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our lunch while the guides organise the porters and
luggage. We set off for an easy first hour amongst
corn and potato fields with the chattering of
children following along behind. After about an hour
we enter the rainforest, hoping to spot the
beautiful Black and White Colobus Monkey. We exit
the green areas and enter the heath zone, with
buffalo and elephant tracks to be spotted. After
some time we cross a stream and then enter the camp,
funnily enough - no caves in sight despite its name!
On a clear evening, there is a wonderful view across
to the Kenyan plains below.
1st Cave Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Three
Hike: 12km, Altitude: 2640m-3600m, 6-7 hours
We begin our day along a dusty track into the true
heather zone and the vegetation diminishes. It is a
wide open horizon today, so sunscreen and hate are
essential. We climb up a few small hills and climb
around some rocky areas but arrive at a small cave -
lunchtime. We head across to the east and our
campsite nearer to Mawenzi, crossing a stream before
arriving into camp.
Kikelelwa Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Four
Hike: 9km, Altitude: 3600m-4550m, 3-4 hours
There is a dry and steep, grassy area that meets us
first thing this morning and ultimately allows us
magic views across the wild lands we are within. The
path then opens out to barren and rocky areas and we
make our way to the base of Mawenzi, a spectacular
and jagged peak above camp. The sunset and sunrise
against the towering spires are breathtaking.
Mawenzi Tarn camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Five
Hike: - Altitude: 4550m+, 3-4 hours
This is a rest day, and we spend the time taking
part in an acclimatisation walk in the morning after
breakfast. We scramble our way up the rocky ridges
with care, but are rewarded with the most unspoilt
scene. We return to camp for lunch and an afternoon
of resting and a football match: Trekkers vs. Maasai
Wanderings Kili Team!
Mawenzi Tarn Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Six
Hike: - Altitude: 4550m+ 3-4 hours
This is a rest day, and we spend the time taking
part in an acclimatisation walk in the morning after
breakfast. We scramble our way up the rocky ridges
with care, but are rewarded with he most unspoilt
scene. We return to camp for lunch and an afternoon
of resting and football match: Trekkers vs. Maasai
Wanderings Kili Team!
Mawenzi Tarn Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Seven
Hike: 27km, Altitude: 4700m-5896m-3720m, 14-16 hours
Summit day and so headlamps must be ready! We
set off in a shuffle, ascending the volcanic scree
along a zig-zagging trail to Gilmans Point. The
going gets tough almost immediately but we are
allowed the luxury of regular rest stops alongside
caves and rocky outcrops. This is where your mental
toughness will shine, forcing yourself to put one
foot in front of the other in a “I think I can”
manner. Pole pole and listening to the encouragement
of your guide will get you up to Gilmans for a much
needed rest point before continuing to skirt the
Crater to Uhuru Peak - ‘The Roof of Africa’. After a
short time to gather your breath and photographs, we
begin our descent back to Kibo for brunch and a
short rest before continuing on to Horombo Camp.
This is a very tough day but the backdrop of Kibo
behind you is a tribute to the achievement you have
just been awarded.
Horombo Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Eight
Hike: 18km, Altitude: 3720m-1620m, 6-7 hours
Final opportunities to take pictures of your
Maasai Wanderings Mountain Team - and on a clear
morning, Kibo will loom large as a backdrop to your
photographs. We will also deal with the issue of
tipping (ask for suggested guidelines if you are
unsure) and the team will send you off on your final
stretch with our farewell ‘Kili Song’. We head off
down the path, into the areas of the
Giant Senecias to Mandara Hut for a lunch stop. Then
we enter the forest for a final descent to Marangu
Gate. We complete the sign-out formalities before
waving good-bye to our new ‘Kili’ family and
transfer to Arusha.
At the lodge, its time to take a warm shower, a
quick nap and get some laundry done. We have also
organised for a full body scrub to help cleanse the
body externally from one week in harsh conditions.
It is a very welcome and relaxing experience as a
reward for your conquest. Trek de-brief and
certificate presentation.
Karama Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Nine
Transfer to Arusha departure point for journey
beyond…
(Breakfast)
Or
Machame:
The Machame Route (also known as the Whiskey Route)
is the 2nd most popular route to Kibo. It is a
beautifully scenic route commencing with rain
forests and onto the dry area of Shira Plateau, the
Barranco area with its senecios (mountain cactus)
and "Breakfast Wall", the exquisite Karanga Valley
with its water streams and finally the rocky and
inhospitable Barafu - last stop before you make your
midnight dash for the top of Kibo.
