Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free standing, snow-covered equatorial mountain. Now charted and climbed; stories of her resident man-eating spirits are relegated to the realms of folklore. But Mount Kilimanjaro continues to preserve a mysticism that defies all recent knowledge of her slopes.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBING
Mt Kilimanjaro

VMKKIL 01- Machame Route (8 days/7 nights)
Day 1. Nairobi/ Arusha/ Moshi
Depart Nairobi by morning shuttle to Moshi arriving late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2. Machame Hut
Drive to Machame Village. The climb begins at the end of the tarmac road, walking for about 6 hrs gradually ascending through the forested hills onwards to Machame Hut (3000m). Dinner and overnight.

Day 3. Shira Hut
Early in the morning, you will cross a valley and stream before ascending a steep ridge. The path then drops into a river gorge before you climb more gently onto the moorland of the Shira plateau - 3,800m. Total climbing time is about 6hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4. Barranco Hut
The path continues directly up the ridge towards Kibo, then turns right and descends into Barranco gorge. Climb to Barranco hut at 3940m shortly after. Total climbing time is about 6 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5. Barafu Hut
Crossing the Barranco Valley, climb the Barranco wall (not technical climbing), then follow the Kibo South Circuit. You will then turn left and climb up a ridge for about 2 hrs to Barafu hut at 4,600m . Dinner and overnight.

Day 6. Mweka Hut
Very early start for the summit first to Stella Point and then Uhuru Peak at 5895m. After sunrise, descend down to Mweka hut, which takes about 6 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7. Mweka Gate
This is the last day of your climb. You will descend to Mweka Gate where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 8. Arusha/Nairobi
Depart Moshi by morning shuttle back to Nairobi arriving approx 1830hrs.


VMKKIL 02- 9 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Lemosho Special

Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free standing, snow-covered equatorial mountain. Now charted and climbed; stories of her resident man-eating spirits are relegated to the realms of folklore. But Mount Kilimanjaro continues to preserve a mysticism that defies all recent knowledge of her slopes.

Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 1. Arusha
Pickup airport and on Shuttle and drop at Arusha Hotel.

Day 2 To Mti Mkubwa Camp
2100m to 2750m l 6900ft to 9000ft
About 3 hours hiking After breakfast and briefing, drive to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m / 7382 ft, 2.5 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100m / 6890 ft, 11km, 45 minutes) and a possible campsite (park fees are not paid to camp here). Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Day 3 To Shira 1 Camp
2750m to 3500m l 9000ft to 11,500ft
About 5 hours After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed then it gains the Shira Ridge at about 3600m / 11,811 ft and drops gently down to Shira 1 camp located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

Day 4 To Shira 2 Camp
3500m to 3850m l 11,500ft to 12,600ft
About 2 hours After breakfast, a gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the Plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day.

Day 5 To Barranco Hut
3840m to 3860m l 12,600ft to 12,700ft
About 6 hours From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876 meters / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860 meters / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 6 To Karanga Hut
3860m to 4200m l 12,700ft to 13,800ft
About 4 hours After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley (4200m / 13,780 ft) campsite.

Day 7 To Barafu Hut
4200m to 4600m l 13,800ft to 15,100ft
About 4 hours After breakfast, we leave the Karanga Valley and pass the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located ant an altitude of 4600 meters (15,092 ft). You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 8 To Summit and Mweka Hut
4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) l 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
About 11 hours Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5985 meters (19,636 ft). This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site at 3100 meters (10,171 ft). This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut -- the only place on this route.

Day 9 To Moshi/Arusha
3100m to 1830m l 10,200ft to 6000ft
About 4 hours After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi/Arusha.


VMKKIL 03-  Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, Ol Doinyo Lengai, Mount Meru and Tanzania Safari

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, the highest 'walkable' mountain in the world, a magnificent and spectacular undertaking. We are the leading provider of high quality treks on the Kilimanjaro, with over 15,000 past customers, a summit success rate of 87% and an exemplary safety record.

19 DAYS VOLCANOES AND THE LAKES.

Hiking in Tanzania
Day 1. Nairobi
Pickup from airport and transfer to a Nairobi Hotel.

Day 2. Nairobi/Arusha
Depart Nairobi by morning shuttle to Moshi arriving early afternoon. Dinner and overnight Arusha Hotel.

