Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro was born of the catastrophic movements in the Earth's crust that created the Great Rift Valley that runs from the Red Sea through Tanzania to Southern Africa. Around 25 million years ago East Africa was a huge flat plain that buckled and ruptured after the African and Eurasian Continental Plates rebounded off each other causing huge rifting and weak spots in the thinning crust that led to the formation of many volcanoes in the region. Where the original valley was deepest, the volcanic activity was greatest eventually forming the huge volcanoes of Ngorongoro Crater on the Rift itself and a string of volcanoes to the East including Meru, Kenya and Kilimanjaro. Ecology Mount Kilimanjaro has five major zones and the activity within each of these is controlled by the five factors of altitude, rainfall, temperature, flora and fauna. Each zone occupies an area approximately 1000m in altitude and is subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and life from the forest upwards.

MACHAME ROUTE

One day longer on trek, climbing a natural, rather than manmade path, the Machame Route is a more demanding but much quieter and scenic route up the mountain. Overnights are spent camping in tents which are carried and pitched by the accompanying porters. Highlights of this route are the Shira Plateau, Barranco wall and the Karanga Valley reaching the summit via Stella Point.

Because this route is more taxing it is recommended that trekkers should be physically fit and with the additional day on trek to assist with acclimatisation there is a good chance of reaching the summit.

KSSK 03 -  8days & 7 nights ( 6 days on trek )

DAY 1

Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2

Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Machame for the first section of the climb through the montane forest to Machame Campsite at 10000ft/3000m. for overnight camp taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Machame camp

DAY 3

Following the steep ridge and across heath and moorland to �picnic rock' and the Shira plateau, to Shira Campsite at 12500ft/3800m for overnight camp taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Shira camp

DAY 4

Heading towards Kibo, crossing a broad valley and climbing to a ridge crest, crossing scree slopes and a river valley to reach Barranco Campsite 13000ft/3900m. for overnight camp taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Barranco camp

DAY 5

Cross the floor of the Great Barranco Valley, up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga river - the last water point on this route. A steep climb over rocky slabs to Barafu Campsite at 15500ft/ 4600m. for overnight camp taking 8 to 9 hours. Overnight Barafu camp

DAY 6

An early start for the summit - Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 19340ft/5896m taking 6 to 7 hours. Descend via Barafu Campsite through the forest to Mweka Campsite at 10000ft/3000m. for overnight camp.- taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Mweka Camp

DAY 7

Descend through the forest to the park gate at Mweka Wildlife College taking 3 to 4 hours to met and transfered to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 8

Breakfast at Mountain Inn. End of tour.