Mt Kilimanjaro Mt Kenya,Mt Meru Kenya and Tanzania Tours

Climb Kilimanjaro Marangu Route - 6 Days / 5 Nights

MARANGU ROUTE
Day 1 – Marangu Gate (1800 m) to Mandara Hut (2727 m)
Day one starts with an early breakfast at the hotel. After your gear has been loaded onto the vehicles you'll be driven to the park's gate where spring water is available and should be purchased before you head into the rainforest. You'll be introduced to your guides and depending on the size f your group assistant guides and porters will be waiting at the park's gate to sort out the food and bags to be carried up the mountain. The journey from Moshi (900 m) to the Marangu Park's gate (1800 m) takes about 45 minutes.
When reaching the gate you will need to fill in your passport number and other personal details in the park's register. At this stage you could also take time to get to know your porter who will carry your baggage on the climb. You can also buy maps, books, postcards, camera film, snacks and drinks from the curio shop. You'll be given a lunch pack and then you will start your trek to the first camp on the route, Mandara Hut (2727 m).
Walking through the rainforest can be very wet if weather conditions are less than pleasant. Otherwise this is a very scenic and not too strenuous walk, allowing for a halfway lunch stop just when you need it. On arrival at Mandara Hut (2727 m) you'll have to report to the camp office for accommodation details. The Mandara Hut is situated on the forest belt border just below the Maundi crater (2800 m). The accommodation is limited. Camping on this route is only allowed for climbers who use the Rongai route to summit.
Again you'll get a chance to buy water, beer, snacks and soft drinks at the camp. While the porters prepare you a healthy, hot and very tasty supper you can visit the Maundi crater (2800 m) only 15 minutes walk away from the camp, or you can just sit around and relax in the dining hall where all meals are served. Hot water for bathing is provided. By the time you turn in you will feel the bitterly cold overnight temperatures at the camp-temperatures that can reach freezing levels.

Day 2 – Mandara Hut (2727 m) to Horombo Hut (3720 m)
Breakfast at the camp is served very early and, depending on the guide, you'll be asked to be ready for the walk immediately afterwards. The day starts with a short walk to the border of the forest where, on a clear day, you can get the first gorgeous views of Mawenzi (5149 m) and the south-eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro.
The footpath heads into the moorland. It is in fairly good condition and at a gradual gradient. Grass, shrubs, bus and a few flowers dominate the landscape on this section of the climb. The halfway mark between the camps is a designated area for resting and lunching. You can also expect a visit from one of the numerous field mice in this area.
By now the south-eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro and the south-western slopes of Mawenzi (5149 m) are in full view for most of the route. You'll arrive at Horombo Hut (3720 m) during the early afternoon and must report to the camp office for accommodation arrangements. Although becoming increasingly expensive, spring water, beer, soft drinks and snacks are available at the camp. This is one of those afternoons that you can use explore the area, rest, or to climb the ridge obscuring the breathtaking views of Mawenzi (5149 m).
Both breakfast and supper are served in a spacious dinning hall. Because of temperatures at the camp dropping well below freezing point, expect to find frozen taps and early morning frost. At this stage your best bet would be to have an early night in your warm sleeping bag and wake up to a hot dish of water for a quick wash. Now you can unwind and acquire even more basic wilderness skills. Rejuvenate and recover from life's tension in the soothing stability of this mountain. The retreat of solitude will do you a tremendous deal of good. Let nature encourage positive transformation and a sense of harmony within you.

Day 3 – Mawenzi Hut (4600 m), extra day for acclimatization
During the course of this day you will gain over 800 m in altitude by walking for about three hours to Mawenzi Hut (4600 m). After about an hour you'll pass Zebra rock, jus another one of the many miracles of nature you'll see along your hike. The path then turns east at the junction towards Mawenzi (5149 m). From this point on the views become even more spectacular, with a particularly eye-catching one of the Saddle and the south-eastern slopes of Kilimanjaro. The steep scree path ascending to Gillman's Point (5685 m) is also clearly visible. After reaching Mawenzi Hut (4600 m) you then return to Horombo Hut (3720 m) for a well-deserved rest. This extra day is highly recommended and can increase your chances of reaching the summit (Uhuru Peak 5895 m).

Day 4 – Horombo Hut (3720 m) to Kibo Hut (4703 m)
The walk to Kibo hut (4703) heads up a footpath into the semi-desert landscape of the Saddle. When walking through the Saddle you get to see the Middle Red Hill, West Lava Hill and East Lava Hill to the east and the Barafu hut (4600 m) camp to the west. Halfway through the Saddle you stop for lunch and then carry on to the Kibo hut (4703 m). Here you are required to report to the camp office for accommodation arrangements. Note carefully that drinking water is not available at this camp but some can be bought from the office along with beer and soft drinks. When you're stocked up on fresh drinkable water, hang up your hiking boots for a short while before dinner as a good rest is in order. Before you turn in, remember to arrange all summit gear as preparation for the arduous summit bid is just before midnight when the temperature is well below freezing. A sense of energy and calm always prevails among climbers; they are true playmates of nature when climbing. Whether they have expert skills or not, they are filled with desire and that is the driving force. Gambling with life at every step, the human spirit illustrated the resplendence of creation through risk and danger.

