8 Days of Mountain Kilimanjaro Safari
Tour Summary
8 Days of Mountain Kilimanjaro Safari : Mount Kilimanjaro being a dormant volcano found in Tanzania, it is also the highest mountain in Africa. Mountain Kilimanjaro’s highest peak is called Uhuru, is stands at a height of 5896M above sea-level.The swahili name Uhuru means freedom.
Mountain Kilimanjaro is totally filled with the tropical rainforest, the savannah vegetation, the snow, glaciers and the wooodlands. Mountain kilimanjaro looks very difficult to access, surprisingly is has a number of routes that link you to the top of the mountain. Most of these routes are very difficult ones and check one’s fitness levels.Routes like the Machame on the south-western,Lemosho on the western slopes, Marangu route and finally the umbwe route.
MOuntain kilimajaro gives you a puperb view of the Amboseli national park in Kenya, the Great east rift valley and the masaai steepe.
Day 1: Transfer to Mountain Kilimanjaro
A well trained guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel/lodge for checking-in and lunch. Later in the afternoon, there is an option of Moshi town tour till late and later return to the hotel for rest and dinner as you prepare for the next day activities.
Day 2: Transfer to the starting point of the kilimanjaro mountain
After a very posh night, you will be served a very nice breakfast early in the morning, after our driver will pick you up and transfer to the starting point of any of the routes of your choice(preferably Muchame). The guide will lead you to be registred for the trek.
You will penetrate the montane forest first before you start hiking, it is muddy and sometimes so slippery along some trails. Roughly 2850m height trek awaits you. A rest to a camp for the day and lunch will be served. There will be other toursits to interect with, a camp fire will be set and rest for the evening.
Day 3: Transfer to Shira Camp
5km away from Muchame camp, Shira camp is sarrounded by moorland vegetation. After a very early morning breakfast, you will hike to the top of the mountain, you will go throgh a calm gradient, rocky ridge to the shira plateau. While there, you will be able to see the shira plateau from afar.
You will have lunch at the shira camp for lunch and relax. Explore the camp which is characterized by cold temperatures in the evening. Have an evening’s rest and prepare for a busy day ahead.
Day 4: Trek to Lava Tower and later Barranco
The trek today will be the toughest as we trek past the Lava Tower at 4600m before descending to the Barranco hut at 3900m. we will shift from the Moorland terrain to semi desert and rocky steep slopes that surrounds the Lava Tower. Descend down the great Barranco wall up to the Barranco camp for the day’s rest.
Day 5: Hike to Karanga camp
Have breakfast early morning and hike the Barranco breach wall which leads you to the Heim glacier. Descend to the Karanga valley which merges with the Umbwe route. The hike takes an average of 5 hours and the valley is semi-desert. Arrive at Karanga camp for relaxation, unpack and grab a bite. Relax for the next day ahead at the camp.
Day 6: Transfer to Barafu Camp
Get ready for another exciting day on the mountain by transferring from Karanga camp to Barafu (ice) camp. There are steep valleys and rocks on the way to the camp characterized by Alpine desert climate at an elevation of 4200m-4673m. The distance to the camp is approximately 5 hours. On arrival, get to explore the Mawenzi peak and Kibo if the weather is suitable. Relax at the camp s you prepare for the following day.
Day 7: Hike to Uhuru Peak and Mweka camp
Hooray!! Today is the day we finally get to ascend to the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Wake up very early in the morning, have packed breakfast and lunch and embark on this tough hike with headlamps or flashlights. Don’t forget to pack heavy clothes as there is snow at the top. It will be a steep and chilly hike but will be worth it. The hike takes an average of 8 hours and makes it the longest hike. The lucky ones who will get to the peak earlier will witness the sun rise while the rest can view it from Stella point. Take breath taking photos once at the top at the ice capped summit and spend some time there as well. Descend to the bottom of the mountain to Mweka huts where you will have dinner and have an evening’s rest.
Day 8: Transfer from Mweka camp to Mweka Gate
Today is the day we conclude the great trek. After breakfast, head to Mweka gate which is about 10km from Mweka camp and you will be awarded certificates for a successful mountain trek. Transfer to Moshi town where you will explore the city once more before catching your flight.