Day One
Arrive into Arusha arrival point. Meet and transfer
to accommodation followed by pre-trek briefing and
equipment check
Karama Lodge (Dinner)
Day Two
Hike: 9.2km, Altitude: 1820m-3020m, 5-6 hours
We set off for the transfer to Machame and complete
the registration formalities as the guides organise
the porters and luggage. We set off for an easy
first hour along a 4WD track and then it gets
steeper as we head into our lunch rest stop. After
lunch the track gets steeper, there is the sounds of
a stream to the right and you will need to take care
of your step as areas can be muddy. A couple of
hours after lunch, the green hut of Machame comes
into view.
Machame Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Three
Hike: 6km, Altitude: 3020m-3830m, 5-6 hours
The climbing gets steeper again today, and although
a shorter distance, the path is rock and dusty. The
route becomes quite bare and the first of the giant
senecias come into view - we step slowly in order to
optimise our acclimatisation
Shira Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Four
Hike: 10.4km, Altitude: 3830m-4580m-3900m, 5-6 hours
The first part of the day is littered with boulders
and rocks and slowly swings uphill. We reach Lava
Tower for lunch and then literally descend into
camp; taking care with our step
because the path is dusty and rocky.
Barranco Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Five
Hike: 5.1km, Altitude: 3900m-4100m, 3-4 hours
Immediately on the outskirts of the camp we across a
small stream before being faced with the sheer wall
of Barranco - infamously known as ‘Breakfast’! It
takes just over an hour of scrambling up the steep
climb but the views are breathtaking and it is a
thrilling experience. You will be able to see far
below where our camp was and the porters as they
pack it up. We then fall into a rhythm of ascending
and descending a series of ridges as we cross our
last water point and arrive into the green valley of
Karanga.
Karanga Valley Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Six
Hike: 3.5km, Altitude: 4100m-4330m, 3-4 hours
The route today is short and steep, as we enter
a barren landscape of boulders and shattered rocks.
We come to a point along the route which is a fork:
up to Barafu and down to Mweka. At this stage we
choose up and approx half and hour we reach camp;
sheer cliffs and large rocks. Today is an early
dinner and early bed - although you will find it
difficult to actually sleep, rest your body in
preparation for the midnight assault on the summit.
This is probably the hardest physical your body will
do in its life.
Barafu Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Seven
Hike: 17.5km, Altitude: 4330m-5896m-3040m, 12-15
hours
Summit day and headlamps must be ready!
The first hour or so is rocky and you must step
carefully and then you will turn right and enter a
snow-covered area from where you can see the
glaciers above. On a moonlit night you can switch
off your headlamp and walk in the moon light - a
wonderful experience. After about 2 hours the
steepness will start to set in. From now on, the
struggle is mental as well as physical. You may need
to rest every 15 minutes: one leg in front of the
other, your mouth will be dry and you will start to
feel the cold. Near Stella Point the lava field is
like loose sand. You step up and slide back. Most
climbers reach Stella point after about 5 hours or
so. After a quick rest, it's on to Uhuru Peak just
as the sun appears over Mawenzi. And then you are
there! But please be prepared for an aftershock -
the way down is a steep, rigorous route via Stella
Point down the mountain to Barafu where we will stop
for brunch. (Many hikers are unprepared for this
2-hour ordeal down the slippery slope of scree) At
Barafu you can take a good rest before tackling the
rest of the way down. It is time to relax and think
about your experiences of the past week.
The way down to Mweka camp is a comfortable walk but
rather dusty.
Mweka Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Eight
Hike: 8.8km, Altitude: 3040m-1620m, 3-4 hours
Final opportunities to take pictures of your Maasai
Wanderings Mountain Team - and on a clear morning,
Kibo will loom large in the distance. We will also
deal with the issue of tipping (ask for suggested
guidelines if you are unsure) and the team will send
you off on your final stretch with our farewell
‘Kili Song’. We set off down the last stage of the
trek: some parts of the walk are very steep downhill
and other stretches are very slippery so please be
careful. Upon reaching the gate, we carry out
sign-out formalities, the team load up the vehicles
and the guides will present you with your
certificates and then we are off for the transfer to
Arusha.
At the lodge its time to take a warm shower, a quick
nap and get some laundry done. We have also
organised for a full body massage to assist your
body in adapting back to normal after your strenuous
adventures.
Karama Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day Nine
Transfer to Arusha departure point for journey
beyond…
(Breakfast)
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