Day 5 – Kibo Hut (4703 m) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m) to Horombo Hut (3720 m)

This is when the going really gets tough; you're tired, maybe even slightly nauseous and suffering from headaches due to the extreme changes in altitude. Because of harsh summit conditions you should dress in layers before heading out into the dark and bitingly cold night around midnight. Wear thermal underwear, a fleece jacket and pants, Gortex jacket and pants. (Refer to the summit gear list).
The team size will determine how many assistant guides are needed. Ensure that the batteries in you headlamp and camera are replaced with a new set and carry adequate spares. The first section of the ascent follows a winding rocky footpath to Hans Meyer cave (5150 m). Because of the altitude, summit night is slow, strenuous and dizzying, but you will be allowed a short rest at Hans Meyer Cave (5150 m) before you continue up the steepest section to Gillman's Point (5685 m) offers a great viewpoint of the Eastern Ice fields and just above Stella Point you'll pass glaciers forming the Southern Ice fields namely, Rebmann, Decken, Kersten and Heim Glaciers.

Temperature on the summit can be as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius with wind-chill taken into account. About an hour past Stella Point you'll be rewarded with the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - the highest point on the African continent. Summit night on Kilimanjaro is slow, arduous and cold. But it is also refreshing, invigorating and simply awe-inspiring. On the summit you'll be rewarded with the ultimate show stopper – stunning aerial views of the spectacular glaciers illuminated by a hypnotic sunrise experienced only on the roof of Africa.
It is perhaps at this stage that a burning passion for mountaineering will have finally invaded you, marking your soul and styling your existence. Learning so much about yourself and your co-existence with your environment with make you swell with vitality, intensity and substance. The dynamism and camaraderie with nature and your peers during this adventure is indescribable.
The urge to snap reams of photographs and capture nature's marvelous wonders is uncontrollable. Most climber spend quite a while on the summit taking photos before the long walk back to Kibo Hut (4703 m) for a short rest. At Kibo Hut you gather the res of your gear and continue down the Saddle to Horombo Hut (3720 m) for an overnight stay. The usual accommodation ritual applies; you must report to the camp office for the hut keys. Dinner is served before a well-deserved rest filled with memories and stirring emotions of the summit and what it has taken to get there. Hot water is provided in basins for washing. “Sweet dreams ……..”

Day 6 – Horombo Hut (3720 m) to Marangu Park's gate (1800 m)
When you finally drag your weary body from the sleeping bag, you'll have breakfast in the dinning hall, and then walk to Mandara Hut (2727 m) for lunch. Thereafter you'll head through the forest to the Marangu Park's gate (1800 m) where on arrival you much enter your particulars in the register.
Now for the ‘awards ceremony'. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685 m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive gold certificates. Unfortunately there is no documented recognition for those who did not make it to the crater rim at all. Transport will be ready and waiting at the gate to take you to your hotel for a long overdue bath or shower and a good rest.
The hunt to reach the tip of the frosty pinnacle by any means necessary is arguably the most hazardous, yet at times also the most strangely pleasant, climbing pursuit. Even the most seasoned experts are subject to the cruel whims of Mother Nature and loss of digits to frost bit is not uncommon. But whatever you may have experienced atop Mount Kilimanjaro will, in time, leave behind precious memories, which you'll thumbtack to your life as a badge of courage.

Price US$ 1350 per person:
Any additional day is US$ 210

The price is inclusive of:-
2 transfers from Moshi to Marangu park gate -return
3 meals per day while trekking - Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian
6 days Kilimanjaro trek- Marangu
5 nights accomodation in camps while trekking Marangu
First and Last night accommodation at standard accomodation hotel in Moshi -Bed and Breakfast.
All park entrance fees and government levies
English speaking mountain Guide and assistant guides
Minimum of 3 Porters per client

The Price does not include:
Gloves, Sun glasses, Sleeping bag, Hats , Rain suits, Warm Jacket,
Heavy boots, Scarf's, Rain Trousers

Note: All the above items can be hired at a reasonable price

Kilimanjaro Summit Gear List
. Leather or thermal boots
. Gore-Tex, Microtex or K-Tech Trilaminate jacket
. Gore-Tex, Microtex or K-Tech pants
. Fleece jacket
. Fleece pants
. Gore-Tex mittens or gloves
. Fleece gloves (use as inner for Gore-Tex mittens)
. Thermal glove liners (use as inner for Gore-Tex gloves)
. Gaiters
. Fleece balaclava
. Thermal balaclava
. Thermal top
. Thermal long johns
. Thermal socks
. Sunglasses with UV protection
. Day pack
. Head torch
. Thermal flask

Kilimanjaro Trekking gear: (Wear between camps)
. Rain suit or poncho (mainly used in the rain forest)
. Hiking boots or cross trainers
. Day pack
. Short pants
. Tracksuit pants
. T-shirts
. Sun hat (peak caps do not offer enough protection)
. Woolen socks
. Fleece beanie
. Water bottle

Kilimanjaro General gear & equipment
. Duffel bag
. Walking stick (adjustable)
. Sleeping bag (-10 rating)
. Sleeping mat

Kilimanjaro Helpful hints
. Drink at least three to four litres of water a day.
. Use water filters and purifying pills to minimize stomach bugs.
. Take enough snacks like energy bars, drink mixes, etc.
. Do not move too fast, walk at a slow steady pace.
. Move as lightly as possible, do not carry unnecessary weight.
. All clothing in Duffel bags or backpacks must be protected with sack-liners to avoid getting wet, especially through the rainforest.
. High factor lip balm and sun block is essential.
. Nausea and headache pills should be kept handy on summit night.
. Symptoms of altitude sickness can be reduced by using medication (consult your doctor).
. New boots should be walked-in; this avoids blisters.
. Use a sleeping mat when camping.
. Use a thermal flask on summit night; other water bottles will freeze.
. Allow camera or video camera to acclimatize; do not wrap or place them in plastic bags.
. Thermal glove liners allow easier camera handling on the summit.
. Use only new camera and headlamp batteries on summit night.
. Guides and porters will expect tips; confirm amounts with your tour operator.