Fixed Dispatches for Fall 2013:

October 11, 2013- Machame Route (Full Moon)

Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, Africa, is a mountain of legend, as it is highest free standing mountain in the world, is considered “The Crown of Africa” and is one of the world’s Seven Summits.  At 19,330 feet, Kilimanjaro is the highest point on the African Continent and provides everything from fertile green foothills, to Moorlands, Alpine Deserts, and snow covered peaks.  One cannot help but be overcome with a real sense of awe, as the clouds clear to reveal a glimpse of the towering peaks, shining bright in the African sun.  No technical or mountaineering experience is required for this trip.

LEMOSHO ROUTE 11-DAY ITINERARY

Travel: Depart U.S.A. Depending on flight times and connections, travel to Arusha, Tanzania typically takes over 24 hours from the U.S. including a stop in Amsterdam or London. Please be sure your arrival in Tanzania coordinates with the first day of the program.

We will pick you up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha (generally at 9:00 PM) and drive about 45 minutes to the hotel in Moshi.

DAY 1 MOSHI: (this is the start date) We will pick you up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha (generally at 9:00 PM) and drive about 45 minutes to the hotel in Moshi.

DAY 2 MOSHI :We will have a group meeting in the morning and spend part of the day organizing and packing all of our gear. In the afternoon we may take a hike to stretch our legs or relax by the pool.

Day 3: To Mti Mkubwa Camp 9000ft. About 3 hours hiking. After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m, 2.5 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100m, 11km, 45 minutes) and a possible campsite. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Day 4: To Shira 1 Camp9000ft to 11,500ft About 5 hours. After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira Ridge at about 3600m and drops gently down to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

Day 5: To Shira 2 Camp 11,500ft to 12,600ft About 2 hours. After breakfast, a gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.

Day 6: To Barranco Hut 12,600ft to 12,700ft About 6 hours. From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. From here we continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. At the hut we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this is a very important day for acclimatization and will help everybody to be well prepared for summit day.

Day 7: To Karanga Hut 12,700ft to 13,800ft About 4 hours. After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley (4200m) campsite.

Day 8: To Barafu Hut 13,800ft to 15,100ft About 4 hours. After breakfast, we leave the Karanga Valley and pass the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day! The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 9: To Summit and Millennium Camp Hut 15,100ft to 19,300ft Approximately 11 hours. Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters. This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit we make our descent to the Millennium camp site. This portion of the descent takes about 3 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.

Day 10:To Moshi 10,800ft to 6000ft About 5 hours After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will likely be appropriate but we will keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi. After a well deserved shower it will be time for a celebration dinner. The next morning it is off to flights home or perhaps on to a safari!

Day 11: Transfer from the hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport, or head out on Safari!

Costs: $3,500.00 USD

Includes: Transfers, hotels in Arusha, local guides/porters, climbing and trekking permits,transportation, park fees, hut fees, camping fees, all food while climbing, all group climbing and camping equipment and U.S. guide.

Does not include: Airfare to/from Africa, restaurant food in Arusha, bottled water, alcohol, gifts, tips, visas, and departure taxes.

MACHAME ROUTE 10-DAY ITINERARY

Travel Day: Depart U.S.A. Depending on flight times and connections, travel to Arusha, Tanzania typically takes over 24 hours from the U.S. including a stop in Amsterdam or London. Please be sure your arrival in Tanzania coordinates with the first day of the program.

DAY 1 MOSHI: (this is the start date listed on our dates and prices) We will pick you up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha (generally at 9:00 PM) and drive about 45 minutes to the hotel in Moshi.

DAY 2 MOSHI: We will have a group meeting in the morning and spend part of the day organizing and packing all of our gear. In the afternoon we may take a hike to stretch our legs or relax by the pool.

DAY 3 MACHAME CAMP (9,750 ft.):After breakfast we will drive about an hour to the Machame gate, which is the start of the climb. Here we sign in with the national park authorities and begin hiking. The trail here is in great shape and winds uphill through the tropical rainforest for 5 to 6 hours before reaching Machame Hut. The views from our first camp are fantastic.

DAY 4 SHIRA PLATEAU (12,480 ft.): We start out at about 8 a.m. and enter alpine vegetation. In the distance we can see the first close-up of the snow-capped summit. This is a great day of gradual hiking through fields of heather. At around 9,000 ft.we begin to see the first Lobelia, Protea and giant Senecia plants. This is another 5 to 6 hour day.

DAY 5 BARRANCO CAMP (12,850 ft.): Today we hike up over a high ridge, and then descend to Barranco camp. Our camping elevation does not change much, but the hike to almost 14,000 feet, helps with acclimatization. Barranco camp has a great view to the south over Moshi.

DAY 6 KARANGA VALLEY (13,200 ft.): Most groups will move to Barfu camp on this day. However, We believe it’s best to spend an extra day at Karanga to aid in acclimatization and to make the summit day easier. This is a 4-hour day.

DAY 7 BARAFU CAMP (14,950 ft.): We reach Barafu in about 4 hours. Here we will have lunch, and rest until dinner. Then we will sleep until midnight.

DAY 8 BARAFU to UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft.) to MILLENNIUM CAMP (12,500 ft.): At midnight we’ll have some hot drinks, don our headlamps and head out. We plan most of our trips around the full moon, but it can still be dark if there are clouds. It will take 6 or 7 hours to reach the crater rim. Sunrise on the Crater is going to be something to remember forever. The sun rising over the plains of Africa and diffuse light highlighting the nearby glaciers is truly a world class experience. After a cup of hot tea, we will continue along the rim for another hour or two before reaching the highest point in Africa, (19,340 ft). Congratulations! We will spend up to a half hour on the summit and then begin the 4-hour descent to Barafu. At camp we will rest for a few hours and then walk down to Millennium camp. This is a great 4-hour walk with each step adding more oxygen. (Many companies will go all the way to Mweka camp at 10,000 feet. This is a bad idea! Imagine summit day. You just hiked from 15,000 ft to over 19,000 ft, then back to 12,000 ft. This is a big day and you are tired. There is no reason to go another 2 hours and 2000 ft on this day. This last 2000 feet after summit day is a great time to sprain an ankle or twist a knee.)

DAY 9 MILLENNIUM CAMP (12,500 ft.) to MOSHI: In the morning we have a 3-hour walk down to the road. We then get a lift back to the hotel and a well deserved shower and a beverage with our guides. We overnight at the hotel.

 Cost: $3,150.00 USD

Includes: Transfers, hotels in Arusha, local guides/porters, climbing and trekking permits,transportation, park fees, hut fees, camping fees, all food while climbing, all group climbing and camping equipment and U.S. guide.

Does not include: Airfare to/from Africa, restaurant food in Arusha, bottled water, alcohol, gifts, tips, visas, and departure taxes.