Reflections Of Kilimanjaro

What you can expect from this 7 day 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.

The Marangu Route attracts considerably more climbers than all the other routes put together, being the quickest and most direct route. It takes 5 days to climb, covering about 80 kilometres via the east side of the mountain. In order to help with acclimatisation you can add an extra day at 3,700 metres before continuing with the ascent.

This is the only route on which we use the park huts for accommodation which have dormitory style rooms. It is also the only two-way route meaning that you ascend and descend by the same path.

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport),Tanzania

You are met upon arrival and transferred to our hotel near the airport. On a clear day, enjoy views of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight at Kia lodge or similar.

Day 2: Mandara Hut – 2745 metres

After breakfast you will be transferred to Marangu gate where your Kilimanjaro climb begins, you trek through rain forest for your first night, of your 7 day Mount Kilimanjaro Tour, on this awesome mountain. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is included.

Day 3: Horombo Hut – 3660 metres

Day 4: Kibo Hut – 4701 metres

Trekking over the saddle, between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, you arrive at the final stage before you ascent on the summit, the following day. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is included.

Day 5: Gilman’s Point – 5700 metres

A very early morning ascent takes you on your Mount Kilimanjaro Tour via Gilman’s Point, on the rim of the crater, to Uhuru Peak. Gaze over Tanzania and Kenya from Africa’s highest point as the morning sun allows you to take in this magnificent sight. Leaving Uhuru Peak you descent to Horombo Hut for a well deserved and albeit tired celebration. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is included.

Day 6: Moshi, Tanzania

The last day, of your Mount Kilimanjaro Tour, on the mountain takes you via the Marangu Gate, back to your hotel. All Meals included

Day 7: Cultural tour,depart

After breakfast, you begin you cultural tour. Cultural tours are often the best way to see the main highlights of a country & immerse yourself in it’s culture. On this one day cultural safari tour you will immerse yourself in Chagga tribe’s traditional way of life around Mount Kilimanjaro. Your tour will include the following.
A visit to the local waterfalls

Marangu region is having a number of water falls and streams that drain from Mount Kilimanjaro. The waterfalls are not one of the highest but they give the area a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. The most famous of all the water falls is the Kinukamori waterfalls. It is about 2km from Babylon Lodge and it can easily be accessed by either a car or on foot. It is the highest of the Marangu waterfalls and it has a rich history behind it.

According to the Chaga legend long time ago a beautiful girl jumped of the cliff of this waterfall after she was sentenced to death by the Chaga chief when she became pregnant before she was married. This waterfall has been rehabilitated and it has become one of the tourist attractions of Marangu.

Chaga traditional hut

This nature walk tour will take you to the Chaga traditional hut and you will have a first hand experience on how the Chaga lived before they had western influence. You will note that the people lived in one hut which was the kitchen, the bedroom as well as the place for animals.

The Chaga caves

During the cattle raids by the Maasai community, the Chaga had special caves in which they could hide from the fateful attacks of the Maasai community who were believed to be stealing their cattle. The caves are still in the same condition and during the rains reason it becomes hard to see more than the entrance.Here you will have the opportunity of visiting some of the Chaga people who still use the tradition method to prepare iron items.

The iron bar or rod is placed into hot fire before being beaten skillfully into the different items. Observing the strong men forging the metal into shape will be like traveling back into history when man first discovered the use of metal. This was an important skill and it has been passed over for many generations.

Market Place

If you happen to be in Marangu on either on Monday or Thursday you will have an option of visiting the Marangu market place. Here you will have a feel of the African market with a display of many commodities including bananas, tomatoes, and many types of fruits laid on old tables or even on mats on the ground. The thing that makes the African market unique from other markets is the noise that is made in this place. The businessmen and women shout their lungs out as they try to attract the customers to their stands. Some will be shouting the prices of their commodities as others mention what they are offering. This unique yet humorous experience will leave you entertained and amazed.

Sight seeing and birds

As you walk from one attraction to the next you will be mesmerised by the beautiful landscape of Marangu. Most of the land is still natural and there are many fields that have bananas and coffee. Banana being the staple food of the Chaga people it will be noticed that it is the dominant crop in most fields. The fresh air and the green fields will re-energise you and you will not even fee tired. The occasional stops at the attractions will give you enough time for you to record the moments by either the use of a camera or even writing down for those who will prefer to do so. For those who love to watch birds they will not be disappointed because Marangu region is known to have many species of birds and they can be seen easily as one walks through this region.

The local town

The local town of Marangu has been known to grow rapidly due to the influence it gets from the tourism business in Kilimanjaro. The Marangu town which is famously known as Marangu Mtoni has many shops and you can buy curious and other African Tradition ornaments including beads and materials.

Later in the afternoon you will move to another hotel located not far from the airport where a day room to freshen up will be provided till evening when you will be collected and transferred to the airport to board your homed bound flight. Sadly you have to leave this wonderful country and the local people you made friends in the last seven days.

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 park huts.First Air Responder local emergency evacuation insurance, cultural tour at the end of your climb.

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 fail to summit because they have not been prepared well by their travel agents/tour operators, increase your chances of summiting by reading our trekking information from the first paragraph to the last.