MOUNT KILIMANJARO

MASAI ISLANDS TREKKING

to Oldonyo Lengai

(active volcanic Mountain)

  also known as the

Ngorongoro Islands Treking

 MOUNT MERU CLIMBING

Lying only 3 degrees south of the Equator at an altitude of 5895 meters above sea level. As wide as the entire world, great, high and unbelievable, white in the sun was square top of Mt Kilimanjaro.

So wrote Ernest Hemingway. Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest in Africa. It is known as African legends and folk-tales from ancient times. It rises majestically from the Maasai plains about 310km south of the Equator, thus forming the largest single freestanding mountain in the world-composed of one extinct volcano (Shira 3962m) and two dormant volcanoes (Kibo 5895m ) and (Mawenzi 5149m).

The mountain is one of the few eco-systems located near the Equator that contains large expanses of ice-glaciers. It also has the greatest expanses of aspire-desert of all glaciated equatorial mountains in East Africa. Being so close to the equator, the snow capped summit give the mountain a unique and exceptional natural beauty.

The mountain forest on Mt.Kilimanjaro is one of the most important water catchments areas in Northern Tanzania the banana zone lying below is characterized by a high density. Of population (500 per sq mile) home to the Chagga tribe. Coffee is grown as a cash crop (arabica coffee). Many other hosts of crops are grown in this mixed subsistence farming .Such crops include beans, maize ,sweet potatoes, round potatoes ,peas, tomatoes etc.

The first European explorers and missionaries did not see the mountain until the middle of 19th century. Hans Meyer a German together with Yohanna Lauwo were the first people to have reached Kibo summit in 1889. Yohanna Lauwo died in 1998 at an age of 124years. (many visitors flock to his house these days under the cultural tour programme of ASHANTI LODGE in MARANGU.

Since then, many people from all over the world have climbed the mountain via many routes. The mountain can be climbed anytime of the year, though it is often wet in the forest during the long rain seasons in April and May.

CLIMBING ROUTES

MARANGU ROUTE

MACHAME ROUTE

LEMOSHO ROUTE

Day1:- Transfer from ASHANTI LODGE to Marangu Gate together with our own guides and porters. Within half an hour the National Park formalities are over. Hiking for MANDARA HUT (9000ft) starts. It take 3 to 4 hours. Past the fascinating Rain forest. Upon arrival, you can walk to the MAUNDI CRATER nearby Night in the huts.

Day 2:- You leave the last glades of the Rain forest and follow the gently ascending path through the ALPINE meadow. The altitude begins to make itself felt, cautioning you to tread slowly "Pole pole" while just reach HOROMBO HUT (12000ft/4800 meters). Overnight stay in the huts.
Some climbers prefer staying here for an extra day for acclimatization, may be walk to the foot of Mawenzi Peak.

Day3:- After breakfast, the walk starts past the cactus-like giant groundsels and labella which blooms once in every 50 to 70 years. To the last water point. You move on to the lunar landscape in the saddle between 2 peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Eventually you reach Kibo HUT within 5to 6 hours. At an altitude of 1545ft. (4703meters).Dinner is served early around 5pm.so that you go to bed early.

Day4:- The final onslaught of the Kibo summit is made in the early hours of the day about 1am. For some 5 hours you climb the steepest and the most demanding part of the route to the Gilman's Point 18640ft (5685 meters ) on the crater rim. On the way, you stop at Hans Meyer Cave for a short rest. While at Gilman's point you may continue to Uhuru peak 19,340ft (5895meters) if you are still feeling strong. This takes one to 11/2 hours. All this process takes place during sunrise. The descent is for less tiring. A short rest at Kibo Hut for refreshments. There after you leave for HOROMBO HUT ( 3 to 4 hours ) for lunch and overnight.

Day 5:- Descend to MARANGU GATE. Takes 6to 7 hours with a stop at MANDARA HUT for lunch. Our car will be waiting for you here. We drive off to ASHANTI LODGE for the long awaited hot shower. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

NOTE: A 6 day climb is often booked for those wanting to acclimatize, this extra night is at Horombo Hut on the way up.

The most beautiful, but Technical, climbing skills required, is now often booked by many - a bit more expensive but worth it for frequent climbers. The climb crossing the breath rain forest gives you an open view of the glacier when you reach the Shira Plateau situated in the middle of the moorlands.

Machame Gate {1800m} - Machame Hut {3000m}

DAY 1:Arrive to the Machame Gate in a 4WD vehicle, introduction to your guide and porters. Registration is done and thereafter start climb {Hiking /Trekking}with picnic lunch through rain forest for approximately 4 to 5 hrs where you arrive to the Machame Hut. Later afternoon walk up to a little higher altitude is done for acclimatization. Return to Machame Hut for dinner and overnight.

