KILIMANJARO ADVENTURE
ITINERARY
| Starting point: |
Pretoria/Johannesburg |
| End point: |
Pretoria/Johannesburg |
| Duration: |
8 Days |
"Everyone has mountains to climb, sometimes those mountains are in our mind,
True triumph is about trying whatever the result”
Tour Description
Snow – Capped, although only 330km south of the Equator, Mount Kilimanjaro presides majestically over the savannah of Tanzania. At 5895m above sea level, it is Africa’s highest peak and the world’s highest free standing mountain. Kilimanjaro is a magnet for mountaineers and trekkers from across the Globe. Although its ascent is not among the worlds difficult, it demands thorough preparation, both physical and mental. Passing through Kilimanjaro’s five major ecological zones, each approximately a thousand meters apart in altitude, is like travelling from the Equator to Antarctica in a matter of days. Even during the driest months, prepare for possible wet days and cold nights, plus the dump of the rainforest and various stream crossings.
The National Park is a malaria area, please consult your physician to obtain the correct medication. Altitude sickness affects nearly everyone to some degree. Preparing for a wide range of needs, with the contends of your daypack and your porter allowance, is a challenge.
This is designed as an adventure trip, and the unexpected can be expected. Be prepared.
With one of the most comprehensive climbing Kilimanjaro guides on the Internet, available 24 hours a day to answer all your questions at team@xtremeafrica.co.za
Highly trained and registered guides with years of experience, who will lead a team of support staff properly equipped to look after you, on the mountain. The average ratio of our support staff to climber is 2 porters per client and one guide per a maximum of 4 clients, which increases your safety and enjoyment on the mountain.
We can arrange everything for you: flights (ex South Africa only), bookings, park fees, transfers, accommodation, guides, porters, food and equipment, leaving you free to enjoy the climb.
We supply portable Oxygen and an important emergency kit, to all our groups for the duration of their climb.
We can offer you extended itineraries for extra acclimatization on the mountain.
To increase your chance of a successful summit attempt, we have developed a tailor made fitness program, as well as an essential climber's final checklist. Also included is information on tips for success, food menu, altitude sickness, route maps, route itineraries, as well as general travel and language tips
As part of our total commitment to safe climbing practices, do we provide all our clients with a unique guide on the prevention and management of altitude sickness on the mountain?
The highest quality of mountain equipment for hiring.
With your booking confirmation, you will receive a comprehensive gear list, a document explaining the reasons why we recommend certain gear, including guidelines when buying this equipment and additional information to help you to prepare for your climb.
Our Kilimanjaro information is designed for success and safety, which is purely a factor of dedication, experience, and a commitment to excellence.
To provide you with all the information needed to choose the best and most spectacular route for your climb
Option to climb via our cheaper climber’s package - similar package to what most other operators are offering - or our standard package - designed to offer you more comfort, higher service standards and more value for money while climbing Kilimanjaro.
The opportunity to combine the mountaineering with a Tanzania or Kenya wildlife safari or even Zanzibar extension.
Mount Kilimanjaro and sharing the experience with you is our passion!
Choosing a route
The highest point on MOUNT KILIMANJARO is the UHURU PEAK at 5895 meters. There are several routes that can be followed to reach the summit, each of which offers many different and spectacular views of the mountain.
The two most popular routes are the Machame and the Marangu routes, from which the Machame route Is our most popular and successful route with which we have a summit success rate of 98% or more!
Machame route
Also known as the "whiskey route" this is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. All your equipment and supplies are portered up the mountain and a cook prepares all your daily meals. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only. The topography of the Machame route offers you the opportunity to climb high and sleep low, which helps your body acclimatize faster and minimize the effects of altitude sickness.
The Machame route is a rewarding route with a scenic splendor not seen on the Marangu route. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall, the Machame route offers the adventurous hiker a stunning scenic "slide show" over 6 days.
The Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days (with the option of adding a 7th or even an 8th day for additional acclimatization). There is an added benefit to this, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain –
acclimatization. The Machame route takes you high to Lava Tower (4630m) on day 3 and brings you down by nearly 700m for an overnight at Barranco camp (3950m). This is one of the important secrets to successful acclimatization.
