Description

Ever dreamed of conquering Africa’s highest peak – Kilimanjaro! The climb starts out through lush rainforests teeming with bird life and other forest creatures. The vegetation thins as you climb in altitude. Your reward on the fifth day is summiting Uhuru Peak at an altitude of 5896m. It’ll be just after sunrise when you get to stand next to the famous sign board to take your photo, thereby adding your name to Africa’s hall of fame!

Highlights

• Starting out through lush montane forest
• Traversing Shira Plateau
• View of the Western breach and Lava Tower
• Sunrise at Stella Point looking up to Uhuru Peak
• Summiting Africa’s highest peak

Sample Itinerary

This is the most popular route up Kilimanjaro due its relative ease and well used trails. No technical climbing ability is required although due to the high altitude good health and a high level of fitness is needed if you wish to summit. Porters and guides accompany each group ensuring safety and allowing the hikers to enjoy the scenery carrying nothing more than a day-pack. The route is very scenic rising up from the dense tropical forest to Gillman’s Peak before crossing the saddle en route to Uhuru Peak which is the highest point in Africa.

Day 1
Meet at Johannesburg international airport at approximately 12h00. Check in starts at 12h20. Depart on Air Tanzania at 14h20 for Kilimanjaro via Dar Es Salaam. Arrive at Kilimanjaro at 20h40. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Moshi Mountain Inn where you will be staying overnight. After dinner you’ll have a pre-climb briefing before making final preparations and enjoying a good night’s rest.

Day 2
After breakfast transfer to Marangu gate in the Kilimanjaro National Park from where you’ll start the hike. The first section of the climb takes you through the lush montane forest to Mandara Hut, where you’ll be staying overnight. The hut lies at an altitude of 2750m. The first day’s walk takes 3 to 4 hours.

Day 3
Leaving the forest, you trek along a good path through open grassy moor land where you’ll be treated to your first view of the Kibo dome and the rugged peaks of Mawenzi. Continue on to Horombo Hut at 3700m where you’ll be staying overnight. Hiking time is approximately 5 to 7 hours.

Day 4
Making sure that you’re acclimatising to the altitude, continue ascending past ‘the last water point' traversing the desolate valley known as the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi, and on to Kibo Hut at 4700m where you’ll be staying overnight. The hike takes 5 to 7 hours.

Day 5
A very early morning start takes you up the steep path through heavy scree to Gilman's Point at 5681m on the crater rim to arrive in time for sunrise. After capturing some spectacular photographs, continue on to the highest point at Uhuru Peak - 5896m. Having reached the summit, descend back down to Horombo Hut where you’ll be staying overnight. It’s a long day of hiking, taking 7 to 8 hours ascend and 4 to 7 hours descend.

Day 6
On your last day on the mountain, continue your descent back down to the Marangu Park Gate. The walk is approximately 5 to 7 hours. At the gate you will be met and transferred back to the Moshi Mountain Inn where you’ll be staying overnight. The hotel has a sauna and swimming pool where you’ll be able to relax and pamper the weary muscles.

Day 7
An early breakfast and check out of the hotel. Transfer to the airport in time for a 07h00 check in. The flight on Air Tanzania departs at 09h00 and arrives in Johannesburg at 13h50. End of itinerary.