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Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a Wildhut representative and then you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha for meals and overnight stay
On this day you will Spend the day relaxing after your journey and preparing for your ascent. Today, your chief Kilimanjaro guide will meet you at your accommodation to go through your itinerary and check your gear. Today is the day to rent any clothing or equipment that you may require during your Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking.
After breakfast, you will depart to the village of Nale Muru, where the Rongai trailhead is located. After signing in, you will begin your trek along a gradual and winding trail that crosses maize and potato fields before entering the pine forest. From there, the trail climbs consistently, but gently, through a forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. You will enjoy a picnic lunch along the trail. The first day’s hiking is easy going and you will arrive at Rongai’s Simba Camp around mid-afternoon. This first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone and offers extensive views over the Kenyan plains. Upon arrival, you may unpack and relax until dinner time.
Today is a relatively short hike. You will head out this morning and steadily ascend up to Second Cave, where we will be camping for the night. Here, you can enjoy the gorgeous views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. You will enjoy your hot lunch and the rest of the day will be for relaxation.
This morning your hike will lead you on a gradual rise through the beautiful open moorland toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi to Kikelewa Camp. The camp is situated near a couple of caves by the Kikelelwa River, with giant Senecios and Lobelias flourishing nearby. The evening will reveal Kibo’s snowy summit peaking over the ridge that separates the campsite from the saddle.
You will head out today on a short but steep climb up grassy slopes, offering superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. You will Spend the afternoon exploring the area and hiking up and around Mawenzi for better acclimatization.
After breakfast we will head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo. Your journey will take you through amazing scenery as you travel lush forests and wide-open moorlands, surrounded by nature’s pristine splendor. The trek will test your endurance, but the raw appeal of Kilimanjaro will fascinate you with each step. The anticipation of reaching the spectacular summit fuels your determination as you rise towards Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. You will have your Overnight at Kibo hut.
This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of your Kilimanjaro climb; the one you have been anxiously awaiting! We will Wake up at around midnight and have a light breakfast. We will begin our trek at about 1:00am, in the dark, to reach the summit in time for sunrise. Don’t forget your head lamp!
The wind and cold at this elevation can be extreme. The trek to Gillman’s Point (5,685m/18,650ft) on the rim of the crater takes about six hours, with frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point, you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, coming over Mawenzi Peak. From there, it’s onward and upward around the crater to Uhuru Peak. The climb is gradual, but the altitude makes it long and tiring. Just concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other…you can do it! After about two hours, you will finally arrive at the highest point in Africa – Uhuru Peak, at 5,895m/19,340ft!
Give yourself a few minutes to catch your breath, congratulate yourself, and take some photos to capture this lifetime incredible moment! We will then begin our descent back down to Kibo Hut for a well-needed rest, before heading across the saddle to Horombo Hut for the night. On the way down from the summit, you will see all the magnificent views you could not see on the way up! Enjoy your celebratory dinner and a good night sleep!
After breakfast, you continue the 6-hour descent to the Marangu gate through the Mandara lodge. It is strongly advised that you wait to tip your porters until you have arrived at the entrance securely.You will enter your name and contact information in a register at Marangu gate. Successful climbers can also pick up their summit certificates here. Green certificates are given to climbers who made it to Gillman’s Point (5685 m), while gold awards are given to those who made it to Uhuru Peak (5895 m).
You will now return to Moshi via car for a much-needed hot shower, food, a comfortable bed, and celebrations!
After the hike, you have the rest of the day to relax before your trip home. You might visit Moshi town and stop at a few gift shops before going to the airport, depending on your flight schedule.
If you want to keep exploring Tanzania, there are add-ons for safaris, trips to Zanzibar, and other destinations.
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