Mountain Climbing in Africa...
MT. Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Machame is the most scenic of the climbs up Kilimanjaro and like most scenic routes, it is a bit longer, but well worth it.
Climbers stay in two-person tents which porters carry up the mountain, along with food and other supplies.
Day 1: Clients are met in Nairobi and driven to Marangu, Tanzania. The first night will be in a hotel. Day 2: After driving past coffee and banana shambas (family farms), we arrive at the trailhead deep within the jungle. A five-hour hike takes us to our camp in "heath zone" at 10,000 feet. Here we get our first view of Kilimanjaro. Awesome!
Day 3: A four-hour walk brings us to "Shiva Caves" at 12,500 feet. The landscape becomes very rocky. Many of the plants here are unique to Kilimanjaro. It is often foggy and even rainy in the afternoon but clears by sunset to reveal a fantastic view of the snow-covered mountain above the lush countryside below.
Day 4: A five-hour hike across a moonscape brings up to Burranco Camp at 13,000 feet. It is definitely cooler here. Giant senecia trees stand in relief along the ridges like sentinels. The view is a majestic one.
Day 5: A seven-hour hike up and down the ridges and valleys radiating from Kilimanjaro, brings us to "Barafu" (ice in Kiswahili) at 14,500 feet. Camp is perched near the edge of a rocky, snowy cliff. "Mwenzi" meaning companion, looms majestically across the rock-strewn valley. Everyone turns in early in order to rise at midnight for the summit climb.
Day 6: After tea and biscuits, we begin at 12:30 a.m. to climb the summit armed with headlamps or flashlights. The moon, when full, is incredibly bright at this altitude. A six-hour climb brings us to the summit (Uhuru or "freedom" Peak). This is Africa's highest at 19,340 feet and a sunrise one never forgets. The descent to last night's camp takes only two hours, and after lunch and a rest, we return to our first camp in the heath zone, a short three hours away.
Day 7: The last day finds you back in the jungle and lunch is at the trail head.
Machame Route: Allow 6 days.
ZZ-OUT-51
2002 Price Includes: Transportation from Nairobi to Machame and back, all park entry fees, food, guide and porters and tents.
Price does not include: Tanzania visas, sleeping bag, hotel after climb or hotel meals and drinks, tips.
Prices Per person for 7-day trip:
| One Person: Party of Two: Party of Three: Party of Four: | $1,795 |
MT. Kilimanjaro - Marangu Route
Day 1: Clients are met in Nairobi and driven to Marangu, Tanzania. The first night will be in a hotel.
Day 2: We hike from Marangu at 6,000 feet, past small villages and farms, through rain forests to emerge onto open grasslands and Mandara huts. We sleep at 9,000 feet.
Day 3: We trek through alpine meadows to Harombee huts at 12,300 feet. The view is fantastic. The air is thin. Walking becomes more difficult.
Day 4: We traverse the saddle between Kilimanjaro's two peaks: Mwenza at 16,900 feet and Kibo at 19,340 feet. This is the hardest day and will be cold. Everyone turns in early at Kibo huts. We are at 15,500 feet, only 3,800 feet to go.
Day 5: By lantern light we begin our final ascent. We must make Uhuru (freedom) Peak by 9:00 a.m. or risk having to turn back due to the weather. It takes 5 to 6 hours to reach the summit and 1 hour down to Kibo huts. Then onto Harombee huts for the night.
Day 6: We return to the Marangu trailhead and back to Nairobi.
Marangu Route: Allow 6 days.
Price Includes: Transportation from Nairobi to Machame and back, all park entry fees, food, guide and porters and tents. Plus hotel on the night prior to the climb.
Price does not include: Tanzania visas, sleeping bag, hotel after climb or hotel meals and drinks, tips.
Prices Per person for 6-day trip:
| One Person: Party of Two: Party of Three: Party of Four: | $1,220 |
For your information: The dry seasons, July, August, September and December, January and February are the best months for mountain climbing and safaris in Kenya.
WHAT TO BRING TO AFRICA
Good broken-in waterproof hiking boots, Wool socks, Rain gear with hood (doubles as a windbreaker), Gaters, At least 3 upper body warm layers, Warm hat, Gloves or mittens, Wide brim sun hat, Winter weight sleeping bag (may be leased), Hiking shorts, Pants for hiking, Pile pants or longjohns, Camp shoes, sunglasses, Day pack, Sunscreen lotion, Lipbalm with sunscreen, Camp shoes, Sunglasses, Camera, Film, Flashlight and extra batteries, Water Bottle, Iodine water purification pills, Binoculars, Benadryl, Eye drops, Foot powder, Aspirin, Insect Repellent.
