In the Shades Of Kilimanjaro

This climb is a great climb for those wanting a slower climb and a more scenic route. This is also known as the Shira Route but is distinguished by taking in the Lemosho Glades and starting at a lower altitude.Traversing across the Shira plateau can be especially spectacular, and this route also ensures the best of the Machame route is also seen. An extra day is spent at Karanga valley to give the best chance of acclimatising and therefore making it to the summit. We often see more wildlife using this route than any other, particularly eland and buffaloes, and there is evidence of leopard and other animals. This is the longest route on the mountain and that means you have the greatest chance of success.

What you can expect from this 11 days Mount Kilimanjaro Climb:

A climb of Mount Kilimanjaro is a must taking you through the mists of equatorial jungle to reach the snows and breath-taking views from the summit. Gaze over Tanzania and Kenya from Africa’s highest point. Mount Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano reaching an elevation of 19 335.6 ft. (5 895 metre).

Other names for this volcano are Kilima Dscharo, Oldoinyo Oibor (white mountain in Masai), Mount Kilimanjaro’s highest and youngest cone is named Kibo. Shira to the west and Mawenzi in the east are older cones that make up Kilimanjaro.

All our Kili Climbs include a large staff including the chief guide, an assistant guide, cook, and porters. The camp is superbly outfitted, including sleeping mats for all the igloo tents, a toilet tent, tables and chairs, and high frequency two-way radios for communication with base. Your guides provide oxygen and a portable altitude chamber for safety purposes and are trained every year.

This climb is a great climb for those wanting a slower climb and a more scenic route. This is also known as the Shira Route but is distinguished by taking in the Lemosho Glades and starting at a lower altitude. Traversing across the Shira plateau can be especially spectacular, and this route also ensures the best of the Machame route is also seen.

An extra day is spent at Karanga valley to give the best chance of acclimatising and therefore making it to the summit. We often see more wildlife using this route than any other, particularly eland and buffaloes, and there is evidence of leopard and other animals. This is the longest route on the mountain and that means you have the greatest chance of success.

Day 01: Arriving Arusha,Tanzania

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport, you will be met by our driver and assisted through customs and immigration formalities. Thereafter, drive to Arusha the nerve center of East Africa, and getaway to several national parks in the north of the country.

Day 02: Forest, Kilimanjaro

After picking up the requisite documentation at the park gate, this safari tour in Tanzania continues to the Lemosho Glades starting point. Less steep than the Machame route and less used, today’s trek is through the forest that laces the foot of the mountain. This evening’s camp is pitched in the forest at around 2750 metres.

Day 3: Shira, Kilimanjaro

Today’s trek takes you slowly up the edge of the Shira volcano. As you gain altitude the vegetation thins and exotic species of high altitude plants appear. Camp is situated near the rim of the ancient volcano and provides a good opportunity to get the first direct views of Kilimanjaro’s peak. Camp is pitched at about 3500 metres.

Day 4: Shira, Kilimanjaro

Trek to Shira Camp across the Shira Plateau, the flat caldera of a volcano that was actually bigger and is much older than Kilimanjaro. Views can be very weather specific but on good days are breathtaking. Bilious clouds are often observed melting down from its rim onto the heath covered plateau. Kibo also shines with a silvery luminance as the glaciers reflect the strong sunlight. At times mist covers the plateau – views come and go quickly. You arrive in time for lunch and then have plenty time to relax and even go for a short acclimatisation walk in the afternoon.

Day 5: Lava Tower,Kilimanjaro

Today you will walk for 3 to 5 hours on your Tanzania Adventure Tour, enjoying sightings of the typical Kilimanjaro mountain vegetation and reaching a high point of around 4600 meters at the Lava Tower camp. The hiking takes you out of the heath zone into alpine desert where only the very toughest tussock grasses can survive. Freezing at night and blazing conditions in the day make this a hard place to exist. For those that are up to it, can ascend the Lava Tower in the afternoon. Overnight Lava Tower (full board).