Machame Hut {3000m} - Shira Hut {3800m}

DAY 2: After breakfast, start climb through short Savannah forest and other vegetation for approximately 4 to 5 hrs, with picnic lunch en route before arriving in the afternoon at the Shira Hut for dinner and overnight.

Shira Hut {3800m} - Barranco Hut {3950m}

DAY 3:After breakfast a slow walk through semiglacier and sandy areas with picnic lunch 3 to 4 hrs before arriving at the Barranco Hut for dinner and overnight.

Barranco Hut {3950m} - Barafu Hut {4600m}

DAY 4:After breakfast, with picnic lunch enroute climb through glaciers for approximately 4 to 5 hours before arriving the Barafu Hut for dinner and overnight.

Barafu Hut {4600m} - Stella Point {5750m} - UHURU PEAK {5895m}

DAY 5:An early wake up call around 01.00hrs for preparation and light breakfast before starting final ascent to the summit i.e either the Stella Point reached in approximately 5 to 6 hrs and a further ascent to the Uhuru Peak reached in another approx 45minutes. After signing and short rest at barafu hut descend via the Gilmans Point down to Mweka hut for an hours rest with light breakfast then descent down for dinner and overnight at Mweka hut.

DAY 6: After breakfast, final descent to Mweka gate,thereafter say Goodbye to your Guide/Porters and connect a private transfers to Arusha.

NOTE:{Optional 7 days climb on Machame route can be arranged with an Extra night at Shira Hut - where a full day Excursion is done by hiking/trekking around the Shira Plateau.

Technical route for experience climbers.

DAY 1: Drive along Boma Ng’ombe to Sanya Juu and up to Londorosi gate {Alt. 2200m} registration, drive to the road near Lemosho glades and start the trek through the rain forest, for dinner and overnight at Forest Camp{Alt.2440m}

DAY 2: Full day trekking through Shira Caldera and desert plateau, overnight at Shira I camp {Alt. 3700m}.

DAY 3: Trekking across Shira plateau, for dinner and overnight at GM II camp {Alt.3700m}

DAY 4: Trekking 6-7hrs through Baranco valley overnight at Baranco camp {Alt. 3940m} {But this day can also be used for altitude acclimatization}.

DAY 5 :Climb up to Barranco wall across valleys for dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp {Alt. 4270m}

DAY 6: Day is spent for acclimatization, dinner and overnight at Karanga camp {Alt. 4270m}

DAY 7: Trek to the summit Uhur Peak {Alt. 5895m} then return 12-15hrs for dinner and overnight at GM III camp {Alt.1100m}

DAY 8: Walk down across the Alpine moorland to Mweka gate say goodbye to your guide/porters, certificates award and onward transfers.

END OF SERVICES.

Day 1: Transfer to Momella gate, (Alt.2100 m) Climb up to Miriakamba Hut (Alt. 2541m)for Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Climb to the big Valley then to Saddle Hut (Alt. 3570m) later back to Saddle hut for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Final ascent to the Meru Peak 4566 m, descend down to Saddle hut then to Miriakamba hut for onwards transfers.

TREKKING SAFARIS IN TANZANIA. 

Ngorongoro Islands Treking

Day 1: ARUSHA / NGORONGORO

Depart from Arusha to Ngorongoro crater area for overnight with optional afternoon crater tour. Dinner and overnight at lodge or campsite.

Day 2: NAINOKANOKA/BULATI

Drive to Nainokanoka to start the trek, here all your luggage shall be loaded onto donkeys with Masai, then you start the trek visiting the Olmoti crater before proceeding to Bulati via Bulbul depression.Dinner and overnight at Bulati Campsite.

Day 3: BULATI / EMPAKAI

Empakai crater lake

Depart from Bulati after breakfast, then walk to the rim of then Empakai crater, descending into to the crater floor about 300 meters below the rim, after this terrific site seeing, ascend back to the rim for dinner and overnight at the Empakai campsite

Day 4: EMPAKAI / ACACIA

Depart from Empakai  to acacia via Nayobi Village where you shall have the pleasure of meeting the Masai people and even seeing the Market should it be a market day, later overnight at Acacia Campsite.

Day 5: ACACIA / KAMAKIA

Depart from Acacia to the base of the escapement , where you say bye to the Masai porters and their donkeys, with the assistance of the car , you will cover the long very dry and hot terrain to Lake Natron which is also the base of Oldonyo Lengai. Dinner and overnight at Kamakia

Day 6: KAMAKIA ( Lake Natron )

Walk to the water falls and site seeing of the ecosystem around Lake Natron Dinner and overnight at Kamakia Camp

Ash cones at Oldonyo Lengai

Day 7: OLDONYO LENGAI/ARUSHA

Wake up t midnight and start the

trekking ascending up to the cone shaped room of Oldonyo Lengai. You shall be able to see the fresh ash cones at the crater floor on the top of Oldonyo Lengai, occasionally you may witness some activity.

Later descend back to the base by about 10 am and proceed either to Arusha or for any other safari extension.

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