Routes: Mt Kenya- Sirimon – Chogoria | Kilimanjaro – Marangu

Day 2 : Nairobi/NanyukiDay.1 Arrival – Nairobi
depart from the airport on arrival and transfer you to Comfort inn hotel for overnight stay

Leave Nairobi mid morning for Nanyuki arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is spent in this area for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight in a budget hotel.

Day 3. Old Moses Camp
Take breakfast, then drive to Sirimon Park Gate. After chek-in start hiking through the Rain Forest for 9 km to Old Moses camp (3300m). Dinner and overnight.

Day 4. Shipton Camp
Leave Old Moses Camp at 7:30 am via Mackinders Valley to Shipton Camp (4200m). The distance takes 6 to 7 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5.Point Lenana- Chogoria
An early morning departure (3:00 am) to the summit, a walk that takes 3 hrs to point Lenana (4985m) arriving at 6:30 in the morning. After sunrise, descend to Mintos Hut for full breakfast and later proceed down through the Gorges valley to Chogoria Bandas and campsite. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6. Chogoria/Nairobi
Set on morning journey to Chogoria after breakfast (32km). 4WD vehicles are provided but during bad weather, climbers may have to walk some disance as vehicles may not reach the Bandas. From Chogoria transport is provided back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon Drop off at Comfort in hotel for overnight stay.

Day 7: Arrival – Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, Transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay before embarking on the Kilimanjaro trek the following day.

Marangu Route
Total hiking distance: About 96 km’s on the easiest trekking route commonly known as the Coca-Cola route
(Excluding any acclimatization hikes on day 3)

Day 8: Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara hut (2700m) 5 hours hiking time | Distance: About 12 km’s | Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers. Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have.

You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. (An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail, branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either, after 1½ hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.)
Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.

Day 9: Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo hut (3720m) 6 hours hiking time | Distance: About 15 km’s | Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.

Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.

Day 10: Horombo hut (3720m) – Acclimatization day
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Normally bustling with hikers, guides, porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatization. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s rest.

Day 11: Horombo hut (3720m) – Kibo hut (4700m) 6 hours hiking time | Distance: About 15 km’s | Habitat: Alpine desert
You continue your ascent after breakfast into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded.
The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night’s time (unless you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!! Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Horombo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office.
There are platform toilets behind the hut. The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

Day 12: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3720m)
8 hours hiking time to Uhuru – 6 hours to descend to Horombo | Distance: 6 km’s ascent – 21 km’s descent | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone screen, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.

From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day.
Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

Day 13: Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
6 hours hiking time | Distance: About 27 km’s
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at a budget hotel.

Day 14: Departure
Depart for Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule

Price is inclusive of:
-Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation
-Transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport
-All ground transport and transfers as per the itinerary
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek
-Sirimon/Chogoria route on Mount Kenya and Marangu route on Mt Kilimanjaro
-Meal plan as described, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodation on the mountain in huts as shown.
-Bed and breakfast accommodation in Nairobi and Arusha
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountains
-Service of an English speaking professional guide, porters and skilled cook
-Start and finish Nairobi
-Treated water on the trek.
-On completion, successful climb certificate/s
-Mount Kenya acclimatisation overnight at Mountain Rock Lodge on the base of Mt Kenya to include a walk to Mau Mau caves
-Chemical toilet on the mountain
-Group maximum of 12 climbers for personalised service

Excluded:
-Laundry, tips, sleeping bags, climbing gear and drinks
-International flights and taxes
-Emergency Oxygen, available on request at $200 per group (MUST BE REQUESTED IN ADVANCE)
-Passports and Visas
-Traveler’s insurance and medical evacuation insurance
-Passports and visas
-Items of personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary