IMOSA
Indonesia Mountain Specialist
MT. KILIMANJARO 5.895 M
OVERVIEW
Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don't even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, oversee of the continent, the summit of Africa.
Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it, you will understand why. Not only as the highest peak of the African continent; it's also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland - elevation around 900 metres - to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).
Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman's Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates. And their memories.
But there is so much more to Kili than the summit. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the Arctic. Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated footslopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot's duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.
Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow - and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), transfer to the hotel and overnight.
Day 2 : Marangu Gate (1.860 m) - Mandara Huts (2.700m)
We will transfer from hotel to Marangu Gate, one of Kilimanjaro route gate. From there we will start walking for 8 Km through a beatiful rain forest to Mandara. We will overnight at a nice hut. Walking time is 3-4 hours.
Day 3 : Mandara Huts - Horombo Huts (3700 m)
We will start after breakfast. We will leave the glades of forest and follow an ascending path of the unique and beautiful moorlands to Horombo Hut 3700 m. Today we can see the Uhuru Peak. Our walk will takes 5–6 hours trough the 12 Km distance. We will overnight at the hut.
Day 4 : Acclimatization day
We will walking around Mawenzi Saddle 4.600 m. It will takes only 4 hours walk to this saddle and back again to Horombo. We will have lunch, dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.
Day 5 : Horombo Huts - Kibo Huts (4.700 m)
After breakfast we will start walk leaving the Horombo Hut. It's important to walk slowly this day to prevent mountain sickness. First we will pass the “Last Water Point”, then walking on the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi . It will takes 5-6 hours to reach Kibo Huts and the distance is 9,5 Km..We will have dinner and overnight there.
Day 6 : Kibo Huts - Gilman's Point (5.700 m) - Uhuru Peak (5.895 m) - Horombo Huts (3.700 m)
We will start Summit Attempt at 1:00 am. We will walk on steep and heavy screen up to Gilmans Point, that willl take 4 - 5 hours. We'll have a rest for 10 minutes at Gilman's Point before we continue walk follow the crater rim then ascend to UHURU PEAK - the highest point in Africa. The distance from Kibo to Uhuru is 5,5 Km.
From the peak we will descend to Kibo Huts for 2 hours. We will have lunch there, then continue walk for another 3 hours to Horombo Huts. We will have dinner and overnight there. The distance from Uhuru back to Horombo Huts is 15 Km.
Day 7 : Horombo Huts - Marangu Gate
After breakfast we start walk back to Marangu Gate wich takes 5 hours for 20 Km distances, then transfer to Hotel for overnight
Day 8 : Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast you will be transfered to the Airport, end of program.
PRICE
USD 2,500/ person
Minimum 8 persons
SERVICE
INCLUDE
Airport transfer
2 Nights accommodation in Tanzania (1 night before and 1 night after expedition)
Transfer from hotel to Marangu Gate
All National Park gate fees
All hut fees
Rescue fees
Guide, assistant guides, porters and cooks
All meals on the mountain
Hot drinks on the mountain
Climbing permit
Certificate for your successful summit attempt
Tanzanian government climbing taxes (VAT)
EXCLUDE
International flight
Lunch and dinner in the city (2 days)
Tips for guide and porters
Personal expenses