Country: 
TANZANIA
Days: 8
On arrival you are personally met at Killimanjaro International Airport by one of Big Expeditions staff and transferred to Arusha to a well appointed hotel. If you arrive during the day then in the afternoon there is a full briefing with the climbs Manager and your guide. Who will also help you go through your climb gear to make sure that you have all that is need to make your climb a success.
Overnight at your hotel in Arusha.
After breakfast you depart by a private vehicle to Kilimanjaro trailhead. To make no porter carries more than the stipulated weight of 20 Kgs per porter your crew will finalise packing at the gate. On arrival at the trailhead you will go through some formalities and after finishing with formalities you will start your mount Kilimanjaro trekking from the Machame gate.Your first day’s hike is through verdant afromontane forest to Machame camp and on route you have a picnic lunch. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a gradation of forest zones!.
Overnight Machame Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
From Machame camp your hike takes you to Shira Camp. You will notice that the first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. A picnic lunch is provided on trail today. Today you will pass through a zone known as the heath zone where attractive Helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Enjoy the sight of various geologic features that can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys.
Overnight Shira Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
To take advantage of acclimatization, today you will to a high altitude and then descend to a lower altitude. The trek will take you into alpine desert and if you are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch en route.Expect today to be a long day and the next time you head to this altitude is in two days time – great acclimatisation day!.
Overnight Barranco Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Today your Kilimanjaro trek takes you from Barranco camp, famous for its’ giant groundsels (Senecio species), you will ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Today is a relatively short, however climbing the Barranco wall may prove tough, you will take your at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the Southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys.
Overnight Karanga Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp, this is advantageous as it will allow plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening.
Overnight Barafu Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
Today is the day you have been waiting for, most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Here the virtues of patience and persistence are the names of the game to reach the summit and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim.It is recommended that you ascend via Stella Point as this it affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka camp after conquering the highest peak in Africa.
Overnight Mweka Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner).
After breakfast, you continue with final descend.It’s just a couple of hours further now from Mweka campsite to Mweka Gate (c1980m), where those who made it to the summit or Stella Point will collect their certificates.It is a day of celebrating your achievement the African way,your Kilimanjaro climb team will showcase their dancing skills.This high energy piece is sure to make you jump out of your seat and join in. – how much fun Kilimanjaro,Kilimanjaro Cha Cha Cha can be when you have a great song and a playful partner. … Join them as they work to entice you with amazing dance moves.
A private car and guide will be waiting to take you back to your hotel, and a land of warm showers and cold beers.A day room will be provided to freshen-up till evening when you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your homebound flight.BUT DON’T LEAVE YET, you can combine climbing mount Kilimanjaro with a great Tanzania wildlife safari to make the most of your Holiday in Africa.Big Expedition will organize an affordable safari trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Africa such as Tarangire national park,Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti National Park.
The Machame Route known as the “Whiskey” route, begins at Machame Gate. It is located on the southern base of the mountain, in its green, abundant rainforest. We climb to the Shira Plateau, then traverse the mountain beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield. We will make our summit approach from Barafu Hut. The total time on the mountain is 8 days.
Read MoreWhether you are looking to explore the wildlife of the Serengeti, or begin your expedition up Mount Kilimanjaro, we have something suitable for all of you. Get in touch with us today and our team of specialists will help build your experience of a lifetime to Tanzania
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