
Get up early and go out of your Moshi hotel for Umbwe Gate, where you’ll meet the guides, porters, and chefs who will be with you for the next six days as you climb to the summit of Africa, Uhuru Peak. Please wait at the gate while we record your ascent and the guides and porters finish up. About 6 hours after leaving the gate, you will arrive at Cave Bivouac Camp, your first night’s lodging. Several spots along the path are particularly treacherous due to their steepness and/or slickness.
Trek into the Kilimanjaro cloud forest, where the trees are coated with moss. Later in the trek, the woodland will thin, and you’ll be able to see heathers, long grasses, and wildflowers. The camp will be ready for your arrival thanks to the forward march of porters and chefs.
The trail becomes rockier and more overgrown with mossy, scraggly trees on the second day of the hike. More of Kilimanjaro becomes visible as we climb higher. As we reach Barranco Valley, the terrain levels out. You may get to Barranco Camp from Umbwe Ridge by descending through the peculiar but lovely Senecio Forest.
The day begins with a descent down a valley to the foot of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we scale a non-technical yet steep 900-foot cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we drop rapidly into Karanga Valley over a succession of peaks and valleys. Karanga Camp is reached after another tough climb. This is a shorter day designed to help with acclimatisation.
Begin the hike to Barafu Camp after breakfast. View multitude Kibo’s glaciers as well as the intersection that joins the descending trail, Mweka, with the Machame trail on the way to Barafu. Hike by the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers on day four. Although the road to Barafu runs through an alpine desert with minimal flora, the views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks from Barafu Camp are spectacular. Try to sleep after supper since you will need to get up before midnight for your summit trek.
We start our ascent at the crack of dawn (about midnight). This section of the journey presents the greatest test to your willpower and stamina. At this altitude and time of day, the wind and cold may be rather severe. Between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, we continue our ascent to the peak, layering up against the cold and visualising the incredible feeling of achievement that awaits us at the top. For many hours, we climb throughout the night, pausing often for brief rests. The dawn above Mawenzi Peak from near Stella Point (18,900 ft) is among the most spectacular sights you’ll ever witness. Early risers on the trail can be rewarded with a sunrise atop the mountain. We’ve reached the summit of Uhuru Peak on Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak.
“Congratulations! One step at a time, you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!”
We break for lunch at Barafu, and then continue our trek straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite. The terrain is quite rough and may be difficult on the knees; bring walking poles. Due to its location in the higher forest, Mweka Camp often experiences mist or light rain in the late afternoon. When night falls, we have our final meal on the mountain and turn in for a restful night’s sleep.
It’s time to part ways with the group after a touching farewell meal and a ceremony of thanks and team building. Since you are departing today, it is important to leave gratuities for your guides, chefs, and porters. Next, we’ll go back down to Mweka Gate to pick up your summit certificates. Gaiters and trekking poles are essential due to the slick, muddy, and steep terrain caused by the recent weather change. Once we get through the gate, we’ll travel for another hour before reaching Mweka Village. You will be met in Mweka Village by a vehicle that will take you to your Moshi, Tanzania, accommodation. Take that nice shower, eat that delicious meal, and celebrate like it’s been ages! The following day, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
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