14
Days : Mt Kenya and Kilimanjaro climbing combined Sirimon/ Chogoria and
Kilimanjaro trek Marangu route
Trip Summary:
The tour takes you to climb
Mount Kenya; this is an African challenging mountain. Although good
health, fitness and experience is required but the mountain team with
professional and qualified guide and porters will help you to make it.
You will enjoy the trekking it self, landscape and high altitude on your
way thru various points of views as per itinerary.
Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free standing mountain and is also
the Africa?s highest peak 5895m. Although fitness and healthy is
required, as the finishing point is a bit challenging, Marangu route is
the easiest way up to and from the summit among other routes which does
not need more technical and experienced climbers. Accommodation in
wooded huts
You will enjoy and
experience nature, wildlife, habit and habitat of the fauna and flora in
the natural areas, also peoples and culture.
Availability 90%
Minimum Rate Per Adult:
US$
Departing From:
Nairobi
Duration:
14
Days / 13 Nights Mount Kenya climbing - Kilimanjaro Trekking
Departure Time:
0830
Hrs (possible to leave earlier than)
Departures:
Daily
Minimum Persons Required:
2
Best Time:
All round the year
Trip Itinerary:
14 Days : Mt Kenya and Kilimanjaro climbing combined Sirimon/
Chogoria and Kilimanjaro trek Marangu route
Day.1 Arrival – Nairobi
Pick up from the airport on arrival and transfer you to Comfort inn
hotel for overnight stay .
Day 2 : Nairobi/Nanyuki
Depart Nairobi mid morning for Nanyuki arriving in time for lunch. The
afternoon is spent in this area for acclimatization. Dinner and
overnight in a budget hotel.
Day 3. Old Moses Camp
After breakfast, drive to Sirimon Park Gate. After chek-in start hiking
through the Rain Forest for 9 km to Old Moses camp (3300m). Dinner and
overnight.
Day 4. Shipton Camp
Depart Old Moses Camp at 7:30 am via Mackinders Valley to Shipton Camp
(4200m). The distance takes 6 to 7 hrs. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5.Point Lenana- Chogoria
Early morning departure (3:00 am) to the summit, a walk that takes 3 hrs
to point Lenana (4985m) arriving at 6:30 in the morning. After sunrise,
descend to Mintos Hut for full breakfast and later proceed down through
the Gorges valley to Chogoria Bandas and campsite. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6. Chogoria/Nairobi
After breakfast, set on morning journey to Chogoria (32km). 4WD vehicles
are provided but during bad weather, climbers may have to walk some
disance as vehicles may not reach the Bandas. From Chogoria transport is
provided back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon Drop off at Comfort in
hotel for overnight stay.
Day 7: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to a hotel
for an overnight stay before embarking on the Kilimanjaro trek the
following day.
Marangu Route
Total hiking distance: About 96 km's on the easiest trekking route
commonly known as the Coca-Cola route
(Excluding any acclimatization hikes on day 3)
Day 8: Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)
Hiking time: 5 hours | Distance: About 12 km's | Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about
50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is
located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park
gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make
their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging
and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well
as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack
items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra
clothing) with you as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers.
Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information
or needs you might have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a
cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with
mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of
Kilimanjaro's animals are found. (An alternative and more scenic
parallel forest trail, branches off to the left a few minutes after the
gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth
and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either, after 1½
hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.)
Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed huts
in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar
generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water
is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets
behind the main hut.
Day 9: Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest,
then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the
transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour
to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really
impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in
the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once
you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of
Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants - the endemic giant lobelia which
grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari),
which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach
the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening
meal and overnight.
Day 10: Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatization day
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with
buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers!
Normally bustling with hikers, guides, porters and with an atmosphere of
adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending
hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional
acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks
on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is strongly
recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of
acclimatization. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All
meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a
last good night's rest.
Day 11: Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert
habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the "Saddle" (which refers
to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an
upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose
from. The upper route (right hand fork) will be very familiar, as you
will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is
very stony and eroded.
The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly
an hour and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You will
have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until
your return to Horombo hut in two night's time (unless you are willing
to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to slow down and
drink enough water!! Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Horombo
hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but
no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral
water and soft drinks at the camp office.
There are platform toilets behind the hut. The summit is now a further
1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare
your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This
should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and
make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it
will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round
about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.
Day12: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo
hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo |
Distance: 6 km's ascent - 21 km's descent | Habitat: Stone scree and
ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle
off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The
first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer
Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to
Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This
section is very steep with a lot of stone screen, requiring a great
physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the
entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to
Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and
satisfaction - you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will
determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before
the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all
your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3
hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem
surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking
on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day.
Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and
beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned
sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Day 13: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara
hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and
details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive
their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point
(5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru
Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Arusha
for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at a
budget hotel.
Day 14: Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue
with your safari schedule
-Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation
-Transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport
-All ground transport and transfers as per the itinerary
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek
-Sirimon/Chogoria route on Mount Kenya and Marangu route on Mt
Kilimanjaro
-Meal plan as described, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodation on the mountain in huts as shown.
-Bed and breakfast accommodation in Nairobi and Arusha
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountains
-Service of an English speaking professional guide, porters and skilled
cook
-Start and finish Nairobi
-Treated water on the trek.
-On completion, successful climb certificate/s
-Mount Kenya acclimatization overnight at Mountain Rock Lodge on the
base of Mt Kenya to include a walk to Mau Mau caves
-Chemical toilet on the mountain
-Group maximum of 12 climbers for personalised service
Excluded:
-Laundry, tips, sleeping bags, climbing gear and drinks
-International flights and taxes
-Emergency Oxygen, available on request at $200 per group (MUST BE
REQUESTED IN ADVANCE)
-Passports and Visas
-Traveler’s insurance and medical evacuation insurance
-Passports and visas
-Items of personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the above
itinerary
