Itinerary for Dream Mountains Kilimanjaro Dream Team 2014
DAY 1-Sunday, March 30th Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met and
transferred to the base hotel where you will overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 2-Monday, March 31st Today is a free day to relax at the hotel or head into Moshi
town to stock up on any last minute supplies. In the evening climbers will meet with the
Zara guides & Shawn and get a full briefing for your climb the next day.
DAY 3-Tuesday, April 1st Machame Gate (1830m) - Machame Camp (2980m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 18 km’s Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes.
The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower
slopes of the mountain. Once we reach the Park gate, climbers are requested to make
their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging their packs
containing the food, water and other equipments. Make sure that you have all your
daypack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to
assist with any additional information. We now leave the Park gate and walk through the
rain forest on a winding trail to the first uniport hut which is located at an altitude of
(2980 m). We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Hut. Here we
make camp, rest, enjoy our dinner and overnight.
DAY 4-Wednesday, April 2nd Machame Camp (2980m) - Shira Camp (3840m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 9 km's
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending
path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather,
until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge at (3 840m). Time for
rest, dinner and overnight at the Shira Hut campsite.
DAY 5-Thursday, April 3rd Extra day for acclimatization at Shira Camp
DAY 6-Friday, April 4th Shira (3840m)-Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco Camp (3860m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Semi desert
From the Shira plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction, towards the peak
of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to southeast towards the Lava Tower,
called "the Shark's Tooth”. Shortly after the Tower, we come to the second junction,
which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier. We have now reached an altitude of (4630m)
and continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of (3 860m). Here we rest, enjoy
dinner and overnight.
Adventure Travel Company 375 Richmond Road Ottawa ON K2A 0E7 613.724.6206 TICO #50017677, #4499356
DAY 7-Saturday, April 5th Barranco Camp (3860m) to Karanga Valley Camp (4100m)
Hiking time: 4 hours
Distance: About 6 km's
Habitat: Semi Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco
Wall arriving in the Karanga valley. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and
overnight.
DAY 8-Sunday, April 6th Extra day for acclimatization at Karanga Valley Camp
DAY 9-Monday, April 7th Karanga Valley Camp (4100m) to Barafu Camp (4500m)
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: About 4km’s
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We pass through the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to
Barafu Hut which is located at an altitude of 4600m. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy
dinner and overnight. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this
position.
DAY 10 SUMMIT DAY-Tuesday, April 8th Barafu Camp (4550m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak then 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: About 7 km's ascent - 23 km's descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23:30 hrs., and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the
night. You will head in northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards
Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is for many climbers,
mentally and physically, the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m), 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 may 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 start 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 (3100m). 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, and drinking water, soft
drinks, chocolates and beer is available from the camp office!!
DAY 11-Wednesday, April 9th Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour scenic hike back to the
Park gate. 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 (5685m), 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. You now
drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower. Overnight at the base hotel.
DAY 12-Thursday, April 10th After breakfast you are free to depart to the airport or any
other destination in Tanzania. Zanzibar is a great way to recuperate. (Return transfer to
Kilimanjaro Airport is included)
Adventure Travel Company 375 Richmond Road Ottawa ON K2A 0E7 613.724.6206 TICO #50017677, #4499356
Kilimanjaro Includes:
- Three nights accommodation in Moshi with breakfast
- Transport from Moshi to the starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi.
- National park gate fees
- Hut and camping fees
- Rescue fees
- Guides and porters salaries
- All meals on the mountain
- Certified, experienced, English speaking guides
- Tents, foam sleeping pads. Cooking equipment and eating utensils
- Chemical toilets
Adventure Travel Company 375 Richmond Road Ottawa ON K2A 0E7 613.724.6206 TICO #50017677, #4499356