This climb begins and ends at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa. Most flights directly to Arusha are not available online. For travel arrangements I recommend calling Charles Mulvehill at Scan East West Travel: 1-800-727-2157 or 206-623-2157. charles@scaneastwest.com
Day 1
Leave country of origin for Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania Africa. (JRO).
Day 2
Arrive in Tanzania. Airport pick up and transfer to Arusha hotel in Arusha, Tanzania.
Day 3
Starting day, equipment check, introductions, orientation and mountain briefing. You will pack your duffel for your porter, and leave a duffle at the hotel with your travel and safari gear. On the climb you will carry a day pack with your lunch and water, extra clothes, camera, sun block, and daily supplies.
Day 4
We travel to the Machame trailhead, winding through coffee fields, smallvillages, and forests of ferns and flowers. After registering with the park service, we gear up with our porters and start our climb. We begin our climb on the edge of the rain forest (elevation 5,800’) As we start up through the forest we trek seven hours to the Machame Camp (10,000’) and set camp for the night.
Day 5
Leave the Machame camp cross the valley and begin our ascent. The environment changes from heath forest to moor lands. Halfway up the trail we meet the river gorge and ascend across the Shira Plateau ( 12,300’) We set camp and sleep at the Shira Cave camp.
Day 6
Today we climb to 14,800’ while crossing the ridge at the Lava Tower, we will have great views of the African plains far below. Here we will eat lunch acclimate and admire the ancient glacier ice of the Breach Wall at Lava Tower 15090’ before dropping to our 12,800’ campsite at Great Barranco.
Day 7
We climb up and over the Great Barranco, topping out at about 14,500’ before dropping to our camp at the Karanga River at about 13,000’. This completes another day of acclimatization as we pass below the famous Breach Wall, the largest ice and rock face in Africa. Here daytime temperatures can reach (80F), while evening temperatures often drop below freezing.
Day 8
From the Karanga River we climb about 5-6 hours to our high camp at Barafu (14,650’) As we wind through these rarely traveled regions, we enter a high desert plateau, littered with volcanic boulders. Looking south we view the desert plains as the pinnacles of Mowenzi Peak tower before us. At Barfu we prepare for our summit attempt. While our cook staff prepares our dinner, we will spend our time packing and preparing for the early morning, 1:00am departure for our summit push.
Day 9
Summit Day! We will awake at midnight and prepare for our ascent. We climb wearing headlamps until the predawn light is reflected off the African plains. Following a distinct ridge we approach the craters rim, then traverse northwest along the rim to the main summit, Uhuru Peak (19,340’). We are now on the highest free standing mountain in the world, and the highest point on the African Continent. From here we view the Bismarck Towers, rock pinnacles along the rim and the hanging Rebman Glaciers.
As the sun rises over Africa, we will take in a panorama of incredible views. To the north stands the second highest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kenya (17,056’) with it’s unique twin summits. To our west the second highest point in Tanzania Mt. Meru, and the sothern exposure reveals the sprawling plains of Tanzania and East Africa and Mawenzi Peak.
After enjoying the view from the roof of Africa, we descend to Barafu, rest, eat, pack camp, and begin our traverse down the Mweka route on the southern side of the mountain. We descend down into the jungle and Mweka camp in the dense trees for our last night on the mountain.
Day 10
The sunrises are incredible as we awake below the towering mountain. We descend through the lush green landscape of the Mweka route into the thickest jungle we have yet encountered. The environment becomes primordial, with 20 foot-tall fern trees creating a prehistoric atmosphere. Rain is likely and an umbrella is a smart choice for your comfort. After reaching the Mweka gate we sign out with the rangers then drive to Arusha, return to our hotel and enjoy a celebration dinner. Evening briefing and re pack your gear for the Safari.
Safari:
Lake Manyara National Park, Maasai Boma village, Ngorongoro National Conservation Area.
*Being patient on the Safari is key, as we are trying to stalk down wild animals. We are able to stand up a view and take pictures from the safety of our open roof 4x4 Safari vehicles. (Itinerary is subject to change).
Day11
We will load our Safari vehicles and drive to Lake Manyara National Park. The park is 205 sq. miles of which 125 sq. miles iscovered by the lake. The lake forms a spectacular sight with thousands of flamingos. We will also observe many species of birds, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, tree climbing lions, baboons, etc. These are wild animals living in their natural environment what we see depends on the skills of our drivers and our timing as we explore these beautiful parks.
Day 12
After breakfast we drive to a local Maasai village (Boma). The Maasai are nomads and one of Africa’s most colorful tribes. We will have the opportunity to enter a Maasai village, see the inside of their mud huts and the small school house. This very unique opportunity allows us to take pictures of this local tribe something we will not be able to do outside of this village. The Maasai get very upset if you take there picture and we will respect this as we– zinjanthropus boisei which is believed to be 1.7 million years old. There is also unbelievable Shifting Sand which is travel throughout the region. After the Maasai Boma we will drive to OLDUVAI; this is the site of the Leakey’s incredible discoveries on the origins of humankind. It is here that the remains of more than fossil humanoids have been found at various sites and levels in the gorge including the skull of Australopithecus good history for you. This is where we will have our Lunch (lunchbox). After lunch we will have a game drive around the Crater rim. Back to the Camp/hotel dinner and overnight.
Day 13
Early in the morning after breakfast we drive to Crater flow for full day drive at the home of the BIG 5 Elephant, African Buffalo, Leopard, Black Rhinoceros, and Lion, as well we can see Zebras, Cheetahs, Hippos, Hyenas, and a Variety of wild animals intheir natural environment. A truly spectacular sight all in the largest crater in the world. Lunch at the Crater Flow. After lunch we will have an afternoon Game drive to the Crater then drive back to Mto wa Mbu (manyara) dinner and overnight at Serena Hotels/Twiga Campsite.
Day 14
After breakfast we will have a walk tour at Manyara Rift Valley Escapment.
PapyrousLakeTour: This walk starts 5kms north of Mto wa Mbu where the Miwaleni waterfalls poring down from thie riftvalley has created a green oasis. Passing some little streams you walk in the direction of the Papyrous Lake, from where the Rangi people collect the materials for the mats and baskets they make. On your way you can see nice farming and visit Sandawe families who still make traditional bows and arrows for hunting. The walk can be extended with a climb to the waterfalls at the Rift valley.
Lunch at Mto wa Mbu (Mosquito River)
After lunch we start from the market where you will meet a Chagga family producing banana beer. We then take a walk northwards passing many different farms. On your way, you get in-depth information about the various fruits and vegetable growing in the area. Mzee Filipo a farmer from Kigoma, will show you his oil press and tell you about the history of irrigation in the area. Your trip ends at a farm built by the Belgium Development Organization ACT, where you can visit their Sunflower seeds production and take marvelous pictures of colourful flower fields with the great rift valley as background.
Drive to Meserani Snake Park (Home of different types of snakes and Birds as well as crocodiles) Different species of reptiles. After visiting snake park, we will go to Shopping and back to Arusha.
Dinner and overnight at Arumeru River Lodge.
Day 15
We will return to Kilimanjaro International Airport, say goodbyes and return home.
*If you haven’t had enough and still want to explore Africa We will be happy to make arrangements for you to fly to Zanzibar Island in the Indian Ocean. Here you can enjoy exotic Stone Town, a 7th century Persian slave trading port and very Muslim culture. Then head North to Nungwi beach and enjoy crystal clear waters, ancient dowe sailboats, snorkeling, a turtle preserve and white sand beaches before heading back to the states. International flights can depart from Zanzibar Island.