KILILMANJARO
(7 Days)
Climbing
Kilimanjaro offers many pleasures beyond
the accomplishment of reaching the ‘rooftop
of Africa’, 19340 feet above sea
level. You see dramatic changes in the
landscape as you proceed, beginning with
the dense forests of the lower slopes
and culminating with the majestic
snows cape of the summit.
Day 1 —
Morning transfer from Arusha or
Kilimanjaro Airport to the comfortable
base camp. You day is spent organizing
equipment for the climb and perhaps hiking
in the Kilimanjaro Forest.
Day 2 —
In the morning you walk through
the Kilimanjaro Forest, which contains
gnarled fig and wild date palm trees.
Mandara Hut, at the forest’s upper
edge, is your midday destination; you
may be lucky enough to see a troop of
Colobus monkeys in the trees along your
way.
Day 3 —
On today’s trek, you will
walk through Kilimanjaro’s giant
heather zone to the alpine moorlands.
This area is vastly different from the
forest, with huge stalks of lobelia, giant
groundsels and exquisite everlasting flowers.
These plants have evolved special mechanisms
to survive the freezing nighttime temperatures.
The beautiful green scarlet-tufted malachite
sunbird makes its home here. Overnight
Horombo Hut.
Day 4 —
This morning you climb to the ‘Saddle’
the barren high-altitude peak of Mawenzi.
If the weather and cloud cover permit,
you will have very fine views of both.
After viewing this splendid panorama,
you continue to Kibo Hut, which is located
just below the slopes leading to the summit
of Kilimanjaro.
Day 5 —
Before sunrise you set out on the
climb to the summit of the mountain. The
hike takes you along steep and rocky stretches
to the rim of the crater at Gillman’s
Point. The view is exhilarating - a spectacular
snow-covered mountain landscape. The huge
crater below you contains the large ‘Ash
Pit’ and steam vents. Continue to
Uhuru Peak, the true 19,340-foot summit
of the mountain. Then descend back to
Horombo Hut, where you spend the night.
Day 6 —
Today you descend back through
the varied zones of the Kilimanjaro slopes,
arriving midday at the base camp. The
afternoon is at leisure to reflect on
Kilimanjaro and to relax from the rigors
of the climb.
Day 7 —
This day is at leisure until you
transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha.
NOTE: This is the most common of the climbs.
There are others to consider depending
on your interest.
|
