Day 01
JRO – Arusha (1hr):
Accommodation : Arumeru River Lodge
Meal Plan : Full Board Basis
On arrival at JRO meet with HM Safaris Staff (Please look for the board with your name on it), and transfer to Arumeru River Lodge for dinner and overnight. The lodge has swimming pool for you to relax and get relief after long flights.
Day 02
Arusha – Arusha (free day):
Accommodation : Arumeru River Lodge
Meal Plan : Full Board Basis
Free day in Arusha at your lodge. Relaxation and equipment inspection to make sure everybody is well prepared.
Day 03
Arusha – Marangu Gate – Mandara:
Accommodation : Mandara Hut
Meal Plan : Full Board Basis
Breakfast and thereafter Kilimanjaro briefing, afterward you will be picked up and transfer to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate where you will register, commence the climb with your guide and porters.
The actual hike begins at the Marangu, park gate (6,000′) and hike 5.5 miles up to Mandara Hut (8,860′) near the upper edge of the forest line. The hike takes about 3 hours. The path is interesting, starting off through the rain forest vegetation, and then opening up to giant heather. If time and weather permit, a short walk from Mandara to Maundi Crater is worth it. Accommodations here, as well as at Horombo and Kibo, are in wooden A-frame huts that sleep 4 to 8. Overnight: Mandara Hut.
Day 04
Mandara – Horombo
Accommodation : Horombo Hut
Meal Plan : Full Board Basis
Today the destination is Horombo Hut at 12,200 feet. It is approximately 5-6 hours to cover the 10-mile journey, and here, you will often get your first views of Kibo summit. The trail is strenuous and slippery and takes you clear of the forests, and out onto the moorland, it continues past and beneath the rocky southern face of Mawenzi, one of the three volcanoes that make up Kilimanjaro. Rainfall in this region is not predictable. Overnight: Horombo Hut.
Day 05
Horombo – Horombo:
Accommodation : Horombo Hut
Meal Plan : Full Board Basis
Acclimitization day. Overnight: Horombo Hut.
Day 06
Horombo – Kibo:
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Meal Plan : Full Board Basis
Another long hike, this time up to Kibo Hut at almost 15,500 feet. Although somewhat shorter in distance, this usually takes 7 hours because it is steeper and the altitude slows everyone down. The route passes directly up onto the Saddle, a wide, flat area with the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi looming overhead. Views from here can be fantastic. The last part of the trail passes across the arid plateau before ascending to Kibo Hut. Kibo Hut is a stone hut with rooms that sleep 10-15 people in bunk beds. You will have a light dinner, and turn in early for any sleep if possible. The guides give a little pre-climb talk after dinner at Kibo Hut.
Day 07
Kibo Hut – Summit – Horombo:
Accommodation : Horombo Hut
Meal Plan : Full Board Basis
Ascent–Descent:
We are awakened about midnight, and have tea and cookies. The guides try to get everyone ready to climb as quickly as possible, leaving between 1:00-1:30 am! Starting off, the trail swings back and forth up a steep scree slope and the climate is bitterly cold. The summit climb is an event you will never forget, with the night sky full of stars and only your breathing to help focus your mind. Most climbers arrive at Gillman’s Point, elevation 18,635 feet,(5685m) in time to enjoy sunrise around 6:30 a.m. The views from the top looking down on the plains of Africa make it all worthwhile. Some climbers decide that they have reached their goal and head down from here. For the strong, the true summit is Uhuru Peak (19,340 feet)-an additional 3 hours away round-trip. The descent from Gillman’s Point is fairly rapid, taking about 2 hours. Most climbers take a short rest at Kibo Hut before descending to Horombo Hut for the night, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.
Day 08
Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Arusha:
Accommodation : Arumeru River Lodge
Meal Plan: Half Board Basis
Breakfast and continue your descend to Marangu gate and collect your certificates for successful trek. You will then be transferred to Arusha for overnight at Arumeru River Lodge.
Day 09
Departure
Arusha – JRO: (1hr)
Transfer to JRO for your onward flight
