Apply Now

The Itinerary of the 2010 Trip

07 January (Saturday)

On arrival at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met by a representative from Southern Cross Safaris and transferred to the Jacaranda Hotel for 1 night.

The Jacaranda Hotel is situated within the Westlands suburb of Nairobi, approximately 5 km from the city centre. The Jacaranda offers clean and comfortable accommodation with ceiling fan, satellite television and en suite bathroom facilities, as well as a choice of two restaurants, all set within attractive gardens. There is also a swimming pool within the grounds and a nearby health club.

Jacaranda Hotel (B)

 

08 January (Sunday)

This morning the group will be met at the Jacaranda Hotel at 07:30 hrs and assisted with the departure transfer by road to Arusha.

The journey from Nairobi to Arusha, where you stop for lunch, takes approximately 4 – 5 hours with border clearance at Namanga. Driving through the heart of Masailand in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania you have the chance to spot small plains game, lesser kudu and gerenuk as you pass under the curved peak of Mt. Longido.

You stop at Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha for lunch. After lunch a senior representative from The African Walking Company will give the group a full pre-climb briefing.

This afternoon you continue to the Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu, a drive of approximately 2 hours. The road from Arusha skirts the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro before you ascend to the small town of Marangu.

The Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort, with its 18th Century colonial African architectural style, is tucked deep into lush green banana and coffee plantations of Kyalla village in Marangu West with sweeping views over Kilimanjaro. The hotel boasts a swimming pool, gym centre as well as a bar, restaurant and sun deck overlooking the attractive gardens.

All the rooms are comfortably furnished with en suite bathrooms and the hotel makes an ideal base before climbing the mountain.

Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort (L,D,B)

09 January (Monday)

We avoid the busy Marangu and Machame routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro, preferring to approach the mountain from the north by the lightly used Rongai route. This route starts just south of the Kenya/Tanzania border and was closed to visitors for many years. Now open once again, experienced guides consider Rongai to be one of the easiest and most beautiful of all the routes.

The Rongai route begins in attractive farmland and delightful forest, with the possibility of some wildlife viewing, and as you climb higher opens out to give stunning
views of the plains below. This trek includes an extra day to the standard five days itinerary to ensure maximum acclimatisation and give you the best possible chance of enjoying the magnificent scenery. Recent National Park statistics indicate that the chance of reaching the summit increases by at least 20% if an extra day is spent acclimatising. The deviation to Mawenzi Tarn is very beautiful and on a little-used trail through moorland. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective of Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.

This morning after breakfast you will depart from your hotel and be driven to Marangu Gate. After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, you continue by 4x4 vehicle to Rongai (journey time approximately 2 hours).

The climb begins from the attractive village of Nale Moru (1,950m) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes
before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently, through attractive forest which shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful black & white colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone

(2,600m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains [3-4 hours walking].

Moorland Camp (L,D,B)

10 January (Tuesday)

This morning you have a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, you leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi.

The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (3,600m)
[6-7 hours walking].

Kikelewa Cave Camp (L,D,B)

11 January (Wednesday)

Today you start with a short but steep climb up grassy slopes which is rewarded by superb all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. You then leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at
Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon is free to rest or
explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation [3-4 hours walking].

Mawenzi Tarn Camp (L,D,B)

12 January (Thursday)

This morning you cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the Kibo campsite (4,700m) at the bottom of
the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!
[5-6 hours walking].

Kibo Camp (L,D,B)

13 January (Friday)

The final assault! After an early wake-up call at around 1 a.m you start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight. You plod slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685m). You rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi and those who are still feeling strong
can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896m), passing close to the spectacular
glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.

The descent to Kibo (4,700m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, you continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo (3,720m) [11-15 hours walking].

Horombo Camp (L,D,B)

14 January (Saturday)

With the end in sight, this morning you enjoy a sustained descent down through moorland to
Mandara Hut (2,700m), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. You then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830m) [5-6 hours walking].

You will then be met and transferred to Marangu and back to your hotel for some well-earned relaxation and dinner at the hotel.

Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort (L,D,B)

15 January (Sunday)

After breakfast this morning you will be transferred from Marangu to Nairobi (journey time approximately 6 hours).

Picnic lunches will be provided for the journey.

On arrival in Nairobi you will be dropped off at the Jacaranda Hotel where you stay for the next three nights.

Jacaranda Hotel (B)

16 & 17 January (Monday & Tuesday)

You now have two full days volunteering with the Global Volunteer Network project (transport arranged direct with the project organisers).

Jacaranda Hotel (B)

18 January (Wednesday)

Today you will be transferred from the Jacaranda Hotel to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight.

 

END OF SERVICES

The meal plans on each day are represented by the following symbols:

B: Breakfast
L: Lunch
D: Dinner

The price of the trip includes:

• Airport transfers in Nairobi
• B&B accommodation at the Jacaranda Hotel in Nairobi
• Nairobi-Marangu-Nairobi road transfers
• Lunch in Arusha en route to Marangu
• Full mountain trek briefing in Arusha
• Half board accommodation at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort
• Full board tented accommodation on Kilimanjaro
• All services on the mountain including services of guides, cooks and porters
• All Kilimanjaro National Park entry fees
• Picnic lunches between Marangu-Nairobi

The price of the trip excludes:

• International flights
• Drinks
• Transfers in Nairobi on 16 & 17 January
• Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry etc.
• Gratuities
• Visas for Kenya & Tanzania
• Travel Insurance