Mount Kilimanjaro climb | Makario Safaris

Day 1

Arrival of your flight at Kilimanjaro Airport. Warmly welcomed by our representative outside customs and immigration hall. Transfer to Parkview Inn. Check in, dinner and overnight stay.
PARK VIEW INN (HB, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel and take a short drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1,830 m.) lies at the edge of Marangu, which is an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations. After completing the entrance formalities, we climb up through attractive and unspoiled forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m.). The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby, and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is a rich birdlife at the huts and monkeys are often seen as well. [3-5 hours walking to Mandara Hut].
MANDARA HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 3

We leave Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut. The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach Horombo Hut (3,720 m.). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very stunning, the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds. [4-6 hours walking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut]
HOROMBO HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 4

We leave Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut Through Desert Saddle we climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to screed and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness. We usually reach Kibo Hut (4,700 m.) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday and the afternoon is free (to contemplate the summit ascent!!). The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night! [4-5 hours walking from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut]
KIBO HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 5

We leave Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up at Gillman’s Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over loose volcanic screen, but there are some well-graded zig-zag and a slow but steady pace will have us up to Gillman’s (5,685 m.) in about five or six hours. We will rest there and spend some time taking in the sunrise. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent is surprisingly fast and we return to Horombo Hut for the night. [11-15 hours walking from Kibo Hut to Gillman’s Point]
HOROMBO HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 6

Safari to Kilimanjaro Retrace through Forest We retrace our steps with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara. You sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed and celebrations!!
PARK VIEW INN (HB, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 7

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to the airport based on your flight schedule.
2 people each will pay USD 1,850.-
Extra acclimatization day per person USD 300.-

Above rates includes:-
⦁ Meet and greet on arrival
⦁ Airport and inter-hotel transfers
⦁ Park fees, rescue fees
⦁ Transfers to/from park gate
⦁ 2 night hotel accommodation Parkview on Half board basis
⦁ 3 heavy meals a day on the mountain
⦁ Hut or camping fees
⦁ Tents, tables, chairs & all cooking facilities, mess tents
⦁ Guide, porters and cook
⦁ Medical first aid Kit for Guides
⦁ Climbing permit
⦁ Flying Doctors medical cover in case of emergency
⦁ Our assistance

Rates excludes:-
⦁ Flights and airport taxes
⦁ Items of a personal nature
⦁ Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (depending on the number of days and number of hikers in the group, as well as the route chosen)
⦁ Entry visa for Tanzania (US$50 per passport holder for most nationalities / US $ 100 per visa for USA passport holders)
⦁ Health requirements (Yellow Fever – only compulsory if you travel to Tanzania via a Yellow Fever infected country, Meningitis & Hepatitis A remains optional, but comes recommended)
⦁ Optional but highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
⦁ Personal hiking/trekking gear – you could rent some of the gear in Tanzania
⦁ Optional, but highly recommended Portable toilet (Portable toilet not allowed on the Marangu route)
⦁ Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
⦁ Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary

OPTION 2

: KILICLIMB MACHAME ROUTE 8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS
Day 1: Arrival of your flight at Kilimanjaro Airport. Warmly welcomed by our representative outside customs and immigration hall. Transfer to Parkview Inn. Check in, dinner and overnight stay.
PARK VIEW INN (HB, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Machame for the first section of the climb through the montane forest to Machame Campsite at 10000ft/3000m for overnight camp taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Machame Camp
MACHAME CAMP (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 3

Machame hut to Shira hut. Walk up a steep ridge from Machame hut through moorland to about 3600 meters, heading straight towards the peak. Then, after about 4 hours, the path turns left, flattening out into a gorge and ascending more gradually to Shira hut (3840 meters) on the Shira plateau to the west of Kibo. Total time is about 5-6 hours. (B/L/D)
SHIRA HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 4

Shira hut to Barranco hut. The path continues directly up the ridge towards Kibo. After about 4 hours, the path forks to the right and descends into a gorge (barranco) and the night is spent at Barranco hut (3950 meters). Total time about 5-6 hours. (B/L/D)
BARRANCO HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 5

Barranco hut to Barafu hut. Cross the Barranco valley, climb the Barranco wall (not technical climbing), then follow the Kibo South Circuit. Wonderful views are to be had of Kibo’s southern glaciers if the weather is clear. Lunch next to the river in the Karanga valley, then on to the intersection of the South Circuit with the Mweka ascent path. Turn left and climb up a ridge for about 2 hours to Barafu hut (4600 meters). Total time about 6-7 hours. (B/L/D)
BARAFU HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 6

Barafu hut to the top. Leave hut at 1 or 2am. Steep climb over scree and rock towards the Rebmann Glacier, pass a cliff and then enter the gap between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, arriving at the crater rim near Stella point. (About 6-7 hours). 1 more hour to Uhuru. Descend via Barafu hut (1-2 hours from Stella point) and then continue for another 3 or 4 hours to Mweka hut. (B/L/D)
MWEKA HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 7

Descend to Mweka gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed and celebrations!!
PARK VIEW INN (HB, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 8

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to the airport based on your flight schedule.
2 people each will pay USD 2,000.-
Extra acclimatization day per person USD 320.-

OPTION 3

KILICLIMB rongai route 8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS

Day 1

Day 2

Rongai Start Point (1996m) – Simba camp (2626m)
Depart from Moshi town and drive 45 minutes to the Marangu park gate for registration. From Marangu park gate we travel to Naro Moru, north east Kilimanjaro, a further 68km and approximately 2 ½ hours on bad roads to the Rongai start point (1996m). Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through a beautiful country side. The first night’s camp is at Simba Camp (2 626m). The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut.
SIMBA CAMP (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 3

: Simba camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)
We hike from Simba camp up towards Kibo till 3 482m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5.8km. After lunch we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3679 metres. The views start to open up and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain! Water can be found in a obvious stream below the cave, although you might have to wander downhill a way to find a pool or two. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa camp.
KIKELEWA CAMP (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 4

ikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers 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. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.
MAWENZI TARN CAMP (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 5

Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
After breakfast we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo hut.
KIBO HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 6

Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot.
The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa.

Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it

Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest at Kibo hot, you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
HOROMBO HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 7

Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips.

At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed and celebrations!!
PARK VIEW INN (HB, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 8

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to the airport based on your flight schedule.
2 people each will pay USD 2,055.-
Extra acclimatization day per person USD 340.-

OPTION 4

KILICLIMB SHIRA ROUTE OR (LEMOSHO) 9 DAYS 8 NIGHTS

Day 1

Arrival of your flight at Kilimanjaro Airport. Warmly welcomed by our representative outside customs and immigration hall. Transfer to Springlands hotel. Check in, dinner and overnight stay.
SPRINGLANDS HOTEL (HB, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 2

Londorossi Gate (2100m) – Mti Mkubwa camp (2 821m)
Drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate (2250 m, 2 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100 m, 11 km, 45 minutes) and a possible campsite (park fees are not paid to camp here). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750 m, 3 hours).
MTI MKUBWA CAMP (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 3

You rise early at Forest camp and, after breakfast, you trek a hour or so to the end of the forest and then the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed. After 8.1 km we reach Shira 1 camp (3504m) located on the Western edge of the Shira Plateau where we stop for lunch.
After lunch we hike across the Shira plateau for another 7.5km to the Shira 2 Camp, situated on the moorland meadows (3875m). By now you will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. The porters will provide a small bowl of washing water to each hiker, before the cook serves dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
SHIRA 1 CAMP (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 4

A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream (3850 m, 1.5 hours). A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.
SHIRA 2 CAMP (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 5

Trek from Shira 2 Camp east towards Lava Tower (4642m). As the hike progress the surrounding area turns into a semi desert and rocky landscape. Shortly before reaching Lava Tower the Lemosho route links up with the Machame route. The last part of the hike, (just before reaching Lava Tower), is definitely the toughest part of your hike so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some hikers will start to experience the symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. You will arrive in time for lunch at Lava Tower (4 642m) after hiking a distance of about 6.6 km.

After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours (3.3 km) and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The descend is tiring and should not be underestimated. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you get some much needed relaxation before dinner.
BARRANCO CAMP (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 6

After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you should reach Barafu Hut.
The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.
The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
BARAFU CAMP (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 7

You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5739m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life!
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3090m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
MWEKA HUT (FB, Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 8

Mweka gate
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 4 to 6 hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems which could make the descend longer than planned.
It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Visit the
tips page for more info.
At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! After lunch you drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
SPRINGLANDS HOTEL (HB, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 9

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to the airport based on your flight schedule.
2 people each will pay USD 2,360.-
Extra acclimatization day per person USD 380.-

Extras:
⦁ Hyperbaric chamber US$ 250 including porter to carry
⦁ Toilet tent US$ 190 including porter (Not allowed in Marangu route)
⦁ Oxygen cylinder US$ 130 entire climb
⦁ Extra porter $100.-