Other routes
The MARANGU route is the only route, which provides comfortable sleeping huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at every campsite. All the camps on this route have radio contact with the Park Headquarters. Other routes such as RONGAI, UMBWE and LEMOSHO are also available. Information on these routes can be send to you on request. Only tented accommodation is available on all these routes.
When to go
There are two rainy seasons in Tanzania, which you should keep in mind when planning your expedition: the long rainy period, which runs from April to May, and a short and most insignificant rainy period, during November.
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is from July to early October. It is possible to summit during December to February & June as well but weather conditions are more unpredictable. Please note because of Kilimanjaro's high altitude does it influence its own weather conditions and can hail, snow, rain be expected anytime of the year.
Summating Kilimanjaro on a cloudless full moon night, is without a doubt an unforgettable experience, and planning your summit attempt to coincide with the full moon date, could enhance your whole trek up the mountain.
Climb starting dates
Or climb starting dates are flexible and we can start a climb on any day you want, subject to availability and booking in advance.
If you would like to hike with others but don't see a suitable hike or dates on our website, please let us know and we can schedule a new hike and allow others to join your hike!
How to get there
The best airport to fly to is Kilimanjaro international airport (code JRO) and we will arrange free transfer from the Kilimanjaro airport to your hotel and back as part of the package. If you are unable to find flights to Kilimanjaro airport can you try to book flights to either Nairobi airport, Kenya or Dar es Salaam airport, Tanzania. However you will then need to join a connecting flight to Kilimanjaro airport or bus transfer to Moshi for the start of your climb.
A brief program overview
Machame route
Day 1
Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to your hotel in Moshi / Arusha - depending on the package chosen. Pre-climb briefing. Overnight. It is possible to book additional nights at the hotel before or after the climb at additional cost.
Day 2
Drive to the Machame village (1490m). From here a forest track sometimes requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to the Machame gate. Walk along forest trails to the Machame camping area. 2980m, 7hours.
Day 3
You rise early and after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite. (3 840m, 6 hours) Enjoy dinner and overnight.
Day 4
The moorlands soon come to an end and the rocky path leads amongst outcrops to the Lava Tower (4600m, 4 hours). Climb high, sleep low, descend and overnight at Barranco camp. (3950m, 7hours)
Day 5
After breakfast you leave Barranco through the Karanga valley for a 7 to 8 hour walk. We overnight at Barafu camp at an elevation of 4600m. If you choose the 7 day option, will we spend the night at Karanga camp and hike the next day from Karanga camp to Barafu camp giving you much more time to rest and prepare before attempting the summit. Rest, have dinner prepare for your summit assault. Retire to your tent early as you will be woken at midnight.
Day 6
The summit night on Kilimanjaro will be your greatest test. Listen to your guide, walk slowly, “close your eyes” one step at a time and remember at sunrise you will have conquered the greatest peak on the African continent!!
This is the most strenuous day. You are woken just after 11pm for your final ascent. Dress warmly; your guide will lead you 'pole pole' to Stella point (5,745m). Continue to Uhuru peak (5 895m) after about 6 hours you will summit the roof of Africa! From here you descend to Mweka hut (3,100m). Reach the hut after 5 hours walk for the last night on Kilimanjaro.
Day 7
After breakfast you do the final descent to Mweka Park gate, an approximate 4 hours downhill walk.
Successful climbers receive their certificate for making it to the top. Return to Moshi/Arusha for overnight.
Day 8
Check out after breakfast for a transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight to your next destination.
PACKAGE OFFER
Our prices for an unforgettable Kilimanjaro adventure packages, including full ground arrangements, are:
We can arrange flights ex Johannesburg with Kenya Airways, however there are two options available. You may also book your own flights and book ground arrangements with us only.
