
Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our representative will be there to assist you with your journey to the booked accommodation. The night before the climb, you will have a pre-climb meeting at the hotel to go through logistics and check gear. You will also check to make sure you have the required medical insurance and trip protection in place. He will then go, leaving you to unwind, have dinner, and sleep overnight.
After a roughly four-hour drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate, during which time our guides and porters will prepare the equipment, we make our way there and complete the admission procedures. After that, we go on driving up a difficult trail until we reach the Shira Gate, which is the starting point of the hike. The journey begins with bushwhacking through enormous heather and bushes till we reach Simba Camp. Overnight at Simba Camp.
The acclimatization process will go well today thanks to the relatively light schedule. On the plateau, where we are starting our adventure, there is a grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations that we will first investigate. After that, we go down a route with beautiful views to the Shira Cathedral, a massive rock buttress that is flanked by high spires and pinnacles, before finally setting up camp at the Shira 2 campsite.
We proceed to the east, climb a ridge, and then turn southeast in the direction of the Lava Tower, which is a volcanic rock structure that is 300 feet tall. We go through the unusual but magnificent Senecio Forest on our way down to Barranco Camp, which is located at an elevation of 13,000 feet. The fact that you start and finish the day at almost the same level does not change the fact that the time spent at a higher altitude is really helpful for acclimatization.
We start the day off by making our way down a valley until we reach the bottom of the Great Barranco Wall. After that, we scale the non-technical but steep cliff that is over 900 feet tall. After climbing to the top of the Barranco Wall, we will go through a number of hills and valleys before beginning our steep descent into the Karanga Valley. Karanga Camp is reached after one last challenging ascent. This is a shorter day on purpose so that you can get used to the altitude.
Once we reach the intersection of the Mweka Trail, we will have completed our journey from Karanga. Moving further, we will reach the rocky part leading to Barafu Hut. You’ve just finished the Southern Circuit, which gives you a wide range of perspectives of the peak. Here we set up camp, get some much-needed rest, and have an early supper before heading to the top the next day. From their respective heights, both Mawenzi and Kibo provide stunning panoramas of the peak.
We start our ascent at the crack of dawn (about midnight). This section of the journey presents the greatest test of 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 visualizing 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!
After breakfast, you will be transported to Kilimanjaro Airport. If you would rather prolong your stay in Tanzania, you may either embark on a wildlife safari or have a beach vacation in Zanzibar.
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