
€ 485 per person, minimum 4 participants
€ 70 per person, supplement single
Extention Zanzibar 5 days / 4 nights, Fumba Beach Lodge (deluxe seaview), half board, flight to Zanzibar
€ 815 per person in a double room
€ 75 per person, supplement single
€ 120 per person, supplement extra night in a double room
Dates 2009:
You can choose your own departure date
Price Includes:
• Mount Kilimanjaro climbs on Machame route.
• The use of Public Campsites in Climb days.
• 1-night on BB in Kia Lodge before the climb.
• Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro international airport.
• Transfer to and from the base of the mountain.
• 6 Days Machame route trekking.
• Mineral water.
• Full board camping accommodation whilst on the trek.
• All park entrance fees including government taxes.
• Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide, porters and cook.
• Sleeping tents and mattresses spread on the sewn-in ground sheets on the trek.
Excluded items are:
• Flights.
• Visa.
• International airport taxes.
• Laundry and tipping.
• Travel insurance.
• All items of a personal nature.
• Sleeping bags, alcoholic drinks, Beverages and other drinks not specified.
• Climbing gears
Booking fee: 25 EUR per person. Late booking: + 25 EUR (less than 30 days before departure)
If you pay by credit card 2% costs will be charged
Know before you go
Be physically prepared
It is important that your body is adequately prepared for the physical challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro. We have developed a fitness-training program that will assist you in getting your body in shape for your Kilimanjaro on summit expedition.
Now is the time to start training. The best exercise for Kilimanjaro is to do lots of walking. During work days, try to walk as much as you can ... take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk instead of driving or catching a taxi. Try to get at least an hour of walking into every day. In addition to this, try to get some morning and evening sessions of aerobic activity in, such as cycling, running or spinning. An hour of any of these activities three or four times a week will be a great help in your goal of reaching the peak. Weekends and days off you should try to head for the hills. Try to walk for 6 hours, perhaps on consecutive days. Increase the pace, especially on uphill sections to increase your aerobic capacity. Use the boots that you will bring with you to Kilimanjaro so that they are well worn in and no new blisters will pop during the Kilimanjaro climb.
Remember that Kilimanjaro climb is a walk, not a run, but one which requires a higher than usual aerobic capacity due to the extreme altitude. Just get as fit as you reasonably can in the timescale available ... try and make it a priority and make the effort.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
AMS commonly affects people at high altitude, who are not accustomed to high altitude conditions. AMS can be lethal if not treated immediately or if its symptoms are ignored. Probably 70% of all people climbing Kilimanjaro will suffer to some extent from AMS. You should familiarize yourself with this condition and take Preventative care.
Malaria
Malaria occurs below 1800 meters and you should use the recommended prophylactics. Lariam is very popular, but should be taken with care; common side effects may lessen your chances of success. Women using oral contraceptives should consult their physicians before using prophylactics. We strongly recommend that you consult your doctor about these issues.
Mental preparation
It is possible to summit Kilimanjaro successfully. Many before you have succeeded. This should be top most in your mind when preparing for the summit attempt. You should always remain in a positive state of mind, but not overly arrogant. Try to anticipate various different scenarios, which you may possible encounter on the mountain and try to work out the most suitable course of action, mentally by yourself or even as a group, Your mental stamina will, without a doubt, make the really difficult sections, such as Kibo to Uhuru or from Barafu to Uhuru, easier to complete. Remember that if you are properly equipped, you have taken everything as indicated on the final checklist, you are physically prepared and have all the knowledge gained from this check list - you will be mentally confident for the physical part of Kilimanjaro.
Adequate travel Insurance
Make sure that you have adequate travel and medical insurance, which will also provide you with cover for the climb up Kilimanjaro.
Packing
Remember that you will be on the mountain for at least 5 or 6 days. You need to take enough clothing, especially socks to last for this period. Due to frequent rainfall as well as numerous streams on the routes, it is advisable to pack items individually in your bag. These individually packed items should be wrapped in Plastic bags to prevent them from getting wet.
Clothing:
Hiking/running shoes. It is not necessary to walk with boots or climbing shoes until the last sections, where scream and rocks are encountered.
