OVERVIEW

Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) look very elegant with a tropical snow-cap fully stretch on the bluish peak that rises high above the savannah, forest, and a herd of wildlife. This is the classic picture of Kilimanjaro that usually seen in the public media and was taken from Amboseli National Park, Kenya, at the north of it.

The volcanic area of Kilimanjaro is so big, 3,200 km2. And standing on a high plateau of 1,000m. In the beginning, there are three active volcanoes here. Shira on the west, Kibo on the middle, and Mawenzi on the east. Over geological time, Shira die out first, then followed by Mawenzi while Kibo still in the formation process until 450,000 years ago. If Shira crater collapsed and eroded by glacier, forming a vast plateau; the erosion of glacier on Mawenzi (5,149m) makes an impressive form. It carved many sharp towers as high as 600m. The Mawenzi crater on the east side already collapsed.

Kibo crater also already collapsed and leaves a bottom of the crater with a diameter of 2,5 km wide. And about 100,000 years ago, the west side of the crater rim collapsed makes a huge gap that called Western Breach. Kibo Peak (Kilimanjaro peak) was the remaining part of the south side rim. The same fate with Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia, the retreat of tropical snow on Kilimanjaro is in an alarming state. The snow on the east rim has disappeared. On the south and west remains a little. Only on the north side that still have a lot of glacier and snowfield, especially in July and August.

There are 6 routes to the high plateau of Kilimanjaro (4,000–4,500m). Marangu route is the most famous and mostly used. There’s hut along the way for sleep and good facility. Another is Machame route, a slightly challenging but scenic route. The rest that is less popular are Rongai, Umbwe, Shira, and Lemosho route. Some are united on the way to the peak and some are not. Then, the routes from the plateau to the massif dome of Kilimanjaro are only three that usually used. First, through Gillman’s Point (eastern crater rim) via Kibo Hut. Second, through Stella’s Point (southern crater rim) via Barafu Hut. The last is through Western Breach (western crater rim) that needs some scrambling.

MACHAME ROUTE

We offer Kilimanjaro climb via Machame Route because it’s the most scenic route and the acclimatization process is much better than Marangu Route. Though Marangu Route have a very nice hut, but it is too crowded and making it less comfortable. The percentage of failure is higher in Marangu Route since climbers have a very limited time to stay on that route.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - 2

Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport, Tanzania
Upon arrival, we go straight to hotel in Arusha or Moshi and rest

DAY 3

Transfer to Machame Gate and trekking
We go to Machame Gate by vehicle in the morning. After registration process at the gate, we will start trekking to First Camp. From the gate is a gentle climb through the original montane forest, carpeted with unique –busy lizzie- flowers, begonias, and ferns. First camp is amongst the giant heather at 3,000m. 5-6 hours trekking. Stay overnight in tent.

DAY 4

First Camp-Shira Camp
Emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through fine open moorland to camp by the Shira Camp at 3,840m. There are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera, which can be view during a half hour optional walk in the afternoon. 4-5 hours trekking. Stay overnight in tent.

DAY 5

Shira Camp-Baranco Camp
From Shira, climb towards the main peak Kibo with western glaciers clearly visible across the rugged high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders. Skirting around its base and under the imposing Western Breach, descend into the sheltered Baranco Valley for mid-way camp at 3,950m. 6-7 hours trekking. Stay overnight in tent.

DAY 6

Baranco Camp-Karanga Valley
Up the steep Baranco Wall with some sections of very easy scrambling and drop down again to Karanga Valley. We will camp again at Karanga Valley at 4,050m to get more acclimatization. 3-4 hours trekking. Stay overnight in tent.

DAY 7

Karanga Valley-Barafu Hut
Hike to Barafu hut at 4,600m, last camp before summit. 4-5 hours trekking. You have fantastic views across to Mawenzi peak from the camp after the hike which now requires you to adequately relax in preparation of the challenging summit hike at midnight. Stay overnight in tent.

DAY 8

Barafu Hut-Uhuru Peak-Millenia Camp
A bracing 1am start to climb the steep frozen scree. This is unavoidable on any route but we aim to go past Gillman’s Point to reach Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise. Another 40 minutes and you are at the highest point on the continent. 7-8 hours trekking to the summit. We descend to Mweka route. From Barafu hut, it’s another 3-4 hours to Millenia Camp at 3,100m above the treeline. This is a long hard day but you feel absolutely ecstatic when you have done it.

DAY 9

Millenia Camp-Mweka Gate
We go down to Mweka Gate, passing Mweka Camp. 6-7 hours trekking down to collect certificates and meet the vehicle for journey back to Arusha/Moshi.

DAY 10 - 11

Fly back home
Fly back home or have additional safari trip to see the wildlife of Africa.

PREPARATION

Kilimanjaro is a trekking mountain. The difficulty is low. Though, you still need a good physical condition. Especially on summit day which will be a long day with demanding route. Go weekend hiking regularly will be the best training. It can be started with 8 km round trip hike with roughly 6kg pack, ascending and descending 600m, in less than 2.5 hours. The aim is to ascend 900m carrying an average pack of 10 kg in 3 hours. To reach it, try to increase the difficulty of your training in some way, either by adding weight to your pack (no more than 10 percent per week) or by completing the hike in a shorter amount of time.

In addition, you can do running two to three times a week for 45 minutes to an hour per session. Running on a route that have elevation gain will be a lot better, or use treadmill if there’s no such terrain in your hometown. You can change one of your running sessions in a week with cycling or swimming and especially you need to do also stair climbing with at least 10kg pack. It will be a good cross training. Besides that, muscle training is advisable. Strengthen your upper and lower body muscle, as well core muscle. You can do it at the gym or do your own set of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, plank, etc.

Training should be focus on cardiovascular because it can help to deal with the altitude. The capability to acclimatized are different for each person. So, building up your fitness even more will not be a waste. Just make sure you don’t injure yourself by overtraining and always have enough rest. Train 6 month before will increase the rate of success. But if you don’t have that much time, train at least 3 months before.

GEAR LIST

No	Name	Amt
1	Trekking boots	1 pair
2	Trekking Pole	1 pair
3	Wool or Synthetic socks	3 pair
4	Liner socks	2 pair
5	Midweight Baselayer Top (amount based on preferences)	2
6	Midweight Baselayer Bottom (amount based on preferences)	2
7	Trekking/Soft Shell pants	2
8	Soft Shell Jacket/puffy	1
9	Hard Shell Jacket w/ hood	1
10	Hard Shell pants	1
11	Insulated jacket/down jacket	1
12	Insulated synthetic pants	1
13	Baseball cap	1
14	Beanie	1
15	Buff (amount based on preferences)	2
16	Sunglasses	1
17	Lightweight synthetic liner gloves	1 pair
18	Mediumweight gloves	1 pair
19	30L Backpack	1
20	Sleeping bag at least -20°C	1
21	Self-Inflating pad	1
22	Closed-cell foam pad	1
23	Headlamp with spare batteries	1
24	Sunscreen, SPF 40 or better	1
25	Lip screen, SPF 30	1
26	1 Litre water bottle or water bladder	2
27	1 Litre thermos	1
28	Pee bottle (optional)	1
29	Toiletry bag	1
30	Large Duffel Bag	1
31	First aid kit and special medications (if any)	1
32	Camera	1