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 Day
1: A pickup from your hotel in the morning where you are
driven to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate through banana
plantations and coffee trees grown by the natives of Marangu
village. Our ascent to the Roof of Africa begins here at 6,000ft
where we walk through virgin tropical rain forest up to Mandara Hut
at 9,000ft (2,750m).
Walking time: 3-5 hours
Accommodation: Mandara Hut
Day
2:
After a healthy energy-filling breakfast, we start climbing up
through the forest which later gives way to open moorland and
heather where you get your first view of the towering
Kilimanjaro in the distance. The days' walk ends at Horombo hut at
12,400ft (3,800m). The huts here are
equipped with water for washing up and solar power. Enjoy the
sunset and sunrise from this point and a breathtaking view of
Moshi town at the backdrop. A sense of being above the clouds in
now felt.
Walking time: 4-6 hours
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
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 Day
3:
After an early breakfast climbing continues under more difficult
conditions, through more rugged and rocky landscape. We pass by
Mawenzi peak, the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks and the
Last Water Drop. Kibo hut at 15,550ft. (4,725m), situated at the
base of the final ascent to the summit, is reached by midday. Early resting and sleep
is recommended as the next ascend begins around midnight.
Walking time: 4-5 hrs
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
 Day
4:
The final ascent starts just after midnight so that Gillman's
point is reached by sunrise. The walk is stiff and the air gets thinner and colder as
you ascend. On the way, there are loose volcanic scree but well
graded zig-zags are easily seen. Here, the experienced Guides will ask you
to go very slowly (polepole). After 5-7 hours you reach
Gillman's point situated right on the rim of the huge ice-filled
volcanic crater that dominates the summit of the Great
Kilimanjaro. Striking, and very admirable, you will see, is the
sun rising from the Eastern horizon of the Kilimanjaro skyline
throwing the golden rays over the whole of
Africa!!
Another 2-3 hours round trip along the crater rim passing
through spectacular glaciers, brings us to
Uhuru (Independence) Peak, the highest point on the African
continent. This is the Roof of Africa standing at: 19,340ft
(5,895m). Here you sign the visitor's book, take photos,
congratulate each other and begin descending to Horombo Hut. The descent
is amazingly fast.
Walking time: 11-15 hours
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
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