Day 6: Karanga, Kilimanjaro

Today we hike from Lava Tower to Karanga valley. The trail initially sets of down hill into the Barranco valley before ascending the Barranco wall. In this region there are significant numbers of very mature Senecios (giant groundsels). Lunch is taken on trail before heading onto Karanga valley and up to camp. In the afternoon we have time to relax and for the very active there is a chance to head over to the Karanga valley to look at some spectacular glacial scenery. Karanga Camp (Full board)

Day 7: Barafu, Kilimanjaro

About 2 hours from Karanga you will come out on the Barafu path (part of the Mweka Trail). It is a further 1-2 hours to Barafu Hut. The last stage to Barafu hut is quite steep, and as always we advise taking it as easy as possible. Once in camp we have lunch and then in the afternoon head out on an afternoon acclimatization hike to around 4700 – 4800 meters. Back at camp dinner is served. Views of Mawenzi peak are also superb here. Overnight Barafu camp (full board)

Day 8: Crater, Kilimanjaro

Today we ascend to the roof of Africa! After an early start we ascend up to the rim of the Kibo crater. It’s slow going as there is so little oxygen here. However, with patience and determination we arrive at the rim and descend into the crater for lunch in camp. The afternoon is taken relaxing and acclimatizing. It is a short walk over to the Furtwangler glacier for those that are feeling active! Dinner is taken in the mess tent and then off to bed. Overnight Crater Camp (full board)

Day 9: Summit / Millenium

We rise early to try to time our ascent with the rising sun. It takes around 45 minutes to an hour to reach Uhuru peak – our ultimate goal. After sunrise we then head down the mountain down scree slopes and the biggest glacial valley on Kilimanjaro. The trail passes back through Barafu camp where we rest briefly before continuing down to Millenium camp for lunch. In the afternoon we take an easy pace down to Mweka camp, our last camp on Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight Mweka camp (full board)

Day 10: Arusha

The final descent takes you through the lower heath section that eventually turns into rainforest. Your time on Kilimanjaro ends at Mweka Gate where your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to your evening’s accommodation. You may now relax, take a hot shower or even relax by the pool! Enjoy a wonderful celebration dinner!

Day 11: Arusha / Depart

You will be privately transferred to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airports for your departure. But don’t go yet! Consider a short Cultural or wildlife safari extension.

Includes:

All park, camp and rescue fees, services of trained guides, porters, a cook and his assistant, portage of 2 bags (maximum 33 lbs) per person. Three meals a day and all camping gear will be provided. accommodation in tents, First Air Responder emergency evacuation insurance.

Excludes:

Does not include, International air fare , travelers, communication charges or other personal items, meals or transfers other than those included on the cost of the climb, optional activities, beverages, laundry, personal gear or clothing for the climb is provide, evacuation transport for non emergency reasons and accommodation in Arusha.( if a client returns before the completion of the climb)

Qualifications:

This trip is rated Strenuous. Trip members should be strong and in excellent physical condition. Previous experience hiking at high altitude will be an asset to your chances of summiting on Kilimanjaro. Your physical fitness is important to your success on the climb. A serious physical conditioning program should be undertaken several months in advance to get into shape. Hiking hills for the legs, swimming to increase lung capacity and circulation, jogging and bicycling for overall fitness, these are excellent for building the strength necessary for the trek. The best training is extensive hiking up and down hills, putting in 10 mile hikes on weekends prior to the trip. Consult with your doctor

High Altitude:

The summit of Kilimanjaro is at 19,340 and even with a rest day, the climb has rapid rate of ascent. We attempt to minimize the effect of altitude through our program of acclimatization. Most climbers experience some symptoms of altitude illness during the climb. These symptoms can include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and general weakness. More severe reactions can include both cerebral and pulmonary edema, which can result in permanent injury or death. The only cure is to descend.

Weather:

The weather on Kilimanjaro is quite diverse. The climb starts through a wide belt of wet tropical forest then goes through zones with generally decreasing temperatures and rainfall to the summit where there is permanent ice and sub-freezing temperatures. Our trips avoid the rainy season which runs from mid – March to May and the short rains in November.

Do you want to conquer Kilimanjaro ?

Then our Kilimanjaro Trekking information is a must read. There, you will find a full gear list and pre-departure information on how to summit Killimanjaro successfully. Most climbers do summit because they have not been prepared well by the travel agents/tour operators, increase your chances of summiting by reading our trekking information from the first paragraph to the last.