Option 1 - Fly with Kenya Airways from Johannesburg to Kilimanjaro airport via Nairobi. Cost for a return economy class ticket including airport taxes is approximately R 8 500 per person
Option 2 - Fly with Kenya airways from Johannesburg to Nairobi airport, from Nairobi do we organize the tourist shuttle for you and transfer you to Arusha or Moshi for the start of the climb. Cost for a return economy class ticket including airport taxes and the tourist shuttle between Nairobi and Arusha or Moshi (depending on the package chosen) is approximately R 5 978 per person
Please note:
A. The flight will depart Jhb at 00:40am and arrive in Nairobi at 5:45am you will then join the tourist shuttle at 8:00am and arrive 13:30pm in Arusha or 15:30pm in Moshi
B. On the last day will you depart Moshi at 6:30am or Arusha at 8:00am. You will then arrive at Nairobi airport at around 15:30pm. You will then wait for the flight to depart at around 20:40pm, arriving in Johannesburg at around 23:40pm. Please note all of the above flight rates are subject to change if airline changes fare, add fuel surcharges or airport taxes change. Our offer below excludes flights!
CLIMBER’S PACKAGE valid until 31 December 2009
GROUPS OF 12 Climbers
8 day trip: Machame 6 day route - R 11 085.00* pp sharing
9 day trip: Machame 7 day route - R 12 537.00* pp sharing
*Single supplements available for single room / tent
*Low season discount - climbers package only - R 450.00 per person for climbing in November
Notes:
- Until full payment has been received all prices quoted are subject to increases if park fees, fuel or taxes increase.
- Above quote is based on US $ 1 = R 8.30 and subject to change if exchange rates fluctuate
- Above climbers package rates are only valid till 31 December 2009
- This quote is only valid for 48 hours and subject to availability upon booking.
CLIMBERS PACKAGES
Our climber’s packages include the following services:
- Return airport transfers between Kilimanjaro Intl Airport and town
- 2 Nights, twin-shared, hikers class accommodation in the Springlands hotel in Moshi, with bed and breakfast (dinner can be arranged on request and at additional cost)
- Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb
- All National Park gate fees
- All camping fees
- Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro rescue team fees)
- Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cooks
- Salaries for mountain crew as per guidelines set by KINAPA
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the mountain
- Hot drinks on the mountain
- Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs & sleeping mat) Toilet tent can be hired
- Climbing permit
- Certificate for your successful summit attempt
This is a proposed guideline on clothing and accessories
- Hiking T- shirts or shirts made from synthetic, moisture wicking fabric
- A long sleeved, quick drying shirt of SPF rated fabric with UV protection, good ventilation, wicking and insect repellent properties
- Hiking shorts and versatile full length pans with lower legs that zip off, in quick drying, UV resistant, synthetic fabric
- Headgear with proper all – round sun protection, not just a regular cap
- Sunglasses. For prescription lenses, avoid contact lenses because extreme weather conditions make one’s eyes dry. Clear glasses/goggles are very useful for summit night, to protect eyes from wind
- Hiking boots should be waterproof, breathable, have a sturdy sole and ankle support, but not to heavy
- Walking or running shoes are recommended to rest your feet while in camp or to hike in fine – weather days during the first section of the climb.
- Hiking socks should be warm, soft and moisture – wicking
- Gaiters are also recommended to keep water mud and grass out of boots
- Two hiking sticks are an enormous help, estimated to reduce external and internal loads on knee joint by up to 20%
Sleeping bags & packs
- Sleeping – bags must be good quality and rayed to at least -8C
- An inflating sleeping mat offers comfort, ensuring climbers are fresh for the next day’s exertions.
- Daypacks must have padded straps and waist belt for comfort and be 35 to 45 litters in size, able to curry water, camera, rain jacked, and lunch pack snacks and warm clothing
- Duffel bag or full backpack (to be curried by a porter) must be tough, comfortable and large enough for all gear and clothing
- Waterproof inner bags (preferably several smaller ones) are essential to keep items dry during rain or stream crossings
- Travel bag in which to leave extra clothes at your hotel
As altitude rises and temperature drops, careful layering is essential because cold is one of the climber’s serious obstacles on the upper sections
Base layer: Thermal underwear tops and bottoms must be soft, moisture – wicking, warm and synthetic, not cotton
Mid layer: A polar fleece top and insulating pans
Outer layer: Water and wind – proof jacket and pans for protection from cold wind, light rain or snow.
Head and hands: A beanie and gloves or mittens are essential
Water & snacks
Water bottles capacity must total at least five litres. A functional ‘body water Balance’ is one of the keys to a successful climb
Thermal flask for water on summit night, as water will freeze in other containers
Water purification tablets. 50 - Pack
