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.

MARANGU ROUTE

Sometimes known as the 'Coca-Cola' route, because it is the most popular route up the mountain, the Marangu Route is in fact probably followed by ninety percent of all climbers. It has a well defined path, which has been well set out and where most obstacles have been modified to make them 'climber friendly'. Accommodation on this route is in purpose built mountain huts providing adequate shelter and even bottled water, beer and soft drinks ( at high altitude prices!).

Despite the human traffic (it can be fun to mingle with climbers from all over the world), this is a very scenic route with good views of Mawenzi and excellent prospects for viewing wildlife.

KSSK 01 -  7days & 6nights ( 5 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 Marangu for the first section of the climb through the montane forest to Mandara Hut at 9000ft/ 2750m. taking 3 to 4 hours. Overnight Mandara hut

DAY 3

Leaving the forest, you trek along a good path through open grassy moorland to reach Horombo Hut at 12000ft/3700m. taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Horombo hut

DAY 4

Continue ascending past �the last water point' traversing the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi to Kibo Hut at 15000ft/4700m. taking 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Kibo hut

DAY 5

An early start for the summit on steep and heavy scree up to Gilman's Point at 18640ft / 5681m. on the crater rim to arrive in time for sunrise. Continue on to Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 19340ft / 5896m. Descend to Horombo Hut for overnight taking 7 to 8 hours ascent and 4 to 7 hours descent. Overnight Horombo hut

DAY 6

Descend the mountain to the Park Gate taking 5 to 7 hours to be met and transferred to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 7

Breakfast at Mountain Inn - End of tour