One of the most critical items of clothing is an outer jacket. You want it to perform the functions of keeping you warm, Protect you at temperature of as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, keep the wind out and yet still "breath". Try to avoid tight fitting clothing or underwear. This will hamper circulation, causing either cold or discomfort on the mountain. A balaclava is a must, as it will protect your face against cold, wind, sun and snow. Other clothing like shorts, sweaters and T-shirts are strongly recommended, especially during hiking on the lower slop, when through the day temperatures are still high.
The only way to ensure that you are dressed warmly is to follow the principal of wearing the correct clothing layers, starting from against the body. A common mistake made by climbers is to wear almost everything they have and to start off with cotton against the skin. Cotton absorbs moisture perfectly, and moisture trapped against the skin will result in a definite lowering of the body temperature, which could even lead in severe cases to hypothermia. It is therefore very important to use Proper thermal underwear with "wicking" Properties (a fabric which has the ability to draw moisture away from the body) and thus enabling it to evaporate to the outside. The middle layer should provide the insulation and a product like polar fleece will be adequate in this regard. The outer layer should be windproof and breathable. Products like Vertex, Gortex or Entex offer these properties. Short of altitude and physical exertion, cold is one of the most serious obstacles when attempting to summit Kilimanjaro.
Spare batteries
Take with you spare batteries for the climb. Replace your headlamp and camera batteries with new ones on your summit night.
Take a ski Pole
A ski - Pole is essential, buy one or hire one but take one.
Travel Documents
• Valid passport and visa
• Airline ticket
• International health card with immunization (yellow fever)
• Travel Insurance
• Medical insurance
• US$ cash / Travellers Cheques / Credit Card
Essential Items
• Duffel bag - Large enough for all climbing gear and clothing.
• To be carried by the porters, an extra bag to be left at the hotel with extra gear
• Small luggage lock - into lock zipper
• Day backpack with a capacity of 20 - 35. Litres. Large enough to carry your water, camera, raincoat, lunch pack, and
warm clothing
• Sleeping bag for arctic conditions.
• Ski - Pole / walking stick
• Water bottle / containers
• Kilimanjaro map (Can be bought at Park gate )
High Altitude Gear
• Waterproof, breathable and Windproof Jacket (outer wear) like Ventex, Gore-Tex or Entex
• Waterproof, breathable and windproof pants
• Polar fleece (middle layer)
• Thermal underwear (under layers)
• Mittens or warm gloves
• Glove liners (if necessary)
• One pair thermal (polartex) socks
• Balaclava
• Gaiters
• Thermal water flask
Hiking Gear
• Shorts
• Hiking pants
• Regular underwear
• T-shirts
• Raincoat or Poncho
Footwear
• Water resistant semi-stiff hiking boots - mid weight boots work great
• Shoes for overnight Camps – E.G. sneakers, running shoes.
• Sock - several pairs for the climb
• Line socks - to keep your feet dry and limit the risk of blisters
Equipment
• Sun hat or similar (with a brim)
• Collapsible ski stick (optional but highly recommended)
• Water bottles - two or three (total capacity at least 6 liters)
• Head lamp, good strong one with spare batteries and extra light bulbs
• Water purification tablets
• Sunglasses, good quality dark lenses for the climb, with a securing strap
• Flashlight (torch) with spare batteries
Personal Items
• Toilet kit (soap, tooth brush, toilet articles, wet wipes, etc)
• Towel
• Sunscreen and lip protection, SPF 30+
• Ziploc bags, to protect camera, binoculars, etc from dust and rain
• Toilet paper
• Money belt for passport and valuables
Medical and First Aid Supplies
• Headaches (e.g. Syndols)
• Altitude sickness - Diamox (if not allergic to sulha)
• Diarrhoea -Imodium
• Nausea - Valid
• Malaria - Prophylaxis
• Water purification tablets
• Painkillers
• Muscular sprains
• Abrasions blisters and cuts - Plaster, bandages, blister pads.
• Antiseptic cream (e.g. Betadine)
• Flu and cold
• Eyes - drops
• Insect repellent
Optional Items:
• Camera, extra lenses and film (ASA 200 film recommended)
• Binoculars
• Powdered sports drinks for the climb (ex. Game or Isotonic drinks)
• Pocket knife
• Notebook and pencil
• Plastic bags to keep clothing dry (masking tape)
• Energy snacks, chocolate bars, sweets
• Video, tapes, battery packs
