Itinerary for Dream Mountains Kilimanjaro Dream Team 2014
DAY 1-Sunday, March 30th
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met and transferred to the base hotel where you will overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 2-Monday, March 31st
Today is a free day to relax at the hotel or head into Moshi town to stock up on any last minute supplies. In the evening climbers will meet with the Zara guides & Shawn and get a full briefing for your climb the next day.
DAY 3-Tuesday, April 1st
Machame Gate (1830m) – Machame Camp (2980m)
Hiking time: 7 hours Distance: About 18 km’s Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes.
The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once we reach the Park gate, climbers are requested to make their final preparations for the climb.
Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water and other equipments. Make sure that you have all your daypack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information.
We now leave the Park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail to the first uniport hut which is located at an altitude of (2980 m). We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy our dinner and overnight.
DAY 4-Wednesday, April 2nd
Machame Camp (2980m) – Shira Camp (3840m)
Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: About 9 km’s Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge at (3 840m). Time for rest, dinner and overnight at the Shira Hut campsite.
DAY 5-Thursday, April 3rd
Extra day for acclimatization at Shira Camp
DAY 6-Friday, April 4th
Shira (3840m)-Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco Camp (3860m)
Hiking time: 7 hours Distance: About 15 km’s Habitat: Semi desert
From the Shira plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction, towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to southeast towards the Lava Tower, called “the Shark’s Tooth”. Shortly after the Tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier.
We have now reached an altitude of (4630m) and continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of (3 860m). Here we rest, enjoy dinner and overnight.
DAY 7-Saturday, April 5th
Barranco Camp (3860m) to Karanga Valley Camp (4100m)
Hiking time: 4 hours Distance: About 6 km’s Habitat: Semi Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall arriving in the Karanga valley. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and overnight.
DAY 8-Sunday, April 6th
Extra day for acclimatization at Karanga Valley Camp
DAY 9-Monday, April 7th
Karanga Valley Camp (4100m) to Barafu Camp (4500m)
Hiking time: 3 hours Distance: About 4km’s Habitat: Alpine Desert
We pass through the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to Barafu Hut which is located at an altitude of 4600m. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and overnight. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
DAY 10 SUMMIT DAY-Tuesday, April 8th
Barafu Camp (4550m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak then 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: About 7 km’s ascent – 23 km’s descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23:30 hrs., and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You will head in northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is for many climbers, mentally and physically, the most challenging on the route.
At Stella Point (5685m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life.
The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared, and drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates and beer is available!!
DAY 11-Wednesday, April 9th
Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours Distance: About 15 km’s Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka Gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also, where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers, who reached Stella Point (5685m), are issued with green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower. Overnight at the base hotel.
DAY 12-Thursday, April 10th
After breakfast you are free to depart to the airport or any other destination in Tanzania. Zanzibar is a great way to recuperate. (Return transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport is included)