Day 3. Arusha/Lake Natron.
Leave Arusha and drive to Lake Natron and vist the Walk to Waterfalls. This is a 20 minute hike up a river gorge. You will need non-leather sandals (soda harms leather). It is slippery and requires scrambling. It is an excellent swim in the river and under the waterfalls for a nice cool-down from the hot sun. There may be baboons or other wildlife in the gorge. Dinner and overnight Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge or camp.

Day 4. Lake Natron.
Full day game drive around the south and west side of Lake Natron.

Day 5. Ol Doinyo Lengai
Tis day your hike is extremely strenuous, starting at 4000 feet (1200 meters) up to 9500 feet (2890 meters). Hikers begin the 6-hour steep climb around midnight. After sunrise and exploring the crater, there is another 4 hours hiking down. The terrain is loose dirt at the bottom, turning to rock with loose dirt and stones (slippery), turning to steeper rock that requires scrambling.After drive to Mto wa mbu for dinner and overnight.

Day 6. Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro with pinic lunch down the crater, spend the day gameview, Dinner and over night at the rim of the crater lodge or simba camp.

Day 7. Lake Manyara
After proceed to Lake Manyara for a gamedrive and after proceed to Arusha, for dinner and overnight at Arusha Hotel.

Day 8. Mt. Meru to Miriakampa Hut
1500m / 4900 ft l to 2500m / 8200 ft - 4 hours hiking
Starting from Momella Gate, the track passes through open grassland with cape buffalo and warthogs. With luck, you may also see giraffe and elephants. Continue a steady climb through montane forest. You can have your lunch at the famous “Fig tree”. After lunch, the trek continues through less dense forest, where there are lots of birds and monkeys including the black and white colobus. By mid-afternoon, there are the first close views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. Miriakampa Hut, situated in idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro.

Day 9. To Saddle Hut
2500m / 8200 ft l to 3500m / 11,700 ft - 4 hours hiking
The walk from Miriakampa Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a a steep sustained climb all the way. Starting through beautiful and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Back Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut and lunch. In the afternoon, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3820 m / 12,533 ft) for superb views. It takes about 1 hour to walk up and 30 minutes to walk down. The ascent is 1056 m / 3465 ft.

Day 10. Summit and down to Miriakampa Hut
3500m / 11,700 ft l to 4566m / 14,980 ft l Down to 2500m / 8200 ft - 5+ hours hiking up l 3+ hours hiking down to Saddle Hut
and 2+ hours to Miriakampa Hut
Summit day has an early start at around 12:00AM. There is a 1 hours steep climb to Rhino Point (3800m / 12,467ft), then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4350m / 14,272ft). The summit of Socialist Peak (4566 m) is an hour more on a steep path wih magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Depending your speed, you can enjoy sunrise at Cobra Point or the summit. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley. The route back to Rhino Point in the sharp morning light along a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. Brunch and a brief rest is taken at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut.

Day 11. To Moshi
2500m / 8200 ft l to 1500m / 4900 ft - 2+ hours hiking
There are two ways down from here. You can descend the route you came up or walk down the jeep road, which descends to the lower crater floor. You pass through the well-known Fig Tree Arch and can visit an impressive waterfall hidden in a ravine not far from the road. A fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. Momella Gate is reached by late morning.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 12. Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation (m): 1830m to 3100m l Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft l Distance: 18km l Hiking Time: 5-7 hours l Habitat: Montane Forest
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 13. Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m l Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 12,600ft l Distance: 9km Walking lime: 4-6 hours l Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 14. Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m l Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft l Distance: 15 km l Walking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 15. Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (m): 3860m to 4200m l Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 13,800ft l Distance: 7 km l Hiking Time: 4 hours l Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.

Day 16. Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (m): 3860m to 4600m l Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 15,100ft l Distance: 13km l Hiking Time: 8 hours l Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200m / 13,779 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 17. Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) l Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent l Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent l Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 18. Mweka Camp to Moshi/Arusha
Elevation (m): 3100m to 1830m l Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 6000ft l Distance: 15 km l Hiking Time: 3-4 hours l Habitat: Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha for dinner and overnight.

Day 19. Next destination
After breakfast transfer to the airport or shuttle, or you can visit Zanzibar beach for relaxation.